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Areas of Research

Students in physics will find opportunities for research in a number of areas where members of the faculty are currently active, including those listed below. Physics research at Caltech is often done in collaboration with scientists in the departments of applied physics, astrophysics, planetary science, engineering, chemistry, biology, and other departments, as well as with collaborators at other universities and laboratories. Additional research programs and more detailed information can be found on the Caltech physics department website.

  • CMS searching for dark matter and other new particles and new symmetries up to the mass scale of several TeV at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN
  • the NOvA and DUNE long baseline experiments at Fermilab, studying the pattern of masses, mixing and CP violation in the neutrino sector
  • the Mu2e experiment, searching for physics beyond the standard model in charged lepton flavor violation
  • a nascent effort to search for accelerator production of dark matter called LDMX
  • the long-running SuperCDMS effort to directly detect scattering of galactic dark matter with normal matter.
  • Theoretical Elementary Particle Physics. The particle theory group studies the unification of interactions based on string theory, the detailed properties of hadrons described by QCD, the quantum properties of black holes, the foundations of cosmology, including dark matter and dark energy, and other aspects of mathematical physics.
  • Condensed-Matter Physics. Areas of interest include correlated electron systems, topological quantum matter, quantum dynamics, disordered systems, phase transitions, atomic and excitonic Bose condensation, nanomechanical and nanoelectronic systems, biosensors, quantum electromechanics, phonon physics, high-temperature superconductivity, graphene and carbon nanotube systems, quantum entanglement, dynamics of disordered systems, chaos, pattern formation, and systems far from equilibrium. Resources include numerous labs in the Caltech physics department, at the Kavli Nanoscience Institute at Caltech, and at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
  • Quantum Optics and Information. Research on campus and at the Institute for Quantum Information and Matter at Caltech includes studies of the nature of quantum computation and quantum information, cavity quantum electrodynamics, algorithms and error correction techniques in quantum computation, and generally how quantum physics can be harnessed to improve the acquisition, transmission, and processing of information.
  • Experimental Atomic/Molecular/Optical Physics. Experimental atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) research at Caltech focuses on controlling and understanding complex quantum systems for a wide variety of scientific goals. Current experiments include building arrays of ultracold atoms to study quantum information, metrology, many-body physics, and simulation of condensed matter systems; precision measurements in cold and ultracold polar molecules to search for fundamental symmetry violations; engineering atom-light interactions in photonic crystals; quantum physics of mechanical devices, hybrid superconducting quantum circuits, and optomechanical sensors; neurophotonics and neuromolecular sensing; development of quantum networks and communication and addressing fundamental questions in quantum information. Many of these research strands are collaborative efforts supported by the Institute for Quantum Information and Matter.
  • Nuclear Physics. The interests of the nuclear group focus on performing precision measurements to search for new physics beyond the Standard Model. In particular, precision measurements of free neutron decay allow sensitive searches for new physics, while measurements of the neutron electric dipole moment may help explain the dominance of matter over antimatter in the universe.
  • The high-energy astrophysics group at the Space Radiation Laboratory (SRL) uses X-ray and gamma-ray detectors aboard spacecraft and balloons to investigate energetic processes from compact astrophysical objects, including gamma-ray bursts from neutron-star and black-hole systems, supernova and hypernova dynamics, and the development of stars and galaxies in the early universe.
  • The cosmic ray group at SRL uses data from a variety of spacecraft to study the composition of energetic particles arriving from the sun, the local interstellar medium, and beyond, in order to understand the origin and acceleration of energetic particles in space.
  • The millimeter/submillimeter astronomy group, with collaborators at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, studies the solar system, star and planet formation, the interstellar medium, galaxies, galaxy clusters, and the epoch of reionization using data from the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (CSO) and other facilities. Future-oriented programs include the development of new superconducting detector technologies and instruments for use at these wavelengths, also in collaboration with JPL, and an effort to move the currently idle CSO to a new, more sensitive site.
  • The Galactic compact objects astrophysics group studies black holes, neutron stars, and white dwarf systems, including gravitational wave sources detectable by future space missions such as LISA. The group uses telescopes at Palomar, Kitt Peak and the Keck Observatory, as well as the radio telescopes of the NASA Deep Space Network.
  • Theoretical Astrophysics. The TAPIR (Theoretical Astrophysics Including Relativity) group carries out research on an ever-changing list of topics, including planets; stars, neutron stars, black holes and their interactions; gravitational-wave astrophysics; cosmology; the formation of stars and galaxies; and numerical and analytical general relativity.
  • Cosmology. The observational cosmology group explores the structure and dynamics of the early universe using precise measurements of the cosmological microwave background radiation and large scale structures from detectors on the ground, on balloons, and on spacecraft. Efforts to directly detect dark matter are also underway. These experiments include an active program of detector development in collaboration with scientists at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Theoretical studies seek to understand the large-scale structure of the universe, including the physical nature of dark matter and dark energy.
  • Gravitational-wave Physics and Astrophysics. Observations from the (current) LIGO and (future) LISA projects are used to detect and analyze gravitational radiation to study a variety of astrophysical sources. Theoretical studies are aimed at developing sensitive data analysis techniques and calculating gravitational-wave signals from sources such as coalescing black holes and neutron stars.

