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Physics & Astronomy

Graduate Program

Research

The Physics and Astronomy Department has six general areas of research available for students to choose from.

Ownership of Research

In order to fulfill the mission of Brigham Young University, graduate students will be required to engage in scholarly research for which the student may be paid as a Research Assistant or by some other method such as a scholarship, internship, fellowship, or tuition waiver. Students have substantial freedom in the selection of research projects, and will elect to participate in the various entities within the University to enhance their educational experience. All rights (including rights to income from sale or licensing), ownership, and title to research conducted at the University leading to the student's thesis or dissertation will reside with Brigham Young University. In some cases, as specified by University policy, a division of income from the sale of intellectual property will be made with contributing students.

A graduate student will work with his/her Advisory Committee or with other faculty on researching a topic. Both student and faculty must be very clear as to the contribution of each. Proper recognition must be given to all who contribute on any published results from the collaboration. This agreement on contribution and recognition is to be obtained from each contributor before the paper is submitted for publication.

Research Ethics

Science is only possible if high standards of honesty are adhered to. These standards are part of the honor code to which one commits as part of a yearly ecclesiastical endorsement. The Physics and Astronomy Department takes seriously this commitment to integrity in research. Plagiarism and falsified results will not be tolerated.

Acoustics

Nonlinear acoustics, physical acoustics, aeroacoustics, active noise control

Excitation, measurement, modeling, and control of sound fields; audio acoustics, architectural acoustics, active noise and vibration control, energy-based acoustics, and acoustical measurements.

Active noise control and energy-based acoustics


Astronomy



Stellar photometry (Observational)


Galaxy nuclear variability, remote observing, large-scale galaxy distribution


Atomic, Molecular, and Optical


Laser cooling, ultracold plasmas, biophotonics (experimental)

Matterwave interferometry and Laser Cooling (Experimental)

High-Intensity Laser Physics (experimental)

Nuclear Physics: neutron detector development



Condensed Matter



Optical investigations of electron spin in semiconductors


Computational Condensed Matter

Calculation of excited state spectra, electronic properties and transport in nanostructures.

Structural phase transitions in solids (computational)

Atomic and near atomic scale studies of materials by transmission electron microscopy (experimental)

Plasma

Experimental investigation of non-neutral plasma physics

Computational modeling of non-neutral plasmas in traps

Experimental investigation of non-neutral plasma physics


Theoretical and Mathematical

QFT, Quantum Dynamics, Quantum Chemistry, Holistic Dynamics

General relativity, nonlinear field theories, computational physics


all aspects of quantum theory

 
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