Susan Y. Lehman
Victor J. Andrew Professor of Physics; Pre-Engineering Advisor Spring 2026
Physics, Pre Engineering
Biography
My research interests are all within the broad area of condensed matter physics. My main research interest currently focuses on critical phenomena in granular systems. Previously, I have worked on a range of experimental systems including optoelectronic materials and block copolymers.
Courses Taught
- Physics of the Physical Sciences
- Modern Physics
- Electronics for Scientists
- Physics Revolutions
- Condensed Matter
- Modern Optics
- Quantum Mechanics
- Junior Independent Study
Selected Publications & Presentations
- “Universal Aspects of Cohesion,” Susan Y. Lehman, Lilianna E. Christman*, D. T. Jacobs, Nathan S.D.E.F. Johnson*, Paroma Palchoudhuri*, Catherine E. Tieman*, Avi Vajpeyi*, Elliot R. Wainwright*, Justine E. Walker*, Ian S. Wilson*, Michael LeBlanc, Louis W. McFaul, Jonathan T. Uhl, and Karin A. Dahmen, Granular Matter 24: 35 (2022).
- “Modeling and Measuring the Absorption-Induced Expansion of Swellable Organically Modified Silica,” Paul A. Bonvallet, John F. Lindner, Brian Corbin*, Duncan Crow*, Ryan Reffner*, Theresa Albon Riedl*, Susan Y. Lehman, and Paul Edmiston, AIP Advances 10: 065136 (2020).
- “Avalanches on a conical bead pile: scaling with tuning parameters”, S. Y. Lehman, Elizabeth Baker*, Howard A. Henry*, Andrew J. Kindschuh*, Larry C. Markley*, Megan B. Browning*, Mary E. Mills*, R. Michael Winters IV*, D. T. Jacobs, Granular Matter 14, 553-561 (2012).
- “Measurements of the quantum-confined conduction band energy in the wetting layer surrounding individual In0.4Ga0.6As quantum dots by cross-sectional ballistic electron emission microscopy”, C. Marginean, J. P. Pelz, S. Y. Lehman, and J. G. Cederberg, Physical Review B 82, 035304 (2010).
- “Heat Capacity of the liquid-liquid mixture nitrobenzene and dodecane near the critical point”, Nathan J. Utt*, S.Y. Lehman, and D.T. Jacobs, Chem Phys 127, 14505 (2007).
* designates undergraduate co-authors
Independent Study Advising
- Daniel (Dani) Halbing, The Effect of Varying Paneling Characteristics on Soccer Ball Flight, 2021
- Katherine (Katie) Shideler, Energy Conservation: Harnessing Excess Thermal Energy and Converting to Electricity by Use of the Thermoelectric Effect, 2021
- Henry Whyte, Avalanches on a Conical Bead Pile, 2021
- Adam Deeley, Studying Avalanches on a Conical Bead Pile, 2020
- David Morrow, An Investigation of Angle of Repose and Surface Activity of a Conical Bead Pile, 2019
- Gabriel Dale-Gau, Employing a system of pressure sensors to characterize avalanche dynamics over a conical bead pile, 2018
- Kyle McNickle, A Visual Investigation of Criticality: Avalanche Classification on a Conical Bead Pile, 2018
- Zane Thornburg (Physics and Chemistry), An Investigation into the Lambert-Beer Law in Incoherent Broad-Band Cavity-Enhanced Absorption Spectroscopy (2018)
- Laura Grace, Period Doubling in Bubbling from a Submerged Nozzle, 2016
- Nathan Johnson, Charge Carrier Characteristics in Doped Semiconductor Heterostructures, 2016
- Paroma Palchoudhuri (Physics and Math), An Experimental and Mathematical Study of Avalanche Behavior, 2016
- Nathan Stone, Critical Systems: An Exploration of Cohesion and the Moments of Distribution, 2016
- Joseph Smith (Physics and Math), Topological Defects in Nematic Liquid Crystals and the Behavior Induced by Adding Polystyrene Microspheres to 5CB, 2015
- Evan Hagedorn (Physics and Chemistry), Understanding the Origin of Swelling Force in Organically Modified Silica, 2015
- Elliot Wainwright (Physics and Math), Avalanches on a Critical Conical Bead Pile: Exploration of Tuning Parameter Space and Mathematical Foundations, 2015
- Ian Wilson, The Effects of Magnetic Cohesion and Drop Height on a Conical Bead Pile, 2014
- Dan Axe, Temperature’s Effects on Expansion Force of Osorb®, 2013
- Lily Christman, The Effects of a Magnetic Field on a Conical Bead Pile
- Lorenzo Dumancas, Optimization of BEEM Techniques
- Amanda Logue, Understanding the Expansion of a Swellable Silicate, 2011
- Heather Moore, Continuous Wave Cavity Ringdown Spectroscopy, 2010
- Martha Roseberry, Finicky Freezing: Investigations into the Causes of the Mpemba Effect, 2009
Want to learn more?
Interested in Physics, Pre Engineering or have questions about courses? Feel free to reach out!
Contact Susan