Research Groups

Our research focuses on "mesoscopic physics," the study of materials on small-length (sub-micron) scales. This size regime lies between the macroscopic world of things we can see and touch, and the microscopic world of single atoms or molecules.

Our group combines state-of-the-art scanning probe microscopy with ultrafast laser technology to access single molecules, nanostructures, and complex materials on their intrinsic length and time scales. Key experimental techniques for our research include lightwave-driven terahertz scanning tunneling microscopy and terahertz spectroscopy.

The Comstock lab investigates fundamental physical processes in biology using advanced, precision single-molecule measurement and manipulation techniques. We observe in real-time individual protein molecular machines marching down DNA strands or ripping open RNA. We manipulate live cells and measure individual cellular electrochemistry. To do this we design and build frontier biophysical instrumentation combining optical tweezers and single-molecule fluorescence microscopy. We strive to watch biology in action without the obscuring effects of traditional ensemble methods.

My research interests include theory of fluctuation phenomena far from thermal equilibrium, transport in correlated electron systems, nonlinear vibrations, nonlinear optics of solids, and quantum information.

Our research is to study magnetic, electronic and transport properties of functional quantum materials and understand the underlying mechanisms. We synthesize materials and characterize their properties by using our in-house facilities and neutron scattering facilities in national laboratories.

Our group studies protein folding and aggregation using laser spectroscopy and microfluidics.  We are currently interested in proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases and protein dynamics in cell-like conditions.

We are a theoretical group working on different aspects of quantum many-body physics in condensed matter and AMO systems, with a focus on non-equilibrium systems. We are particularly interested in bringing the powerful tools of quantum information (such as entanglement) into the domain of many-body physics.

Our research focuses on the development of new computational approaches for quantum electromagnetics and biophysics. In quantum electromagnetics, we develop new algorithms to describe the propagation of light in complex materials and quantum memories. In biophysics, we develop new computational approaches to simulate the propagation of intra- and inter-cellular signals in complex tissues.

In our research group we're experimentally exploring the fundamental physics and potential quantum information science (QIS) applications of systems comprised of electrons confined to reduced dimensionality and superconducting circuit based quantum bits (qubits). Additionally, we're creating hybrid quantum systems with novel properties and functionality by bringing together materials and devices with a variety of interacting degrees of freedom. Some examples of these hybrid systems include, superconducting qubits coupled to superfluid or piezoacoustic resonators and trapped single electrons coupled to circuit quantum electrodynamic (cQED) systems.

Our laboratory conducts research on nanoscale material processes at the fundamental length and time scales. The research facilities we have developed provide us the ability to generate snap-shot atomic-scale images with ultrafast electron scattering, microscopy, and optical spectroscopy methods to capture the key moments of physical and chemical processes of significance to nanoscience and quantum technology.

Our research group develops and applies powerful tools for nanoelectronics called Scanning Probe Microscopes. These microscopes can locally probe the electronic structure of materials with fascinating quantum properties, including superconductors and topological insulators.