Lucas Illing
Professor of Physics
Reed College - Department of Physics
Research
Fields of interest: Nonlinear dynamics & optics
I am interested in nonlinear dynamic phenomena and in understanding the emergence of structure, complexity, and computational ability in systems of interacting adaptive components. In my lab we use table top experiments together with numeric modeling and analytic work to explore fundamental questions in nonlinear dynamics. The knowledge gained through the study of well controlled electronic and photonic systems then informs our understanding of many physical, biological, social, and technological systems.
A focus of my research are systems in which oscillatory dynamics arises because of time-delayed feedback. In lab, we utilize both electronic and optoelectronic devices. Understanding the dynamics of the individual devices contributes to our knowledge of chaos and nonlinear dynamics in time-delay systems. Coupling several devices allows the investigation of emergent network behavior.