PhD in Physics- Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science in Dekalb United States | Northern Illinois University

Condensed matter physics focuses on investigating solids, liquids, and complex materials. Researchers at NIU explore phenomena related to magnetism, superconductivity, and ferroelectricity. Additional studies involve synthesizing novel materials and examining soft matter and biomaterials physics. These investigations contribute to diverse practical applications, such as developing next-generation computer memory, innovative refrigeration systems, fuel cells for electric vehicles, and enhanced polymers. The condensed matter research team comprises both theorists and experimentalists. NIU's experimental resources feature two physical property measurement systems, a Mössbauer spectrometer, a powder x-ray diffractometer, two surface x-ray diffractometers, a dynamic light scattering spectrometer, a differential scanning calorimeter, a thermogravimetric analyzer, and a Langmuir-Blodgett trough. The physics department provides access to a Class 100 clean room equipped with various fabrication tools, characterization instruments, and deposition systems. The university also maintains a high-performance computing center. Several department faculty conduct research at Argonne National Laboratory, situated 44 miles southeast of campus, which houses national user facilities like the Advanced Photon Source and the Center for Nanoscale Materials, featuring cutting-edge nanoscale fabrication and characterization equipment including advanced electron microscopes.