Doctor of Philosophy in Optics and Photonics

Dr. Donna Bandy (Noble Research Fellow) and her students are investigating "whispering gallery modes" (WGM's) using sophisticated modeling techniques to predict properties such as mode excitation and outcoupling using tapered optical fibers. Dr. Mario Borunda studies several problems in quantum information science and quantum computing. His group is interested in understanding the properties of Bose-Einstein condensates and ultra cold Fermi atomic systems. Particularly, spin transport in and the effects of inducing spin-orbit coupling in atomic systems. Dr. Yingmei Liu leads an experimental AMO physics group, a part of a multidisciplinary program in Photonics at OSU. The main research interest is to investigate spin-squeezing with sodium Bose-Einstein Condensates near absolute zero temperature, and its immediate applications to quantum information science. Dr. Al Rosenberger is studying the fundamental properties and technical applications of "whispering gallery modes" (WGM's) of light in dielectric microresonators. For example, a fused-silica microsphere less than 1 mm in diameter supports many WGMs, whose evanescent parts extend outside the sphere to "feel" the environment. Applications include quantum-dot microlasers and chemical sensors. Dr. Gil Summy is using Bose-Einstein Condensation in Rubidium-87 to investigate fundamental issues in quantum chaos and atom trapping. In August 2004, Dr. Summy's group achieved a Bose Einstein condensate using optical trapping methods exclusively, thereby becoming one of the first such groups in the world to do so. The group maintains active collaborations with Dr. William Phillips' (Nobel Laureate 1997) group at NIST. Dr. Emrah Turgut’s research field is experimental condensed matter. He focuses on novel magnetic materials and electron, spin, and phonon dynamics in them. His group has expertise on growing, characterizing, fabricating functioning devices, and performing ultrabroadband spectroscopy and microscopy of these materials. His team’s overreaching goal is to create power efficient and superior computing and information storage applications using these materials.

As an overview these are the main documents that will be required to submit to the Graduate College Transcripts Original transcript from each college or university attended all transcripts submitted to the Graduate College must be official with the colleges or registrars original seal and should show any degrees completed Resume Vitae Submit a Resume or Curriculum Vitae of your academic and professional backgrounds and experiences 1-2 pages Statement of Purpose Submit a statement in your own words of your background academic preparation reasons for pursuing a degree in Physics or Photonics and career aspirations 1-2 pages Recommendations Names and contact information of three 3 persons familiar with the applicants academic preparation to pursue a degree in Physics or Photonics andor jobrelated skills in these fields English Proficiency for International Students All persons for whom English is a second language are required to present proof of English competency An official TOEFL score of at least 90 internet based test is required to be submitted The TOEFL institution code for OSU is 6546 Alternatively an official IELTS academic stream overall band score of at least 7.0 may be submitted Another alternative is an official PTE score of at least 61 The examination must have been taken within the last two years Outstanding applicants with official TOEFL scores of 79-90 IELTS scores of 6.5-7.0 or PTE scores of 53-60 will also be considered for admission into the graduate programs Although the Graduate College does not require proof of English proficiency for an applicant who has or will have completed a baccalaureate or graduate degree from a college or university where English is the primary teaching language and which is located in a country where English is a primary language the applicant may still need to submit a TOEFL IELTS or PTE score to the Physics Department for employment as a Teaching Assistant Please check the complete requirement description on the Graduate College English Proficiency page GRE It is strongly recommended that applicants submit both general and subject test Physics GRE scores These scores will help us to determine the distribution of assistantships with tuition waivers We will review applications with self-reported scores but applicants should be aware that official scores may be requested before admission is formally offered The recommended cumulative grade point average GPA for MS or PhD students is a minimum of 3.0 or higher.