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Tom Mehen smiles at the camera
Tom Mehen, In Memoriam, 1970-2024
The Physics Department mourns the loss of a beloved colleague and renowned physicist
Simulated reconstruction of a nuclear collision
From Nuclear Collisions to AI
Steffen Bass explores how machine learning is revolutionizing nuclear physics
Physics Majors & Minor
Biophysics Majors
Ph.D. Requirements
Our Faculty

About Us

Known for our award-winning faculty and research, Duke's Department of Physics includes a nationally-recognized doctoral program, and offers undergraduate degrees in physics and biophysics. Our research – focused in 11 key areas – is internationally well recognized and focused on the scientific challenges of the 21st century. As part of Duke’s highly collaborative approach to research, we have established faculty labs and research groups where our faculty and students work closely with other departments across the University, as well as with academic institutions and major research facilities nationally and abroad.

Learn More

Key Research Areas

  • Atomic/Molecular/Optical (AMO) Physics
  • Biological Physics
  • Condensed Matter & Materials Physics
  • Cosmology & Astrophysics
  • Experimental Nuclear Physics
  • High Energy Physics
  • Imaging & Medical Physics
  • Mathematical Physics
  • Nonlinear & Complex Systems
  • Quantum Information Science
  • Theoretical Nuclear & Particle Physics

Events

May
15
Thu
Cosmology Seminar- A Reassessment of the Pantheon+ and DES 5YR Calibration Uncertainties: Dovekie
2:00 pm
Physics 298

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News

  • From Nuclear Collisions to AI: How Machine Learning is Revolutionizing Nuclear Physics
    From Nuclear Collisions to AI: How Machine Learning is Revolutionizing Nuclear Physics
  • screenshot of a simulated image of the cosmos, with a zoomed in section showing several galaxies
    Travel Across the Universe in Michael Troxel's New Simulation [VIDEO] (clicking this link will take you away from this site)
  • Trinity Celebrates Duke's New Full Professors
    Trinity Celebrates Duke's New Full Professors (clicking this link will take you away from this site)
  • Alumni Profiles Series: Roger Byrd
    Alumni Profiles Series: Roger Byrd (clicking this link will take you away from this site)
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Faculty Journal Articles Published Annually
400+
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Primary, Secondary & Joint Faculty Members
56
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Graduate Students
94
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Department of Physics

Physics Building,
120 Science Drive

Campus Box 90305
Durham, NC 27708
(919) 660-2500

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Majors in Physics
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  • About Us
    • Administrative Website
    • Our Facilities
    • Advanced Light Imaging and Spectroscopy (ALIS) facility
    • Instrument Shop
    • Instructional Machine Shop
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      • 1924 to 1945
      • 1946 to 1962
      • 1963 to 1985
      • 1986 to 2005
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        • Lawrence C. Biedenharn
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      • Atomic/Molecular/Optical (AMO) Physics
      • Biological Physics
      • Condensed Matter & Materials Physics
      • Cosmology & Astrophysics
      • Experimental Nuclear Physics
      • Mathematical Physics
      • High Energy Physics
      • Imaging & Medical Physics
      • Nonlinear & Complex Systems
      • Quantum Information Science
      • Theoretical Nuclear & Particle Physics
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      • BQ1: What are the ultimate laws of nature?
      • BQ2: What principles govern strongly interacting matter?
      • BQ3: How does quantum physics explain and predict novel materials?
      • BQ4: How can we understand complex soft matter and biological systems?
      • BQ5: How can physics research improve the practice of medicine?
      • BQ6: How does physics drive the information and computing revolutions?
      • BQ7: How can we use physics to benefit society?
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