Dr. Acikgoz has been a Professor of Physics at SUNY Maritime College since 2021, where he is dedicated to teaching and mentoring students across a wide range of courses, including algebra-based and calculus-based physics as well as materials science.
His research focuses on the computational and experimental investigation of magnetic materials and transition metal ion spectroscopy. He integrates advanced methodologies, including machine learning, ab initio calculations based on density functional theory (DFT), and semi-empirical approaches such as the superposition model (SPM) to study zero-field splitting and crystal field interactions. His work places particular emphasis on low-symmetry environments, where he employs correlated fitting techniques to accurately determine spin Hamiltonian parameters and elucidate complex electronic structures.
A significant component of Dr. Acikgoz's research involves the surface and defect analysis of oxide materials and the study of single-molecule magnets (SMMs), with the goal of understanding and controlling their unique magnetic properties. He is also actively engaged in the structural and magnetic characterization of thin films and the exploration of diluted magnetic semiconductors (DMS). His expertise includes advanced spectroscopic techniques such as electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR/ESR) and optical spectroscopy of transition metal and rare-earth ions.
In recent years, Dr. Acikgoz has expanded his research to include machine learning and data-driven approaches for predicting material properties and identifying defect structures in complex oxides. His recent publications highlight contributions to defect identification in ferroelectric oxides (e.g., Cr3+ centers in PbTiO3), crystal-field-driven defect compensation in rare-earth-doped perovskites, and machine learning-assisted prediction of lattice parameters in complex systems such as pyrochlores and doped BaTiO3. His work also advances the understanding of zero-field splitting in low-symmetry systems and the spectroscopic characterization of rare-earth ions through combined experimental and computational approaches.
Dr. Acikgoz's research has been published in leading peer-reviewed journals, including Physical Review B, Coordination Chemistry Reviews, Journal of Materials Chemistry C, Physical Chemistry, Chemical Physics, and Dalton Transactions. He collaborates actively with interdisciplinary research groups worldwide and contributes to the development of theoretical and computational frameworks for magnetic materials.
- Ph.D. in Physics, Gebze Technical University (GTU), Kocaeli, Turkey (2007)
- M.A. in Physics, Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara, Turkey (2004)
- B.A. in Physics, Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara, Turkey (2002)
- President's Faculty Award for outstanding scholarship, SUNY-Maritime College, 2025
- Chancellor's Award for excellence in scholarship and creative activities, SUNY-Maritime College, 2025
- Faculty Excellence Award for excellence in research, Bahcesehir University, 2016
- Faculty Excellence Award for excellence in research, Bahcesehir University, 2015
- Faculty Excellence Award for excellence in research, Bahcesehir University, 2014
- The regional representative for the APES (Asia-Pacific EPR/ESR Society) Council. Elected by the members of the Council in 2014 in Japan.
- Faculty Excellence Award for excellence in research, Bahcesehir University, 2013
- Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)-Overseas Post-doc research scholarship, 2013
- Listed in Who is Who in Science and Engineering, 2010
Selected Publications
2026
Y.B Dinler, M. Acikgoz, "A Quantitatively Constrained Framework for Defect Identification in Oxides: Application to Cr3+ Centers in PbTiO3", Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 2026, https://doi.org/10.1039/D6CP00148C.
L. Mollabashi, S. Jalali-Asadabadi, S. Rahimi, C. Rudowicz, and M. Acikgoz, "Crystal field induced defect compensation in Gd-doped PbTiO3 preserving ferroelectricity and f-electron magnetism together with finite-temperature multifunctionality", Physical Review B (2026), https://doi.org/10.1103/f9s8-1zxn.
Y. Jana, C. Rudowicz, M. Açıkgöz, "Machine learning-enabled prediction of lattice constants of A2B2X7 pyrochlores via cross-validated multiple linear regression model", Computational Condensed Matter 46 (2026) e01258.
O. Yigit, M. Acikgoz, "Unveiling Rare Earth dopant configurations and crystal field analysis in tetragonal BaTiO3 via Machine Learning and Superposition Modeling", Journal of Materials Chemistry C (2026), https://doi.org/10.1039/D5TC03420E.
