CINXE.COM

<!doctype html> <html lang="en-US"> <head> <meta name='robots' content='max-image-preview:large' /> <style>img:is([sizes="auto" i], [sizes^="auto," i]) { contain-intrinsic-size: 3000px 1500px }</style> <title>Physics | Harvey Mudd College</title> <meta charset="UTF-8"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="/favicon.ico" /> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" sizes="180x180" href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/wp-content/themes/mudd-2021/favicons/apple-touch-icon.png"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/wp-content/themes/mudd-2021/favicons/favicon-32x32.png" sizes="32x32"> <link rel="icon" type="image/png" href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/wp-content/themes/mudd-2021/favicons/favicon-16x16.png" sizes="16x16"> <link rel="manifest" href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/wp-content/themes/mudd-2021/favicons/manifest.json"> <link rel="mask-icon" href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/wp-content/themes/mudd-2021/favicons/safari-pinned-tab.svg"> <link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//catalog.hmc.edu' /> <link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//cloud.typography.com' /> <link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Physics » Department of Physics Comments Feed" href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/physics/feed/" /> <script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ window._wpemojiSettings = {"baseUrl":"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/15.0.3\/72x72\/","ext":".png","svgUrl":"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/15.0.3\/svg\/","svgExt":".svg","source":{"concatemoji":"https:\/\/www.hmc.edu\/physics\/wp-includes\/js\/wp-emoji-release.min.js?ver=6.7.2"}}; /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(i,n){var o,s,e;function c(e){try{var t={supportTests:e,timestamp:(new Date).valueOf()};sessionStorage.setItem(o,JSON.stringify(t))}catch(e){}}function p(e,t,n){e.clearRect(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height),e.fillText(t,0,0);var t=new Uint32Array(e.getImageData(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height).data),r=(e.clearRect(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height),e.fillText(n,0,0),new Uint32Array(e.getImageData(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height).data));return t.every(function(e,t){return e===r[t]})}function u(e,t,n){switch(t){case"flag":return n(e,"\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f","\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200b\u26a7\ufe0f")?!1:!n(e,"\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf3","\ud83c\uddfa\u200b\ud83c\uddf3")&&!n(e,"\ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc65\udb40\udc6e\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc7f","\ud83c\udff4\u200b\udb40\udc67\u200b\udb40\udc62\u200b\udb40\udc65\u200b\udb40\udc6e\u200b\udb40\udc67\u200b\udb40\udc7f");case"emoji":return!n(e,"\ud83d\udc26\u200d\u2b1b","\ud83d\udc26\u200b\u2b1b")}return!1}function f(e,t,n){var r="undefined"!=typeof WorkerGlobalScope&&self instanceof WorkerGlobalScope?new OffscreenCanvas(300,150):i.createElement("canvas"),a=r.getContext("2d",{willReadFrequently:!0}),o=(a.textBaseline="top",a.font="600 32px Arial",{});return e.forEach(function(e){o[e]=t(a,e,n)}),o}function t(e){var t=i.createElement("script");t.src=e,t.defer=!0,i.head.appendChild(t)}"undefined"!=typeof Promise&&(o="wpEmojiSettingsSupports",s=["flag","emoji"],n.supports={everything:!0,everythingExceptFlag:!0},e=new Promise(function(e){i.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",e,{once:!0})}),new Promise(function(t){var n=function(){try{var e=JSON.parse(sessionStorage.getItem(o));if("object"==typeof e&&"number"==typeof e.timestamp&&(new Date).valueOf()<e.timestamp+604800&&"object"==typeof e.supportTests)return e.supportTests}catch(e){}return null}();if(!n){if("undefined"!=typeof Worker&&"undefined"!=typeof OffscreenCanvas&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&URL.createObjectURL&&"undefined"!=typeof Blob)try{var e="postMessage("+f.toString()+"("+[JSON.stringify(s),u.toString(),p.toString()].join(",")+"));",r=new Blob([e],{type:"text/javascript"}),a=new Worker(URL.createObjectURL(r),{name:"wpTestEmojiSupports"});return void(a.onmessage=function(e){c(n=e.data),a.terminate(),t(n)})}catch(e){}c(n=f(s,u,p))}t(n)}).then(function(e){for(var t in e)n.supports[t]=e[t],n.supports.everything=n.supports.everything&&n.supports[t],"flag"!