Physics at California Institute of Technology

42 faculty and 32 courses in Physics at California Institute of Technology.

Faculty

• Maria Spiropulu, Shang-Yi Ch'en Professor of Physics h-index 121
  Notable: “Demonstration of sub-3 ps temporal resolution with a superconducting nanowire single-photon detector” (2020) · 551 citations
• Alan J. Weinstein, Professor of Physics h-index 109
  Gravitational-wave physics and astrophysics; high energy particle physics; high energy astrophysics; cosmology, dark matter and dark energy; precision metrology Overview My research focus in recent years has been in the search for gravitat
  Notable: “The CLEO II detector” (1992) · 619 citations
• Rana X. Adhikari, Professor of Physics h-index 107
  Precision Experiments in Gravitational Physics, Quantum Measurement, Frontier Photonics Overview Adhikari is an experimental physicist with interests in fundamental physics including tests of gravity and quantum mechanics. His group focuse
  Notable: “Observation of Gravitational Waves from a Binary Black Hole Merger” (2016) · 14,274 citations
• Harvey B. Newman, Professor of Physics h-index 101
  Experimental High Energy Physics; Global Networks and Distributed Systems; AI Native Research Environments Overview Harvey Newman (Sc. D, MIT 1974) has been a Caltech faculty member in physics since 1982. He was one of the founders of the
  Notable: “Improved Search for Muon-Neutrino to Electron-Neutrino Oscillations in MINOS” (2011) · 707 citations
• Frank C. Porter, Professor of Physics h-index 100
  Experimental high energy physics, CP violation and rare B decays, Testing the standard model, Lepton flavor violation, Statistical methods in physics, Electromagnetic calorimetry Overview Frank Porter is a Professor of Physics at Caltech.
  Notable: “Review of particle properties” (1988) · 4,421 citations
• David G. Hitlin, Professor of Physics h-index 99
  Notable: “Evidence for an Excess ofB¯→D(*)τ−ν¯τDecays” (2012) · 867 citations
• Mark B. Wise, John A. McCone Professor of High Energy Physics h-index 88
  Particle Physics, Cosmology, Nuclear Physics Overview Mark B. Wise is the John A. McCone Professor of High Energy Physics at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and a theoretical physicist known for his work in particle physic
  Notable: “Cosmology of the invisible axion” (1983) · 3,331 citations
• Oskar J. Painter, John G Braun Professor of Applied Physics and Physics h-index 81
  Notable: “Two-Dimensional Photonic Band-Gap Defect Mode Laser” (1999) · 2,347 citations
• Michael L. Roukes, Frank J. Roshek Professor of Physics, Applied Physics, and Bioengineering h-index 78
  Quantum Information, Quantum and Condensed Matter Overview Professor Roukes's research focuses on nanobiotechnology, nanotechnology, nanoscale physics, nanoscale and molecular mechanics. Selected Awards NIH Director's Transformative Resear
  Notable: “Spintronics: A Spin-Based Electronics Vision for the Future” (2001) · 11,393 citations
• Axel Scherer, Bernard Neches Professor of Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics and Physics h-index 78
  Medical diagnostic tools for rapid disease detection; Tools and methods for Nanofabrication below 5nm; Sensing and observation of molecules with Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy, Miniaturization of vacuum electronics Overview Professor
  Notable: “Monolithic Microfabricated Valves and Pumps by Multilayer Soft Lithography” (2000) · 3,995 citations
• Fiona A. Harrison, Harold A. Rosen Professor of Physics h-index 74
  Observational and Experimental High-Energy Astrophysics Overview My research focuses on high-energy observations of black holes, neutron stars and other energetic phenomena with the NuSTAR telescop e and other X-ray and gamma ray facilitie
  Notable: “THENUCLEAR SPECTROSCOPIC TELESCOPE ARRAY(NuSTAR) HIGH-ENERGY X-RAY MISSION” (2013) · 2,268 citations
• John P. Preskill, Richard P. Feynman Professor of Theoretical Physics h-index 71
  Quantum Information, Quantum Matter, Quantum Gravity Overview I am a theoretical physicist. Topics I have worked on in the past include the connections between particle physics and cosmology, properties of topological defects, nonperturbat
  Notable: “Quantum Computing in the NISQ era and beyond” (2018) · 8,260 citations
• Rob B. Phillips, Fred and Nancy Morris Professor of Biophysics, Biology, and Physics h-index 66
  Physical biology of the cell, models of transcription and active matter, physical genomes, and biophysical approaches to evolution. Overview Professor Phillips focuses on physical biology of the cell: models of transcription and active mat
  Notable: “The biomass distribution on Earth” (2018) · 3,683 citations
• Kathryn M. Zurek, Louis E. Nohl Professor of Theoretical Physics h-index 65
  Experimental and Theoretical Cosmology; Theoretical Elementary Particle Physics Overview Kathryn M. Zurek is a professor of theoretical physics at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). Her research interests primarily lie at th
  Notable: “Echoes of a hidden valley at hadron colliders” (2007) · 835 citations