Physical Facilities

The physics and astrophysics departments and laboratories are mainly housed in six buildings on campus: the Norman Bridge Laboratory, the Alfred P. Sloan Laboratory of Mathematics and Physics, the W. K. Kellogg Radiation Laboratory, the George W. Downs Laboratory of Physics, the C. C. Lauritsen Laboratory of High Energy Physics, and the Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics. Off-campus astronomical facilities include Palomar Observatory, the Keck Observatories, Owens Valley Radio Observatory, the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (currently idle), and the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO).

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Visitors and Visiting Associates

Piotr Sulkowski

Postdoctoral Scholars

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Graduate Students

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Research Staff

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Postdoctoral Fellows of the Burke Institute

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The Burke Institute has several endowed fellowships for distinguished postdoctoral scholars in theoretical physics such as the Sherman Fairchild Prize Postdoctoral Fellowships, David and Ellen Lee Distinguished Fellowships, and McCone, DuBridge, and Tolman Fellowships. The support offered by these fellowships enables theorists to pursue innovative research.

Over 95 percent of the more than 120 former endowed fellows hold distinguished academic positions. These scholars work on every continent except Antarctica.

For postdoctoral fellowship applications, check here .

In February 2015, some former fellows gathered at Caltech for the Inaugural Celebration and Symposium of the Burke Institute .

Current Fellows of the Burke Institute

2023 - 2026.

Eric Anschuetz head shot

2022 - 2025

Rocio Kiman headshot

Past Postdoctoral Fellows

Sherman fairchild prize fellowship, tolman fellowship, mccone fellowship, dubridge fellowship, david and ellen lee fellowship, bantrell fellowship, napf fellowship, weingart fellowship, research assistant professors.

Stephen Wolfram

About stephen wolfram.

Stephen Wolfram is the creator of Mathematica , Wolfram|Alpha and the Wolfram Language ; the author of A New Kind of Science ; the originator of the Wolfram Physics Project ; and the founder and CEO of Wolfram Research . Over the course of more than four decades, he has been a pioneer in the development and application of computational thinking—and has been responsible for many discoveries, inventions and innovations in science, technology and business.

phd in theoretical physics caltech

In recognition of his early work in physics and computing, Wolfram became in 1981 the youngest recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship . Late in 1981 Wolfram then set out on an ambitious new direction in science aimed at understanding the origins of complexity in nature. Wolfram's first key idea was to use computer experiments to study the behavior of simple computer programs known as cellular automata . And starting in 1982, this allowed him to make a series of startling discoveries about the origins of complexity. The papers Wolfram published quickly had a major impact, and laid the groundwork for the emerging field that Wolfram called complex systems research .

phd in theoretical physics caltech

Following his scientific work on complex systems research, in 1986 Wolfram founded the first journal in the field, Complex Systems , and its first research center. Then, after a highly successful career in academia—first at Caltech , then at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton and finally as Professor of Physics, Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Illinois —Wolfram launched Wolfram Research, Inc.

phd in theoretical physics caltech

After more than ten years of highly concentrated work, Wolfram finally described his achievements in his 1200-page book A New Kind of Science . Released on May 14, 2002, the book was widely acclaimed and immediately became a bestseller. Its publication has been seen as initiating a paradigm shift of historic importance in science, with new implications emerging every year.

A New Kind of Science included or stimulated a host of specific discoveries including the simplest axiom system for logic and the simplest universal Turing machine .

phd in theoretical physics caltech

Based on both his practical and theoretical thinking, Wolfram has emerged as an authority on the implications of computation and artificial intelligence for society and the future, and the importance of computational language as a bridge between the capabilities of computation and human objectives.

phd in theoretical physics caltech

In 2020, building on ideas developed over the course of nearly thirty years, Wolfram announced breakthroughs in finding a fundamental theory of physics, and launched the Wolfram Physics Project to stimulate broad involvement in this ambitious and historic project.

