Skip to main content
MenuSearch & Directory

Physics Research at SLU

Most of the instructors in the Saint Louis University Department of Physics are continuously engaged in the exploration of new ideas. The following list gives you an idea of what they are thinking about outside of the classroom. Many of the research projects led by faculty involve the participation of undergraduate students.

A close up image of a adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator

David Wisbey, Ph.D., uses the adiabatic demagnetization refrigerator (ADR), capable of reaching temperatures below 42 mK. Professor Wisbey uses this to study materials for quantum information. Quantum bits (or qubits) and microwave resonators, integral parts of a quantum computer, must be isolated from their environment in order to perform operations. 

Biophysics and Biomechanics

  • Vijai Dixit, Ph.D.
  • Amina Mohammadalipour, Ph.D.
  • Jean Potvin, Ph.D.

Fluid Mechanics and Aerodynamics

  • Jean Potvin, Ph.D.

Gravity and Cosmology

  • Greg Comer, Ph.D.
  • Ian Redmount, Ph.D.

Quantum Information and Materials

  • Dmitry Solenov, Ph.D.
  • David Wisbey, Ph.D.

Superconductivity and Solid-State Physics

  • Irma Kuljanishvili, Ph.D.
  • Martin Nikolo, Ph.D.
  • Dmitry Solenov, Ph.D.
  • David Wisbey, Ph.D.

Recent Publications

Optical Direct Write of Dolan–Niemeyer-Bridge Junctions for Transmon Qubits

J.T. Monroe, D. Kowsari, K. Zheng, C. Gaikwad, J. Brewster, D.S. Wisbey, K.W. Murch
Applied Physics Letters
Volume: 119 Issue: 6 Page: 062601

  • Abstract: We characterize highly coherent transmon qubits fabricated with a direct-write photolithography system. Multi-layer evaporation and oxidation allow us to change the critical current density by reducing the effective tunneling area and increasing the barrier thickness. Surface treatments before resist application and again before evaporation result in high-coherence devices. With optimized surface treatments, we achieve energy relaxation T1 times in excess of 80𝜇s for three dimensional transmon qubits with Josephson junction lithographic areas of 2 𝜇m.
A Two-Step Method for Transferring Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes onto a Hydrogel Substrate

Imaninezhad, Mozhdeh; Kuljanishvili, Irma; Zustiak, Silviya Petrova 
Macromolecular Bioscience 
Volume: 17 Issue: 3

  • Abstract: Carbon nanotube (CNT)-hydrogel nanocomposites are beneficial for various biomedical applications, such as nerve regeneration, tissue engineering, sensing, or implant coatings. Still, there are impediments to developing nanocomposites, including attaining a homogeneous CNT-polymer dispersion or patterning CNTs on hydrogels. While few approaches have been reported for patterning CNTs on polymeric substrates, these methods include high temperature, high vacuum or utilize a sacrificial layer and, hence, are incompatible with hydrogels as they lead to irreversible collapse in hydrogel structure. In this study, a novel two-step method is designed to transfer CNTs onto hydrogels. First, dense CNTs are grown on quartz substrates. Subsequently, hydrogel solutions are deposited on the quartz-grown CNTs. Upon gelation, the hydrogel with transferred CNTs is peeled from the quartz. Successful transfer is confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and indirectly by cell attachment. The efficient transfer is attributed to p-interactions pregelation between the polymers in solution and the CNTs.
Bottom-up Direct Writing Approach for Controlled Fabrication of WS2/MoS2 Heterostructure Systems

Dong, Rui ; Moore, Logan ; Aripova, Nozima; Williamson, C; Schurz, Robert; Liu, Yuzi; Ocola, Leonidas E.; Kuljanishvili, Irma
RSC Advances
Volume: 6 Issue: 71 Pages: 66589-66594.

  • Abstract: The ability to construct heterostructures that consist of layered transition metal dichalcogenides materials (MX2) in a controlled fashion provides an attractive solution for materials design and device applications. For nanotechnology applications it is important to control the shape, geometry and precise position of the grown heterostructure assemblies on a variety of substrates. In this study, we developed a "direct writing" technique to fabricate arrays of WS2/MoS2 and MoS2/WS2/MoS2 heterostructures at predefined locations on a silicon substrate in a controlled fashion. Water based precursor inks were implemented to ensure the formation of quality heterostructure surfaces which are free of residual polymer contaminants. With this technique we demonstrate an attractive and scalable technology with unique capabilities for precise growth of dissimilar MX2 materials, layered either in a vertical or lateral arrangement.