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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.

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.

Artist's illustration of the protocol created by AI (Google Gemini).

Quantum memory sharpens precision measurements

A new sensing technique developed by researchers at the University of Oxford and Imperial College London uses a quantum memory to sort light into precise temporal patterns, achieving record-breaking precision enhancement in optical frequency measurement.

Single atom in ion trap

Oxford team achieves first-ever ‘quadsqueezing’ quantum interaction

Researchers at the University of Oxford have demonstrated a new type of quantum interaction using a single trapped ion.

Dr Robin Timmis

Dr Timmis awarded Culham Thesis Prize

Dr Robin Timmis from the Department of Physics has been awarded the Institute of Physics’ Culham Thesis Prize: Plasma Physics Group.

Dr Robin Timmis aligns the OHREX spectrometer

Scientists unlock new route to extreme light intensities

An international team of physicists has achieved a significant advance in laser science, demonstrating for the first time a practical route to dramatically boosting the intensity of high-power laser light.

Clockwise from top left: Cosmin Andrei, Dr Gabriel Araneda Machuca, Oana Bazavan, Dr Keith Norman and Dr Mustafa Bakr

Quantum physicists: the people behind the future

Having celebrated the International Year of Quantum last year, here we speak to people across the Department of Physics to find out how they found their way into quantum, what their days look like now, and how they see the field changing.

12 February 2026

Professor David Lucas, right, at a laser table

Building the foundations of a quantum internet

Professor David Lucas from the Department of Physics at the University of Oxford is to lead one of three new UKRI-funded projects as part of a commitment to deepen the science and tech ties between the UK and Japan.

4 February 2026

Delegates of the Quantum Advantage in Quantitative Quantum Simulation programme meeting outside Keble College, Oxford

Realising quantum advantage in analogue quantum simulation

The Quantum Advantage in Quantitative Quantum Simulation programme, led by the University of Oxford, is advancing analogue quantum simulation to ensure quantum systems can deliver a practical advantage to science or industry.

2 February 2026

Helene Losl

Meet...Helene Losl

We work among extraordinary people doing extraordinary things; get to know some of them by reading these quick-fire interviews.

12 January 2026

Artist's impression shows a grey, irregularly-shaped asteroid against a dark background.

Asteroid impact simulation reveals hidden strength of space rocks

Physicists at the University of Oxford have contributed to a new study which has found that iron-rich asteroids can tolerate far more energy than previously thought without breaking apart.

Colourful image of particles and network depicting quantum computing.

What is quantum computing?

As we near the end of the International Year of Quantum, we ask experimental physicist William Cutler to break it down for us...what exactly is quantum computing?

17 December 2025