Jay Kikkawa

James M. Kikkawa is a Professor of Physics at the University of Pennsylvania, affiliated with the Department of Physics and Astronomy in the School of Arts & Sciences. He holds academic ranks progressing from Assistant (2000-2006) to Associate (2006-2012) before becoming a full Professor (2012–present). His research focuses on condensed matter physics, particularly spin and orbital magnetism in nanomaterials, carbon nanotubes, and strongly correlated solids. Kikkawa pioneered optical magnetometry techniques and ultrafast spectroscopy methods, including time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect and phonon sideband spectroscopy.

Education: Ph.D. in Physics from University of California, Santa Barbara (1997); B.S. in Physics from Harvard University (1991). His experimental group develops novel optical techniques to study material dynamics, such as transient magnetization in manganites and diamagnetic anisotropy in carbon nanotubes. Current projects include ultrafast orbital magnetic spectroscopy and high-pressure material studies.

• Awards: Lindback Award for Teaching (2013), APS Fellowship, NSF CAREER Award, Sloan Fellowship, and multiple fellowships from DuPont and the Department of Education.
• Lab Focus: Quantum dot assemblies, graphene oxide dynamics, and plasmon-enhanced nanowires. Collaborates on protein-nanotube interfaces and nanostructured superlattices.

Publications emphasize ultrafast phenomena in nanomaterials, magnetic correlations, and optoelectronic properties. His work bridges fundamental physics with applications in nanotechnology and energy materials.