# ANU College of Science and Medicine
**Source**: https://science.anu.edu.au/research/research-areas/physics
**Parent**: https://science.anu.edu.au/
# Physics
# Physics
## About
The [ANU Research School of Physics](https://physics.anu.edu.au/) constitutes Australia’s largest university-based physics research activity, incorporating major national facilities, national networks, a significant technical manufacturing and prototyping capability, as well as an innovative teaching program.
Our research activity includes nonlinear and quantum optics and quantum systems engineering, soft and hard condensed matter physics, III-V semiconductor physics, nano-engineered and meso-scale materials, nuclear physics, novel imaging technologies and plasma science.
Our researchers have played important roles in some of the most significant breakthroughs in physics, including proving the existence of [gravitational waves](https://science.anu.edu.au/research/research-stories/gravitational-waves-find-millenium) in 2016.
The observation of a gravitational wave, ripples in space caused by the collision of two black holes, confirms a prediction made by Albert Einstein's General Theory of Relativity 100 years ago, and opens up new fields in physics and astrophysics.
The important role that our researchers played included constructing, installing and commissioning crucial components of the detectors used by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) in the United States.
Fundamental and applied research, just like this, also sparks the development of novel technologies and have seen a number of [successful spin-out companies go global](http://www.anu.edu.au/news/all-news/research-transforming-industry).
In 2009 Lithicon, then named Digitalcore, spun out of the Research School of Physics and Engineering. The big commercial step was taken after 10 years of fundamental research by ANU scientists. Their research combined novel scanning technology and advanced computer algorithms to produce high-resolution 3D images and simulations of fluids in oil reservoir rocks.
Fast forward to February 2014, and Lithicon was acquired for $US8 million by microscopic technology company FEI, cementing a very special research relationship with ANU.
## Facilities
### [Centre for Advanced Microscopy](https://science.anu.edu.au/research/facilities/centre-advanced-microscopy)
The Centre for Advanced Microscopy (CAM) provides state-of-the art microscopy and microanalysis equipment to researchers, students and industry partners.
[View the facility](https://science.anu.edu.au/research/facilities/centre-advanced-microscopy)
### [Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility](https://science.anu.edu.au/research/facilities/heavy-ion-accelerator-facility)
The HIAF comprises one of the world’s largest 14UD pelletron accelerators and a superconducting “booster” linear accelerator (LINAC) housed and operated by ANU.
[View the facility](https://science.anu.edu.au/research/facilities/heavy-ion-accelerator-facility)
### [Kioloa Coastal Campus](https://science.anu.edu.au/research/facilities/kioloa-coastal-campus)
The 348-hectare ANU Kioloa Coastal Campus is one of Australia’s premier field stations, offering a diverse ecology which encourages research across all scientific disciplines.
[View the facility](https://science.anu.edu.au/research/facilities/kioloa-coastal-campus)
### [Makerspace](https://science.anu.edu.au/research/facilities/makerspace)
The ANU MakerSpace is an initiative by the Research School of Physics and Engineering, where we know people learn by doing.
[View the facility](https://science.anu.edu.au/research/facilities/makerspace)
### [National Computational Infrastructure](https://science.anu.edu.au/research/facilities/national-computational-infrastructure)
The National Computational Infrastructure (NCI) is home to the Southern Hemisphere’s most highly-integrated supercomputer and filesystems, Australia’s highest performance research cloud, and one of the nation’s largest data catalogues—all supported by an expert team.
[View the facility](https://science.anu.edu.au/research/facilities/national-computational-infrastructure)
### [Podcast Studio](https://science.anu.edu.au/research/facilities/podcast-studio)
The CPAS Podcast Studio is open to staff and students throughout ANU (not just scientists!) to record and grow podcast series. Your success is our success: we want to help you make the biggest and best podcast series in the world.
[View the facility](https://science.anu.edu.au/research/facilities/podcast-studio)
### [Science precinct](https://science.anu.edu.au/research/facilities/science-precinct)
Our new $240-million science precinct on the ANU campus has state-of-the-art biological and chemical research laboratories, as well as a teaching hub.
[View the facility](https://science.anu.edu.au/research/facilities/science-precinct)
## News
### [How to tell if your quantum measurement is any good](https://science.anu.edu.au/news-events/news/how-tell-if-your-quantum-measurement-any-good)
New research is helping to define the quality of quantum measurements.
[Read the article](https://science.anu.edu.au/news-events/news/how-tell-if-your-quantum-measurement-any-good)
### [Scientists develop technique to identify malfunctions in our genetic code](https://science.anu.edu.au/news-events/news/scientists-develop-technique-identify-malfunctions-our-genetic-code)
Researchers have developed a way to reveal the smallest of malfunctions in the biochemical machinery that makes proteins in our bodies.
[Read the article](https://science.anu.edu.au/news-events/news/scientists-develop-technique-identify-malfunctions-our-genetic-code)
### [Wildfires and threats in the sights: Microfocussing system set to transform infrared detectors](https://science.anu.edu.au/news-events/news/wildfires-and-threats-sights-microfocussing-system-set-transform-infrared)
Researchers have developed a highly sensitive method for detecting environmental hotspots, such as bushfires or military threats, by harnessing the focusing power of meta-optical systems.
[Read the article](https://science.anu.edu.au/news-events/news/wildfires-and-threats-sights-microfocussing-system-set-transform-infrared)
### [Combating cancer and strengthening national security with new ARC Training Centre](https://science.anu.edu.au/news-events/news/combating-cancer-and-strengthening-national-security-new-arc-training-centre)
Australia will develop stronger capabilities in nuclear and radiation science thanks to a new ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Radiation Innovation (RadInnovate) opening today.
[Read the article](https://science.anu.edu.au/news-events/news/combating-cancer-and-strengthening-national-security-new-arc-training-centre)
### [Throwing away data could triple quantum comms security](https://science.anu.edu.au/news-events/news/throwing-away-data-could-triple-quantum-comms-security)
A new protocol for encoding quantum data, based on throwing data away, could improve security of quantum communications as much as threefold.
[Read the article](https://science.anu.edu.au/news-events/news/throwing-away-data-could-triple-quantum-comms-security)
### [Growing crystals for metasurface lasers gives record efficiency](https://science.anu.edu.au/news-events/news/growing-crystals-metasurface-lasers-gives-record-efficiency)
Growing crystals for lasers, rather than sculpting them, could be the key to a new generation of nanoscopic lasers.
[Read the article](https://science.anu.edu.au/news-events/news/growing-crystals-metasurface-lasers-gives-record-efficiency)
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