Department of Physics and Astronomy

Chemistry, physics faculty honored by AAAS
The American Association for the Advancement of Science is honoring five Iowa State University researchers for “their scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance science." Read More

April 18, 2024
ISU physicist helps set the U.S. priorities for investing millions in particle physics
As part of a panel of 32 physicists, Iowa State's Amanda Weinstein helped set the priorities for the country's particle physics research agenda. Read More

February 13, 2024
Jigang Wang is keeper of first-in-the-world nanoscope
Jigang Wang's lab on campus houses the world's only Cryogenic Magneto-Terahertz Scanning Near-field Optical Microscope. It's as fancy – and rare – as it sounds. Read More

March 23, 2023
New instrument measures supercurrent flow
New instrument developed at Iowa State could revolutionize quantum computing. Read More

December 5, 2022
Researchers build long-sought nanoparticle structure, opening door to special properties
This new nanomaterial could have useful optical, mechanical, and electronic characteristics. Read More

November 28, 2022
Ames National Laboratory research project awarded $4.5 million to understand and control properties of rare earth minerals
Rebecca Flint, Ames National Laboratory scientist and associate professor of physics, leads the project. Read More

September 13, 2022
Physicists use quantum simulation tools to study, understand exotic states of matter
Thomas Iadecola, assistant professor of physics and astronomy, co-authors paper published in the journal Nature. Read More

July 12, 2022
Theoretical calculations predicted now-confirmed tetraneutron, an exotic state of matter
Experiments validate theory from research team led by James Vary, professor of astronomy and physics. Read More

June 23, 2022