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Physics at Oxford aspire to be one of the best physics departments in the world by conducting cutting-edge research and by teaching and developing the careers of the next generation of physicists.
Physics work on major facilities worldwide, develop the most advanced experimental techniques and the most sophisticated theoretical methods to investigate nature at every scale.
Oxford University Physics Department pursues fundamental science and in doing so make discoveries that enable them to contribute directly to tackling the challenging problems facing society.

Series associated with Department of Physics

Oxford Physics Academic Lectures
Oxford Physics Public Lectures
Oxford Physics Research
Oxford Physics Short Talks and Introductions
Quantum Mechanics
Stargazing
The Oxford Solid State Basics
The Physics of Fine-Tuning
Theoretical Physics - From Outer Space to Plasma
# Episode Title Description People Date
207 Possibility Spaces Ard Louis in conversation with George Ellis. Part two - Possibility Spaces. George Ellis, Ard Louis 12 Apr 2016
206 Top Down Causation Ard Louis in conversation with George Ellis. Part one - Top Down Causation. George Ellis, Ard Louis 11 Apr 2016
205 Creative Commons The Unity of the Universe The Final Dennis Sciama Memorial Lecture delivered by Professor David Deutsch David Deutsch 09 Mar 2016
204 Engineering Defects in Diamond Physics Colloquium 26th February 2016 delivered by Professor Mark Newton Mark Newton 04 Mar 2016
203 Optical Microscopy and Spectroscopy of Single Molecules and Single Plasmonic Gold Nanoparticles Physics Colloquium 19th February 2016 delivered by Professor Michel Orrit Michel Orrit 04 Mar 2016
202 Fundamental constants and biology George Ellis of the University of Cape Town shows how we can use a space of possibilities to assess the fragility of life. This talk was part of the Consolidation of Fine-Tuning Project's first workshop, "Life in the Universe", on November 3, 2015. George Ellis 02 Mar 2016
201 Assessing Fine-Tuning in Physics: How Many? How Fine? How Come? Bernard Carr of Queen Mary University of London looks at sources of fine tuning in physics and their possible explanations. This talk was part of the Consolidation of Fine-Tuning Project's first workshop, "Life in the Universe", on November 3, 2015. Bernard Carr 02 Mar 2016
200 Creative Commons Stellarators, Fusion Energy and the Wendelstein 7-X Experiment Physics Colloquium 29th January 2016 delivered by Professor Per Helender Per Helender 19 Feb 2016
199 Creative Commons Epidemics, Erdös Numbers and the Internet: the Physics of Networks Physics Colloquium 12th February 2016 delivered by Professor Mark Newman Mark Newman 19 Feb 2016
198 Creative Commons DalitzFest The Scientific Legacy of Dick Dalitz Frank Close, Christopher Llewellyn-Smith 18 Feb 2016
197 Quantum Computer Simulation of Chemistry and Materials: Advances and Perspectives Physics Colloquium 5th February 2016 delivered by Professor Alán Aspuru-Guzik Alán Aspuru-Guzik 11 Feb 2016
196 How computers have changed the way we do physics - Breaking through the quantum barrier The power of available computers has now grown exponentially for many decades. The ability to discover numerically the implications of equations and models has opened our eyes to previously hidden aspects of physics. Thorsten Wahl 11 Feb 2016
195 How computers have changed the way we do physics - Structure in complex systems The power of available computers has now grown exponentially for many decades. The ability to discover numerically the implications of equations and models has opened our eyes to previously hidden aspects of physics. Mark Newman 11 Feb 2016
194 How computers have changed the way we do physics - Chaos and climate change The power of available computers has now grown exponentially for many decades. The ability to discover numerically the implications of equations and models has opened our eyes to previously hidden aspects of physics. Myles Allen 11 Feb 2016
193 Seeing the High Energy Universe with IceCube Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 3rd morning of Theoretical Physics covering the subject of Inner Space Meets Outer Space: Covering the Connections Between Cosmology and Particle Physics Subir Sarkar 06 Jan 2016
192 Growing Black Holes over 12 Billion Years The 2015 Hintze Biannual Lecture delivered by Professor Meg Urry Meg Urry 04 Dec 2015
191 The Einstein Lens and a Tale of Two Eclipses Physics Colloquium 20th November 2015 delivered by Professor Tom Ray Tom Ray 24 Nov 2015
190 At a Physics Info/Sci Intersection Physics Colloquium 30th October 2015 delivered by Professer Paul Ginsparg Paul Ginsparg 03 Nov 2015
189 How hot will it get in a world run by economists? A physicist’s take on climate change policy Physics Colloquium 23rd October 2015 delivered by Professor Myles Allen Myles Allen 26 Oct 2015
188 Gravitational lensing: one of the sharpest tools in an astronomer's toolbox Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the eighth Saturday Morning of Theoretical Physics on 19 September 2015. Talk 3 by Professor James Binney. James Binney 24 Sep 2015
187 General Relativity: what is it & why Einstein conceived it thus Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the eighth Saturday Morning of Theoretical Physics on 19 September 2015. Talk 2 by Professor John Wheater. John Wheater 24 Sep 2015
186 Cosmology from General Relativity Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the eighth Saturday Morning of Theoretical Physics on 19 September 2015. Talk 3 by Pedro Ferreira. Pedro Ferreira 24 Sep 2015
