Peter Engels

Peter Engels is a Professor of Physics at Washington State University (WSU), affiliated with the Department of Physics and Astronomy within the College of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on ultracold quantum gases, particularly Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs), exploring their dynamics, nonlinear phenomena, and quantum hydrodynamics. He leads the Fundamental Quantum Physics Lab at WSU, investigating topics such as spin-orbit coupling, Josephson effects, and superfluid turbulence. Engels has pioneered studies on soliton formation, modulational instability, and quantum systems in microgravity via collaborations with NASA's Cold Atom Lab (CAL) on the International Space Station.

• Education: PhD in Physics (university unspecified, based on listed theses).

Research interests span quantum hydrodynamics, nonlinear dynamics in BECs, and novel phases like striped phases and supersolid-like states. His work bridges theoretical predictions with experimental validation, often involving collaborations with computational and materials science groups.

Recent articles highlight studies on rarefaction flows, Riemann invariants, and sonic horizon dynamics in superfluid systems. Engels' lab has developed innovative techniques for atom interferometry and lattice engineering to probe quantum phenomena. Notable contributions include the experimental realization of Peregrine solitons and momentum-space Josephson effects.

He has advised numerous PhD students, including Annesh Mukhopadhyay (2024), Md. Kamrul Hoque Ome (2023), and Thomas Bersano (2019). His funding includes grants for quantum turbulence studies and space-based cold atom experiments.

Engels collaborates globally, presenting at conferences like BEC2023 and DAMOP, and leads WSU's involvement in the Northwest Quantum Nexus. His lab's interdisciplinary approach addresses fundamental questions in quantum mechanics and applications in quantum technologies.