Our group studies the dynamics of rapid transformations in materials, at the nanoscale and molecular scale. We are particularly interested in the initial stages of nonequilibrium phase transitions in metastable liquids.
We prepare microscale and nanoscale liquid systems which undergo ultrafast transformations occuring in millionths or billionths of a second. To study these tranformations, we use optical and X-ray techniques that have very high temporal resolution, down to the femtosecond regime.
Most of our studies are based on cutting-edge experiments we conduct at X-ray laser facilities, which allow us to observe the dynamics of transformations at ultrafast time scales. We also use the X-ray lasers to generate nonequilibrium conditions and induce very rapidly phase changes such as cavitation, or to generate microscale shock waves and study their behavior.
Paper on supercooled freezing droplets published in Nature
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Physics Ph.D. position: Ultrafast phase transitions studied with X-ray lasers
We have an open Ph.D. position, starting as soon as January 2024. We currently conduct research on cavitation in water at negative pressures and on nonequilibrium freezing in supercooled water. This work involves both experiments and modeling in the fields of ultrafast X-ray and optics, fluid dynamics, and condensed matter. The specific Ph.D. project will focus on one or more of these fields, depending on the interest and expertise of the successful applicant. This position is fully supported (tuition and salary), through a teaching assistantship award (TA) in the first year, and either a TA or a research assistantship in the following years. Students interested in this opportunity should contact Dr. Claudiu Stan via email.