Joint Appointments

Meigan Aronson

Our research in experimental condensed matter physics focuses on the properties of magnetic materials, and in particular on understanding the general conditions under which magnetic order is stabilized. We are interested not only on how magnetic moments forms or survive in the metallic environment, but also in the interplay of moment stability and magnetic order. Currently, we have three different projects ongoing in our group.

Lars Ehm

Laser-heated diamond anvil cell, single-crystal and powder x-ray diffraction, diffraction data analysis, and spectroscopy at high-pressure.

The main focus of Congwu Du’s research is to develop optical imaging tools and apply the
m for characterization and detection of physiological/pharmacological processes in biological tissue such as brain. Her current projects include the simultaneous detection of the cerebral blood volume and oxygenation as well as intracellular calcium in vivo using fluorescence spectroscopy and photon migration techniques, and multiple wavelength laser speckle imaging. Her long-term goal is to combine optical imaging with other neuroimaging modalities such as optical coherent tomography, MRI and PET for the diagnosis of diseases.

Dax Fu

We use an integrated approach of membrane biochemistry and x-ray crystallography to study structures and functions of metal transporters. The current conceptual framework of metallochemistry is inadequate to explain how metal transporters acquire metal ions against thermodynamic gradients while maintaining rapid metal mobility and extraordinary metal selectivity. Metal transporters provide a unique research opportunity for making paradigm-shifting discoveries at the interface of biochemistry and metallochemistry.

James Glimm

James Glimm has made fundamental contributions to nonlinear analysis—winning the Amer. Math. Soc. Steele Prize— to quantum field theory—winning the American Physical Soc. Heineman Prize—and to computational fluid dynamics.  The Department of Energy adopted Glimm’s front-track methodology for shock-wave calculations, e.g., simulating weapons performance.  Glimm is a member of the Nat. Academy of Science and Academia Sinica and is a recipient of the National Medal of Science.  In 2007-08, he was President of the Amer. Math Soc.

Jia Jiangyong

We are interested in studying the properties of the dense nuclear matter created in elativistic heavy ion collisions.  Under extremely high temperature and density, such matter exist in the form of quasi-free quarks and gluons (Quark-Gluon Plasma or QGP), whose interactions are scribed by the *Quantum ChromoDynamics* <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_chromodynamics> theory (QCD). We seek to recreate and study QGP in the laboratory and to understand its underlying QCD theory. Our research is carried out at the *Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider <http://www.bnl.gov/rhic/>* at BNL and at the *Large Hadron Collider* <http://lhc.web.cern.ch/lhc/> at CERN. Our group is involved with the *PHENIX <https://www.phenix.bnl.gov/>* and *ATLAS* 
<http://www.usatlas.bnl.gov/> experiments respectively, at each of these accelerator facilities.

Peter Khalifah

Materials Chemistry, Solid State Chemistry: Periodic solids provide the backbone of the high-tech industry due to their amplification of the interactions between individual atomic and molecular building blocks assembled within their crystalline lattices. This group focuses on designing functionality into crystalline solids using elemental substitution and structural control to fine-tune the energy levels of bulk materials. Our expertise in materials synthesis, structural characterization, and physical properties measurements allows us to tackle all aspects of this “internal design” process

Dmitri Kharzeev

Dmitri Kharzeev is interested in all aspects of the modern theory of strong interactions - Quantum Chromo-Dynamics (QCD), and its applications to the description of experimentally accessible
phenomena. He is closely involved in theoretical research related to the programs at Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider at BNL and Large Hadron Collider at CERN. In particular, he studies the ways in which the underlying quark-gluon structure of hadrons and nuclei determines the dynamics of their interactions and the salient features of the visible Universe. Many of these features stem from topology of non-Abelian gauge theories that form the current Standard Model of the physical world. Dmitri also believes that all sub-fields of physics are deeply connected, and cross-disciplinary interactions are necessary for the advancement of science. For example, he argues that topology holds the key to understanding many universal dynamical properties of systems at vastly different scales, from femto-meter (quarks and gluons of QCD), to nano-meter (e.g. topological insulators and graphene), to parsec (e.g. magnetic helicity and polarization of cosmic microwave background).

Huilin Li

Our research is aimed at understanding the function of biological macromolecules via structural analyses, primarily by cryo-electron microscopy. Cryo-EM is capable of revealing low to medium resolution structures of large protein complexes that are proven difficult for X-ray crystallography or NMR methods.

