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physics-astronomy

In the Center for Molecular and Atomic Studies at Surfaces, graduate student Heungman Park uses the versatile and powerful TITAN laser system to study the interactions of light and matter.

The Vanderbilt Advanced Computing Center for Research and Education (ACCRE) is a powerful resource for department faculty who use computation as a tool for scientific exploration.

Vanderbilt is part of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, which images the luminous red galaxies shown above. The clustering of these galaxies will probe the nature of dark energy in the universe.

The nuclear theory group studies fusion reactions of exotic neutron-rich nuclei such as 132Sn + 96Zr, using quantum many body theory (time-dependent Hartree-Fock calculation on 3-D grid).

As part of the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment, Vanderbilt physicists help build the pixel detectors that measure the trajectories of particles created at CERN's LHC.

VIIBRE is developing microfluidic devices for studying and controlling living cells. The trap shown above restrains human T cells, allowing researchers to study new ways that immune cells communicate.

Vanderbilt astronomers use the SMARTS telescopes at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO) in the Chilean Andes for research and student training.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Vanderbilt University combines the friendly and supportive atmosphere of a liberal arts college with the excitement and challenge of forefront research. The undergraduate program consists of a focused physics education combined with a wealth of skills from the humanities and social sciences. The bachelor’s degree prepares a student for a career in the private sector or for continuing one's education in physics, astronomy, engineering, law, medicine and many other fields.

Both undergraduate and graduate students actively engage in Departmental research programs that are supported by more than $6 million in external funding annually. These research programs are at the cutting edge of traditional areas of physics as well as being a major contributor to contemporary interdisciplinary institutions and centers.

Next Colloquium, February 4

Holger Kress, Yale University

Spatiotemporal control of cellular microenvironments
with photonics

News & Announcements

  • A new undergraduate textbook, "Modern Atomic and Nuclear Physics" by Prof. Hamilton and Fujia Yang has been published.
  • The history of our department, To Quarks and Quasars: A History Of Physics And Astronomy At Vanderbilt University, has been scanned into the Vanderbilt digital repository.
  • Prof. Pantelides and Prof. Varga are co-PIs on a new grant "Investigation of Physical Mechanisms of Radiation Induced Phenomena in Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene" from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency.
  • Astronomy postdoc Leslie Hebb has published a paper in the Astrophysical Journal reporting the discovery of the shortest-period transiting exoplanet yet discovered.This discovery is also mentioned in Science Magazine.

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