Department of Physics

Physics at Oxford aspire to be one of the best physics departments in the world by conducting cutting-edge research and by teaching and developing the careers of the next generation of physicists. Physics work on major facilities worldwide, develop the most advanced experimental techniques and the most sophisticated theoretical methods to investigate nature at every scale. Oxford University Physics Department pursues fundamental science and in doing so make discoveries that enable them to contribute directly to tackling the challenging problems facing society.

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Title	Description	People	Date
From action at a distance to gravitational waves	James Binney gives a talk about the mathematics that describe Gravitational waves.	James Binney	10 May, 2017
Curiosity’s Search for Ancient Habitable Environments at Gale Crater, Mars	4th Annual Lobanov-Rostovsky Lecture in Planetary Geology delivered by Professor John Grotzinger, Caltech, USA	John Grotzinger	27 April, 2017
Spatio-temporal Optical Vortices	Physics Colloquium 10th March 2017 delivered by Professor Howard Milchberg, University of Maryland, USA	Howard Milchberg	27 April, 2017
Learning new physics from a medieval thinker: Big Bangs and Rainbows	Physics Colloquium 24 February 2017 delivered by Professor Tom McLeish FRS, Department of Physics and Institute for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Durham University, UK	Tom McLeish	27 April, 2017
The applied side of Bell nonlocality	Physics Colloquium 17 February 2016 delivered by Professor Valerio Scarani	Valerio Scarani	27 April, 2017
The Beauty of Flavour - Latest results from the LHCb experiment at the Large Hadron Collider	Physics Colloquium 3 February 2017 delivered by Professor Val Gibson, Cambridge	Val Gibson	5 April, 2017
From Materials to Cosmology: Studying the early universe under the microscope	Physics Colloquium 27 January 2017 delivered by Professor Nicola Spaldin, ETH Zurich	Nicola Spaldin	5 April, 2017
The New Era in Observational Cosmology	In the fourth part of their discussion, Pedro Ferreira and Jerome Martin conjecture about the future of inflation. They talk about the potential for new evidence for and against the theory, and the variety of new probes into our cosmological environment.	Pedro Ferreira, Jerome Martin	4 April, 2017
When is a theory good enough?	In the third part of their discussion, Pedro Ferreira and Jerome Martin talk about whether one should look for a deeper physical theory when one’s current theory is well-supported by observation.	Pedro Ferreira, Jerome Martin	4 April, 2017
Can we measure naturalness?	In the second part of their discussion, Pedro Ferreira and Jerome Martin consider ways to build the naturalness of an inflationary model into our expectations for observing it.	Pedro Ferreira, Jerome Martin	4 April, 2017
An Encyclopedia of Inflation	In the first part of their discussion, Pedro Ferreira and Jerome Martin talk about the variety of inflationary models. They discuss methods for distinguishing between them based on evidence and describe the application of Bayesian statistics to inflation.	Pedro Ferreira, Jerome Martin	4 April, 2017
Inflation in the Future	What should we expect to learn in the future? In the fourth part of their chat, Dave Sloan and Robert Brandenberger talk about how we expect inflationary theory to develop, and how observations may lead to new physics in this area.	David Sloan, Robert Brandenberger	4 April, 2017
Strings, Inflation, and Alternatives	In the third part of their discussion, Dave Sloan and Robert Brandenberger explain the relationship between string theory and inflationary models. Can inflation arise from particle physics, or do we need to look for alternative models?	David Sloan, Robert Brandenberger	4 April, 2017
Inflation Predicts	In the second part of their discussion, Dave Sloan and Robert Brandenberger tell us what inflation predicts and whether inflation itself seems fine-tuned. This discussion was conducted at the University of Oxford on March 14, 2017.	David Sloan, Robert Brandenberger	4 April, 2017
Evidence For Inflation	In the first part of their discussion, Dave Sloan and Robert Brandenberger go over our evidence for inflationary theories and discuss how inflationary models improve on the hot big bang.	David Sloan, Robert Brandenberger	4 April, 2017
