Research
At NIU, we develop the next generation of M.S. and Ph.D. scientists for a broad range of careers in physics. Our Chicagoland location places you in the center of innovation, within 50 miles of both Argonne National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. Most of our faculty lead highly active research programs, and several hold joint appointments at Argonne and Fermi. Our strong ties mean you will be mentored by accomplished scientists working on cutting-edge research.
External funding from the Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation and many of the national labs provides you with the resources and experiences to innovate and explore the field of physics. Join more than 50 graduate students in driving scientific advances forward alongside world-renowned scientists.
Explore our research areas below to learn more about the work of our faculty and the research opportunities available to graduate students.
High Energy Physics
NIU faculty investigate the fundamental particles and forces that govern the universe through experimental and theoretical research. Research includes studies of the Higgs sector, searches for new particles and phenomena beyond the Standard Model, and investigations of neutrinos and their interactions.
Faculty participate in major international experiments, including the ATLAS and CMS experiments at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN and the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) and Mu2e experiments at Fermilab.
| Faculty | Research Group |
|---|---|
| Jahred Adelman, Ph.D. | Adelman's group uses the ATLAS detector to study the properties of the Higgs sector of particle physics, including electroweak symmetry breaking and searches for new physics. |
| Dhiman Chakraborty, Ph.D. | Chakraborty's group searches for new physics in proton-proton collisions at the world's highest energies using the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. |
| Mike Eads, Ph.D. | Eads' group studies the fundamental particles and forces that govern the universe, with current research focused on the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE). |
| Hector De La Torre Perez, Ph.D. | De La Torre Perez's group searches for new particles beyond the Standard Model using the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider, with current research focused on final states containing multiple heavy quarks. The group also participates in upgrades to the ATLAS detector for the High-Luminosity LHC. |
| Stephen Martin, Ph.D. | Martin's high energy theory group studies fundamental particles and their interactions, including theoretical models involving possible new particles that could be discovered at the Large Hadron Collider or other proposed collider experiments. |
| Vishnu Zutshi, Ph.D. | Zutshi's group conducts experimental high energy particle physics research at the energy and intensity frontiers, with major responsibilities in the DUNE and Mu2e experiments at Fermilab and the CMS experiment at CERN. |
Beam Physics
Beam physics research at NIU focuses on understanding, modeling and controlling particle beams for current and next-generation accelerators. Faculty study beam dynamics, nonlinear systems, particle sources and methods for producing and manipulating high-brightness beams.
Research also explores new approaches to accelerator technology, including wakefield acceleration, advanced radiofrequency structures, spin-polarized electron sources and techniques for optimizing the six-dimensional phase-space distribution of particle beams.
| Faculty | Research Group |
|---|---|
| Oksana Chubenko, Ph.D. | Chubenko's group focuses on advanced modeling, growth and characterization of highly efficient electron sources for accelerator applications, including spin-polarized electron sources and sources of bright electron beams. |
| Bela Erdelyi, Ph.D. | Erdelyi's group studies nonlinear dynamics with an emphasis on charged particle beam physics. Research combines mathematical, computational and modeling approaches for applications including electron cooling, integrable optics and high-brightness particle sources. |
| Gwanghui Ha, Ph.D. | Ha's group studies the design and optimization of the six-dimensional phase-space distribution of particle beams, including methods for controlling beam properties, mitigating collective effects and accelerating particle beams using high-gradient and high-efficiency principles. |
| Xueying Lu, Ph.D. | Lu's group investigates novel accelerator concepts such as wakefield acceleration and novel radiofrequency structures such as metamaterials to push accelerating gradients beyond the limits of current accelerator technology. |
Condensed Matter and Materials Science
Condensed matter physics encompasses the study of solids, liquids and complex materials. Faculty at NIU investigate phenomena related to magnetism, superconductivity and ferroelectricity, as well as the synthesis and characterization of new materials. Research also includes the physics of soft matter and biomaterials, nanoscience, solid state theory and computational condensed matter physics.
