Research
Research Areas
Our department has both theoretical and experimental research activities. Additionally, the department has ample computing facilities and students are encouraged to use the computers as much as possible. Quantum physics, gravitation, quantum optics, superconductivity/ superfluidity and analytical/computational studies of biological physics are the main theoretical research interests. On the experimental research side, the department focuses on solid state lasers, optoelectronic and microphotonic materials and devices, and nano – optics. There are four main research laboratories within the department: Laser Research Laboratory (LRL), Microphotonics Research Laboratory (MRL), Optofluidics and Nano-Optics Research Laboratory (NRL), and Brain Imaging and Control Laboratyory (BIC).
Experimental Studies
Microphotonics Research Laboratory (MRL) focuses its experimental research efforts on application areas such as optical fiber communication, silicon photonics, laser spectroscopy, and laser diagnostics. The research encompasses the design, fabrication, characterization, and testing of novel optoelectronic devices. Photonic structures such as high-quality factor optical microcavities as well as novel dielectric and semiconductor materials such as black silicon are used for the realization of these optoelectronic devices.
Principal Investigator: Prof. Dr. Ali Serpengüzel
Laser Research Laboratory (LRL) focuses on the development and characterization of new solid-state sources of coherent radiation. Solid-state lasers, where coherent laser radiation is produced via stimulated emission inside ion-doped crystals, have been widely used in many technological and scientific applications. To date, experimental and theoretical studies have been carried out in the areas of near-infrared tunable solid-state lasers, diode-pumped laser systems, modeling of thermal effects in solid-state lasers, spectroscopy of new solid-state materials, ultrafast lasers, nonlinear optics, and passive Q switching.
Frequency-doubled Cr4+:forsterite laser. Laser Research Laboratory.
Principal Investigator: Prof. Dr. Alphan Sennaroglu
Optofluidics and Nano-Optics Research Laboratory focuses on applications in high resolution fluorescence microscopy. Fluorescent nanoparticles are powerful tools that are used in characterizing polymers and biological specimens, and developing new photonic devices. In our laboratory, we perform fluorescent imaging with the sensitivity of a single fluorescent molecule using either a wide-field microscopy or a confocal microscopy setup. We also pursue research on optical microcavity based photonic devices. Optical microcavities that we are intensely characterizing are single liquid microdroplets located on a superhydrophobic surface.
Optofluidics and Nano-Optics Research Laboratory.
Principal Investigator: Prof. Dr. Alper Kiraz
Theoretical Studies
Prof. Tekin Dereli , Ph.D. METU, 1976
Quantum information theory, phase space quantization, standard electroweak theory and string models, generalized theories of gravitation, gravitational waves.
Assoc. Prof. Kaan Güven, Ph.D.Bilkent U., 1999
Physics of metamaterials, plasmonics, transformation optics, scientific computation, condensed matter physics.
Assoc. Prof. Menderes Işkın, Ph.D. Georgia Inst. of Tech., 2007
Many-body physics, degenerate Fermi and Bose gases, superfluidity, BCS theory of superconductivity, Bose-Einstein condensates, BCS-BEC crossover, optical lattices.
Assoc. Prof. Alkan Kabakçıoğlu, Ph.D. MIT, 1999
Statistical mechanics of complex systems, structure and folding of biomolecules. Regulation of gene expression in cells.
Prof. Ali Mostafazadeh, Ph.D. U. Texas-Austin, 1994
PT-symmetric quantum mechanics, geometric phase in quantum mechanics, topological quantum symmetries, supersymmetry and parasupersymmetry, quantum cosmologies.
Prof. Özgür Mustecaplıoğlu, Ph.D. Bilkent U., 1999
Quantum optics, atomic, molecular and optical physics, photonics.
Asst. Prof. Fethi Mübin Ramazanoğlu, Ph.D. Princeton U., 2012
Gravitational waves, numerical relativity, astrophysics of compact objects, alternative theories of gravitation, black hole evaporation.