185 Understanding the Monsoon The 2015 Halley Lecture delivered by Professor Peter J. Webster Peter J. Webster 30 Jul 2015
184 Parlez-vous Beams? The Frontier of Beam Physics and Accelerator Science: from High Energy Particle Colliders to Quantum Degenerate Beams Physics Colloquium 12th June 2015 delivered by Professer Swapan Chattopadhyay Swapan Chattopadhyay 17 Jun 2015
183 The Quantum Universe The 2015 Hintze Lecture delivered by Professor Hitoshi Murayama Hitoshi Murayama 16 Jun 2015
182 Chasing Fast Dynamos in the Plasma Lab Physics Colloquium 29th May 2015 delivered by Professor Cary Forest Cary Forest 08 Jun 2015
181 Climate Observations from Space Physics Colloquium 5th June 2015 delivered by Professor Stephen Briggs Stephen Briggs 08 Jun 2015
180 Cosmology from the Microwave Background Physics Colloquium 22nd May 2015 delivered by Professor Jo Dunkley Jo Dunkley 29 May 2015
179 Everything from nothing, or how our universe was made The 2015 Wetton Lecture delivered by Professor Carlos Frenk Carlos Frenk 29 May 2015
178 Making the Vacuum Concrete Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the first Saturday Morning of Theoretical Physics on 22 June 2013. The event focussed on how we use field theory to understand material reality. Fabian Essler 21 May 2015
177 Topological Boundary Modes from Quantum Electronics to Classical Mechanics The 2015 Cherwell-Simon Lecture delivered by Professor Charles Kane Charles Kane 20 May 2015
176 Basics of Anyons and Nonabelian Aharanov-Bohm Effect Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 7th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the idea of quantum computation and the strange behaviour of certain types of fundamental particle. John March-Russell 14 May 2015
175 Knots, World-lines, and Topological Quantum Computation Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 7th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the idea of quantum computation and the strange behaviour of certain types of fundamental particle. Steve Simon 14 May 2015
174 Quantum Computing Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 7th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the idea of quantum computation and the strange behaviour of certain types of fundamental particle. Andrew Steane 14 May 2015
173 Searches for Dark Matter Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 6th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the ways in which ideas from theoretical particle physics guide the high energy accelerator program at CERN. Ulrich Haisch 24 Mar 2015
172 Precision Studies of the Higgs Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 6th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the ways in which ideas from theoretical particle physics guide the high energy accelerator program at CERN Giulia Zanderighi 24 Mar 2015
171 The Standard Model and the LHC Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 6th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the ways in which ideas from theoretical particle physics guide the high energy accelerator program at CERN. Juan Rojo 24 Mar 2015
170 The impact of black holes on the Universe Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 5th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the subject of Black holes: where physics reaches its limit. James Binney 24 Mar 2015
169 Black holes in the nearby Universe Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 5th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the subject of Black holes: where physics reaches its limit. John Magorrian 24 Mar 2015
168 Black holes in Einstein's gravity and beyond Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 5th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the subject of Black holes: where physics reaches its limit. Andrei Starinets 24 Mar 2015
167 Plasma tamed, fusion power and the theoretical challenge Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 4th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the subject of Plasmas: the normal form of matter and the key to unlimited energy. Steven Cowley 24 Mar 2015
166 Creative Commons Turbulence: Plasma Unleashed Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 4th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the subject of Plasmas: the normal form of matter and the key to unlimited energy. Alexander Schekochihin 24 Mar 2015
165 Plasma: what it is, how to make it and how to hold it Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 4th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the subject of Plasmas: the normal form of matter and the key to unlimited energy. Felix Parra-Diaz 24 Mar 2015
164 String Theory on the Sky Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 3rd morning of Theoretical Physics covering the connections between cosmology and particle physics. David Marsh 24 Mar 2015
163 Creative Commons Darkness Visible: The Hunt For Dark Matter Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 3rd morning of Theoretical Physics covering the connections between cosmology and particle physics. Felix Kahlhoefer 24 Mar 2015
162 Creative Commons Inner space meets outer space: Introduction Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 3rd morning of Theoretical Physics covering the connections between cosmology and particle physics. Subir Sarkar 24 Mar 2015