• Yanbei Chen, Professor of Physics h-index 65
  Theoretical Gravitational-Wave Physics; Quantum Information Overview Since 1999, I have been doing theoretical research on gravitational-wave physics. Gravitational waves are "ripples" of space-time curvature. They were first predicted by
  Notable: “Cosmic Explorer: The U.S. Contribution to Gravitational-Wave Astronomy\n beyond LIGO” (2019) · 525 citations
• Ryan B. Patterson, Professor of Physics h-index 62
  Experimental Elementary Particle Physics Overview Patterson is an experimental physicist studying the fundamental particles and forces of nature. His work includes large-scale experiments to measure the properties of neutrinos, to understa
  Notable: “Improved Search for Muon-Neutrino to Electron-Neutrino Oscillations in MINOS” (2011) · 707 citations
• Thomas F. Rosenbaum, President; Professor of Physics h-index 57
  Quantum Information, Quantum and Condensed Matter Overview Thomas F. Rosenbaum is the ninth president of the California Institute of Technology and Professor of Physics. He is an expert on the quantum mechanical nature of materials, conduc
  Notable: “Large magnetoresistance in non-magnetic silver chalcogenides” (1997) · 650 citations
• Katerina Chatziioannou, Assistant Professor of Physics h-index 55
  Notable: “The NANOGrav 15 yr Data Set: Evidence for a Gravitational-wave Background” (2023) · 1,470 citations
• Kenneth G. Libbrecht, Professor of Physics h-index 53
  Physics of Crystal Growth and Pattern Formation in Ice Overview A North Dakota native, Libbrecht studies the molecular dynamics of crystal growth, including how ice crystals grow from water vapor, which is essentially the physics of snowfl
  Notable: “The physics of snow crystals” (2005) · 585 citations
• Bradley W. Filippone, Francis L. Moseley Professor of Physics h-index 53
  Experimental Nuclear Physics & Low Energy Particle Physics Overview Presently, I am using new technologies to trap free neutrons for use in symmetry tests of the electroweak standard model. In particular, we are building an experiment
  Notable: “Search for short-lived axions in an electron-beam-dump experiment” (1987) · 491 citations
• Alexei Kitaev, Ronald and Maxine Linde Professor of Theoretical Physics and Mathematics h-index 52
  Topological quantum phases and related mathematics, Quantum holography, Protected qubits Overview I am a theoretical physicist sometimes drifted away into mathematics. One of my old ideas is how to encode quantum information and protect it
  Notable: “Fault-tolerant quantum computation by anyons” (2003) · 7,354 citations
• Gil Refael, Taylor W. Lawrence Professor of Theoretical Physics h-index 52
  Quantum Condensed Matter (theory); Quantum Information (theory) Overview My current research themes include: Topological quantum computation with Majorana Fermions. Practical applications of topological insulators Universal aspects of driv
  Notable: “Helical Liquids and Majorana Bound States in Quantum Wires” (2010) · 3,187 citations
• Sunil Golwala, Professor of Physics h-index 51
  Observational Cosmology and Instrumentation Overview I work at the intersection of particle physics and cosmology on observations and instrumentation to understand the nature of the dark matter and dark energy that dominate the evolution o
  Notable: “Review of Particle Physics” (2012) · 6,003 citations
• Jonas Zmuidzinas, Merle Kingsley Professor of Physics h-index 50
  Experimental Astrophysics; Submillimeter Astronomy and Instrumentation Overview I am an experimentalist working at the intersection of astronomy, engineering, and physics. I like to find astronomical problems that demand technical innovati
  Notable: “A broadband superconducting detector suitable for use in large arrays” (2003) · 1,376 citations
• Fernando Brandao, Bren Professor of Theoretical Physics h-index 46
  Quantum Information Science Overview Fernando Brandão's research is focused on quantum information science. He explores the interplay of physics, computer science and mathematics to study the role of quantum mechanics in computation and in
  Notable: “Strongly interacting polaritons in coupled arrays of cavities” (2006) · 968 citations
• Jason F. Alicea, William K. Davis Professor of Theoretical Physics h-index 43
  Quantum Condensed Matter (theory) Overview As a condensed matter theorist, I am broadly interested in uncovering new exotic phenomena that emerge from the interplay between topology and quantum mechanics. Topological phases of matter that
  Notable: “Non-Abelian statistics and topological quantum information processing in 1D wire networks” (2011) · 1,659 citations
• Clifford W. Cheung, Professor of Theoretical Physics h-index 43
  Notable: “Scattering Amplitudes and the Conservative Hamiltonian for Binary Systems at Third Post-Minkowskian Order” (2019) · 526 citations
• Olexei I. Motrunich, Professor of Theoretical Physics h-index 39
  Strongly correlated systems; Spin liquids and non-Fermi liquids in model and realistic systems; Topological phases; Quantum many-body dynamics and thermalization; Unusual thermalization, symmetries, and hydrodynamics; Numerical approaches.
