Michael Boyer

Michael Boyer is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Physics Department at Clark University. He holds a Ph.D. in Physics from MIT (2008), an M.A. in Physics and Astronomy from Johns Hopkins University (2002), and a B.A. in Physics from Harvard College (2000). His research focuses on experimental condensed matter physics, particularly low-dimensional and correlated electron systems, with a specialization in scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) studies of charge density wave (CDW) phenomena. He has received an NSF grant (2019–2024) titled The Nanoscale Effects of Intrinsic and Externally-Applied Strain on Charge Density Wave States to investigate strain-induced electronic and structural changes in materials like 1T-TaS₂ and ZrTe₃.

His work explores CDW onset, defect interactions, and chiral domain dynamics in materials such as 1T-TaS₂, uncovering novel insights into phase transitions and electronic ordering. Recent studies include the temperature-dependent evolution of CDW states and the role of lattice strain in modulating electronic properties. Boyer’s contributions have been published in journals like Physical Review B, with a focus on atomic-scale imaging and correlated electron behavior.

Awards and grants: His NSF grant supports experimental and theoretical investigations of CDW systems under strain. Collaborative efforts with institutions like Brookhaven National Lab and Argonne National Lab enhance his research scope.

Advising and grants: The NSF funding underscores his leadership in advancing nanoscale materials research. His lab employs STM and spectroscopy techniques to probe electronic structures, with applications in energy materials and quantum systems.

Labs/teams: His research group at Clark University focuses on cutting-edge STM experiments and computational modeling of CDW systems, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration in condensed matter physics.