Devinder Mahajan

Devinder Mahajan, a professor in the Materials Science & Engineering Department and co-director of the Chemical and Molecular Engineering Program at Stony Brook University (SBU) who holds a joint appointment with Brookhaven Lab, has been named a 2011-2012 Jefferson Science Fellow. The Fellowship brings tenured professors of science and engineering to the State Department for one year to advise on science policy issues. Devinder is serving his fellowship in the Bureau for Energy Resources. His research goal is to develop low-carbon energy technologies that will lead to commercialization for the benefit of society and to train students in the next generation of renewable technologies.  Learn more

Emilio Mendez

Emilio Mendez is interested in novel properties of solids with potential for applications in electronics or photonics. In particular, he studies the transport, magneto-transport, and optical properties of semiconductor heterostructures. He has contributed to the elucidation of phenomena such as resonant tunneling, the quantum Hall effects, and the Stark effects in quantum wells and superlattices. He is also explaining the analogies between optical phenomena in semiconductor microcavities and atom-cavity physics and the use of electronic noise to shed light on the mechanisms that govern electrical conduction in solids.

John Parise

John is interested in the relationships between properties and the underlying atomic arrangements in condensed matter, especially at the extremes of temperature and pressure. Under extreme cond
itions the properties of materials can be quite different, and potentially useful, compared to those properties at room conditions. Coupling to theory, preparation of novel states of matter, recovering to room conditions, studying properties and characterizing the atomic arrangements are vital parts of the research program and so coupling to the facilities at Brookhaven is a considerable advantage. John co-directs the Joint Photon Sciences Institute (JPSI) which was formed by BNL-SBU to promote interactions, to educate potential users and to help develop the intellectual framework to optimize use of the unique facilities now or soon to be available at Brookhaven. For information on Chemistry projects go to http://www.chem.stonybrook.edu/jparise.html.

Roman Samulyak

 Roman Samulyak’s research involves mathematical modeling, numerical algorithms and simulations of complex physics processes in particle accelerators and energy research applications. He has performed numerical studies of liquids mercury targets for future particle accelerators such as the Neutrino Factory/Muon Collider and the Spallation Neutron Source, collective interactions of particles in accelerators, and fueling of thermonuclear fusion devices by the injection of cryogenic pellets.

Trevor Sears 

High Resolution Spectroscopy and Molecular Dynamics: Research in my group is focused upon the study of high resolution spectroscopy of chemical intermediates and the development of precise and sensitive experimental methods.  The spectroscopic methods are also used to investigate the energetics, dynamics and kinetics of collisional processes in the gas phase by following the 
evolution of a single quantum state of a molecule in time. The goal of this work is a fundamental understanding of chemical processes relatedto combustion. We are interested in the microscopic factors affecting the structure, dynamics and reactivity of short-lived intermediates such as free radicals in gas-phase reactions.  Recent work has involved the development of new laser double resonance techniques to investigate higher electronic states of the CH2 radical and sub-Doppler measurements of spectra of the CN radical.  In collaboration with Professor P. M. Johnson, laser photoelectron spectroscopy of larger, aromatic, molecules has identified a new pathway, probably involving an isomerization, following electronic excitation of phenylacetylene and a related species, benzonitrile.  The experimental work is supported by the use of ab initio electronic structure calculations and both time-dependent and time-independent quantum calculations of nuclear motion.

Michael G. White 

DYNAMICS AT SURFACES: Our research is aimed at providing a molecular level understanding of the energetics, dynamics and morphology-dependence of elementary surface reactions that play key roles in energy-related catalysis. Specifically, we are interested in systems involving simple feedstock chemicals (e.g., H2, CO, CO2, O2, CH4), the selective oxidation of C1 and C2 molecules (e.g., CH3OH, C2H4) and reaction systems that have environmental impact (e.g., De-NOx, De-SOx). We approach these problems from a chemical physics perspective in which experiments are designed to probe the adsorbate-metal potential surface and the dynamical paths that lead to reaction. Our experimental program makes extensive use of lasers for both state-selective detection of desorbed products and the photo-initiation of surface processes such as desorption, diffusion, dissociation and reaction. Current studies are focused on understanding the photoinduced reactions on semi-conducting surfaces such as titania (TiO2); whose photoactivity is widely used for removing organic pollutants from air and water, for anti-fogging and self-cleaning surfaces and as a potential photocatayst for solar water splitting. 

Stanislaus Wong 

Working on the nanometer scale, one billionth of a meter, requires the ability to synthesize, manipulate, and organize matter in a controllable manner as well as to predict and understand the properties of the resulting structure. Fundamentally, the focus of the nanoscience research in this group is to study discrete, molecular-scale intermolecular interactions. These are critical to understanding problems such as (a) friction, adhesion, and lubrication, important for physics applications; (b) binding energies on surfaces, essential for the design of effective chemical and biological catalysts; as well as (c) phenomena such as chemical and biological self-assembly.