N. Das, R. Ghosh, Y. Jana, J. Saha, S. Khatun, S. Nandi, A. Tripathi, H. C. Gupta, Y. Y. Yeung, M. Açıkgöz, C. Rudowicz, "Infrared, Raman, and site-selective spectra of Nd3+ ions doped in melilites A2TGe2O7, expounded by computational modelling of crystal-field parameters, energy levels, and lattice dynamics" Physica B: Condensed Matter 724 (2026) 418153.
2025
D. Marcinkowski, M. Fik-Jaskółka, A. Gorczyński, V. Patroniak, M. Kubicki, I. Stefaniuk, T. Slusarski, M. Açıkgöz, D. Piwowarska, P. Gnutek, M. Korabik, M. Karbowiak, C. Rudowicz, "Critical evaluation of ambiguities in computational modelling of zero-field splitting parameters – case study: trigonal and triclinic dinuclear Gd3+ complexes", Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials 633 (2025) 173546.
M. Açıkgöz, C. Rudowicz, "Electron Magnetic Resonance (EMR) and related studies of transition metal (3dN) dopants in titanium dioxide (TiO2) systems: guide in tailoring the material's properties for specific technological applications", Coordination Chemistry Reviews 539 (2025) 216740.
D. Marcinkowski, M. Fik-Jaskółka, A. Gorczyński, V. Patroniak, M. Kubicki, I. Stefaniuk, M. Wencka, M. Açıkgöz, M. Korabik, M. Karbowiak, C. Rudowicz, "Synthesis, XRD, EMR, magnetic, and optical studies of trigonal and triclinic dinuclear MNM-analogous Gd3+ complexes", Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials 628 (2025) 173184.
2024
L. Mollabashi, S. Jalali-Asadabadi, C. Rudowicz, M. Acikgoz, Z. Ghasemi-Dorcheh, R. Ebrahimi-Jaberi, M. Jalali-Asadabadi, S. Rahimi, F. Jalali-Asadabadi, "Numerical study of the temperature-dependent magnetization and susceptibility of Tm3+ in LiTmF4", Phys. Rev. B 110 (5), 054440, 2024.
C. Rudowicz, M. Açıkgöz, M. Karbowiak, "Low symmetry aspects in electron magnetic resonance (EMR) and optical spectroscopy of coordination compounds of transition ions: Crucial notions and issues, literature survey and database" Coord. Chem. Rev. 512 (2024) 215865.
2023
M. Acikgoz, H. He, M. Pavanello, "Coordination and Penetration Depth of Dopant P Atoms Determine the Electronic Properties of γ-Al2O3 Surfaces" J. Phys. Chem. C 127 (2023) 23053-23068.
M. Acikgoz, R. Kripal, M.G. Misra, A.K. Yadav, P. Gnutek, C. Rudowicz, "Theoretical analysis of crystal field parameters and zero field splitting parameters for Mn2+ ions in tetramethylammonium tetrachlorozincate (TMATC-Zn)", Polyhedron 235 (2023) 116341.
M. Acikgoz, L. Mollabashi, S. Rahimi, S. Jalali-Asadabadi, C. Rudowicz, "DFT computations combined with semiempirical modeling of variations with temperature of spectroscopic and magnetic properties of Gd3+-doped PbTiO3", Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2023, 25, 3986–4004.
2022
D. Marcinkowski, A. Adamski, M. Kubicki, G. Consiglio, V. Patroniak, T. Slusarski, M. Açıkgöz, D. Szeliga, N. Vadra, M. Karbowiak, I. Stefaniuk, C. Rudowicz, A. Gorczyński, M. Korabik, "Understanding the effect of structural changes on slow magnetic relaxation in mononuclear octahedral copper(II) complexes", Dalton Transactions, Dalton Trans., 2022, 51, 12041–12055. Featured on the cover.
A. Biswas, S. Sarkar, YM Jana, D. Swarnakar, S. Nandi, C. Rudowicz, M. Açıkgöz, NM Avram, "Analysis of crystal-field effect on luminescence spectra of Mn4+(3d3) ion-doped double perovskite La2ZnTiO6 phosphor by semiempirical computations: exchange charge model and superposition model", Journal of Materials Chemistry C, 10, 2022, 4355-4364.
2021
S. Pandey, R. Kripal, C. Rudowicz, A. Kumar Yadav, M. Açıkgöz, P. Gnutek, "Implications of direct conversions of crystal field parameters into zero-field splitting ones-Case study: Superposition model analysis for Cr3+ ions at orthorhombic sites in LiKSO4", Journal of Luminescence 230 (2021), 117548.