John Cerne

John Cerne is a Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Physics at the University at Buffalo, part of the College of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on experimental condensed matter physics, particularly the study of novel electronic and magnetic materials using infrared magneto-polarimetry and optical spectroscopy techniques.

Education:

• AB in Physics, Princeton University (1990)
• PhD in Experimental Condensed Matter Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara (1996)
• Postdoctoral Research at University of Maryland, College Park

Cerne's research primarily investigates materials such as diluted magnetic semiconductors, magnetic oxides, graphene, two-dimensional semiconductors, and high-temperature superconductors. His group has developed specialized experimental techniques that examine how polarization of transmitted and reflected light changes in a magnetic field, revealing structural information hidden from conventional spectroscopy. This approach combines the sensitivity of Hall effect measurements with the energy resolution of infrared conductivity measurements.

His recent publications show a consistent focus on using infrared and terahertz spectroscopy to investigate quantum phenomena in novel materials, particularly examining symmetry breaking in high-temperature superconductors, topological states in two-dimensional electron systems, and magnetic properties of various semiconductor structures. The research spans both fundamental physics questions and potential technological applications.

Awards and Honors:

• UB College of Arts and Sciences Teaching Award (2013-2014)
• SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching (2011)
• NSF Career Award (2005)
• Outstanding Speaker Award at International Workshop on Multifunctional Materials II (2004)
• Research Corporation Cottrell Scholar Award (2004)

Cerne actively mentors numerous graduate and undergraduate students, with several former students now pursuing PhDs at prestigious institutions. His research has been supported by the National Science Foundation and Research Corporation. Beyond research, he is deeply committed to physics education, developing interactive teaching tools including the Conceptual Learning Approach to Waves (CLAW) project that uses graphical simulations to teach fundamental concepts in wave physics and polarized light.

His laboratory focuses on infrared polarization-sensitive studies of novel materials, with particular emphasis on how magnetic fields affect light polarization in materials with unusual electronic properties. The group maintains strong collaborations with researchers at other institutions including Princeton, University of Maryland, Texas A&M, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.