About

The ANU Research School of Physics constitutes Australia’s largest university-based physics research activity, incorporating major national facilities, national networks, a significant technical manufacturing and prototyping capability, as well as an innovative teaching program.

Our research activity includes nonlinear and quantum optics and quantum systems engineering, soft and hard condensed matter physics, III-V semiconductor physics, nano-engineered and meso-scale materials, nuclear physics, novel imaging technologies and plasma science.

Our researchers have played important roles in some of the most significant breakthroughs in physics, including proving the existence of gravitational waves in 2016.

The observation of a gravitational wave, ripples in space caused by the collision of two black holes, confirms a prediction made by Albert Einstein's General Theory of Relativity 100 years ago, and opens up new fields in physics and astrophysics.

The important role that our researchers played included constructing, installing and commissioning crucial components of the detectors used by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) in the United States.

Fundamental and applied research, just like this, also sparks the development of novel technologies and have seen a number of successful spin-out companies go global.

In 2009 Lithicon, then named Digitalcore, spun out of the Research School of Physics and Engineering. The big commercial step was taken after 10 years of fundamental research by ANU scientists. Their research combined novel scanning technology and advanced computer algorithms to produce high-resolution 3D images and simulations of fluids in oil reservoir rocks.

Fast forward to February 2014, and Lithicon was acquired for $US8 million by microscopic technology company FEI, cementing a very special research relationship with ANU.

Facilities

A person using an advanced microscope and control panel in a dimly lit laboratory.

The Centre for Advanced Microscopy (CAM) provides state-of-the art microscopy and microanalysis equipment to researchers, students and industry partners.

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ANU Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility. Photo: James Coleman

The HIAF comprises one of the world’s largest 14UD pelletron accelerators and a superconducting “booster” linear accelerator (LINAC) housed and operated by ANU.

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Kioloa Campus

The 348-hectare ANU Kioloa Coastal Campus is one of Australia’s premier field stations, offering a diverse ecology which encourages research across all scientific disciplines.

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A group of people attentively watching a demonstration of 3D printers in a workshop setting.

The ANU MakerSpace is an initiative by the Research School of Physics and Engineering, where we know people learn by doing.  

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A row of large server cabinets decorated with colorful nebula imagery in a modern data center.

The National Computational Infrastructure (NCI) is home to the Southern Hemisphere’s most highly-integrated supercomputer and filesystems, Australia’s highest performance research cloud, and one of the nation’s largest data catalogues—all supported by an expert team.

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A laptop, microphone, headphones, and audio mixer on a textured gray surface, suggesting a podcast or recording setup.

The CPAS Podcast Studio is open to staff and students throughout ANU (not just scientists!) to record and grow podcast series. Your success is our success: we want to help you make the biggest and best podcast series in the world.  

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Science precinct

Our new $240-million science precinct on the ANU campus has state-of-the-art biological and chemical research laboratories, as well as a teaching hub.

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News

To relieve financial pressures and stress to students caused by COVID-19, Vice Chancellor Professor Brian Schmidt has announced additional support measures.

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ANU Campus.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Brian Schmidt today announced The Australian National University (ANU) will move to remote work and study from tomorrow.

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Student with laptop

ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Brian Schmidt announced ANU will pause coursework teaching for one week from Monday 23 March.

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If you look at the list of ANU College of Science and Medicine research projects receiving funding in the 2020 round of ARC Discovery Grants, something stands out.

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Shanae King is standing outside with remains of telescopes in the background.

Shanae King builds systems that are literally out of this world – or they will be, one day.

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