David Sukow

Sukow’s courses include Stellar Evolution and Cosmology, Modern Physics, Optics, and Quantum Mechanics. His research involves nonlinear dynamics in semiconductor lasers, and is beginning to include astrophysics.

David Sukow

David Sukow

Robert Lee Telford Professor of Physics

Education

  • Ph.D. in Physics - Duke University
  • M.A. in Physics - Duke University
  • B.A. in Physics - Gustavus Adolphus College

Research

Observational Astrophysics - Students use optical and radio telescopes to observe celestial objects to study underlying physical properties and phenomena. Current areas of interest include variable stars and supernova host galaxies. Students learn to conduct observations with instruments such as the Green Bank Telescope, and reduce and interpret the data obtained, often as part of a larger consortium of astronomers.

Selected Publications

  • "Square-wave switching in vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers with polarization-rotated optical feedback: Experiments and simulations,” David W. Sukow, Taylor Gilfillan, Brenton Pope, Maria S. Torre, Athanasios Gavrielides, and Cristina Masoller.  Physical Review A, vol. 86, p. 033818 (2012).

  • "Simple and complex square waves in an edge-emitting diode laser with polarization-rotated optical feedback,” Athansios Gavrielides, David W. Sukow, Guinevere Burner, Taylor McLachlan, John Miller, and Jake Amonette, Physical Review E, vol. 81, p. 056209 (2010).

  • "Asymmetric square-waves in mutually-coupled semiconductor lasers with orthogonal optical injection,” David W. Sukow, Athanasios Gavrielides, Thomas Erneux, Benjamin Mooneyham, Karen Lee, Jake McKay, and Josiah Davis, Physical Review E Rapid Communications, vol. 81, 025206R (2010).