Department of Physics

We are one of the UK's top Physics departments and have a reputation for high-quality teaching, driven by outstanding research, performed in an inclusive and welcoming community.

Welcome to the Department of Physics at Durham

The Physics Department is a thriving centre for research and education.

We are proud that our Department closely aligns the teaching and learning experience for its students with the research-intensive values and practices of the University. Research-led teaching is embedded at all levels from first year laboratory reports to our final year MSci flagship individual research projects.

The Department incorporates the Ogden Centre for Fundamental Physics, is home to the Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology and the Institute for Computational Cosmology. The Ogden Centre is also the base for our innovative outreach programme for school children and their teachers.

Find out more about us

2nd in the UK for Physics The Guardian University Guide 2023

6th in the UK for Physics and Astronomy - Complete University Guide 2023

96% of our research outputs are world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021)

3rd in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

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Before you arrive Welcome and Induction

News

CfAI helps NASA develop Lunar Thermal Mapper to detect and map water on the lunar surface

The Centre for Advanced Instrumentation (CfAI) at Durham University will participate in the development of the Lunar Thermal Mapper (LTM) infrared multispectral image

Montage of three pictures: Main image is of a mock-up of the lunar trailblazer in orbit above the moon, and 2 images of a mirror prototype (front and back) made in 2020 for the Atmospheric Physics group at Oxford. A complete prototype was assembled and tested and this led to the successful proposal of this design for the Lunar Traiblazer.

Physics Department Mark National Day of Reflection

National Day of Reflection

Photograph of the physics department trees with yellow ribbon tied to the branches.

Durham quasar physicist Vicky takes Silver Medal in parliamentary scientific research competition

Durham quasar physicist Vicky takes Silver Medal in parliamentary scientific research competition. Victoria Fawcett, a postgraduate research student at Durham University has won Silver for the excellence of her physics research in a national competition, receiving a £750 prize and a medal.

Durham Physics students rise to the space challenge

A team of undergraduate students from the Department of Physics has been selected to perform experiments in artificial hypergravity as part of a competition run by the European Space Agency (ESA). Competing against students from all over Europe, the team comprising 2nd year physics students Alex Prior, Jochem Langen and Paolo Barrios and known as ‘The Levitators’, was one of only 3 selected as part of ESA’s ‘Spin Your Thesis! 2021’ Competition.

Developing x-ray holography for 3D tomographic imaging of magnetic nanosized objects

Fourier transform holography is a standard technique for visualising small objects. Recently members of the UK Skyrmion Project have achieved an important step towards being able to provide 3D tomographic images of magnetic objects. Using the SEXTANTS beamline at the SOLEIL synchrotron PhD student Luke Turnbull and others were able to produce high-resolution x-ray images of the magnetic textures in a thin s

Physics Department Development Talent scheme awards four early career researchers

The Physics Department Development Talent scheme promotes, enhances and encourages the possibility of early career researchers developing their research careers within the Department by providing support in the form of up to £10 000 in flexible funding.

Nobel class cosmology researcher honoured

A world-leading Durham cosmologist has been recognised as being “of Nobel class” for his work on the evolution of the universe.

Award for research that could revolutionise computing

As the world becomes ever more dependent on imaging, computers and communication, research by our physicists could help revolutionise how these technologies work.

Researchers from the Quantum Light and Matter section climb the ladder of rotational states

Researchers from the Quantum Light and Matter section in the department of physics have recently demonstrated the coherent manipulation of the internal rotational state of molecules cooled to within one-millionth of a degree of absolute zero.

Quantum Light and Matter section climb the ladder of rotational states image

First research flight images from innovative balloon-borne telescope

Our astronomers are part of an international team behind the successful first research flight of an innovative balloon-borne telescope that will investigate the mystery of dark matter.

A host of stars with the Tarantula Nebula at its centre

Durham Physics Department gains an 'Entrepreneur in Residence', in association with the Royal Society

Sixteen entrepreneurs, senior scientists and business leaders have been awarded a place on the Royal Society’s Entrepreneur in Residence scheme for 2021. We are delighted to welcome Dr Rodger Sykes to the department here at Durham as a newly awarded Royal Society Entrepreneur in Residence.

Supporting business through astronomy

Durham’s astronomers and cosmologists are increasingly sharing their knowledge and expertise to support business. From washing powder to x-ray machines, our experts are helping to improve products for customers and enhance research and development in industry.