A student and faculty member working with equipment inside of a Physics lab.

Department of Physics Research

The Department of Physics at Stevens Institute of Technology leads pioneering research across a wide range of advanced and rapidly evolving fields, including quantum systems, nanophotonics and optical science.

With a strong focus on both theoretical insight and experimental innovation, the department fosters a dynamic environment where faculty and students collaborate to explore the fundamental principles of nature and push the boundaries of modern physics.

Our work is aimed at delivering significant societal impact via advances in communications, computing and environmental technologies.

Faculty collaborate closely with undergraduate and graduate students in an environment that emphasizes both discovery and application, while investigating fundamental questions to develop emerging technologies.

Graduate Studies: Flexible, Supported, Connected

Graduate studies in physics at Stevens combine deep academic rigor with real-world relevance. Join faculty-led research in quantum science, atomic and molecular physics, or optics, and help uncover the principles driving innovation today. Our close proximity to New York City opens doors to leading labs, companies and institutions—equipping you with the knowledge, experience and network to succeed across diverse industries.

Physics Graduate Studies
Three students examine equipment during a project display of a quantum computing network.
Advancing the Science and the Scientists

Quantum Science and Engineering Research

Watch how Stevens is shaping the quantum future, with researchers advancing breakthroughs in quantum communication, sensing and computation to tackle real-world challenges with transformative technologies.

Leading What's Next

Dive into three stories that showcase how Stevens researchers are shaping the future of physics.

swirling colored lines, representing quantum science

As the World Recognizes Quantum Science, Stevens Contributes Key Research

In honor of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, Stevens showcases six ways its researchers are advancing quantum computing, communication, security, sensing, theory, and materials — cementing its role as a leader in the field.

Graviton Image

Detecting the Impossible: Stevens Discovery Could Change Physics

In a major breakthrough, physicist Igor Pikovski and his team propose a groundbreaking experiment that could finally detect gravitons and connect Einstein’s gravity with quantum mechanics.

A graphic with a gold cube surrounded by red dots and bright pink wavelengths.

Bringing Virtually Unhackable Free-Space Quantum Communication Closer to Reality

Building on earlier breakthroughs, Stevens researcher Stefan Strauf and his team have developed a new way to produce powerful quantum light signals that can travel through open space for next-gen communication. Ask ChatGPT

Research Areas

From quantum systems to climate science, the Department of Physics at Stevens advances discovery across six key research areas. Faculty and students explore topics like quantum information, photonics, atmospheric modeling and the intersection of gravity and quantum mechanics—driving innovation in science and technology.

Click the names of faculty below each area to learn more about their research experience and expertise.

Satellite image of EarthAtmospheric Physics

This cluster focuses on radiative processes as they relate to radiative energy balance and climate and remote sensing of climate-related parameters from instruments deployed in space by NASA and other agencies. Radiative transfer modeling is combined with machine learning to train algorithms to retrieve atmospheric and surface information from satellite measurements. This information includes cloud and aerosol properties that affect weather and climate and surface parameters like reflectance of snow and ice as well as ocean parameters like chlorophyll concentration and abundances of dissolved and particulate matter in turbid coastal and inland waters.

abstract quantum computing imageExperimental AMO Physics

This cluster is at the forefront of materials and optics research in both classical and quantum domains. The active research topics cover novel two-dimensional materials and quantum dots, lithium niobate nanophotonics, classical analogy of quantum entanglement, mode-selective quantum frequency conversion, fast modulated lasers, and their applications in remote sensing, secured communications, quantum computing, and quantum machine learning.

Quantum EquationTheoretical Quantum Physics

Despite being over a century old, quantum theory still offers a wide range of open questions, puzzling phenomena and novel applications. We study quantum systems and phenomena that can be controlled and manipulated in a large variety of systems, such as cold atoms, photons, molecules and mechanical resonators. Our theory work spans different fields such as quantum optics, many-body physics, open quantum systems and quantum information science. Our research shows what novel applications can be achieved with quantum control, how unique quantum features can be characterized, how exotic quantum behavior manifests itself on novel scales and how the transition to classicality takes place.

optics and laser holders with motorized positioners on an optical table.Quantum Optics and Information

This area focuses on exploring the fascinating phenomena that arise when individual quanta of light, known as photons, interact with various forms of quantum matter such as atoms, molecules, mechanical oscillators, superconducting circuits, and even the environment. Our research groups delve into a wide range of topics, including quantum sensing, quantum super-resolution, quantum imaging, quantum measurement, condensation and superfluidity, quantum gravity, quantum navigation, wave-particle duality, single photon interferometry, cavity quantum electrodynamics, quantum noise, quantum-classical boundary, quantum information processing and computing.

Against a background of stars, a black sun or planet glows blue, surrounded by geometric and curved lines radiating from it at the center, representing the force of gravityGravity-Quantum Interface

Quantum theory and gravity are both well-tested and well understood individually, but understanding their interface is one of the main challenges of modern physics. The advent of quantum technologies and the study of fundamental physics from the perspective of quantum information science has opened the door to explore this field from new perspectives. We study how gravity affects the dynamics of quantum systems, possible signatures of quantum gravity at low energies and how to use novel quantum technologies to probe how gravity and quantum mechanics meet in experiments.

Laser beams in a photonics lab in the Department of Physics.Photonics and Quantum Materials

We synthesize and assemble novel 2D materials that are atomically thin metals, insulators, semiconductors, or ferromagnets and integrate them into on-chip quantum-photonic, nonlinear-optic, and nano-electronic devices. We also employ symmetry considerations and machine learning algorithms to design and develop novel functional devices and study fundamental properties of quantum materials at high magnetic fields and at cryogenic temperatures. These quantum materials are of vital importance for technological applications such as light manipulation, information processing, energy harvesting, or quantum sensing.

Research Video Library

Learn more about research in the Department of Physics. Visit our YouTube channel playlist.

Abstract depiction of quantum computing

Research at the Leading Edge

The Department of Physics is home to the Center for Quantum Science and Engineering, which takes a cross-disciplinary approach to developing quantum computers that satisfy practical criteria. At Stevens, the CQSE pursues innovative quantum engineering research, development and education including bringing photonic technologies into reality, networking, remote sensing, machine learning, big data processing and quantum computing.