Department of Physics Research

Theoretical Physics

• Information Physics
  Professors Caticha, Earle, Goyal, and Knuth
  Information Physics is focused on the role that information plays in our understanding of the physical world
• Foundations of Quantum Theory
  Professors Caticha, Earle, Goyal and Knuth

  Foundations of quantum theory is concerned with identifying and formalizing the counter-intuitive features of quantum theory (such as non-locality and contextuality), and, more generally, in unravelling its implications for our conception of physical reality.

• Foundations of Inference
  Professors Caticha, Earle, Goyal and Knuth

  Foundations of inference is concerned with the systematic development of mathematical tools that formalize the process of making reasonable inferences from limited information, and with developing an understanding of the conceptual foundations, interrelations, and domains of validity of existing tools (such as Bayesian inference and the Principle of Maximum Entropy).

• String theory and Particle Physics
  Professor Lunin

  Theoretical particle physics develops models and mathematical tools to understand properties of elementary particles and to make predictions for future experiments.

• Mathematical Physics
  Professor Inomata

Experimental Physics

• High Energy Physics
  Professors Alam and Ernst
  The high energy research group is a federally funded and active member of the ATLAS collaboration at CERN's Large Hadron Collider. Current work involves Higgs searches, Trigger software and Algorithms, and Muon reconstruction software.
• Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  Professor Earle

  The Earle group uses high field Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) to study the structure and dynamics of natural and artificial spin probes in systems of biophysical and chemicophysical interest. High field EPR can provide enhanced resolution of structural features analogously to high field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR).  The Earle group has an active and ongoing collaboration with the ACERT National Research Resources Center at Cornell University.

• X-ray Analysis, Optics, and Imaging
  Professor MacDonald
  The Center for X-Ray Optics was founded by Professor Emeritus Walter Gibson in 1990 to investigate the science and technology of the newly invented Kumakhov poycapillary optics.
• Material Physics
  Professors Kuan and Lanford
  The major theme of Prof. Kuan's research program is to study the microstructure of a wide variety of materials, including metals, semiconductors, superconductors, ceramics, and polymers. Prof. Lanford's research harnesses the 4MV ion beam accelerator located on the Albany campus, which offers unique capabilities for materials physics. Current research topics include: 1. clean surfaces, interfaces, and surface-sensitive properties of materials; 2. defects in solids; 3. hydrogen in solids.

Computational Physics

• Bayesian Data Analysis
  Professor Knuth

  Bayesian data analysis focuses on applying Bayesian probability theory as well as maximum entropy techniques to develop high-quality data analysis algorithms. We offer a senior/graduate level course on Bayesian Data Analysis every other year.

• Cyberphysics and Robotics
  Professor Knuth

  Cyberphysics is the physics of information-based control in systems that display a strong coupling between computing and control elements. Such systems are called cyber-physical systems. Here we investigate the fundamental physics governing the processes of information-driven systems.