Research Themes

Research in the School of Physics can be divided into six main themes, as follows:

Astrophysics research focuses on the observation, study and modelling of the advanced stages of stellar evolution for stars similar in mass to our own sun (BE), understanding the fundamental physics involved in the generation, storage and release of energy on the solar surface and in the atmosphere (PG) and the study of stellar atmospheres and radiative transfer (GH).

Magnetism and Spin Electronics research focuses on general magnetism and magnetic materials; spin electronics, magnetoelectrochemistry and magnetism in biology (JMDC). Also of interest are oxides and their applications for electronics, including conducting oxides, the fabrication and properties (electronic and magnetic) of nanowire arrays and materials science for energy and opto-electronic applications (IS).

Nanobiophysics research focuses on interdisciplinary research in the fields of single bio-molecule manipulation, bio-diagnostics and the development and application of biological sensing devices (MH).  Soft matter research is performed in the area of physics of foams and related packing problems (SH) and includes experiments and simulations on non-linear rheology and shear-induced diffusion in foams and dense emulsions (MM). Topics in econo- and sociophysics are also investigated (SH).

Photonics research focuses on new material systems and devices primarily for lighting, photovoltaic sensing and telecommunications applications (LB) and on the physics of photonic structures such as microcavity structures for single quantum dot emission; CdTe nanocrystals and nanowires as novel single photon emitters.  Quantum dot reaction centre and quantum-dot—bacteriorhodopsin interactions are investigated (JD). Tunable diode lasers based on slotted Fabry-Perot structures are applied (JD) and pulsed laser ablation and PLD of thin solid and nanoparticle films is conducted (JL).  High-resolution novel optical imaging and surface plasmon enhancement techniques using metal nanoparticles/nanostructures are used for detection of biomolecules, photonic approaches for materials characterization (EMcC). Theoretically the Photonics theme is supported by evaluating the behaviour of interacting photons and electrons in nanostructures, including semiconductor microcavities, quantum wells, quantum dots, and low-dimensional electron gases, as well as in related phenomena in quantum and classical optics (PE)

Nanoelectronics and Nanotechnology research is very active in the areas of liquid exfoliation of van der Waals bonded nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes, graphene and inorganic layered compounds (JC), and on optically active nanostructures and polymers as well as nanocarbon composites (WB). Interdisciplinary nanomechanics, nanofabrication and soft-matter physics are pursued in a programme of understanding the rheological and tribological issues underlying massively parallel nanostructure fabrication by mechanical forming of soft condensed matter systems (GC).  Transport and associated magneto-optical phenomena in low-dimensional inorganic and organic/molecular nanostructured materials and single nano-objects with and without magnetic fields and at varying temperatures are investigated (VK). Surface physics and interface physics target the photoelectron spectroscopy of semiconductors using synchrotron radiation (IMcG) and epioptics to probe anisotropic nanostructures grown by self-assembly including quasi-one-dimensional behaviour in non-magnetic and magnetic nanowires (JMcG).  Electronic structure and chemical bonding are investigated using resonant x-ray emission spectroscopy and x-ray absorption spectroscopy and the magnetic behaviour of low-dimensional atomic nanowires by x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (CMcG). New ultramicroscopy methodologies for nanoscale characterization, machinery, and metrology are being developed at the AML centre (HZ, VN).

Theoretical and Computational Solid State Physics research focuses on condensed matter theory. In particular, on the physical properties of low-dimensional systems like films, surfaces, multilayers and nanowires, and on the magnetic, transport and mechanical properties of carbon-based materials (MF).  Other work centres on the electronic structures of oxides, especially magnetic oxides and defects in oxides as well as the optical properties of reconstructed semiconductor surfaces (CP).  The electronic structure of materials, in particular of magnetic materials and of organic/inorganic interfaces, are explored and computational methods are developed for ab initio quantum transport at the nanoscale (SS). 

These six themes are used as part of the strategic planning for the School and for the College. This aids in the assessment of key areas for new appointments within the School and for increased collaborative efforts between the staff in Physics and other Schools. It is also used to inform funding agencies about the research effort of the School, notably SFI, Enterprise Ireland (EI) and the Higher Education Authority (HEA).