Brett Barwick

Brett Barwick is an Associate Professor of Physics and the Harrison E. Farnsworth 1918 Endowed Chair in Physics at Ripon College. His research focuses on quantum properties of electron-light interactions, particularly using ultrafast electron microscopy (UEM). He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2007) and completed a postdoctoral fellowship under Nobel laureate Prof. Ahmed Zewail at Caltech, where he developed UEM techniques. He teaches a wide range of undergraduate physics courses, including Quantum Mechanics, and has mentored ~30 undergraduate researchers in projects related to plasmonics and ultrafast phenomena.

Dr. Barwick’s research emphasizes cutting-edge imaging and control of electron dynamics at attosecond/zeptosecond scales. His work bridges quantum mechanics, optics, and nanotechnology, with applications in materials science and fundamental physics. Key contributions include advancements in electron vortex beams, plasmonic interference imaging, and attosecond coherent control.

• Education: B.S. Doane College (2002), M.S. & Ph.D. University of Nebraska-Lincoln (2007)
• Postdoctoral Training: Caltech (2007–2009)
• Notable Techniques: Ultrafast Electron Microscopy, Plasmonic Near-Field Control
• Key Projects: Studying electron-photon interactions, imaging plasmonic fields at buried interfaces

His lab has produced over 40 peer-reviewed articles since 2007, focusing on ultrafast electron microscopy’s role in revealing quantum phenomena. Current research explores zeptosecond-scale electron wavefunction control and biological imaging applications of photon-induced near-field microscopy.