Superconductivity Research Group at Hope College
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Research
My current research is focused on finding novel superconducting materials that can be used for various applications such as superconducting wires/cables and superconducting magnets for nuclear fusion reactors and particle accelerators. For the past 15 years, I studied organic, iron-based and copper-oxide superconductors, and published more than 50 peer-reviewed articles (Google Scholar). My research team currently conducts active experimental research using 4 K cryogen-free cryostat and the Hope-College particle accelerator located in the basement of VanderWerf Hall. Below is the list of current research.
1) Effect of ion-beam irradiation on the properties of unconventional superconductors such as copper-oxide, iron-based, and topological superconductors.
2) Application of high-temperature superconductors for compact nuclear fusion research.
3) Quantum phase transition that occurs at absolute zero temperature.
If you are interested in superconductivity research, please feel free to contact me ( cho@hope.edu ).
News
5/10/2026: Four research students (Joey Fogt, Trevor Harrison, Nolan Miles, and Hope Weeda) graduated. Congratulations!
10/22/2025: New publication titled "Effect of Energy-Dependent Proton Irradiation in Thin-Film YBa2Cu3O7−δ Superconductor", authored by six undergraduate students (Trevor Harrison, Joshua Kim, Katharina Cook, Hope Weeda, Joseph Fogt, Nolan Miles) and Prof. Cho. Congratulations! (Read)
9/17/2025: New publication titled "Correcting Faraday Cup Measurements with Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy", authored by four undergraduate students (Nolan Miles, Joey Fogt, Trevor Harrison, Hope Weeda) and Prof. Cho. Congratulations! (Read)
9/19/2024: new publication titled "Effect of Proton Irradiation on Thin-Film YBa2Cu3O7−δ Superconductor", authored by four undergraduate students (Joey Fogt, Hope Weeda, Trevor Harrison, Nolan Miles) and Prof. Cho. Congratulations! (Read)
Lab Instruments
YBCO thin film (580 nm thick) mounted on 4K cryostat
Hope particle accelerator used for proton irradiation
Cryogen-free cryostat that can reach 4 K
Superconducting levitation demo image taken by Trevor Harrison (Hope'27)
Students Activities (Click to see more Student Activities )
Hope Weeda (Hope' 26) and Joey Fogt (Hope' 26) are discussing about 4 K cryogen-free cryostat during summer research 2023.
Katie Cook (Hope'29), Joshua Kim (Hope'28), Trevor Harrison (Hope'26) and Prof. Kyuil Cho attended CURCA conference on April 17, 2026.
Joshua Kim (Hope'28), Joey Fogt (Hope'26) and Nolan Miles (Hope'26) are operating the particle accelerator on January 20, 2026.
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