==t&&(n.supports.everythingExceptFlag=n.supports.everythingExceptFlag&&n.supports[t]);n.supports.everythingExceptFlag=n.supports.everythingExceptFlag&&!n.supports.flag,n.DOMReady=!1,n.readyCallback=function(){n.DOMReady=!0}}).then(function(){return e}).then(function(){var e;n.supports.everything||(n.readyCallback(),(e=n.source||{}).concatemoji?t(e.concatemoji):e.wpemoji&&e.twemoji&&(t(e.twemoji),t(e.wpemoji)))}))}((window,document),window._wpemojiSettings); /* ]]> */ </script> <style id='wp-emoji-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'> img.wp-smiley, img.emoji { display: inline !important; border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; height: 1em !important; width: 1em !important; margin: 0 0.07em !important; vertical-align: -0.1em !important; background: none !important; padding: 0 !important; } </style> <link rel='stylesheet' id='wp-block-library-css' href='https://www.hmc.edu/physics/wp-includes/css/dist/block-library/style.min.css?ver=6.7.2' type='text/css' media='all' /> <style id='mudd2021-info-box-style-inline-css' type='text/css'> .wp-block-mudd2021-info-box{background:var(--hmc-secondary-4);margin:3.5rem -1rem;padding:3rem 1rem}@media(min-width:768px){.wp-block-mudd2021-info-box{margin-bottom:4.5rem;margin-top:4.5rem}}@media(min-width:576px){.wp-block-mudd2021-info-box{padding:3rem 1.5rem}}@media(min-width:640px){.wp-block-mudd2021-info-box{margin-left:0;margin-right:0}}@media(min-width:992px){.wp-block-mudd2021-info-box{padding:4rem 2.5rem}}@media(min-width:576px){.wp-block-mudd2021-info-box[data-box-style="1"] .info-box-heading-copy-wrapper{-moz-column-gap:2rem;column-gap:2rem;display:grid;grid-template-columns:4fr 6fr}}@media(min-width:768px){.wp-block-mudd2021-info-box[data-box-style="1"] .info-box-heading-copy-wrapper{-moz-column-gap:2rem;column-gap:2rem;grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr)}.wp-block-mudd2021-info-box[data-box-style="1"] .info-box-heading-copy-wrapper .info-box-copy-wrapper{grid-column-end:span 2}.wp-block-mudd2021-info-box[data-box-style="1"] ul.button-list[data-buttons="3"]{grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr)}.wp-block-mudd2021-info-box[data-box-style="1"] ul.button-list[data-buttons="4"]{grid-template-columns:repeat(4,1fr)}}@media(min-width:576px){.wp-block-mudd2021-info-box[data-box-style="2"]{display:grid;grid-template-columns:2fr 7fr;grid-template-columns:5rem calc(100% - 5rem)}}@media(min-width:992px){.wp-block-mudd2021-info-box[data-box-style="2"]{grid-template-columns:5rem auto 25%}}@media(min-width:1200px){.wp-block-mudd2021-info-box[data-box-style="2"]{grid-template-columns:7rem auto 25%}}@media(min-width:576px){.wp-block-mudd2021-info-box[data-box-style="2"] .info-box-heading-copy-wrapper:first-child{grid-column-end:span 2;padding-right:1.25rem}.wp-block-mudd2021-info-box[data-box-style="2"] .info-box-heading-copy-wrapper:first-child:last-child{grid-column-end:span 3;padding-right:0}.wp-block-mudd2021-info-box[data-box-style="2"] .info-box-heading-copy-wrapper:nth-child(2){grid-column-start:2;padding-left:.75rem}}@media(min-width:768px){.wp-block-mudd2021-info-box[data-box-style="2"] .info-box-heading-copy-wrapper:nth-child(2){padding-left:2.5rem;padding-right:1.25rem}}@media(min-width:576px){.wp-block-mudd2021-info-box[data-box-style="2"] .info-box-heading-copy-wrapper:nth-child(2):last-child{grid-column-end:span 3;padding-right:0}}.wp-block-mudd2021-info-box[data-box-style="2"] .info-box-icon-wrapper img{height:auto;width:5rem}@media(max-width:575.98px){.wp-block-mudd2021-info-box[data-box-style="2"] .info-box-icon-wrapper img{display:block;margin:0 auto 2rem}}@media(min-width:1200px){.wp-block-mudd2021-info-box[data-box-style="2"] .info-box-icon-wrapper img{width:7rem}}@media(min-width:992px){.wp-block-mudd2021-info-box[data-box-style="2"] .heading{font-size:2.25rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:1rem}}.wp-block-mudd2021-info-box[data-box-style="2"] ul.button-list{grid-column-end:span 3}@media(min-width:992px){.wp-block-mudd2021-info-box[data-box-style="2"] ul.button-list{display:block;grid-column-start:3;padding-left:1.25rem}.wp-block-mudd2021-info-box[data-box-style="2"] ul.button-list li{margin-bottom:1rem}}.wp-block-mudd2021-info-box ul.button-list{align-items:center;display:grid;list-style:none;margin-bottom:0;padding:0;row-gap:.75rem}@media(min-width:576px){.wp-block-mudd2021-info-box ul.button-list{-moz-column-gap:.75rem;column-gap:.75rem;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr}.wp-block-mudd2021-info-box ul.button-list[data-buttons="1"]{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr 1fr}.wp-block-mudd2021-info-box ul.button-list[data-buttons="1"] li{grid-column-start:3}.wp-block-mudd2021-info-box ul.button-list{-moz-column-gap:2rem;column-gap:2rem;margin-top:.5rem}}.wp-block-mudd2021-info-box ul.button-list li .mudd-more-button{height:auto;width:100%}@media(min-width:992px){.wp-block-mudd2021-info-box ul.button-list li .mudd-more-button{font-size:1rem;padding:1.25rem}} </style> <style id='mudd-people-style-inline-css' type='text/css'> .wp-block-mudd-people-heading{font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1.5rem;width:100%}@media(min-width:768px){.wp-block-mudd-people[data-col-count="2"]{-moz-column-gap:1rem;column-gap:1rem;display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr}.wp-block-mudd-people[data-col-count="2"].align-with-sibling{margin:0 