Panel on Inflation	Professor Joe Silk talks with Professor Robert Brandenberger, Professor Jerome Martin, and Dr. Dave Sloan about the current state of research and controversies surrounding inflation.	Joe Silk, Robert Brandenberger, Jerome Martin, David Sloan	4 April, 2017
Does Inflationary Cosmology Solve Fine-Tuning Problems?	Professor Robert Brandenberger (McGill) argues that inflationary models still face considerable challenges.	Robert Brandenberger	4 April, 2017
Inflationary Attractors	Dr David Sloan (Oxford) discusses the for inflation to occur given typical initial conditions. He argues that, on the right understanding of the background dynamics of the universe, inflationary conditions dominate.	David Sloan	4 April, 2017
Inflation After Planck	Professor Jerome Martin (Institut d’Astrophysique de Paris) explains the current state of evidence for inflationary models.	Jerome Martin	4 April, 2017
Redder is better! Exploring the universe with the successor to Hubble	Rebecca Bowler, University of Oxford give a talk about the successor to the Hubble telescope - The James Webb Space Telescope - which will detect infrared radiation.	Rebecca Bowler	28 March, 2017
On the trail of the most energetic particles in the universe	Rafael Alves Batista, University of Oxford, gives a talk about cosmic rays.	Rafael Alves Batista	28 March, 2017
Advanced LIGO: The Era of Gravitational Wave Astronomy	Dr Philipp Podsiadlowski, University of Oxford gives a talk about gravitational waves in light of the recent detections by the LIGO detector.	Philipp Podsiadlowski	28 March, 2017
Things that go bump in the night: Exploding stars and black holes	Professor Rob Fender, University of Oxford talks through some observations of black holes.	Rob Fender	28 March, 2017
The Future of Particle Physics Panel Discussion	Panel discussion with Prof John Womersley (STFC), Prof John Wheater (Department of Physics), Prof Ian Shipsey (Particle Physics), Prof Dave Wark (Particle Physics), Prof Daniella Bortoletto (Physics) and Prof Subir Sarkar (Particle Theory Group)	John Womersley, John Wheater, Ian Shipsey, Dave Wark, Daniella Bortoletto, Subir Sarkar	7 March, 2017
The Future of Particle Physics: The Particle Physics Christmas Lecture	Professor John Womersley (STFC) gives the Particle Physics Christmas Lecture.	John Womersley	7 March, 2017
Kilometres: Turbulence - Morning of Theroetical Physics	Fasten Your Seat Belts: Turbulent Flows in Nature. Turbulence is ubiquitous in nature, and it often causes us headaches both literal and metaphorical.	Michael Barnes	28 February, 2017
Microns: The bacterial viewpoint - Morning of Theroetical Physics	Ramin Golestanian will introduce you to Life at Low Reynolds number and ask how microorganisms can swim, navigate, and coordinate their activities.	Ramin Golestanian	28 February, 2017
Centimetres: Fluids all around us - Morning of Theroetical Physics	Julia Yeomans will talk about fluids and flows all around us: from superhydrophobic surfaces and how animals and plants keep dry, to bouncing droplets and balloons.	Julia Yeomans	28 February, 2017
The Observer Strikes Back	What is an observer? In the fifth and final part of their discussion, Jim Hartle and Bernard Carr discuss the nature of observers.	Jim Hartle, Bernard Carr	6 December, 2016
No Boundaries for Quantum Cosmology	Where is the observer in the universe? In the fourth part of their discussion, Jim Hartle and Bernard Carr discuss Jim Hartle’s no-boundary proposal.	Bernard Carr, Jim Hartle	6 December, 2016
Physics and Philosophy	What are the limits of physics? In the third part of their discussion, Bernard Carr and Jim Hartle talk about the point at which physics ends and philosophy begins.	Bernard Carr, Jim Hartle	6 December, 2016
The Quantum and Cosmological Scales	How do we combine our theory of the very small with our theory of the largest scales of the universe? In the second part of their discussion, Jim Hartle and Bernard Carr hash out the connections between cosmology and quantum mechanics.	Jim Hartle, Bernard Carr	6 December, 2016