161 Creative Commons Motility in Living Matter: from molecular motors to bacterial swarms Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 1st morning of Theoretical Physics covering how we use field theory to understand material reality. Julia Yeomans 24 Mar 2015
160 Creative Commons Living Matter: a theoretical physics perspective Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 2nd morning of Theoretical Physics covering ideas from theoretical physics currently being applied to living systems. Ramin Golestanian 24 Mar 2015
159 Matter Emerges from the Vacuum Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 1st morning of Theoretical Physics covering how we use field theory to understand material reality. Joseph Conlon 24 Mar 2015
158 Creative Commons The Vacuum Comes Alive Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 1st morning of Theoretical Physics covering how we use field theory to understand material reality. James Binney 24 Mar 2015
157 Creative Commons The Higgs Boson and Particle Physics at the LHC: a Progress Report and Plans for the Future Physics Colloquium 13th February 2015 Deliverd by Daniela Bortoletto Daniela Bortoletto 16 Mar 2015
156 Creative Commons Science with a crowd: The Zooniverse from Galaxy Zoo to LSST Physics Colloquium 30th January 2015 delivered by Chris Lintott Chris Lintott 16 Mar 2015
155 Colours from Earth: preparing for exo-earth characterisation Physics Colloquium 6th March 2015 deliverd by Robert Fosbury Robert Fosbury 16 Mar 2015
154 The Seven Wonders of Galaxy Zoo Becky Smethurst shows how citizen science and the Galaxy Zoo project is helping researchers tackle difficult scientific questions. Becky Smethurst 13 Mar 2015
153 Astronomy at the Highest Energies Possible Researcher Stephen Rayner talks on how astronomers study the highest energies possible to detect particle accelerators in space. Stephen Rayner 13 Mar 2015
152 Spectromania! James Gilbert, a researcher in astrophysics gives an exciting talk on how astronomy uses Spectroscopy - the study of the interaction between matter and radiated energy. James Gilbert 13 Mar 2015
151 How to see the world in a grain of sand Peter Hatfield gives an astronomy talk entitled: How to see the world in a grain of sand and the entire Universe in a super computer. Peter Hatfield 13 Mar 2015
150 The Beagle expedition to Mars The Beagle 2 probe had not been seen or heard from since December 2003 and had been presumed lost. Researcher Chris Linttot gives an overview and shows newly found images of the probe on the surface of Mars. Chris Lintott 13 Mar 2015
149 The Philae - Rosetta Mission (update) Researcher Colin Wilson gives an update on the Rosetta mission with the latest news on the Philae comet lander Colin Wilson 13 Mar 2015
148 LHC searches for dark matter Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 6th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the ways in which ideas from theoretical particle physics guide the high energy accelerator program at CERN Ulrich Haisch 12 Feb 2015
147 Precision Studies of the Higgs Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 6th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the ways in which ideas from theoretical particle physics guide the high energy accelerator program at CERN Giulia Zanderighi 12 Feb 2015
146 The Standard Model and the LHC! in the Higgs Boson Era Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 6th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the ways in which ideas from theoretical particle physics guide the high energy accelerator programme at CERN. Juan Rojo 12 Feb 2015
145 Creative Commons Matter Emerges from the Vacuum Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the first Saturday Morning of Theoretical Physics on 22 June 2013. The event focussed on how we use field theory to understand material reality. Joseph Conlon 04 Feb 2015
144 Plasma Tamed, Fusion Power and the Theoretical Challenge Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 4th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the subject of Plasmas: the normal form of matter and the key to unlimited energy. Steve Cowley 29 Jan 2015
143 String Theory on the Sky Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 3rd morning of Theoretical Physics. The event focused on the interface between theoretical developments in particle physics and astrophysics/cosmology. David Marsh 29 Jan 2015
142 From you to the largest structure in the Universe Robert Simpson, an astronomy researcher from Oxford takes us on a tour of the Universe, explaining the incredible distances and relative dimensions of space. Robert Simpson 19 Dec 2014
141 Gloomy Worlds: Why are planets cloudy? Jo Barstow explains the complex science behind the clouds that surround the planets. Jo Barstow 19 Dec 2014
140 The Philae - Rosetta Comet Mission On 12 November 2014, the Philae probe achieved the first-ever soft landing on a comet nucleus. Colin Wilson, a researcher from Oxford, gives an update on the landing and explains the history and science behind this incredible mission. Colin Wilson 19 Dec 2014
139 Black Holes, Axions and the Gravitational Atom in the Sky Physics Colloquium 5th December 2014 delivered by Dr Asimina Arvanitak Asimina Arvanitak 17 Dec 2014
138 Creative Commons The Vacuum Comes Alive Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 1st morning of Theoretical Physics covering how we use field theory to understand material reality James Binney 15 Dec 2014
