• Physics of Novel Materials

    Research is conducted by several Applied Physics faculty, in collaboration with faculty from other SEAS and Yale departments.

  • Optical Physics & Devices

    A planar realization of a random laser that is pumped with incoherent light from the top and emits coherent light in random directions.

  • Quantum Information & Devices

    Systems that employ quantum effects to process information or detect electromagnetic radiation at the ultimate physical limits.

Welcome

Welcome to Applied Physics at Yale

The Department of Applied Physics prepares students for academic and industrial careers at the forefront of science and technology. Teaching and research are focused on fundamental issues in condensed matter and optical physics and on the practical application of these concepts and techniques to technology. This balance between fundamental science and application makes our program highly interdisciplinary, having strong collaborations with Physics and Chemistry, as well as Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, and Biomedical Engineering.

Explore the exciting opportunities in the Department of Applied Physics from this short video.

Recent News

Key to harnessing light waves? First do the math

  • Scholars at Yale’s Energy Sciences Institute have for the first time developed a mathematical model that effectively predicts a maximum rate of thermal energy transfer. Published in Nature Communications, the new theory sidesteps the requirement for endless checking of every possible permutation, instead revealing upper limits to what is possible.

    Read full article here.
Congratulations to Lang Zhang!

  • Lang Zhang successfully defended her PhD dissertation, titled “Maximal Heat and Light Extraction from the Optical Near Field” on April 10, 2024.

    Thesis Advisor: Owen Miller
Roberts Innovation Fund to Support Inventions in AI, Quantum, Water
  • Charles Ahn, Fred Walker, and Kidae Shin are among the 2024 Roberts Innovation Fund awardees. 
    Congratulations!

    New methods to purify our water, advance quantum computing, democratize artificial intelligence, and deliver life-saving drugs are just some of the projects funded by the 2024 Roberts Innovation Fund Awards, providing $1 million in accelerator funding to support 10 new inventions led by faculty from Yale’s School of Engineering & Applied Science.

    Full article at Yale SEAS News.
Congratulations to Yishu Zhou!

  • Yishu Zhou successfully defended her PhD thesis, titled “Developing Electro-Optomechanical Systems for Novel Silicon Photonic devices,” on February 28, 2024.

    Thesis Advisor: Peter Rakich
Yu He Receives Air Force Young Investigators Award

  • Two Yale Engineering faculty members — Yu He and Marynel Vazquez  — received awards from the 2023 Air Force Office of Scientific Research Young Investigator Research Program.

    Read more here.
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Yale Applied Physics Graduate Studies Program

If you are interested in one of the following research areas, the Yale Applied Physics Department is the place for you:

Graduate student support and requirements include:

  • Full fellowship support for first year
  • Two semesters of special investigations research during first year
  • Two semesters as teaching fellow after first year
  • Dissertation Area Exam in lieu of Qualifying Exam

Click here to apply.

For more information, click on the image.
Applied Physics Studies Program Brochure

 

Yale Applied Physics Undergraduate Major

The Yale Applied Physics major is an intensive physics major offering a unique combination of depth and flexibility: 

  • The student chooses an area of science in which they have a special interest. 
  • A faculty advisor is selected from Applied Physics, Physics, Engineering, the Medical School, or other departments who will supervise the research. 
  • Three elective courses are chosen that are related to the research. 
  • The student thus graduates with a solid background in their area of interest, well prepared for graduate school, industry, etc.

Click here for more information.  

Click on the image below for the Applied Physics Undergraduate program brochure.
Applied Physics Undergraduate Program Brochure