What Fine Tunings Are There?	Is the universe fine-tuned for life? In the first part of their discussion, Bernard Carr and Jim Hartle discuss how physical theories might contain unexplained assumptions that are necessary for the existence of life.	Bernard Carr, Jim Hartle	6 December, 2016
Astronomy at the Highest Energies: Exploring the Extreme Universe with Gamma Rays	Physics Colloquium 25 November 2016 delivered by Dr Jamie Holder	Jamie Holder	30 November, 2016
Exotic combinations of quarks - A journey of fifty years	Physics Colloquium 11 November 2016 delivered by Professor Jon Rosner	Jon Rosner	17 November, 2016
Our Simple but Strange Universe	The 13th Hintze Biannual Lecture delivered by Professor David Spergel	David Spergel	17 November, 2016
Topology and the Classification of Matter: New Physics Hidden in Plain Sight	Third lecture "More is different" - how states of matter emerge from quantum theory Saturday morning of Theoretical Physics. With Professor Steve Simon, introduction by Professor John WheelerThird	Steve Simon	1 November, 2016
Magnets, superfluids and superconductors	Second lecture "More is different" - how states of matter emerge from quantum theory Saturday morning of Theoretical Physics. With Professor Fabian Essler, introduction by Professor John Wheeler.	Fabian Essler	1 November, 2016
Identical particles: from one to many	First lecture in the "More is different" - how states of matter emerge from quantum theory Saturday morning of Theoretical Physics. With Professor John Chalker, introduction by Professor John Wheeler.	John Chalker	1 November, 2016
Searching for - and finding! Gravitational Waves	Physics Colloquium 27th October 2016 delivered by Professor Gabriela Gonzalez	Gabriela Gonzalez	1 November, 2016
Visualizing Quantum Matter	Physics Colloquium 28 October 2016 delivered by Professor Séamus Davis	Séamus Davis	1 November, 2016
Atmospheric Circulation and Climate Change	Physics Colloquium 21st October 2016 delivered by Professor Theodore (Ted) Shepherd	Theodore (Ted) Shepherd	1 November, 2016
The explosion mechanism of massive stars	Physics Colloquium 14th October 2016 delivered by Professor Thierry Foglizzo	Thierry Foglizzo	27 October, 2016
Dark Matter, Fine-Tuned	What surprising features of our theories cry out for explanation? Rocky Kolb and Rafael Alves Batista consider features of our theories that look unlikely or unnatural, and what our chances are for building a unified theory that explains them.	Rocky Kolb, Rafael Alves Batista	12 October, 2016
Why Now?	We’re at a particularly interesting time in the evolution of the universe. Rafael Alves Batista and Rocky Kolb chat about the interesting features of our time, and why we should--or should not--expect to be living now.	Rocky Kolb, Rafael Alves Batista	12 October, 2016
Dark Matter Particles	What sort of things could dark matter be, and how would we tell which it is? Rafael Alves Batista and Rocky Kolb review the main candidate dark matter particles, and consider our chances for telling which one is out there.	Rocky Kolb, Rafael Alves Batista	12 October, 2016
The Future of Dark Matter	In the third part of their discussion, Celine Boehm and Justin Read mull over what we can learn from dark matter. Will understanding dark matter lead us to a small change in the standard model, or a large one?	Justin Read, Celine Boehm	12 October, 2016
How Does Dark Matter Act?	In the second part of their discussion, Celine Boehm and Justin Read talk about how dark matter acts, both on large scales, at early times, and in small galaxies much nearer to us.	Justin Read, Celine Boehm	12 October, 2016
How Do We Find Dark Matter?	In the first part of their discussion, Justin Read and Celine Boehm go over our evidence for dark matter and consider the possible particles that could make it up.	Justin Read, Celine Boehm	12 October, 2016
DMRG in Quantum Chemistry: From its relation to traditional methods to n-orbital density matrices and beyond	In my talk I will attempt to provide an overview on the application of the density matrix renormalization group (DMRG) algorithm in quantum chemistry.	Markus Reiher	11 October, 2016
(Almost) 25 Years of DMRG - What Is It About?	In this talk, I will introduce DMRG both from the historical (statistical) and modern (matrix product state) perspective, highlighting why it has become the method of choice for one-dimensional quantum systems in and out of equilibrium.	Ulrich Schollwöck	11 October, 2016
