Faculty

Malcolm R. Beasley
Theodore and Sydney Rosenberg Professor of Applied Physics

Condensed matter and materials physics with an emphasis on superconductivity and its applications.  Advanced thin film deposition in the search for new superconductors, for model systems for fundamental physical study and for novel device structures.  Development and application of scanning probes for physical measurement.

Arthur Bienenstock
Professor of Applied Physics, Materials Science and Engineering and at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory
Special Assistant to the President for Federal Research Policy

My group's research involves the use of synchrotron radiation, and the development of new techniques, for the determination of atomic arrangements in physically interesting non-crystalline materials, including liquids.

Photo of A Bienenstock by L.A. Cicero / Stanford News Service

Steven M. Block
Professor of Applied Physics and of Biology

Current research centers on trying to understand the basis for movement in nature by studying motor proteins at the single-molecule level, using biophysical tools such as optical traps and low-level fluorescence. Systems currently under study include kinesin/microtubules, RNS polymerase/DNA, and lambda exonuclease/DNA.

Philip H. Bucksbaum
Professor of Photon Sciences, Applied Physics, and Physics

I am an atomic physicist.  My main research interest is fundamental light-matter interactions, and especially the control of quantum systems using ultrafast laser fields.  I develop new sources of ultrafast laser light in the infrared, visible, ultraviolet, and x-ray regions of the light spectrum.

Robert L. Byer
Professor of Applied Physics
Director, Hansen Experimental Physics Laboratory

Advanced laser concepts, diode pumped solid state lasers, nonlinear materials and devices, parametric oscillators. Applications include gravity wave interferometry, remote sensing, quantum optics, optical frequency synthesis.

Sebastian Doniach
Professor of Applied Physics and of Physics

Theory of cooperative phenomena in condensed matter systems and of structure-function relationships in biological molecules. Applications of synchrotron radiation to structural molecular biology.

Martin M. Fejer
Professor of Applied Physics

Nonlinear optical materials and devices. Guided wave optics. Microstructured ferroelectrics and semiconductors. Photorefractive phenomena. Optical characterization of materials and material synthesis processes.

Daniel S. Fisher
Professor of Applied Physics

Theory of collective and dynamical phenomena in condensed matter physics and biology. Recent research includes glass transitions, disordered materials, and quantum dissipation in superconductors. And in biology, evolutionary dynamics, especially in collaboration with laboratory experiments on microbes, and dynamical processes in cells.

Ian R. Fisher
Associate Professor, Department of Applied Physics
Associate Professor, By Courtesy, of Materials Science & Engineering

Unconventional magnetic & electronic ground states & phase transitions. Emphasis on design and discovery of new materials by crystal growth. Current interests include high field behavior of spin dimer compounds, valence skipping elements as negative-U centers and their role in superconductivity, reconstruction of the Fermi surface in charge density wave materials, and magnetism of 5d transition metal oxides.

Martin Greven
Assistant Professor Applied Physics and SSRL

Our research focuses on the fundamental electronic and magnetic structure and dynamics of certain transition metal oxides with strong electron correlations using state-of-the-art X-ray and neutron scattering techniques. These complex materials are at the frontier of condensed matter physics since they provide myriad possibilities to discover and study novel fundamental phenomena and phases, and because some of their properties, such as high-temperature superconductivity and colossal magnetoresistance (CMR), have potential applications in technology. Topics of particular current interest to us include low-dimensional model magnets, the high-temperature superconductors, and related non-superconducting phases.

Stephen E. Harris
Professor of Electrical Engineering and Applied Physics
Barbara and Kenneth Oshman Chair in Electrical Engineering

Our group has two projects: 1) The first is aimed at the synthesis of single-cycle optical wave forms, and more generally at the synthesis of optical waveforms of arbitrary shape. This is done by using a Raman source that has approximately four octaves of optical bandwidth. 2) We are interested in synthesizing the quantum waveforms of spontaneously emitted and entangled biphotons. As an example, one may generate entangled photons that have opposing chirps, and then use group velocity dispersion at either wavelength to make ultra-short, and in effect, high power photons.

