Condensed Matter Physics 

Quantum theory provides an accurate description of the properties of atoms, but when these atoms condense to form solid or liquid phases they give rise to diverse mechanical, electrical, optical, and magnetic properties that depend not only on the way the atoms are arranged but also on the composition of the condensed matter. Defects, whether they are impurities, vacancies, or their complexes, further alter the properties of the condensed matter. This is particularly important in the field of semiconductors, where intentional incorporation of impurities into the material results in significant variations of its electrical and optical properties. Understanding of what these properties are and how they are influenced by structure and composition is at the heart of condensed matter science.

Research in condensed matter being carried out in the Physics Department includes electrical, magnetic, and optical properties of metals, alloys, and semiconductors using state-of-the-art experimental and theoretical techniques. Examples include defects in semiconductors such as GaN and ZnO, novel form of three-dimensional carbon and boron nitride, complex hydrides for hydrogen storage, trapping of harmful gases in porous networks, tailored BeMgZnO alloys for solar-blind detectors.