Jene A. Golovchenko

Rumford Professor of Physics and Gordon McKay Professor of Applied Physics

Professor Golovchenko is engaged in a wide range of research projects spanning several disciplines of applied and basic physics. These include studies involving:

• The assembly, modification, and characterization of matter on the nanoscale for electronic and optical devices
• The development of molecular scale sensors capable of electronic detection and characterization of single atoms and molecules, including rapid single molecule DNA sequencing
• The basic physical processes by which atoms, electrons, positrons, neutrons, ions, and photons interact with matter to improve our understanding of and ability to change the properties of materials, from macroscopic to atomic scales

In connection with Professor Golovchenko's research interests, several advanced experimental facilities have been developed at Harvard. These include:

• A biophysics laboratory where solid state nanopores are fabricated and ultrasensitive electronic detection techniques are developed
• A tunneling microscope laboratory where processes on surfaces under ultrahigh vacuum conditions are studied on the atomic scale
• A focused ion beam facility where 5 nanometer 50 kilovolt gallium ion beams are used to modify and fashion nanostructures
• A tandem ion accelerator capable of producing million electron volt ions for ion implantation, Rutheford backscattering, and Proton Induced X-Ray analysis
• Facilities for molecular beam epitaxy
• Facilities for the production of nanotubes and wires
• A rotating anode x-ray facility for x-ray optics and interferometric studies
• An electrostatic accelerator for the production of positrons and positronium Bose Einstein Condensates

In addition, Professor Golovchenko's students have also utilized advanced research tools such as synchrotron radiation sources and accelerators at Brookhaven and Livermore National Laboratories, laser atom trapping and cooling facilities at the Rowland Institute for Science, and nanofabrication facilities at the Cornell Nanofabrication Center. His students benefit broadly from contacts and collaborations with industry, universities, and government laboratories.


See Also: Department of Physics