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To build a quantum sensor, light must be prepared in a carefully controlled state where its frequency, polarisation and intensity are all well controlled. Here, the polarisation of blue light is altered before it is used to cool the atoms to absolute zero.

Oxford and the search for dark matter

Researchers from the Department of Physics contribute to major advance in the search for dark matter and gravitational waves.

Complete University Guide

Oxford ranked first for Physics in Complete University Guide 2027

The Department of Physics at the University of Oxford has been ranked first in the UK for Physics & Astronomy in the Complete University Guide 2027.

Oxford physicists achieve first plasma acceleration in the UK

Oxford physicists have demonstrated beam-driven plasma acceleration in the UK for the first time, a breakthrough that could transform the design of future particle colliders.

James Webb Telescope seen from its left (or port) side. This view shows part of the bottom of the telescope’s multi-layered sunshield, primary mirror, and mirror support struts.

Studying exoplanets and neutron stars with the James Webb Space Telescope

Two researchers from the Department of Physics at the University of Oxford have been awarded observing time on the James Webb Space Telescope to study exoplanet atmospheres and the origins of the heaviest elements in the Universe.

Dr Isabelle Taylor, left, and Dr Milan Klöwer, right

Researchers recognised with MPLS award

Dr Milan Klöwer and Dr Isabelle Taylor have been recognised in this year’s MPLS Awards for Outstanding Research Supervision.

Type Ia supernova visible as a blue dot at the centre of this NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image

New study confirms universe's expansion is still accelerating

A new international study has strengthened evidence that the expansion of the universe is still accelerating, addressing recent claims that had called one of modern cosmology's most important discoveries into question.

Artist's impression of a Type Ia supernova (based on observations of SN2014J).

Analysis of supernova data questions evidence for cosmic acceleration

Research led by the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai along with Professor Emeritus Subir Sarkar from the University of Oxford, questions the widely accepted argument that the expansion rate of the universe is accelerating.

Witness spins above and below the quantum spin liquid interact by propagation of spinons within it.

Quantum spin liquid elementary particles witnessed for the first time at Oxford

Physicists at Oxford have developed a new approach in the search for a 'quantum spin liquid', a long-sought state of quantum matter resembling a magnetic liquid whose quantum properties mean it never freezes.

Professor Shivaji Sondhi

Professor Sondhi elected to National Academy of Sciences and American Academy of Sciences and Letters

Oxford physicist Professor Shivaji Sondhi FRS has been elected to two distinguished American learned societies: the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Sciences and Letters.

OQC Winnersh Lab site

OQC raises £260 million in largest European quantum funding round

Oxford Quantum Circuits (OQC), a spin-out of the Department of Physics at the University of Oxford, has closed a £260 million Series C funding round — the largest ever raised by a quantum computing company in Europe.

COMPOS team

Physics programme highly commended in VC Awards 2026

Physics outreach programme, the Comprehensive Oxford Mathematics and Physics Online School (COMPOS), has been highly commended in the Vice-Chancellor’s Awards 2026.

Oana Bazavan and Sebastian Saner

Oxford physicists create new family of Schrödinger's cat states

Researchers generate cat-like superpositions built from highly nonclassical quantum components.