Research Areas

The faculty and students in the Department of Physics at Queens College of CUNY are involved in a wide range of experimental and theoretical investigations, principally in Optics and Condensed Matter Physics.

Experimental research programs include studies of quantum dots, nanocrystals, nanowires, semiconductor heterostructures, metamaterials, topological protection by edge states, photo-induced magnetic responses and catalysis, optical-vortex pattern formation, optical and microwave propagation in random media, physics of photonic devices, optical properties of nanostructures, micro and nanocavities for exploring cavity quantum electrodynamics in solid state systems, silicon photonics, photonic crystals, study of magnetic films with high field retention.

Theoretical research includes the study of nanoplamonics, devices for surface plasmon amplification by stimulated emission of radiation (SPASERs), optical whispering gallery modes, photonic nanostructures and metamaterials, topologically nontrivial phases and excitations, transport in quantum point contacts (QPCs), dynamics of nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS), quantum dots, nonlinear dynamics in semiconductor nanostructures, biomimetics, resonant photonic crystals, polariton propagation and localization in impure crystals, wave propagation in random materials, critical phenomena, and the relationship between classical and quantum theories of constrained systems.

Experimental facilities include a class 1000 microfabrication facility, which houses standard fabrications tools such as plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), reactive ion etcher (RIE), mask aligner, and spin coater; facilities for the preparation and characterization of magnetic, polymer, and electro-optic materials such as secondary ion mass spectrometer (SIMS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ellipsometer, transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) with electron beam lithography capability (arriving soon), surface profilometer, rheometer, laser ablation and sputtering deposition systems, continuous wave and ultrafast laser systems, Near-field Scanning Optical Microscope (NSOM), CCD cameras, spectrometers, microwave vector analyzers network analyzers, and spectrum analyzers. The department has excellent machine and electronics shops which support the research activity.

Students at all levels – graduate students, undergraduates, and high school students are actively involved in research with the faculty members. Queens College is one of the four main campuses participating in the Physics Ph.D. Program of the Graduate School of the City University of New York. There is considerable interaction within the Physics Program as well as with the Chemistry Program at the City University. The research groups at QC are also involved in collaborative research with other academic, industrial, and government laboratories, providing broad access to experimental facilities.

Detailed discussion of the range of research, recent publications, equipment and facilities can be found on the faculty and staff pages, as well as on the faculty research interests page.