The Eberly College of Science

Department of Physics

"From the nano to the macro, we seek to understand the origin of the universe, the ultimate structure of matter, and the fundamental laws that govern the physical world. I'm proud to belong to an excellent and diverse community of faculty, postdocs, and students who are opening new scientific frontiers and developing ground breaking quantum technologies." Nitin Samarth, Department Head

Physics Undergrad student conducting an experiment on a 2DCC machine
Physics undergraduate program

Develop a broad, deep, and rigorous knowledge of the quantitative problems that govern the natural world.

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Physics graduate researching looking at an experiment

Intellectually challenging and exciting graduate research alongside leading physics faculty full of talent, enthusiasm, and imagination.

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Physics graduate program
Penn State physicists are at the frontiers
of knowledge about the natural world

According to a multi-year study released by the National Research Council (NRC) in 2010, we are in the top echelon (10-15) of physics departments in the United States.

The 2018 US News graduate program rankings listed our gravitational physics/cosmology group and condensed matter physics group as #9 and #11, respectively.

The physics department is also committed to fostering an inclusive community where people of all backgrounds feel safe and supported.

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Physics Department

The physics faculty is a community of innovative and inspiring research and instructional physicists at the frontier of science.

Featured Faculty

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Zhen Bi

Zhen Bi

Assistant Professor of Physics

My group focuses on theoretical condensed matter physics. We are interested in exotic quantum many-body phases such as topological phases of matter, and novel quantum phase transitions beyond conventional paradigms, as well as experimental platforms that exhibit these remarkable phenomena.
Stephanie Wissel for the featured staff tout.

Stephanie Wissel

Assistant Professor of Physics

My group focuses on detecting the highest energy neutrinos through radio detection experiments like PUEO, BEACON, ARA, and RNO-G.
Zoltan Fodor.

Zoltan Fodor

Professor

The main goal is to solve quantum field theory in the non-perturbative, strongly interacting regime. To that end, analytic and numerical techniques are applied on space-time lattices.
Davey Lab
Featured Story
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Putting a new theory of many-particle quantum systems to the test

Experiments show that generalized hydrodynamics accurately simulates an out-of-equilibrium quantum system.

Graph showing nearly perfect match of experimental data with prediction of generalized hydrodynamics
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Jainendra Jain elected to the National Academy of Sciences

Penn State physicist Jainendra K. Jain has been elected as a member of the National Academy of Sciences.

Jainendra Jain photo for the 2021 National Academy of Sciences story.
From genes to memes
From genes to memes: Algorithm may help scientists demystify complex networks

A new algorithm can serve as a more effective way to analyze models of biological systems.

network of fluorescent cells
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Elusive mergers of black holes with neutron stars confirmed for first time

For the first time, a research team including Penn State astronomers have detected a collision between a black hole and a neutron star.

illustration of blue neutron star merging into black hole, with colorful swirls surrounding it
The physics department joins a multi-institution network that promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion in the physics community.
Department of Physics joins APS network

Physics Spotlight