  Notable: “Variational study of triangular lattice spin-1∕2model with ring exchanges and spin liquid state inκ−(ET)2Cu2(CN)3” (2005) · 448 citations
• Marco Bernardi, Professor of Applied Physics h-index 38
  Materials physics, computational physics, first-principles calculations, interactions and dynamics in matter, quantum materials, quantum science and technology Overview Marco Bernardi is a Professor of Applied Physics, Physics and Material
  Notable: “Extraordinary Sunlight Absorption and One Nanometer Thick Photovoltaics Using Two-Dimensional Monolayer Materials” (2013) · 2,036 citations
• Nai-Chang Yeh, Thomas W. Hogan Professor of Physics h-index 37
  Quantum Information, Quantum and Condensed Matter Overview Nai-Chang Yeh specializes in experimental condensed matter physics, focusing on fundamental studies and technological applications of quantum materials and nanoscience. Her current
  Notable: “Directional Tunneling and Andreev Reflection onYBa2Cu3O7−δSingle Crystals: Predominance ofd-Wave Pairing Symmetry Verified with the Generalized Blonder, Tinkham, and Klapwijk Theory” (1998) · 382 citations
• David Hsieh, Donald A. Glaser Professor of Physics h-index 36
  Quantum Information, Quantum and Condensed Matter Overview Hsieh is an experimental condensed matter physicist. He and his group search for and study new quantum phases of matter in solids using a variety of laser-based spectroscopic techn
  Notable: “Observation of a large-gap topological-insulator class with a single Dirac cone on the surface” (2009) · 3,773 citations
• David Simmons-Duffin, Professor of Theoretical Physics h-index 34
  Theoretical Elementary Particle Physics Overview I am a professor of theoretical physics at Caltech. My research focuses on strongly-coupled quantum field theories, with a particular interest in conformal field theories and their applicati
  Notable: “Solving the 3D Ising model with the conformal bootstrap” (2012) · 711 citations
• Manuel A. Endres, Professor of Physics h-index 32
  Quantum Systems & Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics (AMO) Overview The Endres group conducts experimental and theoretical research in quantum science. This includes experiments with individually controlled alkaline earth atoms tar
  Notable: “Probing many-body dynamics on a 51-atom quantum simulator” (2017) · 2,508 citations
• Xie Chen, Eddleman Professor of Theoretical Physics h-index 31
  Topological Phenomena in Strongly Correlated Quantum Many-Body Systems; Quantum Condensed Matter; Quantum Information Overview I am a condensed matter theorist, interested in studying quantum mechanical systems with a large number of degre
  Notable: “Classification of gapped symmetric phases in one-dimensional spin systems” (2011) · 985 citations
• James J. Bock, Marvin L. Goldberger Professor of Physics h-index 31
  Experimental Cosmology Overview I am an experimental cosmologist. My research program pioneers new technologies and develops unique experiments to study the early universe. Present research focuses on two experimental probes of cosmic infl
  Notable: “ALMA REDSHIFTS OF MILLIMETER-SELECTED GALAXIES FROM THE SPT SURVEY: THE REDSHIFT DISTRIBUTION OF DUSTY STAR-FORMING GALAXIES” (2013) · 304 citations
• Lee P. McCuller, Assistant Professor of Physics h-index 23
  Gravitational-Wave Physics and Astrophysics, Experimental Quantum Systems and Atomic/Molecular/Optical Physics (AMO) Overview Lee McCuller is a physics professor and quantum squeezing expert, developing innovative techniques to enhance the
  Notable: “Quantum-Enhanced Advanced LIGO Detectors in the Era of Gravitational-Wave Astronomy” (2019) · 652 citations