137 Creative Commons Living Matter: a theoretical physics perspective Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 2nd morning of Theoretical Physics covering ideas from theoretical physics currently being applied to living systems Ramin Golestanian 15 Dec 2014
136 Creative Commons Motility in Living Matter Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 2nd morning of Theoretical Physics covering ideas from theoretical physics currently being applied to living systems Julia Yeomans 15 Dec 2014
135 Creative Commons Inner Space Meets Outer Space Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 4th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the connections between cosmology and particle physics. Subir Sarkar 15 Dec 2014
134 Creative Commons Darkness Visible: The Hunt For Dark Matter Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 4th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the connections between cosmology and particle physics. Felix Kahlhoefer 15 Dec 2014
133 Plasma: What It Is, How To Make It and How To Hold It Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 4th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the subject of Plasmas: the normal form of matter and the key to unlimited energy Felix Parra-Diaz 15 Dec 2014
132 Creative Commons Turbulence: Plasma Unleashed Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 4th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the subject of Plasmas: the normal form of matter and the key to unlimited energy Alexander Schekochihin 15 Dec 2014
131 Creative Commons Ice Cores, Climate and Sea Ice Physics Colloquium 14th November 2014 delivered by Prof Eric Wolff Eric Wolff 02 Dec 2014
130 Creative Commons Inside the Centre: The Life and Work of J. Robert Oppenheimer Physics Colloquium 21st November 2014 delivered by Prof Ray Monk Ray Monk 02 Dec 2014
129 Millisecond Pulsars, Magnetars, and Black Holes: The Wickedly Cool Stellar Undead The 9th Hintze Lecture delivered by Professor Scott Ransom Scott Ransom 02 Dec 2014
128 A Physicist’s View of the Emergence of Terrestrial Vertebrates Physics Colloquium 7th November 2014. Delivered by Professor Steve Balbus, Savilian Professor of Astronomy, Head of Astrophysics, University of Oxford. Steve Balbus 01 Dec 2014
127 Science and the Art of Inventiveness Physics Colloquium 24th October 2014. Delivered by Professor Andrei Seryi, Director of the John Adams Institute. Andrei Seryi 01 Dec 2014
126 Black holes in the nearby Universe Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 5th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the subject of Black holes: where physics reaches its limit. John Magorrian 05 Nov 2014
125 The impact of black holes on the Universe Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 5th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the subject of Black holes: where physics reaches its limit. James Binney 05 Nov 2014
124 Black holes in Einstein's gravity and beyond Members of the Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics hosted the 5th morning of Theoretical Physics covering the subject of Black holes: where physics reaches its limit. Andrei Starinets 05 Nov 2014
123 Creative Commons 21. Mean Field Theory and Closing Thoughts Last in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 10 Sep 2014
122 Creative Commons 20. Collective Magnetism Lecture 20 in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 10 Sep 2014
121 Creative Commons 19. Magnetic Properties of Atoms Lecture 19 in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 10 Sep 2014
120 Creative Commons 18. Semiconductor Devices and Introduction to Magnetism Lecture 18 in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 10 Sep 2014
119 Creative Commons 17. Dynamics of Electrons in Bands Lecture 17 in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 10 Sep 2014
118 Creative Commons 16. Band Structure and Optical Properties of Solids Lecture 16 in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 09 Sep 2014
117 Creative Commons 15. Nearly Free Electron Model Lecture 15 in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 09 Sep 2014
116 Creative Commons 14. Waves in Reciprocal Space Lecture 14 in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 09 Sep 2014
115 Creative Commons 13. Scattering Experiments III Lecture 13 in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 09 Sep 2014
114 Creative Commons 12. Scattering Experiments II Lecture 12 in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 09 Sep 2014
113 Creative Commons 11. Reciprocal Space and Scattering Lecture 11 in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 09 Sep 2014
112 Creative Commons 10. Geometry of Solids II: Real Space And Reciprocal Space Lecture 10 in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 09 Sep 2014
111 Creative Commons 09. Geometry of Solids I: Crystal Structure in Real Space Lecture 9 in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 09 Sep 2014
110 Creative Commons 08. Microscopic View of Electrons in Solids in One Dimension: Tight Binding Chain Lecture 8 in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 09 Sep 2014
109 Creative Commons 07. Microscopic View of Vibrations in Solids in One Dimension II: The Diatomic (Alternating) Harmonic Chain Lecture 7 in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 09 Sep 2014
108 Creative Commons 06. Microscopic View of Vibrations in Solids in One Dimension I: The Monatomic Harmonic Chain Lecture 6 in a series of 21 lectures on solid state physics, delivered by Professor Steven H. Simon in early 2014. Steven H. Simon 09 Sep 2014