Research Centers & Facilities
Institute for Structure and Nuclear Astrophysics (ISNAP)
ISNAP focuses on fundamental and applied low energy nuclear physics. ISNAP faculty members perform their research at the Notre Dame Nuclear Science Laboratory (NSL), but are also actively involved in research and development projects at the Argonne National Laboratory and at the Facility of Radioactive Ion Beams (FRIB) at the Michigan State University. ISNAP operates the Nuclear Science Laboratory (NSL). The NSL research activities are supported by the US NSF.
MBE Laboratory for Quantum Material Synthesis at Notre Dame
Development of quantum materials and their design are at the heart of future technologies, from the novel semiconductor functionalities and lasers for various applications, to the design of entirely new man-made multi-functional materials for new detectors and new types of computation (e.g., quantum computing).
Stavropoulos Center for Complex Quantum Matter
We are now entering the Quantum Age, which will follow that of Silicon, based on quantum materials. It should be clear that quantum materials are not a new state of matter. Quantum mechanics is present in all matter, causing electrons to move around nuclei on quantized orbits without radiating energy and falling inward. The fact that we exist is the manifestation of the quantum nature of matter. In the Quantum Age, we will use the more subtle characteristics of quantum mechanics and elementary particles (photons, electrons, ions), the superposition of their wavefunctions (states), and their entanglement, which will allow for more efficiency, speed, and reliability for computing in the varied branches of science. This quantum leap could be achieved by finding and investigating unusual materials, called quantum materials, which support a long lifetime of quantum mechanical states. In turn, these states could be manipulated and controlled not only at dimensions million times smaller than the width of a human hair, but also at macroscopic scales.
Center for Astrophysics
This area couples naturally into Notre Dame’s involvement with the Large Binocular Telescope and the Steward Observatory facilities.
Machine Shop
The Physics Machine Shop is a full service design and fabrication shop staffed with progressive minded craftsmen and state-of-the-art machinery.
Joint Institute for Nuclear Astrophysics - Center for the Evolution of the Elements (JINA-CEE)
The Joint Institute for Nuclear Astrophysics - Center for the Evolution of the Elements (JINA-CEE) is a NSF Physics Frontiers Center that addresses related fundamental questions about the cosmos. We are an interdisciplinary, collaborative network of 24 institutions in 9 countries, with the core institutions Michigan State University, the University of Notre Dame, Arizona State University, and the University of Washington located in the U.S.