Stephen W. Teitsworth, Associate Professor  

Stephen W. Teitsworth

Office Location: 089 Physics Bldg, Durham, NC 27708
Office Phone: +1 919 660 2560
Email Address: stephen.teitsworth@duke.edu

Specialties:
Experimental condensed matter physics
Nonlinear dynamics and complex systems
Nanophysics

Education:
Ph.D., Harvard University, 1986
A.M., Harvard University, 1981
BS, Stanford University, 1979

Research Categories: Experimental Condensed Matter Physics

Research Description: Prof. Stephen W. Teitsworth's research centers on experimental, computational, and theoretical studies of deterministic and stochastic nonlinear electronic transport in nanoscale systems. Three particular areas of current interest are: 1) stochastic nonlinear electronic transport phenomena in semiconductor superlattices and tunnel diode arrays; 2) complex bifurcations associated with the deterministic dynamics of electronic transport in negative differential resistance systems; and 3) strategies for stabilizing negative differential resistance systems against the formation of space-charge waves.

Teaching (Spring 2024):

  • Physics 137s.01, Energy in the 21st century Synopsis
    Physics 047, TuTh 04:40 PM-05:55 PM

Recent Publications   (More Publications)

  1. Teitsworth, S; Neu, JC, Stochastic line integrals and stream functions as metrics of irreversibility and heat transfer., Physical review. E, vol. 106 no. 2-1 (August, 2022), pp. 024124, American Physical Society (APS) [doi]  [abs].
  2. Teitsworth, SW; Olson, ME; Bomze, Y, Scaling properties of noise-induced switching in a bistable tunnel diode circuit, European Physical Journal B, vol. 92 no. 4 (April, 2019) [doi]  [abs].
  3. Gonzalez, JP; Neu, JC; Teitsworth, SW, Experimental metrics for detection of detailed balance violation., Physical review. E, vol. 99 no. 2-1 (February, 2019), pp. 022143 [doi]  [abs].
  4. Neu, JC; Ghanta, A; Teitsworth, SW, The Geometry of most probable trajectories in noise-driven dynamical systems, in Coupled Mathematical Models for Physical and Biological Nanoscale Systems and Their Applications, Springer Proceedings in Mathematics and Statistics, edited by L. L. Bonilla, E. Kaxiras, and R. Melnik, Springer Proceedings in Mathematics and Statistics, vol. 232 (January, 2018), pp. 153-167, Springer International Publishing [1803.01053], [doi]  [abs].
  5. Ghanta, A; Neu, JC; Teitsworth, S, Fluctuation loops in noise-driven linear dynamical systems., Physical review. E, vol. 95 no. 3-1 (March, 2017), pp. 032128, American Physical Society (APS) [doi]  [abs].

Highlight:
Prof. Stephen Teitsworth's research centers on theoretical and experimental studies of noise-driven processes in far-from-equilibrium systems. Recent activity has centered around the development and implementation of novel metrics such as stochastic area which allow one to quantify how far from equilibrium a system is.  These concepts have been developed and applied to low dimensional systems such as mechanical mass-spring assemblies and coupled electronic circuits driven by out-of-equilibrium noise sources.  

Two problems of current interest are: 1) the extension of the stochastic area and related concepts to high-dimensional spatially continuous systems such as elastic filaments (e.g., strings or rods) embedded in viscoelastic media and driven by active noise sources; 2) studies of first-passage processes associated with heating of trapped ions in Paul traps (in collaboration with the group of Prof. Noel at Duke).

Current Ph.D. Students   (Former Students)

    Postdocs Mentored

    • Yuriy Bomze (2010 - 2011)