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Research in the Department of Physics at Auburn University explores fundamental questions about matter, energy and the physical universe. Faculty and students collaborate across experimental, theoretical and computational approaches to investigate phenomena ranging from atomic interactions to the behavior of complex materials and plasmas.
The department’s research programs provide opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to work alongside faculty in laboratories and research groups addressing major scientific and technological challenge
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Atomic, Molecular & Optical Physics
Atomic, molecular and optical (AMO) physics research investigates the fundamental interactions between atoms, molecules and light. At Auburn, researchers study processes that span enormous ranges of time and length scales, including the dynamics of atoms and molecules and their interactions with radiation.
This work helps advance understanding of fundamental physics while contributing to areas such as spectroscopy, plasma science and astrophysical phenomena including planetary atmospheres and stellar environments.
Research in this area combines experimental measurements and theoretical modeling to explore atomic structure, collision dynamics and light–matter interactions.
Biophysics
Biophysics research applies the tools and methods of physics to complex biological systems. Faculty in this area study processes such as intracellular transport, neural dynamics and biological modeling, using computational and experimental approaches to better understand living systems.
By integrating physics, biology and computational science, this research helps uncover the physical principles that govern biological organization and function.
Condensed Matter Physics
Condensed matter physics focuses on understanding the physical properties of materials, particularly solids and nanostructures. Research at Auburn explores materials such as thin films, low-dimensional structures and emerging quantum materials relevant to microelectronics and energy technologies.
Faculty and students investigate topics including electronic structure, optical properties, nanoscale materials and advanced device physics using both experimental and theoretical methods.
Plasma Physics
Plasma physics research at Auburn examines the behavior of ionized gases in both laboratory and natural environments. The department is internationally recognized for its work on magnetized plasmas, dusty plasmas and plasma dynamics relevant to fusion energy and space environments.
Researchers study how plasmas interact with magnetic fields, particles and electromagnetic radiation, helping advance understanding of plasma behavior in applications ranging from fusion research to astrophysical systems.
Magnetized Plasma Research Laboratory
A major component of Auburn’s plasma research is conducted through the Magnetized Plasma Research Laboratory (MPRL), a multi-user facility that supports experimental and computational studies of strongly magnetized plasmas and complex plasma systems.
Students and researchers working in plasma physics gain hands-on experience with advanced diagnostic systems and experimental plasma devices while contributing to collaborative research programs.
Fusion Research at the Wendelstein 7-X Stellarator
Auburn University researchers are working to advance the stellarator approach to magnetic fusion energy by investigating plasma physics at Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X), the world’s largest and most advanced optimized stellarator.
Faculty, staff and students work remotely and on-site at W7-X in Greifswald, Germany, on projects involving advanced diagnostics, plasma edge physics, impurity transport, 3D equilibrium reconstruction and plasma-material interactions.
Space Physics
Space physics research investigates the plasma environment surrounding Earth and other planetary bodies. Faculty study phenomena such as the Earth’s magnetosphere, solar emissions and interactions between solar wind and planetary magnetic fields.
These studies combine observations, modeling and theoretical analysis to better understand space weather and the dynamic processes that shape near-Earth space.
Atomic, Molecular & Optical Physics
Faculty working in atomic, molecular and optical physics investigate the interactions between atoms, molecules and electromagnetic radiation. Their research explores fundamental processes such as atomic structure, collision dynamics and light–matter interactions, contributing to fields including spectroscopy, plasma science and astrophysics.
Biophysics
Biophysics faculty apply the principles and tools of physics to complex biological systems. Their work combines experimental and computational approaches to study processes such as intracellular transport, neural dynamics and biological modeling, helping uncover the physical mechanisms that govern living systems.
Condensed Matter Physics
Research in condensed matter physics focuses on understanding the physical properties of materials, particularly solids and nanoscale structures. Faculty study topics such as electronic structure, thin films and advanced materials relevant to microelectronics, energy technologies and emerging quantum systems.
Plasma Physics
Space Physics
Faculty working in space physics investigate the plasma environment surrounding Earth, particularly the region known as the magnetosphere, where the solar wind interacts with Earth’s magnetic field. Research combines theoretical modeling, large-scale computational simulations and satellite observations to study phenomena such as geomagnetic storms, plasma waves and particle dynamics in near-Earth space. These studies help improve understanding of space weather and the fundamental plasma processes that shape planetary magnetospheres and the broader solar system.
