Department of Physics
Key facts
The Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2022
3rd in the UK
Imperial’s Department of Physics is one of the largest and most prestigious in the UK.
The Department has hosted three Nobel Prize winners in the past, and is currently home to three Knights of the Realm:
- Sir Peter Knight
- Sir John Pendry
- Sir Jim Virdee
We're also home to 16 Fellows of the Royal Society, including Professors Michele Dougherty, Joanna Haigh and Jenny Nelson.
Research within the Department is carried out by nine research groups:
- Astrophysics
- Condensed Matter Theory
- Experimental Solid State Physics
- High Energy Physics
- Photonics
- Plasma Physics
- Quantum Optics and Laser Science
- Space and Atmospheric Physics
- Theoretical Physics
Facilities
The Department has a wide range of experimental and computational laboratories providing state-of-the-art facilities across the whole of physics and astronomy.
We have dedicated optical and mechanical workshops and clean rooms (for device fabrication down to the nanoscale), and unique measurement and modelling facilities in many subject areas.
Study opportunities
The Department offers a number of study options to help you take your knowledge to the next level.
Tabbed information block
Master's courses
MRes courses
- MRes Photonics (1 year full-time)
- MRes Machine Learning and Big Data in the Physical Sciences (1 year full-time)
- MRes Soft Electronic Materials (1 year full-time)
MSc courses
- MSc Optics and Photonics (1 year full-time/ 2 years part-time)
- MSc Physics (1 year full-time)
- MSc Physics with Extended Research (2 years full-time)
- MSc Physics with Nanophotonics (1 year full-time)
- MSc Physics with Quantum Dynamics (1 year full-time)
- MSc Quantum Fields and Fundamental Forces (1 year full-time / 2 years part-time)
- Security and Resilience: Science and Technology (1 year full-time / 2 years part-time)
Research programmes
- PhD Physics research (2–4 years full-time; 4–6 years part-time)
- MRes + PhD Controlled Quantum Dynamics (1 + 3 years full-time) – delivered in our Centre for Doctoral Training
- MRes + PhD Photonics (1 + 3 years full-time) – based in the Photonics Research Group
- MRes + PhD Plastic Electronic Materials (1 + 3 years full-time) – delivered in our Centre for Doctoral Training
- MSc + PhD Theory and Simulation of Materials (1 + 3 years full-time) – delivered in our Centre for Doctoral Training
- MSc + PhD Quantum Engineering
Our research currently spans nine themes:
Astrophysics
Our research includes: the measurement of cosmological parameters; the application of advanced statistical methods to problems in cosmology and astrophysics; searches for the most distant quasars; multiwavelength studies of galaxy formation and evolution; star formation, stellar evolution and the interaction of stars, planets and disks; brown dwarfs; and solar variability and its impact on climate change.
Condensed matter theory
The physics of condensed matter encompasses the design of materials to power new technologies as well as the exploration of fundamental physics. Our research includes plasmonics and metamaterials, theory and simulation of materials, strongly correlated quantum systems, and complexity and networks.
Experimental solid state physics
This group’s research mission is to carry out exemplary basic science and novel world-leading technology development. Main areas of activity include: renewable energy and efficient energy use; sensors and nanomagnetism; plastic electronics and optoelectronics; plasmonics; and research at the interface with biomedical sciences.
High energy physics
The High Energy Physics group is one of the largest in the UK. It participates in many experiments and R&D programmes, and is highly regarded internationally. It exercises significant influence in many of the current and future international experiments that investigate the fundamental particles and the forces between them.
Photonics
The Photonics group aims to conduct internationally significant research into fundamental science underlying optical technologies, and to develop novel technologies for practical applications ranging from astronomy to biomedicine. The group’s research priorities are informed by our industrial partners and the needs of society, as well as by scientific curiosity.
Plasma physics
This is one of the world’s leading and longest established university groups in plasma physics research. It is involved in a range of experimental, theoretical and computational research in plasma physics, including fundamental plasma physics, ultra-intense laser-plasma interaction phenomena, plasma-based particle acceleration, laboratory astrophysics, and thermonuclear fusion. The Department also hosts the AWE-supported Institute for Shock Physics.
Quantum optics and laser science
The Quantum Optics and Laser Science (QOLS) and Photonics groups make up the optics section, probably the largest enterprise in optical physics within the UK university system. Research activities in QOLS deal with fundamental issues of light-matter interaction physics and cover a broad range of experimental, theoretical and numerical disciplines. These range from quantum information theory and experiments with cold atoms and ions, through to high power laser system development and attosecond science.
Space physics
This research is aimed at understanding the physics of the solar wind and heliosphere; the interaction of the solar wind with planets and comets, including space weather; the space environments and atmospheres of the Earth, Venus, Titan, Jupiter and Saturn; and fundamental plasma physics processes including collisionless shocks and turbulence. Research activities include hardware and mission development, data analysis, and theoretical work.
Theoretical physics
The internationally renowned Theoretical Physics Group was founded by Nobel Laureate Abdus Salam. The group’s research interests are diverse but all are focused on understanding the structure of spacetime and matter at the most fundamental level. The main themes of research are: cosmology; string theory and M-theory; quantum gravity; the foundations of quantum mechanics; and quantum field theory.