Wolfram has been president and CEO of Wolfram Research since its founding in 1987. In addition to his corporate leadership, Wolfram is deeply involved in the development of the company's technology, personally overseeing the functional design of the company's core products on a daily basis, and constantly introducing new ideas and directions.

Wolfram writes regularly about his activities and thinking on his Stephen Wolfram Writings site.

phd in theoretical physics caltech

Physics, Mathmatics, & Astronomy: Caltech’s Quantum Leaper

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phd in theoretical physics caltech

Photo ID 50.8-37

J. Robert Oppenheimer’s association with Caltech began in 1930, at age 26, when he became assistant professor in theoretical physics and taught such advanced courses as Statistical Mechanics, Quantum Theory, and The Quantum Theory of Radiation. Though the majority of his time was spent developing a strong physics department at UC Berkeley, Oppenheimer commuted back and forth between Berkeley and Pasadena throughout the 1930s and early 1940s usually spending one term each year on the Caltech campus. He became a full professor at Caltech in 1938, and continued in that position right through the war years—though from 1944 to 1945 was on leave to the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos. He would return to the campus in 1946 to teach Principles of Quantum Mechanics, before accepting a position as director of the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton University in 1947. During his years at Caltech, he teamed with Paul Epstein, Harry Bateman, William Houston, and Fritz Zwicky to present a Seminar in Theoretical Physics; Carl Anderson took his course on quantum mechanics; and Robert Christy took his PhD degree with Oppenheimer at Berkeley in 1941.

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  5. What it’s like to be a theoretical physicist

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COMMENTS

  1. The Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy

    Physics Graduate Studies. The physics option offers a program leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. This program prepares students for careers in scientific research or research combined with teaching. Courses are offered that give a broad treatment of both fundamental physics and specialized physics research topics.

  2. Requirements for a Doctorate in Physics

    TIMEFRAME. Submit Plan of Study for approval by Graduate Option Rep. By end of first term. Complete 2 terms of Phys 242 Course. Fall & Winter Term of first year. Complete Basic Physics Requirement by passing the. Written Candidacy Exams. By end of second year. Complete the Advanced Physics Requirement.

  3. The Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy

    The physics academic program offer opportunities for study at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Both academic tracks provide a strong foundation in the fundamentals of theoretical and applied physics, and prepare students for future academic studies or careers in a wide variety of related fields.

  4. Physics Research

    The Institute for Quantum Information and Matter (IQIM) investigators span Caltech's departments of physics, applied physics, and computer science, and are interested in a wide spectrum of both experimental and theoretical research topics. These topics include, but are not limited to, quantum information science, quantum many-body physics in condensed matter and atomic gas systems, topological ...

  5. Physics (Ph)

    Ph 125 abc. 27 units. (If this course, or its equivalent, was taken as part of an undergraduate program, it may be replaced by 27 units of any quantum-mechanics-based course.) Physics electives. 81 units. These must be selected from physics courses numbered 100 and above. Other electives. 27 units.

  6. About physics graduate studies

    About physics graduate studies. The physics option offers a program leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. This program prepares students for careers in scientific research or research combined with teaching, and so its most important part is independent research. Courses are offered that give a broad treatment of both fundamental ...

  7. Faculty

    Graduate Students Visiting Scholars External Advisory Board Advisory Board ... Fred Kavli Professor of Theoretical Physics and Mathematics; Director, Walter Burke Institute for Theoretical Physics ... California Institute of Technology. 1200 East California Boulevard. Pasadena, California 91125 ...

  8. PDF PhD Program

    Applying to Caltech's Applied Physics PhD Program - 2023/2024. This application is for prospective PhD students only. Caltech Applied Physics does not have a master's-only program. Students may receive their master's degree on their way to the PhD. You must have received your BS degree by fall 2024 in order to apply in the 2023-24 ...

  9. Postdoctoral Fellowship Application

    Applications Open September 1. The Walter Burke Institute for Theoretical Physics at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) solicits applications for its Fellowship program. The Prize Fellowships at the Burke Institute offers an opportunity for outstanding recent and new Ph.D. recipients to perform research at Caltech for three years.

