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Atomic and Laser Physics at University of Oxford - UCAS

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2024 - 20252025 - 2026
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Course summary

The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2023). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas. The department researches the interaction of light and matter over an enormous range of conditions, from high-energy plasmas created by the most powerful lasers in the world, to the coherent manipulation of single quantum particles for implementing quantum information processing, to the creation of exotic states of quantum matter such as Bose-Einstein condensation. Research in atomic and laser physics (ALP) involves some of the most rapidly developing areas of physical science and ranges from the fundamental physics of quantum systems to interdisciplinary application of lasers. The themes include the following, using both experiment and theory:

  • quantum computation
  • quantum cryptography
  • quantum chaos
  • quantum memories
  • optical manipulation of cold atoms and molecules
  • ultra-cold matter
  • Bose-Einstein condensations
  • optical lattices and quantum simulations
  • ions traps and entanglement
  • non-linear optics
  • cavity quantum electrodynamics
  • quantum optics
  • high-intensity laser interactions
  • ultra-fast X-ray science
  • laser-plasma science
  • attosecond optics
  • optical metrology and precision spectroscopy
  • fundamental tests of QED
  • femtosecond combs
  • EPR and NMR for QIP
  • laboratory astrophysics.
At graduate level, the department primarily offers the DPhil research degree (equivalent to a PhD). In very exceptional cases, it may be possible to do an MSc by Research in Atomic and Laser Physics. There is no graduate taught master’s course in ALP. The DPhil is a research degree and you will normally start working on your main research project as soon as you arrive. A list of current projects is available on the ALP website. In parallel with your project, you will be expected to attend a taught course one day a week in atomic and laser physics in the first year, comprising lectures, seminars and discussion classes at graduate level. Depending on your level of knowledge, the department may also require you to attend lectures in the final year (master’s-level) undergraduate course at Oxford. The ALP sub-department provides a detailed timetable and syllabus list for the graduate class. Topics covered include:
  • basic light-matter interaction
  • photonics and quantum optics
  • laser-plasma interactions
  • quantum information processing and communication
  • trapped particles and quantum gases
  • high energy density science.
Some subjects, such as laser-plasma interactions and high energy density science, are taught across a number of sub-departments. In addition, the sub-department's journal club focuses on recent research highlights in atomic and laser physics, quantum technologies, and laser-plasma interactions. Active participation is compulsory for first year graduate students and takes place once a week in term time. Many other opportunities exist to attend training courses outside the sub-department.

Entry requirements

For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

For complete and up-to-date information about fees and funding for this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.
Atomic and Laser Physics at University of Oxford - UCAS