• Nicholas R. Hutzler, Assistant Professor of Physics h-index 22
  Notable: “Order of Magnitude Smaller Limit on the Electric Dipole Moment of the Electron” (2013) · 1,022 citations
• Linda Ye, Assistant Professor of Physics h-index 17
  Design and growth of quantum materials, strain-tuning, topological states of matter, geometric frustration Overview Dr. Linda Ye joined the California Institute of Technology as an Assistant Professor of Physics in September 2023. Prior to
  Notable: “Massive Dirac fermions in a ferromagnetic kagome metal” (2018) · 977 citations
• Nelson Darkwah Oppong, Assistant Professor of Physics h-index 10
  Quantum Science and Precision Measurement Overview The Darkwah-Oppong Lab is a new experimental research group, broadly interested in questions from quantum science and precision measurement, such as: How can we improve atomic clocks based
  Notable: “A Fermi-degenerate three-dimensional optical lattice clock” (2017) · 387 citations
• Wai Ling Wu, Assistant Professor of Physics h-index 7
  Early universe, large-scale structure, cosmic microwave background, gravitational lensing, machine learning Overview I am an observational cosmologist. I use data from the largest and deepest surveys across multiple wavelengths to learn ab
  Notable: “BICEP Array: a multi-frequency degree-scale CMB polarimeter” (2018) · 94 citations
• Hugh D. Politzer, Richard Chace Tolman Professor of Theoretical Physics
  Theoretical Elementary Particle Physics, Science of Music Overview David Politzer is a Nobel Prize–winning theoretical physicist and a professor at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). Awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 200
• Robert Huang, Assistant Professor of Theoretical Physics
  Quantum Information (theory) Overview I am Hsin-Yuan Huang (黃信元, pronounced "Shin Yuan Huan"). I also go by Robert. My research aims to build a rigorous foundation for understanding how scientists, machines, and future quantum computers ca

Courses

• Integrated Core: Classical Mechanics and Electromagnetism IC/Ph 1 abc
• Classical Mechanics and Electromagnetism Ph 1 abc
• Waves, Quantum Mechanics, and Statistical Physics Ph 2 abc
• Introductory Physics Laboratory Ph 3
• Analog Electronics for Physicists Ph 5
• Physics Laboratory Ph 6
• Experiments in Electromagnetism Ph 8 bc
• Frontiers in Physics Ph 10
• Waves, Quantum Physics, and Statistical Mechanics Ph 12 abc
• Computational Physics Laboratory I Ph 20
• Computational Physics Laboratory II Ph 21
• Computational Physics Laboratory III Ph 22
• Caltech Physics League Ph 50 ab
• Advanced Physics Laboratory Ph 77 abc
• Senior Thesis (Experiment) Ph 78 abc
• Senior Thesis (Theory) Ph 79 abc
• Order-of-Magnitude Physics Ph 101
• Topics in Classical Physics Ph 106 abc
• Classical and Laser Optics Ph 107
• Stochastic Resonance Phenomena and the Essential Role of Noise APh/Ph 112
• Computational Physics Lab Ph 121 abc
• Quantum Mechanics Ph 125 abc
• Statistical Physics of Interacting Systems, Phases, and Phase Transitions Ph 127 ab
• Mathematical Methods of Physics Ph 129 abc
• Introduction to Condensed Matter Ph 135
• Applications of Classical Physics Ph 136 abc
• Atoms and Photons Ph/APh 137 ab
• Quantum Hardware and Techniques APh/Ph 138 ab
• Introduction to Elementary Particle Physics Ph 139
• Frontiers in Physics Research Ph 141
• + 2 more courses

Roster/catalog compiled from the college’s public directory. Faculty counts are directory headcounts; the named list may be a subset. h-index shown only for ORCID-backed or high-confidence OpenAlex matches. Data as of 2026-07-02.