Matthew C. Sullivan studies the properties of the new high-temperature superconductors. These superconductors, with transition temperatures above the boiling point of liquid nitrogen (with some as high as 130 K, or -225 °F), have been the source of intense research since their discovery in 1986.
His research is based primarily on electronic transport measurements (resistivity, Hall effect, etc.) in different superconducting materials, both in a magnetic field and in zero magnetic field. Most recently he has studied the normal-superconducting phase transition in zero field in an attempt to determine the model that governs this phase transition. He has studied this phase transition in bulk single crystal superconductors and thin-film superconductors grown on an insulating substrate. In addition to electronic transport, he also studies other properties of the materials, such as specific heat and magnetic susceptibility.
Prof. Sullivan has recently established a low-temperature lab in the Physics Department at Ithaca College (click here for pictures -- link: http://www.ithaca.edu/hs/depts/physics/facstaff/mcsullivan/gallery/351/) and was recently awarded a $189,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (link: http://www.ithaca.edu/intercom/article.php/2007042609184786) to conduct research on the phase transition of electron-doped cuprate superconductors. These superconductors have transition temperatures around 20 K, requiring the use of liquid helium. This project will help scientists understand the differences between hole-doped and electron-doped superconductors.