auto;max-width:37.5rem}.wp-block-mudd-people-heading{grid-column-end:span 2;grid-column-start:1}.wp-block-mudd-people-heading-intro{grid-column-end:span 2}}.adjacent-one-col-person-block:not(.wp-admin .adjacent-one-col-person-block){margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;max-width:37.5rem} </style> <style id='mudd-person-style-inline-css' type='text/css'> .wp-block-mudd-person{display:grid;margin-bottom:4rem;row-gap:1rem}@media screen and (min-width:23.75rem){.wp-block-mudd-person[data-show-photo=true]{-moz-column-gap:1rem;column-gap:1rem;grid-template-columns:10rem auto;grid-template-rows:auto 1fr}.wp-block-mudd-person[data-show-photo=false]{grid-template-columns:1fr}.wp-block-mudd-person[data-show-photo=true] .wp-block-mudd-person-extra-info-wrapper{grid-column-end:span 2}}@media(min-width:768px){.wp-block-mudd-person[data-show-photo=true] .wp-block-mudd-person-extra-info-wrapper{grid-column-end:2;grid-column-start:2}.wp-block-mudd-person-image{grid-row-end:span 2;grid-row-start:1}}.wp-block-mudd-person-image img{height:auto;width:100%}.wp-block-mudd-person p{font-size:1rem;margin-bottom:.75rem}.wp-block-mudd-person p:last-child{margin-bottom:.25rem}.wp-block-mudd-person li{font-size:1rem}.wp-block-mudd-person-name{font-size:1.25rem;font-weight:700;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:.3rem}.wp-block-mudd-person-name a:link,.wp-block-mudd-person-name a:visited{color:var(--hmc-primary-dark)}.wp-block-mudd-person span{display:block}.wp-block-mudd-person-title,.wp-block-mudd-person-title-2,.wp-block-mudd-person-title-3,.wp-block-mudd-person-title-4{font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:.3rem}.wp-block-mudd-person-email,.wp-block-mudd-person-phone{font-weight:700}.wp-block-mudd-person-email a:link,.wp-block-mudd-person-email a:visited,.wp-block-mudd-person-phone a:link,.wp-block-mudd-person-phone a:visited{color:var(--hmc-primary-dark)}.wp-block-mudd-person-extra-info-wrapper ol,.wp-block-mudd-person-extra-info-wrapper ul{padding-left:1rem}.wp-block-mudd-person-extra-info-wrapper p.mudd-highlighted-content{border:none;padding:0}.wp-block-mudd-person-extra-info-wrapper ol:last-child,.wp-block-mudd-person-extra-info-wrapper p:last-child,.wp-block-mudd-person-extra-info-wrapper ul:last-child{margin-bottom:0} </style> <style id='mudd2021-right-sidebar-style-inline-css' type='text/css'> .wp-block-mudd2021-right-sidebar-siblings-wrapper{overflow:hidden}.wp-block-mudd2021-right-sidebar-siblings-wrapper>:first-child{margin-top:0}@media(min-width:992px){.wp-block-mudd2021-right-sidebar-siblings-wrapper>ol>li,.wp-block-mudd2021-right-sidebar-siblings-wrapper>ul>li{font-size:1.25rem}}@media(max-width:767.98px){.wp-block-mudd2021-right-sidebar{border-top:1px solid #707070;margin-top:1.5rem!important;padding-top:3rem}}@media(min-width:768px){.wp-block-mudd2021-right-sidebar{grid-column-start:2;grid-row-end:span 100;grid-row-start:1;justify-self:end;max-width:20rem;width:100%}}.wp-block-mudd2021-right-sidebar h2{border-bottom:3px solid var(--hmc-primary-accent);font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.1;margin-bottom:1rem;padding-bottom:.5rem;width:100%}@media(min-width:992px){.wp-block-mudd2021-right-sidebar h2{font-size:1.5rem}}.wp-block-mudd2021-right-sidebar+h2{margin-top:0}.wp-block-mudd2021-right-sidebar h3{font-size:1.125rem}@media(min-width:992px){.wp-block-mudd2021-right-sidebar h3{font-size:1.25rem}}.wp-block-mudd2021-right-sidebar h4{font-size:1rem}@media(min-width:992px){.wp-block-mudd2021-right-sidebar h4{font-size:1.125rem}}.wp-block-mudd2021-right-sidebar .wp-block-image.is-style-aligncenter,.wp-block-mudd2021-right-sidebar .wp-block-image.is-style-aligndefault,.wp-block-mudd2021-right-sidebar .wp-block-image.is-style-alignleft,.wp-block-mudd2021-right-sidebar .wp-block-image.is-style-alignright{float:none;margin:0 auto 2rem;max-width:100%}.wp-block-mudd2021-right-sidebar figcaption{font-size:.875rem}@media(min-width:992px){.wp-block-mudd2021-right-sidebar figcaption{font-size:1rem}} </style> <style id='mudd-showcase-single-style-inline-css' type='text/css'> .wp-block-mudd-showcase-single{background:var(--hmc-secondary-4);clear:both;display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr;margin:3.5rem -1rem;padding:1.5rem 1rem;row-gap:1.5rem}@media(min-width:768px){.wp-block-mudd-showcase-single{margin-bottom:4.5rem;margin-top:4.5rem}}@media(min-width:640px){.wp-block-mudd-showcase-single{margin-left:0;margin-right:0}}@media(min-width:768px){.wp-block-mudd-showcase-single{-moz-column-gap:1.5rem;column-gap:1.5rem;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;padding:3rem 1.5rem}}@media(min-width:1200px){.wp-block-mudd-showcase-single{padding:3rem 2.5rem}}@media(min-width:768px){.wp-block-mudd-showcase-single-image-wrapper{grid-column-start:2}}.wp-block-mudd-showcase-single-image{height:auto;margin:0;width:100%}@media(min-width:768px){.wp-block-mudd-showcase-single-content-wrapper{grid-column-start:1;grid-row-start:1}}.wp-block-mudd-showcase-single-heading{font:700 