Openness of a Many-fermion Quantum System from the Generalized Pauli Principle	Information about the interaction of a many-electron quantum system with its environment is encoded within the one-electron density matrix (1-RDM).	Romit Chakraborty	11 October, 2016
Generalized Pauli Constraints in Reduced Density Matrix Functional Theory	Reduced Density Matrix Functional Theory is a method that relies on the 1-1 correspondence between the ground state wavefunction of many electron systems and the first order reduced density matrix(1RDM) and uses the second one as its fundamental valuable.	Iris Theophilou	11 October, 2016
Quasipinning and Extended Hartree-Fock Method based on Generalized Pauli Constraints	It is now known that fermionic natural occupation numbers (NON) do not only obey Pauli’s exclusion principle but are even stronger restricted by the so-called generalized Pauli constraints (GPC).	Carlos Benavides-Riveros	11 October, 2016
Fermionic Exchange Symmetry: Quantifying its Influence beyond Pauli’s Exclusion Principle	The Pauli exclusion principle has a strong impact on the properties and the behavior of most fermionic quantum systems. Remarkably, even stronger restrictions on fermionic natural occupation numbers follow from the fermionic exchange symmetry.	Felix Tennie	11 October, 2016
Pinning of Fermionic Occupation Numbers	The Pauli exclusion principle is a constraint on the natural occupation numbers of fermionic states.	Matthias Christandl	11 October, 2016
Calculation Of Generalized Pauli Constraints	In the talk I am planning to explain two different solutions of N-representability problem and then give the algorithm to calculate GPCs.	Murat Altunbulak	11 October, 2016
Derivation of the time-dependent Hartree(-Fock)-equation	In the talk I will present recent progress in proving closeness of the microscopic and effective description for systems of many fermions.	Peter Pickl	11 October, 2016
Physical Meaning of Natural Orbitals and Natural Occupation Numbers	Physical Meaning of Natural Orbitals and Natural Occupation Numbers	Nicole Helbig	11 October, 2016
Introduction and Overview of the Reduced Density Matrix Functional Theory	In this presentation, we review the theoretical foundations of RDMFT the most successful approximations and extensions, we assess present-day functionals on applications to molecular and periodic systems and we discuss the challenges and future prospect	Nektarios N. Lathiotakis	11 October, 2016
Quantum Marginal Problem and Generalized Pauli Constraints	I will give an introduction to the univariate quantum marginal problem using an elementary mathematical point of view. In particular, I will explain how extremality of the local spectrum carries structural information about the global wave function.	David Gross	11 October, 2016
Two-electron Reduced Density Matrices in Quantum Chemistry and Physics	Strongly correlated quantum systems are not easily described with conventional quantum chemistry formalism because the number of non-negligible configurations grows exponen- tially with the number of orbitals actively participating in the correlation.	David A. Mazziotti	11 October, 2016
Entanglement Spectroscopy and its application to the fractional quantum Hall phases	In this talk, we will give an overview of the entanglement spectroscopy with a focus on to the fractional quantum Hall phases.	Nicolas Regnault	11 October, 2016
Why should anyone care about computing with anyons?	In this talk Jiannis Pachos discusses a variety of different topics starting from characterizing knot invariants, their quantum simulation with exotic particles called anyons and finally the possible realization of anyons in the laboratory.	Jiannis Pachos	11 October, 2016
Quantum Geometry, Exclusion Statistics, and the Geometry of "Flux Attachment" in 2D Landau levels	Duncan Haldane talks about Quantum Geometry, Exclusion Statistics, and the Geometry of "Flux Attachment" in 2D Landau levels.	Duncan Haldane	11 October, 2016
Exchange symmetry and anyon virial coefficients	This talk mentions some aspects of the theory of identical particles, for example, treating neutrons and protons as identical particles distinguished by a quantum number called isotopic spin.	Jan Myrheim	11 October, 2016
