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Department of Physics and Astronomy

The Department of Physics and Astronomy has a rich and long history dating back to the latter part of the 19th century. Our faculty and students are exploring nature at all length scales, from the subatomic (quarks and gluons) to the macroscopic (black holes and dark energy), and everything in between (atomic and biological systems).

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Professor Andreas Jung of Purdue Physics and Astronomy

Purdue Physics and Astronomy professor Andreas Jung’s research sits at the intersection of particle physics, detector mechanics, AI, machine learning and quantum computing. Watch the full-length video on how Jung and his team are tackling real-world problems, training students, and helping shape the future of physics at Purdue.

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AAS Journal Author Series: Miranda Pikus and Paul Duffell

YouTube — Miranda Pikus and Paul Duffell (Purdue University) chat about their article on how thermal cooling creates structural changes in supernova remnants as they evolve, finding that when the cooling timescale is shorter that ~1/400 of the Sedov time, the ejecta are shaped into a filamentary structure similar to Pa 30. The filament structures are created by the formation of Rayleigh–Taylor instability fingers where the cooling has prevented the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability from overturning and mixing out the tips.

Braiding Anyons in a Semiconductor Sandwich

YouTube — Every particle in the standard model is either a fermion or a boson. So how did physicists create a third kind of particle, and how did they know they had succeeded? Be sure to watch Purdue Physics and Astronomy Professor Erica Carlson's new video on The Quantum Age on YouTube.

Antihydrogen Measurement Sharpens Antimatter Symmetry Test

Physics APS — A 100-fold improvement in a key antihydrogen measurement strengthens tests of matter–antimatter symmetry, entering a regime sensitive to the antiproton’s internal structure. PhysAstro's Francis Robicheaux was part of the research team.

Bringing Quantum Concepts into Classrooms | Podcast

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related fields employ 25% of the U.S. workforce. U.S. National Science Foundation-supported professors Erica Carlson and Muhsin Menekse discuss how their collaboration is inspiring the next generation of STEM workforce through a quantum education program.

Purdue PhysAstro's Quantum Open House featured in the UNESCO final report for the International Year of Quantum

During the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology 2025 (IYQ 2025), proclaimed by the United Nations to mark the centenary of quantum mechanics, the world responded with extraordinary energy. Over 1300 events and activities from 83 countries and regions brought quantum science into classrooms, public squares, and policy forums on every continent. Purdue PhysAstro's Quantum Open House was featured in the report.

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Department of Physics and Astronomy, 525 Northwestern Avenue, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2036 • Phone: (765) 494-3000 • Fax: (765) 494-0706

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