Michael J. Pechan
Professor of Physics 

Room 17 Culler Hall, Oxford, OH 45056
Phone: (513) 529-4518
Fax: (513) 529-5629
email: pechanmj@muohio.edu
 
 

1936 Dodge Truck 
 Editor Page MMM 2002
Courses Research Memberships Related Links

Courses

PHY 141  Physics in Sports
PHY 181  The Physical World I
PHY 182  The Physical World II
PHY 294  Laboratory in Electronic Instrumentation
PHY 4/571  Advanced Electronics
PHY 488.A  Research Capstone
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Research

Ph.D., Iowa State University, 1977.
Dr. Pechan's primary area of research is in condensed matter magnetism. The ongoing developments in, for example, magnetic recording technology require an understanding of magnetic properies in increasingly smaller and yet more well defined magnetic domains. The studies of microstructure electromagnetism, motivated by such progress, provides tremendous potential for enhancing our understanding of basic magnetic interactions in solids. Furthermore, condensed matter magnetism has long served as an experimental and theoretical testing ground for modeling physical phenomenon which are nonmagnetic.
Current investigatations involve multilayer structures comprised of alternating materials with dissimilar magnetic properties and nanometer scale layer thicknesses. For example, the interesting phenomena of coupling between magnetic layers across nonmagnetic interlayers in Co/Cr and Fe/Cr systems is probed dynamically with ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) and statically with vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). In addition, anisotropy energies are detemined using FMR, VSM and torque magnetometry. Of particular interest is the anisotropy contribution arising from the interface between dissimilar magnetic materials. Magnetic/magnetic systems such as Co/Ni are also yielding some suprising superlattice effects in both the anisotropy and the the magnetodynamics.
Dr. Pechan's current pedagogical interests center on laboratory development at both the introductory and advanced undergraduate levels.

APS Topical Group on Magnetism
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory

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Memberships

American Physical Society
Sigma Xi, Miami University Chapter

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Related Links

Miami Physics Department
Physics Around the World
Physics Humor
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