Research in matter and energy

Research groups and labs

• Atomic and Quantum Optics Group

  Studying how light interacts with all sorts of quantum systems and ways we can tailor this interaction for useful purposes.

• Condensed Matter Physics

  Condensed matter physics uses the fundamental principles of quantum electrodynamics and statistical mechanics to study emergent properties of states of matter.

• Correlations and Topology in Condensed Matter

  As condensed matter theorists, we are interested in many exciting topics ranging from strongly correlated electron systems to unconventional superconductivity and topological states of matter but also quantum computing.

• Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics

  Using a mixture of experiments, simulation and theory, researchers in the School of Physics are investigating topics from the nature of dark matter and dark energy to what happened during inflation, a burst of ultra-fast expansion in the early Universe.

• Experimental Particle Physics

  Experimental particle physics seeks to understand the universe at its most fundamental level. Our work includes the search for dark matter, collider physics, matter-antimatter asymmetry and physics beyond the Standard Model.

• Goerigk Group – Theoretical and Computational Quantum Chemistry

  Our research revolves around the exciting field of quantum chemistry, including both the development of new quantum-chemical methods and applications to organic-, inorganic-, physico- and biochemical problems.

• High Energy Astrophysics

  A diverse research area concerned with modelling phenomena like cosmic-ray shock acceleration, supernovae and other cosmic explosions, relativistic winds and jets, accretion disks, extreme gravitational and magnetic fields, non-thermal and coherent radiation mechanisms, and the equation of state of bulk nuclear matter.

• Laboratory for Cellular Biophysics

  The focus of the Laboratory for Cellular Biophysics lies at the interface between physics and cell biology. Our specific interest is in the cell nucleus and establishment of biophysical imaging tools to uncover the role live cell nuclear architecture plays in genome function.

• Mathematical Physics Group

  Mathematical Physics is the study of the mathematics associated with models of the physical world.

• Nanoscience in the School of Physics

  Developing a solid-state quantum computer, new forms of optical and electron imaging, novel optical sensors, and new approaches to bionics.

• Nanoscience Lab

  Discovering new materials that can help Australia transition to a sustainable energy future.

• Organic Electronic Materials and Devices

  Focusing on the development of high-performance organic and perovskite solar cells through device optimisation, morphology control of the photoactive layer, and interface engineering of the photovoltaic device.

• Physical Bioscience

  Development of new technologies for bio-sensors, systems for remote-location oxygen delivery, diamond-based implant devices, and quantum imaging systems for bio-magnetic processes.

• Renewable Energy

  The imperative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions has never been stronger and urgent. This urgency necessitates considering all possible renewable energy sources to decarbonise the economy. Geothermal energy is an emissions-free, sustainable alternative to natural gas combustion for heating.

• Symmetries, Topology and Entanglement in Quantum Systems

  This group uses symmetries and tools from quantum information theory to study topological and other exotic phases of matter as well as theoretical aspects of quantum computing, with an emphasis on strongly correlated systems and novel mathematical approaches to symmetries.

• Theoretical Particle Physics

  Diverse research interests that range from astroparticle and cosmological physics that describe the physics of the early Universe, to the physics of the Standard Model and beyond that describes the fundamental interactions and matter of the subnuclear world.