Aharon Kapitulnik
Professor of Applied Physics and Physics
Chair, Department of Applied Physics

Strongly correlated electron systems. Disordered electron systems. Low-dimensional systems. Superconductivity. Magnetism. Quantum phase transitions. Search for broken-time-reversal symmetry state in novel condensed matter systems. Measurements techniques include transport, thermodynamic, optical, magnetic, and STM. Measurements of gravity at sub-mm length-scales.

Mark A. Kasevich
Professor of Physics and of Applied Physics

Atom optics, interferometry, and the study of quantum many-body effects in dilute atomic vapors.

Hideo Mabuchi
Professor of Applied Physics

Our group works in physical measurement and control, with current emphasis on the development and application of practical methodologies for the study of hypersensitive quantum systems and context-sensitive biophysical phenomena. The most distinctive aspects of our scientific research emerge from a synthesis of theoretical physics, systems engineering and advanced experimental technique.

Kathryn A. Moler
Associate Professor of Applied Physics, and of Physics
Director, Center for Probing the Nanoscale, an NSF NSEC

Development of magnetic nanoprobes for fundamental experiments in condensed matter physics, particularly strongly correlated electron systems and mesoscopic physics.

Vahé Petrosian
Professor of Physics and Applied Physics

The research interests of Professor Petrosian have been in two broad areas of high energy astrophysics and cosmology. The former area includes studies of acceleration, transport and radiation of non-thermal particles, developed primarily for application to solar flares. This works has also found application in variety of other astrophysical sources including accretion disks, Gamma-ray bursts and Clusters of Galaxies. The work in cosmology is focused on evolution of galaxies and quasars (and AGNs in general), and in luminous arcs in clusters of galaxies (of which he is a co-discoverer) and gravitational lensing. Another interest has been in the area of statistical methods relevant to analysis of astronomical data. This work is carried out in collaboration with B. Efron of the Statistics Department at Stanford has been concentrated on development of new non-parametric methods for determination of distribution of astronomical sources from truncated data.

David A. Reis
Associate Professor of Photon Science and of Applied Physics

My research interests include ultrafast processes in the solid state and fundamental light-matter interactions. In particular, our group is investigates nonequilibrium dynamics in solids with atomic level spatial and temporal resolution. Our tools include ultrafast optical laser and x-ray sources (as well as ultrafast x-ray lasers such as the Linac Coherent Light Source x-ray free-electron laser at SLAC).

Mark J. Schnitzer
Assistant Professor of Biology and Applied Physics

Research in our lab focuses on the innovation and application of micro-optical and nonlinear optical imaging techniques for studying biophysical dynamics of neurons in live mammals. Recently we developed laser-scanning fluorescence micro-endoscopes, which we have used to obtain unprecedented micron-scale views of neurons in brain areas that were previously inaccessible in live animals. We are now extending our imaging approaches towards monitoring neuronal activity, in conjunction with electrophysiological methods. The aim is to connect biophysical variables, such as neuronal ion concentrations and membrane voltages, with simple sensory stimuli that may be delivered to a living animal. We are also constructing endoscopes for monitoring brain activity in freely moving animals. Such approaches are allowing us to study brain dynamics that may underlie aspects of mammalian behavior.

Zhi-Xun Shen
Professor of Applied Physics, Physics, and Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory
Director, Geballe Laboratory for Advanced Materials, Stanford University
Director, X-Ray Laboratory for Advanced Materials, SLAC, Stanford University

Physics of Quantum Matter: including superconducting, magnetic, ferroelectric and dielectric materials, organic conductors and superconductors, low-dimensional compounds, quantum phase transitions, elementary excitations and collective modes, Kondo and mixed valence problem, magneto-resistive materials, metal-insulator transition. Interaction between Light and Matter, and Advanced Spectroscopy, Scattering and Imaging Techniques: synchrotron radiation and free electron laser, high-resolution photoelectron spectroscopy with angle, spin and time resolution, inelastic x-ray scattering, laser based photoelectron spectroscopy and microcopy, soft x-ray emission, and Raman spectroscopy. Physics of the Ultra-Small and Ultra-Fast: nanostructured materials, scanning microwave microscopy, time resolved photoemission spectroscopy, pump probe experiments.

