Condensed matter physics and biophysics may be described as the search for simple, unifying explanations for complicated phenomena observed in liquids and solids. Advances in the field lead to universal concepts that govern the behavior of a large number of particles. Modern research embraces both "quantum" systems (the behavior of electrons in solids at low temperature) and "soft" condensed matter (liquid crystals, polymers, and biological structure are examples).

At Princeton, experimentalists are active in topological phases, novel superconductivity in organic metals, spin-liquids, quantum spin-textures, topological insulators, quantum magnetism in spin-chain materials, the physics of nanometer-scale structures, high-temperature superconductors, ferromagnetic oxides, charge and spin density wave compounds, mesoscopic properties of subnanometer wires, quantum control of single electron spins, quantum computing, the fractional quantum Hall effect and topological quantum Hall effect and spin-textures.

In "soft" condensed matter physics, experimental interest includes research on sedimentation, lyotropic liquid crystals, pattern formation in physical and biological systems, and crystallization of polyballs. The work in biophysics is an extension of the interests of the "soft" condensed matter faculty. Experimental areas include the understanding of molecular motors, the dynamics of DNA, the physics of biomembranes, biopolymers and proteins, and probes of cellular structure.

Experimentalists and theorists work closely on many of the projects. Experimental facilities include an x-ray spectrometer for investigating changes on the millisecond time scale and a compact free-electron laser for picosecond spectroscopy. Experiments using the intense synchrotron and x-ray FEL sources are also being planned.

Condensed-Matter Physics Seminar Schedule 2008-2009

• Robert H. Austin: (BIOPHYSICS) Protein and DNA dynamics from the molecular to polymeric levels, development of a free-electron laser.
• M. Zahid Hasan: Fundamental issues in quantum condensed matter, Topological Order, Topological Insulators, Topological Graphene, Spin-liquids, quantum spin Hall effect, Novel high T_c Superconductors, Frustrated electrons, Quantum computing using topological states, X-ray FELs, Protein folding-unfolding.
• Jason Petta: Experimental condensed matter physics and mesoscopic quantum optics. Quantum control: coherent manipulation of electron spins, storage and retrieval of quantum information, coupling solid state to flying qubits.
• N. Phuan Ong: My current interests are in i) electronic states of graphene in intense magnetic fields; ii) transport properties of topological insulators based on bismuth compounds, and other semi-metals; iii) superconductivity; and iv) quorum sensing networks in bacteria.
• Ali Yazdani: Experimental condensed matter physics, Nanoscale and high precision measurements on correlated and low-dimensional electronic systems. Scanning probe microscopy and spectroscopy.

• Daniel C. Tsui: (Electrical Engineering) Transport of super-mobile 2D electrons in Si; Two-dimensional metal-insulator transition.

• Paul M. Chaikin: (NYU) Professor Emeritus at Princeton, currently teaching at NYU. Effects of dimensionality, Coulomb correlation, and disorder in condensed matter systems, spin-density-wave states and superconductivity in organic metals, superconducting wire networks, colloidal physics, sedimentation in fluidized beds.

• Pegor Aynajian
• Andre Estevez-Torres
• Liyu Liu
• Jungpil Seo
• Karl Petersson
• Panu Koppinen
• Minkyung Jung