Nanostructures for Electronics and Photonics
USU hosts a vibrant research program in nanostructures for electronics and photonics, focusing on how micro- and nanoscale surfaces can control electrons and photons. This work advances both our understanding of quantum behavior and the development of low-power, compact, and high-performance devices. Faculty and students engage in active collaboration with researchers across campus and around the world.
Micro- and nanoscale surface structures allow manipulation of electrons and photons to reveal underlying quantum physics and to advance devices of low-power, small-footprint, and high-performance. Three laboratories in the Physics Department are dedicated to research in fabrication and characterization of nanostructures for electronics and photonics.
The UHV Surface Lab is a research lab equipped with ultrahigh-vacuum-cluster-chamber systems housing a slew of surface preparation and characterization tools. The Nanoscale Device Lab is equipped with tools for microfabrication and characterization to support research and teaching. The Photonics Lab, currently under development, will be equipped with bulk and on-chip optical devices, light sources, and detectors to support research and teaching.
The capabilities of these laboratories and the nature of this field provide ample opportunities for faculty and students to collaborate with researchers across campus and worldwide.
Opportunities for Students
Students gain hands-on experience with advanced fabrication and measurement tools while contributing to interdisciplinary research that bridges physics, engineering, and materials science.