Exchange statistics - Basic concepts	In this talk Jon Magne Leinaas from University of Oslo reviews some of the basic ideas and questions related to the exchange symmetry of identical particles.	Jon Magne Leinaas	11 October, 2016
Dark Matter(s) Discussion	Celine Boehm, Rocky Kolb, and Justin Read discuss fine-tuning in dark matter models, how we judge astrophysical parameters to be fine-tuned, how we get evidence for dark matter, supersymmetry, and our prospects for finding the dark matter particle.	Celine Boehm, Rocky Kolb, Justin Read	4 October, 2016
The Level of Fine-Tuning it Takes to Make a Dark Matter Model	Dr. Celine Boehm (Durham) discusses the possible dark matter particles and the constraints--theoretical and experimental--on their parameter space.	Celine Boehm	4 October, 2016
The Decade of the Wimp	Dr. Rocky Kolb (Chicago) discusses the theoretical reasons to expect dark matter to be a Weakly Interacting Massive Particle (WIMP), and the prospects for finding one.	Rocky Kolb	4 October, 2016
Astrophysical Probes of Dark Matter	Dr. Justin Read (Surrey) explains the astrophysical evidence for dark matter, and our prospects for getting more information about its nature and interaction by looking at nearby dwarf galaxies.	Justin Read	4 October, 2016
New Frontiers in Cosmology	In the fourth part of their discussion, Joe Silk and John Peacock conjecture about future developments in cosmology. What part of cosmology is most likely to be fruitful? This discussion was conducted at Trinity College, Oxford, on May 12, 2016.	John Peacock, Joe Silk	13 July, 2016
Dark Energy and the Multiverse	In the third part of their discussion, Joe Silk and John Peacock consider approaches to dark energy. Should we accept the multiverse, or wait for a theory of quantum gravity?	John Peacock, Joe Silk	13 July, 2016
New Data and New Work	In the second part of their discussion, Joe Silk and John Peacock discuss possible future sources of data and developments in cosmology. They conjecture about the search for dark matter and its impact on astronomy.	John Peacock, Joe Silk	13 July, 2016
New Statistics and Prediction	In the first part of their discussion, Joe Silk and John Peacock compare approaches to statistics and how these bear on predictions in cosmology, including Weinberg’s prediction of the cosmological constant.	John Peacock, Joe Silk	13 July, 2016
Practical Fine-Tuning	In the fourth part of their discussion, Luke Barnes and David Sloan look for ways the fine-tuning problems can lead to advances in physics.	Luke Barnes, David Sloan	13 July, 2016
Comparing Theories	In the third part of their discussion, Luke Barnes and David Sloan puzzle over the way we compare theories, and whether there can be a theory that doesn’t have some unexplained posits.	Luke Barnes, David Sloan	13 July, 2016
New Approaches to Probability	In the second part of their discussion, Luke Barnes and David Sloan go over the difference between frequentist and bayesian statistics, and how this difference applies to astrophysics and cosmology.	Luke Barnes, David Sloan	13 July, 2016
What Is Fine-Tuning?	In the first part of their discussion, Luke Barnes and David Sloan come up with a working understanding of fine-tuning. They also discuss various examples of fine-tuning in physics. This discussion was conducted at Trinity College, Oxford, on May 13, 2016	Luke Barnes, David Sloan	13 July, 2016
Quantum Sensors sans Frontier	Physics Colloquium 10th June 2016 delivered by Professor Swapan Chattopadhyay	Swapan Chattopadhyay	16 June, 2016
The Origins and Evolution of Exoplanet Atmospheres and Oceans	3rd Annual Lobanov-Rostovsky Lecture in Planetary Geology delivered by Professor Raymond T Pierrehumbert.	Raymond T Pierrehumbert	15 June, 2016
The 3rd Workshop in the Physics of Fine Tuning-discussion	The 3rd Workshop in the Physics of Fine Tuning - Stars, Galaxies, and the Multiverse, audience and panel discussion	John Peacock, Joe Silk, Adrianne Slyz	27 May, 2016
How do Galaxies know when, where and how quickly to form stars?	The 3rd Workshop in the Physics of Fine Tuning - Stars, Galaxies, and the Multiverse, Adrianne Slyz (Oxford) talks about How do Galaxies know when, where and how quickly to form stars?	Adrianne Slyz	27 May, 2016
