Condensed Matter Physics

Condensed matter (CM) physics is perhaps most famous as the field that produced the transistor 60 years ago. This discovery has transformed society on a global scale and is an example of how support of basic research today could lead to transformative technologies of the future.

CM deals with the properties of large aggregations of atoms or molecules, including their magnetic and electrical characteristics, and the ways in which the quantum properties of atoms influence those of their neighbors and of the material as a whole.

CM investigations are responsible for our knowledge of the "super" properties of matter in unusual states, such as superconductivity (absence of electrical resistance) and superfluidity (absence of viscosity or liquid friction), both of which are fundamentally quantum phenomena. Superconductors are now making their way into the electric power grid and wireless telephone infrastructures. small vacuum sphere.

Another traditional CM subject involves the study and manipulation of atoms in various sorts of orderly geometrical arrangements. In a crystal, such as the silicon materials used to make microchips or the layered oxide arrays of superconductors, component atoms align themselves to form regular, repeating, three-dimensional patterns with consistent spacing. Even seemingly minor changes in the pattern can have dramatic effects on the material's chemical and electrical properties. The study of how these seemingly minor defects influence the gross electrical properties of matter is an area of intense interest for both fundamental and practical reasons.

Much of CM physics revolves around the idea of “emergent properties.” Atoms are known to have certain properties governed by the laws of quantum mechanics. However when a large number of identical atoms are brought together in a regular array qualitatively new properties emerge, many of which are very difficult to predict from knowledge of the properties of the individual atoms. Examples include superconductivity, ferromagnetism, and ferroelectricity. QMC researchers are actively investigating these emergent properties on a number of fronts.

Issues of particular interest in QMC include correlated electron physics, e.g. superconductivity, reduced-dimensionality electron systems, quantum-based mesoscopics, spintronics, quantum condensed phases and semiconductors.

PhD Theses

PhD Theses

Thrusts

Thrusts

Visit Us

The Center is on the University of Maryland campus at College Park.

See the campus map for general directions, and google maps for location of the center.

QMC offices are located within the University of Maryland Physics Department (street view).
(Red indicates relevant roads, parking areas and QMC building.)

Directions to the University of Maryland by car from Baltimore-Washington International (BWI) Airport

Upon exiting the airport, follow the signs and get onto I-195 West. Follow I-195 West for about 3.5 miles and get onto I-95 South. Follow I-95 South for about 19 miles and follow the signs to Exit 25. Get off at Exit 25B. Go south on U.S. Rt. 1 for two miles to the University's Campus Drive entrance on your right. Proceed through the main entrance and turn right onto Paint Branch Drive. Go to the second stop sign and make a left and then an immediate right into the Paint Branch Drive Visitor Lot.*

Directions to the University of Maryland by car from Washington Dulles International (IAD) Airport

Upon exiting the airport, follow the Dulles Airport Access Road East for about 13 miles and exit it onto I-495 North. Follow I-495 North for about 18 miles and get off at Exit 25B. Go south on U.S. Rt. 1 for two miles to the University's Campus Drive entrance on your right. Proceed through the main entrance and turn right onto Paint Branch Drive. Go to the second stop sign and make a left and then an immediate right into the Paint Branch Drive Visitor Lot.*

Directions to the University of Maryland by car from Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA) Airport

Upon exiting the airport to the north (towards Washington, D.C.), get onto the George Washington Memorial Highway. Within a mile, turn right onto U.S. Rt. 1/I-395 North (to Washington). Stay in your left lane while crossing the bridge over the Potomac River. (You will follow U.S. Rt. 1 through Washington to College Park). After crossing the Potomac and passing the Washington Monument on your left, turn right (east) onto Constitution Avenue. Go eight blocks and turn left (north) onto 6th Street N.W. Go about 1.5 miles and bear right onto Rhode Island Avenue. Then go 7.5 miles to College Park and turn left at the University's Campus Drive entrance. Proceed through the main entrance and turn right onto Paint Branch Drive. Go to the second stop sign and make a left and then an immediate right into the Paint Branch Drive Visitor Lot.*

Directions to the University of Maryland by Metro

Take the Metro Green Line to the College Park Metro Station (street view). At the Metro Station take the Shuttle UM bus labled "College Park Metro" to the University of Maryland Campus and exit at the bus stop in front of the big "M" (Stop 7 on map).This stop is in front of the Physics building.

Parking for Visitors

Parking is available for visitors in the Regents Drive Parking Garage and in the Paint Branch Drive Visitor Lot. See red highlighted items on map above.

Regents Drive Parking Garage – Upon entering the Main (north) entrance onto Campus Drive from Route 1, get into the left lane to continue straight. At the circle, bear right onto Regents Drive, and take the second left to the side entrance of the Regents Drive Parking Garage, located near Hornbake Library, the Plant Science, Physics and Chemistry buildings. Approximately 20 visitor parking spaces will be assigned near the south (Fieldhouse Drive) entrance to Regents Drive Parking Garage. You'll enter onto the first floor. Turn immediately right to park in the numbered spaces. When you park, make note of your parking space number (CORRECTLY) to enter into the machine and follow its directions. Hours of operation are 7:00a.m. to 2:00 a.m. daily. Current rates at this facility are $3.00 per hour, with a $15.00 per day maximum and a $5 per day maximum on Saturday and Sunday.

Pay Stations - Visitors use the parking meter system called PAY STATIONS located at several areas on campus. The closest to Physics is Regents Drive Parking Garage. Machines accept credit cards or cash using $1, $5 or $10 bills. It DOES NOT GIVE BACK CHANGE. Do NOT put in a $20 for all day because it is NOT refundable from the Transportation Services Office. When you've selected your payment options, the screen will indicate to please wait, and then give you the option to print a receipt. Press OK to recieve the receipt. We will need that receipt if we are reimbursing you. (You do not need to display the receipt in your car.)

If you have been given a validation number, your parking will be directly charged to our account. At the pay station, select All-Day Parking, then choose (on 2nd screen) 5+ hrs with Validation, and enter the Code Number I provide for you. I will need the receipt. (You do not need to display the receipt in your car.)

For more information, please refer to the parking lot maps. Pay station parking is preferred during daytime hours.

Visitors may obtain a validation code for parking from the Center by contacting the Administrative Coordinator at 301-405-8285 or by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.