Research & Selected Publications

The unifying concept throughout my research is the study of wave phenomena. This fundamental aspect of nature spans many disciplines. My research program utilizes the wave properties of physical systems in order to probe the fundamental aspects of nature. The topics that are currently being explored range from condensed matter physics, material science, and unusual astrophysical systems. As part of my research program at Rollins, I am building on my prior work including the utilization of the latest methods of material characterization via ultrasonic methods in combination with cutting-edge computational techniques.

My dissertation was on “Acoustic Properties of Novel Materials Using Resonant Ultrasound Spectroscopy (RUS).” For my doctoral research I measured the acoustic properties of the superconductor MgB2, transition metal scandates, colossal magnetoresistant material La0.7Ca0.3MnO3, the biologic material human dentin, and other novel materials.

Selected Publications

K. A. Pestka II, "The Elastic Constant" Phys. Teach., 45, 327 (2007).(Scitation)

K. A. Pestka II, J. D. Maynard, D. Gao, and C. Carraro, "Measurement of the Elastic Constants of a Columnar SiC Thin Film", Phys. Rev. Lett., 100, 055503 (2008). (PDF)

K. A. Pestka II, J. D. Maynard, A. Soukiassian, X. X. Xi, D. G. Schlom, Y. Le Page, M. Bernhagen, P. Reiche, and R. Uecker, "Experimental measurement of the elastic constants of GdScO3 via resonant ultrasound spectroscopy utilizing ab initio calculations", Appl. Phys. Lett., 92, 111915 (2008). (PDF)

K. A. Pestka II, "Young's Modulus of a Marshmallow" Phys. Teach., 46, 140 (2008).(Scitation)

K. A. Pestka II, E. S. Scott and Y. Le Page "Measurement of the elastic tensor of SmScO3 and NdScO3 using resonant ultrasound spectroscopy with ab initio calculations", AIP Advances 1, 032154 (2011). (AIP)

K. A. Pestka II and Cori Warren, "Hooke's Law and the Stiffness of a Plastic Spoon" Phys. Teach., 50, 470 (2012).(Scitation)