Daniel Ralph

Prof. Daniel Ralph is the F.R. Newman Professor of Physics at Cornell University, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Physics. His research focuses on experimental condensed matter physics, including nanofabrication, spin transport, and quantum materials. Ralph has held leadership roles such as Chair of the Department of Physics (2021–2024) and Director of the Cornell NanoScale Science & Technology Facility (CNF, 2010–2016).

Education:

• B.S. in Physics and Mathematics, Vanderbilt University, 1986.
• Ph.D. in Physics, Cornell University, 1993.

Research Interests:

Ralph’s group investigates electronic, magnetic, and optical properties of nanoscale materials, including spin transfer torque in magnetic devices, 2D materials, topological insulators, and antiferromagnetic dynamics. Techniques include nanofabrication at the CNF and advanced measurements in Clark Hall.

Key Projects:

• Spin Hall effect and Rashba-Edelstein effect in heavy metals and topological insulators.
• Spin dynamics in graphene and van der Waals heterostructures.
• Sagnac interferometry for magnetic system analysis.

Awards:

• James C. McGroddy Prize for New Materials (2022).
• Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship (1996–99).
• David and Lucile Packard Fellowship (1997–2002).

Advising and Grants:

Ralph supervises graduate students and postdocs in cutting-edge projects. His group collaborates with researchers at Harvard, CNF, and institutions worldwide. Current students include Maciej Olszewski and Bozo Vareskic.

Labs and Facilities:

Research leverages the Cornell NanoScale Science & Technology Facility (CNF) for nanofabrication and advanced optical/electrical measurement setups in Clark Hall.