Irving P. Herman

Irving P. Herman

Edwin Howard Armstrong Professor Emeritus of Applied Physics

Herman's research concentrates on the fundamental aspects and applications of laser interactions with matter and nanoscience.

This includes properties of nanocrystals and films composed of nanocrystals, van der Waals layers, optical physics of the solid state, molecular and chemical physics, thin film processing, and optical spectroscopy. One active area of research in his group is the study of the optical properties of semiconductor and metal oxide nanocrystals and how to assemble them into films by controlled evaporation and electrophoretic deposition (electric field directed assembly). 

He also studies van der Waals layers, including how to interface them with nanocrystals. Another active area of research in his group is the use of optical spectroscopies to probe the physical and chemical events that occur in the thin film processing of microelectronic materials. These techniques are also called real-time optical diagnostics. He is also interested in optical spectroscopy of semiconductors and, in particular, in the effects of strain, confinement, and temperature on these materials.

Herman has written two comprehensive books: the monograph "Optical Diagnostics for Thin Film Processing" (Academic Press, San Diego) and the textbook "Physics of the Human Body" (Springer, Berlin-Heidelberg-New York), now in its second edition. He has also developed three interactive seminars on ethics and presents them to students in his department.

In 2020 Herman published "Coming Home to Math: Become Comfortable with the Numbers that Rule Your Life", which is meant to be a semi-popular, semi-trade-book, explanatory book, mostly of interest to adults who claim they do not like math or are no good at it.

Herman graduated with SB and PhD degrees in physics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1972 and 1977. From 1977-1986 he was a member and section leader in O-group within the Physics Department at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where he was engaged in research in laser isotope separation of deuterium and tritium, and the use of direct laser writing in thin film processing. In 1986, he joined the faculty of Columbia University, where he became the Edwin Howard Armstrong Professor of Applied Physics in 2016. In 2024 he became the Edwin Howard Armstrong Professor Emeritus of Applied Physics. He directed the Columbia Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) from 1998 – 2010 and was Director of the Columbia Optics and Quantum Electronics IGERT (Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program) from 2015 -2019. From 2006-2012 he was chair of the Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics and he was re-elected chair in 2018. He has served in the Columbia University Senate since 2017.

Research Areas

  • Modeling & Simulation

Additional Information

  • Professional Experience
    • Edwin Howard Armstrong Professor Emeritus of Applied Physics, Columbia University, 2024 – present
    • Chair, Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics, Columbia University, 2018-2021
    • Member, Columbia University Senate, 2017 – 2021
    • Edwin Howard Armstrong Professor of Applied Physics, Columbia University, 2016 – 2023
    • Professor of Applied Physics, Columbia University, 1995 – 2016
    • Director, Columbia University, NSF IGERT: Engineering Photons for a Sustainable Future, 2015 – 2019
    • Chair, Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics, Columbia University, 2006 – 2012
    • Vice Chair, Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics, Columbia University, 2001 – 2006
    • Director, NSF Materials Research Science and Engineering Center at Columbia University, 1998 – 2010
    • Cochairman, Committee on Materials Science and Engineering/Solid State Science and Engineering, Columbia University, 1998 – 2023
    • Chairman, Committee on Solid-State Science and Engineering, Columbia University, 1993 – 1998
    • Member of the Columbia Nano Initiative (CNI) [formerly called Integrated Science and Engineering Center (CISE) and Columbia Radiation Laboratory (CRL)], 1987 – 2023
    • Associate Professor of Applied Physics, Columbia University, 1986 – 1995
    • Section Leader, Special Studies Group, Physics Department, LLNL, 1981 – 1986
    • Professional Staff Member, University of California, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 1977 – 1986
  • Professional Affiliations
    • Fellow, American Physical Society
    • Fellow, Optical Society of America
    • Materials Research Society
    • Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
    • American Vacuum Society
  • Honors & Awards
    • Named Edwin Howard Armstrong Professor of Applied Physics, 2016
    • Gift from Honda Research Institute USA, Inc., 2012
    • The Seidman Family Series Lecturer, Department of Materials Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, June 13-17, 2010
    • Lady Davis Fellowship Visiting Professor, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, awarded for 2000-2001
    • Gift from Kulite Semiconductor Products, Inc., 1999
    • Visiting Scholar, Department of Materials Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Jan. 3-17, 1999
    • Fellow, Optical Society of America, 1998
    • Fellow, American Physical Society, 1997
    • Awarded AT&T Foundation Special Purpose Grant, 1993
    • Who's Who in Science and Engineering and Who's Who in the East, 1992
    • National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow (declined), 1977
    • Phi Beta Kappa, 1972
    • National Science Foundation Fellowship (declined), 1972