Yoshihisa Yamamoto
Professor of Applied Physics and of Electrical Engineering

Experimental and theoretical quantum optics with a special emphasis on quantum information science applications. Generation and detection of single photons and entangled photons, quantum key distribution based on differential phase shift (DPS) protocol, quantum repeater based on cavity QED network connected by coherent state bus and quantum simulation of many body problems based on exciton polariton and two-dimensional electron gas systems.

Bruce M. Clemens
Professor of Materials Science and Engineering
Professor of Applied Physics by Courtesy

Metal-metal multilayers, interfaces and interface reactions, magnetic thin films, and x-ray diffraction.

James S. Harris
James and Ellenor Chesebrough Professor of Engineering
Professor of Applied Physics by Courtesy
Professor of Materials Science and Engineering by Courtesy

Molecular Beam Epitaxy, Solid State Device Physics and Modeling. Dr. Harris researches molecular beam epitaxy of III-V compound semiconductor electronic and optoelectronic materials. He also creates new electronic devices utilizing heterojunctions, superlattices, and quantum wells, including three-dimensional electronic devices and circuits.

Lambertus Hesselink
Professor of Electrical Engineering
Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics by Courtesy
Professor of Applied Physics by Courtesy

Professor Hesselink's research encompasses fundamental research on optics, photonics and optical materials guided by significant applications.   We are focusing on ultra-high performance nano-photonics devices based on a new class of nano-apertures that provide more than 1,000,000 times the optical power throughput of conventional round or square apertures. These apertures form the basis of new applications in many areas of nano-photonics,  including, but not limited to, optical data storage, biophysics, and spectroscopy. In addition we are continuing to further develop digital holographic storage, which we pioneered in 1994.  Currently holographic storage is one of two premier candidates for the next generation of DVD devices.  We also carry out materials research needed to advance the performance of these devices, or to increase our understanding of biological media using a holistic system approach. Currently we are studying the interaction between ultra-fast laser beams and biological tissue.  All device and system research is supported by an extensive effort on exact modeliing of underlying fundamental physical principles.

David A.B. Miller
W.M. Keck Foundation Professor of Electrical Engineering
Professor of Applied Physics by Courtesy
Director, E.L. Ginzton Laboratory
Director, Solid State and Photonics Laboratory

Use of optics in switching, interconnection, computing and sensing systems. Dense optical interconnection to silicon electronics. Physics and applications of quantum well and nanophotonic optics and optoelectronics. Fundamental features and limits for optics in communications and information processing.

W. E. Moerner
Harry S. Mosher Professor of Chemistry
Professor of Applied Physics by Courtesy

Research in the Moerner laboratory focuses on optical detection and imaging of individual molecules, which may be regarded as nanoscale probes of complex condensed matter systems ~1 nm in size. When one molecule is selected by laser pumping, the light emitted from that molecule can be used as a reporter of local energetics, polarity, orientation, symmetry, coupling to nearby molecules, and position, with the ability to sense these variables as a function of time to explore dynamics. These ideas are applied to understand matter on the nanoscale in a range of biological, crystalline, and polymeric systems. The Moerner laboratory has also been developing nanometallic antennas to improve the interaction between molecules and light, with the goal of producing a new and highly efficient near-field optical scanning microscope with resolution near 20 nm. Finally, we have recently developed a new kind of trap for nanoscale objects in solution which overcomes the deleterious effects of Brownian motion. Because this trap does not rely on optical forces like laser tweezers, far smaller objects can be trapped for extended observation, down to individual proteins ~10 nm in size, without the requirement for surface attachment.