1.5rem/1.2 var(--hmc-font-regular)}@media(min-width:992px){.wp-block-mudd-showcase-single-heading{font-size:2rem}}.wp-block-mudd-showcase-single-sub-heading{font-size:1.25rem;margin-bottom:.5rem}.wp-block-mudd-showcase-single-copy p{font-size:100%}.wp-block-mudd-showcase-single-copy p.is-style-mudd-highlighted-content,.wp-block-mudd-showcase-single-copy p.mudd-highlighted-content{border-left:none;padding:0}.wp-block-mudd-showcase-single-copy p a:focus,.wp-block-mudd-showcase-single-copy p a:hover,.wp-block-mudd-showcase-single-copy p a:link,.wp-block-mudd-showcase-single-copy p a:visited{color:var(--hmc-primary-dark);font-weight:700}.wp-block-mudd-showcase-single .wp-block-mudd-button a[disabled]{border:1px solid #ccc} </style> <link rel='stylesheet' id='mudd-acalog-widget-style-css' href='https://www.hmc.edu/physics/wp-content/plugins/mudd-acalog-widget/build/style-index.css?ver=0.1.0' type='text/css' media='all' /> <style id='mudd-button-style-inline-css' type='text/css'> .wp-block-mudd-button{display:block;margin:0 .25rem 1.5rem 0}.wp-block-mudd-button.is-style-in-row{display:inline-block}.wp-block-mudd-button a{border:none;border-radius:.125rem;display:inline-flex;font-size:.875rem;font-weight:700;justify-content:center;line-height:1.2;min-width:5rem;overflow:hidden;padding:.75rem 1rem;position:relative;text-decoration:none;transition:none}.wp-block-mudd-button a span{pointer-events:none;text-align:center;z-index:1}.wp-block-mudd-button a:before{border-radius:50%;content:"";height:0;left:50%;line-height:1.2;opacity:0;position:absolute;top:50%;transition:all .75s ease-Out;width:0}.wp-block-mudd-button a:not(.disabled,[disabled]):focus:before,.wp-block-mudd-button a:not(.disabled,[disabled]):hover:before{height:500%;left:-2.5rem;left:-50%;opacity:1;top:-5rem;width:200%}.wp-block-mudd-button a:not(.disabled,[disabled]):focus{outline:.0625rem solid var(--hmc-primary-dark);outline-offset:.125rem}.wp-block-mudd-button a.disabled,.wp-block-mudd-button a[disabled]{background:var(--hmc-secondary-3);color:var(--hmc-primary-light);cursor:default;outline:none}.wp-block-mudd-button:not(.light) a:not(.disabled,[disabled]){background:var(--hmc-primary-dark);color:var(--hmc-primary-light)}.wp-block-mudd-button:not(.light) a:not(.disabled,[disabled]):before{background:var(--hmc-secondary-1)}.wp-block-mudd-button:not(.light) a:not(.disabled,[disabled]):link,.wp-block-mudd-button:not(.light) a:not(.disabled,[disabled]):visited{color:var(--hmc-primary-light)}.wp-block-mudd-button.light a:not(.disabled,[disabled]){background:var(--hmc-primary-light);border:1px solid var(--hmc-primary-dark)}.wp-block-mudd-button.light a:not(.disabled,[disabled]):before{background:var(--hmc-secondary-3)}.wp-block-mudd-button.light a:not(.disabled,[disabled]):link,.wp-block-mudd-button.light a:not(.disabled,[disabled]):visited{color:var(--hmc-primary-dark)}.wp-block-mudd-button a[disabled]{background:var(--hmc-secondary-3);background-color:#efefef;color:#676767;cursor:default} </style> <style id='mudd-latest-posts-style-inline-css' type='text/css'> .wp-block-mudd-latest-posts{margin-bottom:2rem;margin-top:2rem}@media(min-width:768px){.wp-block-mudd-latest-posts{margin-bottom:3rem;margin-top:3rem}}.wp-block-mudd-latest-posts.in-sidebar{margin-top:0}.wp-block-mudd-latest-posts.in-sidebar-heading-wrapper{grid-template-columns:auto}.wp-block-mudd-latest-posts-heading-wrapper{-moz-column-gap:.75rem;column-gap:.75rem;display:grid;grid-template-columns:5fr 3fr;margin-bottom:.5rem;padding:0;width:100%}@media(min-width:576px){.wp-block-mudd-latest-posts-heading-wrapper{grid-template-columns:1fr auto}}.wp-block-mudd-latest-posts-heading-wrapper h2,.wp-block-mudd-latest-posts-heading-wrapper h3{align-self:center;font:700 1.75rem/1.2 var(--hmc-font-regular);margin-bottom:0}@media(min-width:992px){.wp-block-mudd-latest-posts-heading-wrapper h2,.wp-block-mudd-latest-posts-heading-wrapper h3{font-size:2.25rem}}.wp-block-mudd-latest-posts-heading-wrapper .mudd-more-button{align-self:center;text-align:center}.wp-block-mudd-latest-posts-heading{font-weight:700}.wp-block-mudd-latest-posts-content-wrapper{display:grid;list-style:none;margin:0;padding:0;row-gap:1rem;width:100%}@media(min-width:576px){.wp-block-mudd-latest-posts-content-wrapper:not(.in-sidebar){-moz-column-gap:1.5rem;column-gap:1.5rem;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr}}@media(min-width:768px){.wp-block-mudd-latest-posts-content-wrapper:not(.in-sidebar){grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr 1fr}}.wp-block-mudd-latest-posts-content-wrapper.in-sidebar{margin-top:0;row-gap:0}.wp-block-mudd-latest-posts-content-wrapper.in-sidebar li{background-image:none;margin-bottom:0;padding-left:0}.wp-block-mudd-latest-posts-content-wrapper.in-sidebar li:first-child{margin-top:.5rem}.wp-block-mudd-latest-posts-card:not(.in-sidebar){margin:1rem 