News

Read the latest news from the Department of Physics

Research

Are Atoms Like Snowflakes? Physicist Proposes a New Test

A paper in Physics Letters B explores quantum mechanical tests of distinguishability and determinism in atoms.

Blueish white snowflakes sparkle on a black background

Research

Superfluids are Supposed to Flow Indefinitely. Physicists Just Watched One Stop Moving.

Researchers may have glimpsed a supersolid, an enigmatic quantum version of a classical solid.

Oden Institute

Study Reveals Hidden Topological Structure in Polarons

UT physicists found an unexpected layer of structure in one of solid-state physics’ most common quasiparticles.

Accolades

Allan MacDonald Wins Frontiers of Knowledge Award

The UT Austin physicist was one of two scientists to win the international prize in the category of basic sciences.

The Oden Institute

Antonios Alvertis Joins UT Austin to Advance Quantum Materials and Computational Physics

Alvertis is a theoretical physicist whose research in computing relates to how matter behaves at the atomic scale.

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UT News

Governor Abbott Announces Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund Grant To Texas Quantum Institute

The announcement notes: “UT Austin is where world-changing discoveries in quantum research and development are being made.”

Research

Experiment Sets Tightest Limits Yet on Proposed Dark Matter Particles

UT physicists involved with LUX-ZEPLIN helped analyze the largest dataset ever collected by a dark matter detector.

Accolades

5 Questions for Vernita Gordon

The winner of a Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award highlights classroom approaches linked to lasting impact.

Research

“Rival” Neutrino Experiments NOvA and T2K Publish First Joint Analysis

The results add to physicists’ understanding of neutrinos and validate collaboration between major experiments.

Accolades

Vernita Gordon Receives 2025 Regents Outstanding Teaching Award

The ROTA recognize extraordinary classroom presence and innovative teaching methods.

Vernita Gordon