This research has relevance to a wide range of practical applications, including the development of next-generation computer memory, new types of refrigeration, fuel cells and stronger polymers. The condensed matter group includes both theorists and experimentalists, with research spanning materials synthesis, nanoscale characterization, X-ray and neutron scattering, spectroscopy and computational modeling.
| Faculty | Research Group |
|---|---|
| Dennis E. Brown, Ph.D. | Brown's group studies the condensed matter physics of magnetic systems using Mössbauer spectroscopy, nuclear resonant X-ray scattering and X-ray crystallography, with research interests including spintronics, magnetoresistance, magnetocaloric effects and magnetic and pressure-induced phase transitions. |
| Omar Chmaissem, Ph.D. | Chmaissem's group studies the structures and properties of advanced functional oxides, using neutron powder diffraction and high-resolution X-rays to investigate materials including copper-based superconductors, colossal magnetoresistive manganites, magnetic ruthenates and heavy fermions. The group also studies the synthesis and characterization of oxide-based thin films, multilayers and nanoparticles. |
| Andreas Glatz, Ph.D. | Glatz's theoretical and computational condensed matter group studies dynamical processes in quantum and nanomaterials, including superconductors, non-equilibrium systems, active materials, quantum devices and disordered elastic systems. |
| Yasuo Ito, Ph.D. | Ito's group studies the relationship between structure and properties in bulk materials and interfaces of nanostructures at the atomic scale, using transmission electron microscopy and related spectroscopy techniques. Research includes nanoscale spin-electronic materials, superconducting nanowires and ribbons, and novel ion battery materials. |
| Laurence Lurio, Ph.D. | Lurio's group studies the structural and dynamic properties of fluids and complex materials, primarily using X-ray and light scattering. Research includes thin polymer films, biomembranes, liquid helium in confined geometries and critical phenomena in binary fluid mixtures. |
| Michel van Veenendaal, Ph.D. | Van Veenendaal's solid state theory group studies the interaction between X-rays and solids, with a focus on strongly correlated systems such as transition-metal and rare-earth compounds. Research includes X-ray dichroism, inelastic X-ray scattering, magnetism, and orbital and charge excitations. |
| Roland Winkler, Ph.D. | Winkler's solid state theory group studies spin-dependent phenomena in solid-state systems, including spin-orbit coupling, spin dynamics, and transport and optics in systems with reduced dimensionality. |
| Zhili Xiao, Ph.D. | Xiao's group studies nanoscience with an emphasis on superconductivity in confined geometries. Research includes superconducting nanowires, nanoribbons, shape-controlled nanocrystals and antidot arrays, as well as potential applications such as hydrogen gas sensors. |
Medical Physics
Medical physics research applies the principles of physics to medical imaging and other technologies used in healthcare. NIU research focuses on advanced imaging techniques that use proton beams to improve the accuracy of medical imaging and treatment planning.
Research in proton computed tomography and proton radiography seeks to improve measurements of how particles travel through tissue. These techniques have the potential to reduce uncertainties in treatment planning and help deliver radiation more precisely to tumors while reducing exposure to healthy tissue.
| Faculty | Research Group |
|---|---|
| George Coutrakon, Ph.D. | Coutrakon's group studies proton computed tomography and proton radiography for medical imaging. This research aims to improve the accuracy of measuring how protons travel through tissue, potentially reducing range errors and the dose delivered to healthy tissue during treatment. |
Research Opportunities and Internships for Students
Students can participate in research through independent projects, faculty research programs, undergraduate research programs and opportunities at Argonne National Laboratory and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. Contact faculty members to inquire about their research groups.
Students can also pursue research experiences, internships and fellowships through national laboratories, Department of Energy programs, Research Experiences for Undergraduates and other institutions.
Research Facilities and Laboratories
Our research facilities support experimental, computational and materials research across the department. Faculty and students also have access to specialized facilities and research resources at nearby national laboratories.