Douglas D. Osheroff
J.G. Jackson and C.J. Wood Professor of Physics
Professor of Applied Physics by Courtesy

Physics of materials near absolute zero, including superfluidity in 3He, nuclear magnetically ordered solid 3He, and the dielectric and thermal properties of glasses.

Stephen Quake
Professor of Bioengineering
Professor of Applied Physics by Courtesy
Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Quake's interests lie at the nexus of physics, biology and biotechnology. Over the past half decade, he has focused on understanding the basic physics and biological applications of microfluidic technology. His group pioneered the development of Microfluidic Large Scale Integration (LSI), demonstrating the first integrated microfluidic devices with thousands of mechanical valves. This technology is helping to pave the way for large scale automation of biology at the nanoliter scale, and he and his students have been exploring applications of "lab on a chip" technology in functional genomics, genetic analysis, and protein design. Throughout his career, Quake has also been active in the field of single molecule biophysics; he has focused on precision measurements on single molecules, and in 2003 his group demonstrated the first successful single molecule DNA sequencing experiments.

Shoucheng Zhang
Professor of Physics
Professor of Applied Physics by Courtesy

Theoretical condensed matter physics including the Chern-Simons-Landau-Ginzburg theory of the quantized Hall effect, the global phase diagram and the universality of the phase transitions in quantum Hall systems. Novel superfluid phase of helium absorbed on hydrogen surfaces. Application of quantum field theory in condensed matter physics.

Thomas M. Baer
Consulting Professor of Applied Physics

Richard G. Brewer
Consulting Professor of Applied Physics

Richard Brewer has made significant contributions to atomic physics, laser spectroscopy and quantum optics, research which has appeared in about 150 publications in books and physics journals. (A personal account is in Memoirs, R.G. Brewer, Bohr Library, American Institute of Physics, MD, 2004.) His approach to a problem always involves an interplay between theory and observation. Throughout this work, fundamental problems were addressed using novel and simple laser techniques. Most of the work was carried out at IBM with young visiting scientists, experimentalists and theorists, from all over the world who went on to occupy important academic positions. In addition, a few collaborations were with such luminaries as Edward Teller at UC, Berkeley, Charles Townes at MIT, Ali Javan at MIT, and Erwin Hahn at UC, Berkeley. He also contributed importantly to the advancement of physics by initiating with Aram Mooradian the highly successful International Conference on Laser Spectroscopy, a conference series that continues today after 34 years.

John D. Fox
Consulting Professor of Applied Physics
Group Leader, Accelerator Technology Research Stanford Linear Accelerator Center

Interests in particle beam dynamics and development of techniques to control instabilities in particle accelerators and storage rings. Application of electronic and electro-optic signal processing techniques to instrumentation and feedback control problems. Development of wideband (GS/sec.) real-time processing architectures. Broad interests in instrument techniques for experimental measurements of physical systems. Energy technologies, environmental impacts and policy options regarding energy choices for the 21st century.

Bernardo A. Huberman
Consulting Professor of Applied Physics
Senior HP Fellow
Director, Information Dynamics Laboratory, HP Labs

I'm interested in the dynamics of information and how it flows within networks. As part of my research we have designed and implemented a globally distributed computer network that allocates resources by auctioning off computons, bundles of cpu, storage and bandwidth. The other aspect of this work involves designing and testing in the laboratory mechanisms for discovering and aggregating that information using economic incentives. Examples are the discovery of social networks from patterns in email exchanges, the prediction of uncertain events using groups of people within a market setting, and more recently the economics of attention.

John R. Kirtley

Scanning SQUID microscopy: For the past dozen years I have developed the technique of scanning SQUID microscopy and used the resulting novel instruments for fundamental studies.

Richard M. Martin
Consulting Professor of Applied Physics
Emeritus Professor of Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Theory of condensed matter, especially the electronic structure of solids. Examples of recent work include density functional calculations for stability and superconductivity in doped fullerenes, new structures of nitrogen at high pressure, Monte Carlo simulations of many-body electron problems in one-dimensional electron wires, the theory of polarization and localization in insulators, and topological quantum order in Mott insulators.

