The Brock Physics Department is known nationally and internationally for its research strength in the field of condensed matter physics, both experimental and theoretical. Members of the Physics Department maintained active research programs, with funding from NSERC, CFI, and other external granting agencies. Many have received recognition in the form of special grants, awards and prizes, such as Brock Chancellor’s Chair in Research Excellence Awards, John Charles Polanyi Prize, and CFI Awards.

Through the mentorship of our faculty, our graduate students acquire the skills necessary to work as independent researchers as well as in collaboration with other researchers. They learn to identify and solve important and critical problems in their fields and pose questions of fundamental importance. Our graduate programs set the graduates on track to successful careers in academia, industry, government and private research institutions.

By investing several years in further education, a student will gain extensive experience in research, critical thinking and essential communication and technical skills. Hands-on use of our sophisticated equipment provides excellent job training and will give you a significant advantage in the higher-paying job market over those students who have only an undergraduate degree (verified in recent surveys).

Experimental Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science

Investigation of the optical properties of materials via optical spectroscopy from mm wave to UV. Raman spectroscopy. Preparation and characterization of ceramic, single crystal and thin film (using pulsed-laser deposition) materials. Magnetic and transport properties at ambient and high-pressure utilizing measurement techniques such as SQUID magnetometry, specific heat and dc-resistivity. Synthesis, design, and investigation of nanostructured materials for energy. Neutron scattering.

Theoretical physics

Superconductivity: unconventional pairing, high-Tc, magnetic, noncentrosymmetric superconductors, topological quantum materials, quantum magnets, topology in physics, dynamic systems, mathematical physics, general relativity, foundations of quantum mechanics, the nature of time and causality, time travel and faster-than-light travel, symbolic and high-performance scientific computing, parallel and concurrent computing.

Biophysics

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy and relaxation measurements in soft condensed matter systems. Study of collective motions in model membranes, phase transitions in liquid crystals. Exploration of various morphologies and phase behaviour of lipid/water systems using scattering techniques (e.g. Neutrons, x-ray and light). Study of the protein/membrane interactions; structural characteristics of membrane active peptides. Computational methods in biomolecular simulations.

Materials’ characterization

• Rigaku SmartLab X-ray diffractometer with HyPix detector
• Park Systems NX10 Atomic Force Microscope
• Hitachi SU5000 scanning electron microscope with EDS elemental analysis
• Agilent Cary-60 Uv/Vis Spectrometer
• Agilent Cary 630 FTIR
• Montana Labs Raman microscope
• Shimadzu DSC-60 differential scanning caloremeter
• Somem Michelson Interfereometer (200-5000 cm-1)
• Quantum Design SQUID Magnetometer
• Quantum Design PPMS and MPMS measurement systems
• Bruker IFS66V/S Interferometer (20-40000 cm^-1)
• Sciencetech Martin-Puplitt type interferometer (5-200 cm^-1)
• Jarell-Ash double grating spectrometer for Raman spectroscopy
• Custom IR labs Helium-3 cryostat (reflectance)
• Solid-state multi-channel NMR spectrometer with a 7T superconducting widebore magnet
• Various continuous flow and closed-cycle cryostats
• Custom IR labs Helium-3 cryostat (DC resistivity/AC susceptibility)
• Specific heat, susceptibilty- and resistivity-measuring instruments for a wide temperature range and under pressure

Sample preparation

• Thin film pulsed laser deposition facility
• RF Sputtering Facility
• Czochralski Crystal Growth Facility
• Arc-Melting Facility
• Various Tube, Box, and vacuum furnaces
• RF furnace

Please refer to the Academic Graduate Calendar for MSc and PhD admission requirements, or contact the Graduate Program Coodinator for more information.

Please refer to the Faculty of GRaduate Affairs and Postdoctoral Studies on How to Apply and Funding information.