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Astrophysics
Research in astrophysics is carried out jointly with Yale Department of Astronomy: see their web pages for a description of their extensive research activities. Much of this research is based at The Yale Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics, a joint venture of the departments of physics and astronomy.
Atomic Physics
Yale has a long tradition of experimental research in atomic physics.
Beam Physics
Beam physics embraces study of the production, acceleration, control and use of energetic beams of elementary particles. The Yale Beam Physics group specializes in the study of electron beams. Experimental and theoretical research activity is carried out using facilities within the Wright Nuclear Structure Laboratory at Yale, and in collaboration with physicists at outside laboratories such as the Accelerator Test Facility at Brookhaven National Laboratory, the Beam Physics Branch at Naval Research Laboratory, Columbia University, and the Institute of Applied Physics in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.
Biophysics
Biophysics is an interdisciplinary science that applies the theories and methods of physics to questions of biology.
Biophysics research today is comprised of a lot of specific biological studies, which don't share a unique identifying factor, nor subject themselves to clear and concise definitions. The studies included under the umbrella of biophysics range from sequence analysis to neural networks. In the past, biophysics included creating mechanical limbs and nanomachines to regulate biological functions. Today, these are more commonly referred to as belonging to the fields of bioengineering and nanotechnology respectively.
Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
There is a wide spectrum of research in experimental condensed matter physics carried out jointly by the Yale Physics and Applied Physics Deparments.
Experimental Nuclear Physics
Yale has an active program in experimental nuclear physics that is aligned with and has helped define international priorities in this field. Focus areas are: the structure of the strongly interacting nuclear many-body system, including the emergence of collective phenomena in nuclei, dynamical symmetries, quantum phase transitional behavior, and structural evolution; nuclear reactions which shed light on the properties and production of the heaviest elements and that create the elements in astrophysical scenarios; study of relativistic heavy ions collisions to explore new forms of matter such as the primordial quark-gluon plasma (QGP) and quark-gluon interactions, as well as searches for strangelets. Yale's Wright Nuclear Structure Laboratory (WNSL) houses the world's largest university-based stand-alone tandem Van de Graaff accelerator. The Relativistic Heavy Ion group carries out research on the QGP at RHIC and at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN.
Experimental Particle Physics
Yale faculty carry out a number of different experiments exploring fundamental questions in elementary particle physics at facilities around the world. Detailed information can be obtained at the Yale High Energy Physics Web Server.
Gravitational Physics
The interests of this group cover a broad range of topics in both classical and quantum gravity.
High Energy Theory and Cosmology
Our group works on diverse topics in theoretical high energy physics, including physics beyond the Standard Model, field theory, quantum chromodynamics, and early universe physics.
History of Physics
For the past thirty years Professor Martin Klein (Emeritus) has been pursuing studies of the history of 19th and 20th century physics. His research has dealt with the interrelated developments of quantum mechanics and statistical thermodynamics, and has usually concentrated on the work of individual physicists. Problems studied have included the development of Boltzmann's statistical ideas, Gibbs's early work in thermodynamics, Paul Ehrenfest's contributions to the quantum theory, and the origins of Schröedinger's wave mechanics. As the Senior Editor of the Collected Papers of Albert Einstein, his current work concentrates on the evolution of Einstein's thinking on many of the problems of modern physics.
Students interested in joining in these studies or pursuing other historical investigations on the physics of the last century and a half are encouraged to consult Professor Klein. Special programs of study and appropriate seminars can usually be arranged.
Professor Daniel Kevles joined Yale on July 1, 2001 as the Stanley Woodward Professor of History. He focuses his research on the past and present interplay of science and society, the history of science in America, and the history of modern physics, modern biology and environmentalism, as described in this article in the Yale Bulletin and Calendar.
Quantum Computing (CQUIP)
The research interests of a number of Yale faculty have recently coalesced in the field of quantum computing. The efforts focus on manipulation of quantum two-level systems in a variety of physical situations, and the manner in which coupling to the environment leads to decoherence and dissipation. Many seminars and courses stimulate joint activity and discussion. This research is supported by the National Science Foundation, the ARO, and Yale University.
Quantum Electronics
Research in quantum electronics and laser physics.
Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics
Yale has a very active effort in condensed matter theory, in a group formed jointly by the Physics and Applied Physics departments. More details of their activities are at the Condensed Matter Theory web page. Other groups conducting theoretical research in related areas include the Theoretical Chemistry Group led by John Tully, research in Condensed Matter Geophysics led by John Wettlaufer, and the Statistical Mechanics of Nonequilibrium Systems by Corey O'Hern in Mechanical Engineering.
Theoretical Nuclear Physics
The theoretical nuclear physics group is investigating a broad range of topics, including group theoretical models for nuclear, hadronic and molecular structure, statistical and quantum Monte Carlo methods for the nuclear many-body problem, mesoscopic physics and quantum dots, dynamics of complex systems, and non-equilibrium statistical mechanics.
Associated Centers and Departments
- Yale Center for Astronomy & Astrophysics
- A. W. Wright Nuclear Structure Laboratory
- Yale Center for Quantum Information Physics
- Yale Center for Microelectronic Materials and Structures
- Program in Solar and Terrestrial Physics
- Department of Applied Physics
- Department of Astronomy
- Center for Research on Interface Structures and Phenomena (CRISP)
- Geophysics at Yale
- Yale Institute for Nanoscience and Quantum Engineering (YINQE)