0 .5rem}.wp-block-mudd-latest-posts-card.in-sidebar{flex-shrink:0;flex:0 0 auto;margin:1rem 0 .5rem;max-width:100%;padding-left:calc(var(--bs-gutter-x)*.5);padding-right:calc(var(--bs-gutter-x)*.5);width:100%}.wp-block-mudd-latest-posts-card.in-sidebar:first-child{margin-top:0}.wp-block-mudd-latest-posts-date{font-size:100%;margin-bottom:0}.wp-block-mudd-latest-posts .more-button.in-sidebar{margin:1rem .75rem 0}.wp-block-mudd-latest-posts a:link{color:var(--hmc-primary-dark)}.wp-block-mudd-latest-posts a:focus,.wp-block-mudd-latest-posts a:hover{color:var(--hmc-link-hover)}.wp-block-mudd-latest-posts a:visited{color:var(--hmc-link-visted)}.wp-block-mudd-latest-posts-card-heading{display:block;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:0}@media(min-width:992px){.wp-block-mudd-latest-posts-card-heading{font-size:1.25rem}}.wp-block-mudd-latest-posts .image-wrapper{background-color:var(--hmc-secondary-3);background-position:top;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:cover;box-sizing:border-box;display:block;margin-bottom:.75rem;padding:29.5%;position:relative;width:100%}.archive-posts-wrapper.wp-block-mudd-latest-posts-content{width:100%}@media(min-width:1200px){.archive-posts-wrapper.wp-block-mudd-latest-posts-content{padding-right:0}}.archive-posts-wrapper.wp-block-mudd-latest-posts-content .wp-block-mudd-latest-posts-content-more{text-align:right} </style> <style id='mudd2021-page-feature-style-inline-css' type='text/css'> .wp-block-mudd2021-page-feature{background-color:#000;background-position:50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-size:cover;display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr;grid-template-rows:1fr 1fr;height:51.5rem;justify-content:center;margin:3.5rem -1rem;padding:1rem}@media(min-width:768px){.wp-block-mudd2021-page-feature{margin-bottom:4.5rem;margin-top:4.5rem}}@media(min-width:576px){.wp-block-mudd2021-page-feature{justify-content:start;left:50%;margin-left:-50vw;margin-right:-50vw;position:relative;right:50%;width:100vw}}@media(min-width:640px){.wp-block-mudd2021-page-feature{padding-left:3rem;padding-right:3rem}}.wp-block-mudd2021-page-feature .page-feature-inner{align-self:end;grid-row-start:2;max-width:82.5rem}@media(min-width:768px){.wp-block-mudd2021-page-feature .page-feature-inner{margin-bottom:1.5rem}}@media(min-width:992px){.wp-block-mudd2021-page-feature .page-feature-inner{align-self:start;grid-row-start:1;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;margin-top:1.5rem;width:100%}}.wp-block-mudd2021-page-feature .page-feature-content{background:rgba(0,0,0,.8);color:#fff;padding:1.5rem 1rem}@media(min-width:768px){.wp-block-mudd2021-page-feature .page-feature-content{width:75%}}@media(min-width:992px){.wp-block-mudd2021-page-feature .page-feature-content{max-width:50%;padding:2.5rem}}@media(min-width:1200px){.wp-block-mudd2021-page-feature .page-feature-content{max-width:40%}}.wp-block-mudd2021-page-feature .heading{color:var(--hmc-primary-accent);font-family:var(--hmc-font-title);font-size:2rem;font-weight:700}@media(min-width:768px){.wp-block-mudd2021-page-feature .heading{font-size:3rem}}@media(min-width:992px){.wp-block-mudd2021-page-feature .heading{font-size:3.75rem}}.wp-block-mudd2021-page-feature p{font-size:1.25rem;margin-bottom:1.5rem}@media(min-width:576px){.wp-block-mudd2021-page-feature p:last-child{margin-bottom:0}}@media(min-width:1024px){.wp-block-mudd2021-page-feature p{font-size:1.5rem}} </style> <link rel='stylesheet' id='typography_fonts-css' href='https://cloud.typography.com/7720252/747764/css/fonts.css' type='text/css' media='all' /> <style id='global-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'> :root{--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--square: 1;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--4-3: 4/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-4: 3/4;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-2: 3/2;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--2-3: 2/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--16-9: 16/9;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--9-16: 9/16;--wp--preset--color--black: #000000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray: #abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white: #ffffff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink: #f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red: #cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange: #ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber: #fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan: #7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan: #00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue: #8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue: #0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple: #9b51e0;--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(6,147,227,1) 