Applied Physics Program
Welcome to the Applied Physics Program in the Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics.
Undergraduate Program
The applied physics undergraduate program stresses the basic physics that underlies most developments in engineering and the mathematical tools that are important to both physicists and engineers.
Graduate Programs
We offer graduate studies leading to the Master of Science (MS), Master of Philosophy (MPhil), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees.
Applied Physics (AP) includes plasma physics and controlled fusion, solid-state physics, optical and laser physics
News »
Jun 09 2025 | Columbia Engineering
Using Light to Precisely Control Single-Molecule Devices
Researchers flip the switch at the nanoscale by applying light to induce bonding for single-molecule device switching MoreMar 01 2024 | By Holly Evarts | Photo Credit: Venkatraman lab
High-Quality Microwave Signals Generated From Tiny Photonic Chip
Researchers create a compact, all-optical device with the lowest microwave noise ever achieved for an integrated chip. MoreMar 15 2024 | By Meeri Kim | Photo Credit: Yun Zhao/Columbia Engineering
Celebrating the Retirement of Professor Irving P. Herman
After a long and distinguished career at Columbia University, Irving P. Herman has retired and is now the Edwin Howard Armstrong Professor Emeritus of Applied MoreFeb 23 2024
Columbia Students and Scientists Shine at Annual Meeting of Plasma Physics
APAM students, scientists, and faculty attended the 65th Annual Meeting of the APS Division of Plasma Physics MoreNov 08 2023
Columbia University Scientists Report Research at IAEA Fusion Energy Conference
APAM scientists and alumni presented research at the 29th IAEA Fusion Energy Conference (FEC) MoreOct 23 2023 | By Michael Mauel
Student Team wins DOE Grant to Advance Fusion Energy Research
Columbia Engineering undergraduates lead a team to quantify the interaction of cryogenic ice pellets with energetic particle beams to better understand their MoreOct 05 2023
Laser-driving a 2D Material
Columbia Engineers pair vibrating particles, called phonons, with particles of light, called photons, to enhance the nonlinear optical properties of hexagonal MoreJan 04 2024 | By Ellen Neff | Photo Credit: Pixabay
Elizabeth Paul Wins DOE Early Career Research Award
Applied physicist recognized for work in controlled fusion MoreAug 15 2023
Inaugural Plasma Physics Summer Student Poster Symposium
Undergraduates and masters students presented their summer projects to the plasma and APAM community MoreAug 17 2023 | By Carlos Paz-Soldan
Columbia Plasma Physicists Present Research at Theory and Simulation of Disruption Workshop
15 faculty, scientists and students presented research at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory July 19-21 MoreAug 11 2023 | By by Lucia Rondini
Navratil Wins 2023 FPA Distinguished Career Award
Prof. Navratil is a recipient of the Fusion Power Associates (FPA) 2023 Distinguished Career Award MoreJul 17 2023
Logan Joins Columbia Plasma Physics Laboratory
Meet Nikolas Logan - a new Associate Research Scientist in the Plasma Physics Laboratory MoreJul 26 2023
Paz-Soldan Collaborates with DIII-D National Fusion Facility on Negative Triangularity Experiments
Our campaign consisted of several experiments each targeting an important part of tokamak plasma physics, and our team benefited from great expertise on all MoreMay 09 2023 | General Atomics
Topological insulators let molecular wires grow longer
Research from Latha Venkataraman was featured on the cover of Chemical & Engineering News MoreMar 02 2023
Gaeta Wins Optica's Stephen D. Fantone Distinguished Service Award
Alexander Gaeta is the recipient of Optica's 2023 Stephen D. Fantone Distinguished Service Award MoreMar 01 2023 | Optica