The Limits of Cosmology	The 3rd Workshop in the Physics of Fine Tuning - Stars, Galaxies, and the Multiverse, Joe Silk (Oxford, IAP; John Hopkins) talks about The Limits of Cosmology	Joe Silk	27 May, 2016
Observer Selection and Fine-Tuning Puzzles in Cosmology	The 3rd Workshop in the Physics of Fine Tuning - Stars, Galaxies, and the Multiverse, John Peacock (Edinburgh) talks about Observer Selection and Fine-Tuning Puzzles in Cosmology	John Peacock	27 May, 2016
String Theory, Holography and Quark-Gluon Plasma	Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the ninth Saturday Morning of Theoretical Physics on 21st May 2016. Talk 3 by Dr Andrei Starinets.	Andrei Starinets	24 May, 2016
String Theory and Particle Physics	Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the ninth Saturday Morning of Theoretical Physics on 21st May 2016. Talk 2 by Professor Andre Lukas.	Andre Lukas	24 May, 2016
String Theory: Then and Now	Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the ninth Saturday Morning of Theoretical Physics on 21st May 2016. Talk 1 by Professor Joseph Conlon.	Joseph Conlon	24 May, 2016
Bionic Hearing: the Science and the Experience	Physics Colloquium 20th May 2016 delivered by Ian Shipsey	Ian Shipsey	24 May, 2016
Unveiling the Birth of Stars and Galaxies	The 2016 Hintze Biannual Lecture delivered by Professor Robert Kennicutt	Robert Kennicutt	18 May, 2016
ECHO, ECHo, Echo, echo... When echoes overwhelm Landau damping	Physics Colloquium 6th May 2016 delivered by Professor William Dorland	William Dorland	11 May, 2016
Our Place in the Cosmos	Astrophysicist and bestselling author Mario Livio delivers a speculative talk about humans place in the cosmos.	Mario Livio	10 May, 2016
Capitalizing on diversity: Outcomes of planet formation as initial conditions for life	Michael R. Meyer, Institute for Astronomy, Department of Physics, ETH Zurich, delivers a talk about planet formation and conditions for life to exist.	Michael Meyer	10 May, 2016
Where and how might we search for life? From planet demographics to biosignatures	Professor Suzanne Aigrain is an expert exoplanet researcher. In this talk she will outline the methods for detection and characterisation of exoplanets in the context of finding planets that might harbor life.	Suzanne Aigrain	10 May, 2016
What Can We Learn from Planetary Surveys?	In the fourth part of their discussion, Suzanne Aigrain and Michael Meyer discuss how we move from observations of exoplanets to conclusions about their types and formation. This discussion was conducted at Trinity College, Oxford, on February 12, 2016.	Suzanne Aigrain, Michael Meyer	20 April, 2016
Is Our Solar System Special?	In the third part of their discussion, Suzanne Aigrain and Michael Meyer discuss ways in which our solar system is unusual in its makeup and formation. This discussion was conducted at Trinity College, Oxford, on February 12, 2016.	Suzanne Aigrain, Michael Meyer	20 April, 2016
Fine-Tuning and the Scientific Process	In the second part of their discussion, Michael Meyer and Suzanne Aigrain talk about the way they, as working physicists, think of fine-tuning in complex planetary systems. This discussion was conducted at Trinity College, Oxford, on February 12, 2016.	Suzanne Aigrain, Michael Meyer	20 April, 2016
Telescope Design and the Search for Life	In the first part of their discussion, Michael Meyer and Suzanne Aigrain lay out the conditions for habitability on an exoplanet and challenges of looking for such planets. This discussion was conducted at Trinity College, Oxford, on February 12, 2016.	Suzanne Aigrain, Michael Meyer	20 April, 2016
Life in the Universe: Where and How Can We Find It?	In the fourth part of their discussion, Mario Livio and Joe Silk talk about the way planetary systems form and the preconditions for life-bearing planets to exist. This discussion was conducted at Trinity College, Oxford, on February 12, 2016	Joe Silk, Mario Livio	19 April, 2016
Testability, Physics, and the Multiverse	In the third part of their discussion, Mario Livio and Joe Silk ask: could our theories exceed our ability to test them? Have they already? This discussion was conducted at Trinity College, Oxford, on February 12, 2016.	Joe Silkl, Mario Livio	19 April, 2016

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