0%,rgb(155,81,224) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(122,220,180) 0%,rgb(0,208,130) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(252,185,0,1) 0%,rgba(255,105,0,1) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(255,105,0,1) 0%,rgb(207,46,46) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(238,238,238) 0%,rgb(169,184,195) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(74,234,220) 0%,rgb(151,120,209) 20%,rgb(207,42,186) 40%,rgb(238,44,130) 60%,rgb(251,105,98) 80%,rgb(254,248,76) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,206,236) 0%,rgb(152,150,240) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(254,205,165) 0%,rgb(254,45,45) 50%,rgb(107,0,62) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,203,112) 0%,rgb(199,81,192) 50%,rgb(65,88,208) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,245,203) 0%,rgb(182,227,212) 50%,rgb(51,167,181) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(202,248,128) 0%,rgb(113,206,126) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(2,3,129) 0%,rgb(40,116,252) 100%);--wp--preset--font-size--small: 13px;--wp--preset--font-size--medium: 20px;--wp--preset--font-size--large: 36px;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large: 42px;--wp--preset--spacing--20: 0.44rem;--wp--preset--spacing--30: 0.67rem;--wp--preset--spacing--40: 1rem;--wp--preset--spacing--50: 1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60: 2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70: 3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80: 5.06rem;--wp--preset--shadow--natural: 6px 6px 9px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--deep: 12px 12px 50px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4);--wp--preset--shadow--sharp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--outlined: 6px 6px 0px -3px rgba(255, 255, 255, 1), 6px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);--wp--preset--shadow--crisp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);}:where(body) { margin: 0; }.wp-site-blocks > .alignleft { float: left; margin-right: 2em; }.wp-site-blocks > .alignright { float: right; margin-left: 2em; }.wp-site-blocks > .aligncenter { justify-content: center; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; }:where(.is-layout-flex){gap: 0.5em;}:where(.is-layout-grid){gap: 0.5em;}.is-layout-flow > .alignleft{float: left;margin-inline-start: 0;margin-inline-end: 2em;}.is-layout-flow > .alignright{float: right;margin-inline-start: 2em;margin-inline-end: 0;}.is-layout-flow > .aligncenter{margin-left: auto !important;margin-right: auto !important;}.is-layout-constrained > .alignleft{float: left;margin-inline-start: 0;margin-inline-end: 2em;}.is-layout-constrained > .alignright{float: right;margin-inline-start: 2em;margin-inline-end: 0;}.is-layout-constrained > .aligncenter{margin-left: auto !important;margin-right: auto !important;}.is-layout-constrained > :where(:not(.alignleft):not(.alignright):not(.alignfull)){margin-left: auto !important;margin-right: auto !important;}body .is-layout-flex{display: flex;}.is-layout-flex{flex-wrap: wrap;align-items: center;}.is-layout-flex > :is(*, div){margin: 0;}body .is-layout-grid{display: grid;}.is-layout-grid > :is(*, div){margin: 0;}body{padding-top: 0px;padding-right: 0px;padding-bottom: 0px;padding-left: 0px;}a:where(:not(.wp-element-button)){text-decoration: underline;}:root :where(.wp-element-button, .wp-block-button__link){background-color: #32373c;border-width: 0;color: #fff;font-family: inherit;font-size: inherit;line-height: inherit;padding: calc(0.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);text-decoration: none;}.has-black-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important;}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important;}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important;}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important;}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important;}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important;}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important;}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important;}.has-small-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important;}.has-medium-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important;}.has-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important;}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important;} :where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap: 1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap: 1.25em;} :where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;} :root :where(.wp-block-pullquote){font-size: 1.5em;line-height: 1.6;} </style> <link