• Physics of Novel Materials

    Research is conducted by several Applied Physics faculty, in collaboration with faculty from other SEAS and Yale departments.

  • Optical Physics & Devices

    A planar realization of a random laser that is pumped with incoherent light from the top and emits coherent light in random directions.

  • Quantum Information & Devices

    Systems that employ quantum effects to process information or detect electromagnetic radiation at the ultimate physical limits.

Welcome

Welcome to Applied Physics at Yale

The Department of Applied Physics prepares students for academic and industrial careers at the forefront of science and technology. Teaching and research are focused on fundamental issues in condensed matter and optical physics and on the practical application of these concepts and techniques to technology. This balance between fundamental science and application makes our program highly interdisciplinary, having strong collaborations with Physics and Chemistry, as well as Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, and Biomedical Engineering.

Explore the exciting opportunities in the Department of Applied Physics from this short video.

Recent News

Congratulations to Yishu Zhou!
  • Yishu Zhou successfully defended her PhD thesis, titled “Developing Electro-Optomechanical Systems for Novel Silicon Photonic devices,” on February 28, 2024.

    Thesis Advisor: Peter Rakich

Yu He Receives Air Force Young Investigators Award
  • Two Yale Engineering faculty members — Yu He and Marynel Vazquez  — received awards from the 2023 Air Force Office of Scientific Research Young Investigator Research Program.

    Read more here.

Devoret, Schoelkopf awarded Comstock Prize in Physics for quantum advances
  • The National Academy of Sciences recognized Michel Devoret and Robert Schoelkopf for their innovative work in quantum information processing.

    The Comstock Prize is awarded once every five years to one or more North American physicists whose recent work includes an innovative discovery or investigation in electricity, magnetism, or radiant energy. Many previous recipients of the prize, first awarded in 1913, have gone on to become Nobel laureates.

    Read more at YaleNews.

Yale’s quantum computing journey — 20 years and counting
  • Yale’s Robert Schoelkopf, Michel Devoret, and Steven Girvin reflect on their trailblazing approach to quantum computing research.

    Read full article at YaleNews.

Insights into the Metal-to-Insulator Transition
  • Prof. Yu He led a study, published in Physical Review Research, that brings a clearer focus on how these transitions can take place without breaking any symmetry in these materials.

    Read more here.

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Yale Applied Physics Graduate Studies Program

If you are interested in one of the following research areas, the Yale Applied Physics Department is the place for you:

Graduate student support and requirements include:

  • Full fellowship support for first year
  • Two semesters of special investigations research during first year
  • Two semesters as teaching fellow after first year
  • Dissertation Area Exam in lieu of Qualifying Exam

Click here to apply.

For more information, click on the image.
Applied Physics Studies Program Brochure

 

Yale Applied Physics Undergraduate Major

The Yale Applied Physics major is an intensive physics major offering a unique combination of depth and flexibility: 

  • The student chooses an area of science in which they have a special interest. 
  • A faculty advisor is selected from Applied Physics, Physics, Engineering, the Medical School, or other departments who will supervise the research. 
  • Three elective courses are chosen that are related to the research. 
  • The student thus graduates with a solid background in their area of interest, well prepared for graduate school, industry, etc.

Click here for more information.  

Click on the image below for the Applied Physics Undergraduate program brochure.
Applied Physics Undergraduate Program Brochure