  10. Graduate Degree in Applied Physics

    Graduate students majoring in other fields may elect a minor in applied physics. In addition to general Institute requirements, the student must complete, with a grade of C or higher, 81 units of courses in applied physics above the 100 level, excluding APh 200. The minor is also subject to the following conditions:

  11. Physics

    Physics research at Caltech is often done in collaboration with scientists in the departments of applied physics, astrophysics, planetary science, engineering, chemistry, biology, and other departments, as well as with collaborators at other universities and laboratories. Additional research programs and more detailed information can be found ...

  12. Particle Theory Group

    Graduate Students Research Staff Administrative Staff Seminars ... Walter Burke Institute for Theoretical Physics. Seminars ... March 4, 2024 4:00 pm High Energy Physics Seminar. Online and In-Person Event. California Institute of Technology. 1200 East California Boulevard.

  13. Graduate Program

    The Caltech graduate program strives to be the destination of choice for the brightest and most creative astrophysics students from all backgrounds. ... We use the apparatus and methodology of physics to gather and interpret data and to conduct theoretical studies. Caltech Astronomy students are embedded in a large and diverse department with ...

  14. Masters Degree in Physics

    Caltech offers a Master's degree in Physics as a terminal degree for students who wish to pursue a career in industry, government, or education. The program covers a broad range of topics in theoretical and experimental physics, and allows students to customize their curriculum according to their interests. The program also provides opportunities for research and collaboration with faculty and ...

  15. People

    Fred Kavli Professor of Theoretical Physics and Mathematics; Director, Walter Burke Institute for Theoretical Physics ... Graduate Students Adam Artymowicz Graduate Student Mathew Bub Graduate Student ... California Institute of Technology. 1200 East California Boulevard. Pasadena, California 91125.

  16. Postdoctoral Fellows of the Burke Institute

    The Burke Institute has several endowed fellowships for distinguished postdoctoral scholars in theoretical physics such as the Sherman Fairchild Prize Postdoctoral Fellowships, David and Ellen Lee Distinguished Fellowships, and McCone, DuBridge, and Tolman Fellowships. The support offered by these fellowships enables theorists to pursue ...

  17. Faculty Position in Experimental or Theoretical Physics

    The Division of Physics, Mathematics, and Astronomy at the California Institute of Technology invites applications for a tenure-track position in experimental or theoretical physics. While we are conducting a broad search spanning all areas of physics, we particularly encourage applications in the field of high-energy experiment including ...

  18. Caltech Trustee Establishes a Professorship in Theoretical Physics

    Caltech faculty members helped shape the worldview of Taylor Lawrence (BS '86). ... Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy Jet Propulsion Laboratory Student Research ... Graduate Admissions Open Graduate Admissions Submenu. Apply Funding & Aid Campus Life & Events

  19. Theoretical Physicist Wins Feynman Prize for ...

    February 28, 2014. Steven C. Frautschi, professor of theoretical physics, emeritus, at Caltech, has been awarded the Richard P. Feynman Prize for Excellence in Teaching—Caltech's most prestigious teaching honor. Named after Caltech physicist Richard P. Feynman, the prize is awarded annually to a Caltech professor "who demonstrates, in the ...

  20. Caltech Trustee Establishes a Professorship in Theoretical Physics

    Growing up in rural Alabama, Caltech trustee Taylor Lawrence (BS '86) was a self-professed "geeky, physics-and-math-loving kid" who thought of scientists—people like Richard Feynman—as rock stars and Caltech as the stage where they performed thrilling acts of science.. Yet, as a high school senior, Lawrence looked to a different stage in the East, which would influence a career spent in ...

  21. Quantum Computing with Caltech's John Preskill

    When John Preskill, now the Richard P. Feynman Professor of Theoretical Physics, came to Caltech in 1983, he planned to continue his work in particle physics and quantum field theory. By the mid-1990s, however, Preskill had switched his focus to a field that owes its existence to ideas posed by Feynman, Nobel laureate and Caltech professor of ...

  22. About Stephen Wolfram

    Born in London in 1959, Wolfram was educated at Eton, Oxford and Caltech. He published his first scientific paper at the age of 15, and had received his PhD in theoretical physics from Caltech by the age of 20. Wolfram's early scientific work was mainly in high-energy physics, quantum field theory and cosmology, and included several now-classic ...

  23. Physics, Mathmatics, & Astronomy: Caltech's Quantum Leaper

    During his years at Caltech, he teamed with Paul Epstein, Harry Bateman, William Houston, and Fritz Zwicky to present a Seminar in Theoretical Physics; Carl Anderson took his course on quantum mechanics; and Robert Christy took his PhD degree with Oppenheimer at Berkeley in 1941. Physics, Mathematics & Astronomy;