rel='stylesheet' id='acalog-style-css' href='https://catalog.hmc.edu/widget-api/widget-api.min.css?ver=6.7.2' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='front_style-css' href='https://www.hmc.edu/physics/wp-content/themes/mudd-2021/style.css?ver=1.1.47' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='physics_child_style-css' href='https://www.hmc.edu/physics/wp-content/themes/mudd2021-physics/style.css?ver=1.0.0' type='text/css' media='all' /> <link rel='stylesheet' id='dashicons-css' href='https://www.hmc.edu/physics/wp-includes/css/dashicons.min.css?ver=6.7.2' type='text/css' media='all' /> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/wp-includes/js/jquery/jquery.min.js?ver=3.7.1" id="jquery-core-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/wp-includes/js/jquery/jquery-migrate.min.js?ver=3.4.1" id="jquery-migrate-js"></script> <link rel="https://api.w.org/" href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/wp-json/" /><link rel="alternate" title="JSON" type="application/json" href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/4" /><link rel="EditURI" type="application/rsd+xml" title="RSD" href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/xmlrpc.php?rsd" /> <meta name="generator" content="WordPress 6.7.2" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/" /> <link rel='shortlink' href='https://www.hmc.edu/physics/' /> <link rel="alternate" title="oEmbed (JSON)" type="application/json+oembed" href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hmc.edu%2Fphysics%2F" /> <link rel="alternate" title="oEmbed (XML)" type="text/xml+oembed" href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hmc.edu%2Fphysics%2F&format=xml" /> <style type="text/css" id="wp-custom-css"> p[data-doc=""]{ display:none } #issue-26-article-36 .image-wrapper { background-position-y: -2rem; } </style> </head> <body class="home page-template page-template-page-primary page-template-page-primary-php page page-id-4">  <script>(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= '//www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K7XCPL');</script>  <div id="page" class="container-fluid px-0"> <header id="header" class=""> <div id="skip-links" class="container-fluid py-3 visually-hidden-focusable"> <a class="more-button py-2 px-2 d-inline-block me-2" href="#content-wrapper">Skip to main content</a> <a class="more-button py-2 px-2 d-inline-block" href="#section-nav-button">Skip to navigation for this section</a> </div> <div id="header-nav"> <div id="header-nav-community"> <div id="header-nav-logo" class="p-0"> <a href="//www.hmc.edu/"><span class="visually-hidden">Home</span></a> </div> <div id="header-nav-community-navbar" class="navbar navbar-expand-md p-0"> <span id="header-nav-community-label" class="d-none d-md-block">Resources for</span> <button id="header-nav-community-toggler" class="collapsed d-md-none" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#header-nav-community-menu" aria-controls="header-nav-community-menu" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Toggle navigation">Resources for</button> <div class="collapse navbar-collapse" id="header-nav-community-menu"> <ul id="header-nav-community-ul" class="navbar-nav me-auto mb-2 mb-md-0"> <li class="nav-item"> <a class="nav-link" href="https://www.hmc.edu/resources/students/">Students</a> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a class="nav-link" href="https://www.hmc.edu/resources/faculty-staff/">Faculty and Staff</a> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a class="nav-link" href="https://www.hmc.edu/alumni/">Alumni</a> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a class="nav-link" href="https://www.hmc.edu/parents/">Parents</a> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a class="nav-link" href="https://www.hmc.edu/resources/">Mudd A–Z</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div id="header-nav-main"> <div class="container-fluid d-flex px-0"> <div class="navbar navbar-expand-xl justify-content-end flex-grow w-100 pb-0 p-xl-0"> <button id="header-search-modal-toggler" type="button" class="d-lg-non" data-bs-toggle="modal" data-bs-target="#header-search-modal"> <span class="visually-hidden">Open search</span> </button> <button id="header-nav-main-toggler" class="navbar-toggler navbar-toggler-icon" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#header-nav-main-wrapper" aria-controls="header-nav-main-wrapper" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Toggle navigation"> </button> <div class="collapse navbar-collapse" id="header-nav-main-wrapper"> <div class="navbar-nav"> <div class="btn-group"> <a class="btn main-nav-item" href="/admission/">Admission and Financial Aid</a> <button type="button" class="mudd-dropdown-toggle dropdown-toggle-split" data-bs-toggle="dropdown" aria-expanded="false"> <span><span class="visually-hidden">Toggle Admission dropdown menu</span></span> </button> <ul class="dropdown-menu"> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/admission/discover/">Discover Harvey Mudd</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/admission/connect/">Connect to Harvey