Washington and Lee University
|
Ken Van Ness |
Studies polymer blends and composites in order to understand the correlation between mechanical properties and morphological features for these complex materials. |
| Ronald Reese | Author of University Physics, a lively calculus-based introductory physics text. Professor Reese continues to write and teaches introductory physics, modern physics, relativity, and astronomy. |
| Thomas Williams | Theoretical physicist working in the area of quantum computing. Williams has returned to the department after serving as acting dean of the college and University Provost. In collaboration with mathematics faculty he is working on a jointly authored textbook on quantum computing. |
| David Sukow | Experimental laser dynamics. Recent work has involved chaos control and chaos synchronization in semiconductor lasers. Current projects include the creation of high-speed optical squarewaves, with potential applications to atomic clocks and optical digital logic. |
| Dan Mazilu | Thin film optics. Current research focuses on techniques of producing highly reliable, cost-effective antireflection coatings using self-assembled nanoparticle monolayers. Antireflection coatings play a critical role in many fields, from low-tech eyeglasses and windows to high technology night vision goggles and opto-electronic devices. |
| Irina Mazilu | Non-equilibrium statistical systems using analytical methods and computer simulation techniques. Currently we focus on interdisciplinary projects, such as the understanding of the complex behavior of molecular motors, traffic jams and driven interfaces. |
| Joel Kuehner | Experimental gas dynamics and laser diagnostics. Ongoing experiments involve the use of aero-optical techniques to measure density fluctuations, laser measurements of temperature, and particle image velocimetry measurements of wake flows. |
| Bruce Boller | Modeling and photometry of variable stars. Interests include magnetohydrodynamic modeling of the interaction between the solar wind and Earth’s magnetic field, coronal mass ejections, Monte Carlo analysis of gamma ray interactions with matter, and numerical solutions of the stellar structure equations. |
| Elizabeth Cumming | Research interests are in physics education as well as lasers, laser applications and optics. She has worked in industry as a research engineer, and has taught physics and math in many settings. |
| Jonathan Erickson | Interdisciplinary research focusing on plasticity and information processing in cultured neural networks. |
