Research in the Case Western Reserve physics department builds on a legacy going back to the 19th century when Albert Michelson and Edward Morley (professors at the then-separate Case Institute of Technology and Western Reserve University) performed their famous experiment disproving the existence of a “luminiferous aether” and setting the stage for the scientific revolution embodied by Einstein’s special theory of relativity. In the 21st century, we aim to preserve the same spirit of discovery and innovation, focusing on areas of key importance for modern society. Research in the CWRU physics department is focused in three main areas. In the area of nanoscale and quantum materials,