Stuart S.P. Parkin
Consulting Professor of Applied Physics

Thin film deposition. Superconductivity (e.g. ferromagnet /insulator/ superconductor tunnel junctions). Characterization of thin film structures (e.g. x-ray scattering and diffraction; synchrotron based techniques; XMCD).

Daniel Rugar
Consulting Professor of Applied Physics

Nanometer-scale science and technology. Scanning probe microscopy. Magnetic resonance force microscopy (especially its potential for single spin NMR detection and molecular structure determination). Ultrasensitive force detection (including micromechanical sensors, mechanical parametric amplification, thermomechanical noise squeezing). Novel data storage techniques.

Steven Chu
Theodore and Frances Geballe Professor of Humanities and Sciences
Emeritus Professor of Physics and of Applied Physics

Atomic physics, laser spectroscopy, quantum electronics. Laser cooling and trapping of atoms, atom interferometry, manipulation of biological molecules, spectroscopy of positronium and muonium.

Alexander L. Fetter
Emeritus Professor of Physics and Applied Physics

My work over the past decade has focused on the behavior of ultra-cold dilute quantum gases. This rapidly evolving area has spanned the fields of atomic physics and condensed matter physics, borrowing from both, with many spectacular new results. I am especially interested in the response to external rotations, which involve quantized vortices.

Theodore H. Geballe
Emeritus Professor of Applied Physics and of Materials Science and Engineering

Condensed matter and materials science, particularly in exploring the limits of superconductivity and magnetism in model systems and in systems far from equilibrium including interfaces  in thin film structures synthesized by advanced vapor deposition techniques. Investigation of pairing mechanisms and enhanced superconductivity in the high  T_c cuprate family and in amorphous and granular superconductors.

Walter A. Harrison
Emeritus Professor of Applied Physics

Theoretical studies of the electronic structure of solids and molecules and their relation to the properties of these systems. Current emphasis on understanding and modeling of semiconductor systems.

Conyers Herring
Emeritus Professor of Applied Physics

Theoretical solid-state physics, including electronic structure, surface properties, magnetism, and electronic and atomic transport.

Gordon S. Kino
W.M. Keck Foundation Emeritus Professor of Electrical Engineering
Emeritus Professor of Applied Physics by Courtesy

Nondestructive testing, optical, acoustic, and photo acoustic microscopy; fiber optics; fiber-optic modulators, and fiber optic sensors.

Calvin F. Quate
Leland T. Edwards Emeritus Professor (Research) of Engineering
Emeritus Professor (Research) of Electrical Engineering
Emeritus Professor (Research) of Applied Physics

The dominant theme of our research over the past decade has been the development and application of Scanning Probes Microscopes. We use MEMS technology and micromachining to fabricate various form of cantilevers with integrated sensors and actuators. These instruments are capable of resolving atomic structure when operating in a vacuum, but primarily they are used in ambient atmosphere to image nanoscale structures. In our current program we are using these instruments to fabricate nanoscale devices. In a parallel theme we are employing these tools to study properties of biological molecules.

Peter A. Sturrock
Emeritus Professor of Applied Physics
Emeritus Professor of Physics by Courtesy
Member, Center for Space Science and Astrophysics, Kavli Institute for Physics and Cosmology

Plasma physics, solar physics, solar-terrestrial relations and high-energy astrophysics.

Helmut Wiedemann
Emeritus Professor (Research) of Applied Physics and of the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory

Developments in theoretical and experimental accelerator physics, particle sources, linear accelerators, storage rings, and synchrotron radiation sources. Special interest in developing high brightness light sources at short pulse duration. Specific goals are to produce femto second electron pulses and convert them to a tunable source of femto second, coherent light pulses to be used for fundamental research and for particle acceleration.

Herman Winick
Assistant Director and Professor (Research), Emeritus
Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory Division of the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center
Professor (Research), Emeritus; Applied Physics Dept, Stanford University

Development of sources and facilities for synchrotron radiation research: storage rings, wiggler and undulator magnets, free electron lasers.