Mudd</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/admission/apply/">Apply to Harvey Mudd</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/admission/afford/">Afford to attend Harvey Mudd</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="btn-group"> <a class="btn main-nav-item" href="/academics/">Academics</a> <button type="button" class="mudd-dropdown-toggle dropdown-toggle-split " data-bs-toggle="dropdown" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="visually-hidden">Toggle Academics Dropdown</span> </button> <div class="dropdown-menu" id="top-menu-academics"> <ul aria-label="Menu of academic departments"> <li role="presentation" class="menu-academics-heading">DEPARTMENTS</li> <li class="icon" ><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/biology/">Biology</a></li> <li class="icon" ><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/chemistry/">Chemistry</a></li> <li class="icon" ><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/cs/">Computer Science</a></li> <li class="icon" ><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/engineering/">Engineering</a></li> <li class="icon" ><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/hsa/">Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts</a></li> <li class="icon" ><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="https://www.hmc.edu/mathematics/">Mathematics</a></li> <li class="icon" ><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/">Physics</a></li> <li role="presentation" class="menu-academics-heading">INTERDISCIPLINARY CENTERS</li> <li class="idc" ><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/hixon-center/">Hixon Center for Climate and the Environment</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/academics/interdisciplinary-centers/center-for-design-education/">Center for Design Education</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/academics/interdisciplinary-centers/hixon-forum-for-responsive-science-and-engineering/">Hixon-Riggs Program for Responsive Science and Engineering</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/academics/majors/">Majors at Harvey Mudd</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/academics/emphases/">Academic Emphases at Harvey Mudd</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/academics/faculty/">Faculty of Harvey Mudd</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/academics/common-core-curriculum/">Common Core Curriculum</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/academics/english-language-learning/">English Language Learning</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/registrar/">Registrar</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/dean-of-faculty/">Dean of the Faculty</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/institutional-research/">Institutional Research</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/learning-programs/">Learning Programs</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/study-abroad/">Study Abroad</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/upward-bound/">Upward Bound</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="https://www.hmc.edu/summer-session/">Summer Session</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/makerspace/">The Makerspace</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/entrepreneurship/">Entrepreneurship</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="btn-group"> <a class="btn main-nav-item" href="/clinic/">Clinic</a> <button type="button" class="mudd-dropdown-toggle dropdown-toggle-split" data-bs-toggle="dropdown" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="visually-hidden">Toggle Dropdown</span> </button> <ul class="dropdown-menu"> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/clinic/clinic-sponsors-and-projects/">Sponsors and Projects</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/clinic/prospective-sponsors/">Prospective Sponsors</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/clinic/impact-on-society/">Impact on Society</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/clinic/clinic-events/">Clinic Events</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/clinic/history-of-the-clinic-program/">History of the Clinic Program</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/clinic/clinic-program-contacts/">Clinic Program Contacts</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="btn-group"> <a class="btn main-nav-item" href="/research/">Research</a> <button type="button" class="mudd-dropdown-toggle dropdown-toggle-split" data-bs-toggle="dropdown" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="visually-hidden">Toggle Dropdown</span> </button> <ul class="dropdown-menu"> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="https://www.hmc.edu/research/summer-research-and-scholarship/">Summer Research and Scholarship</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/research/research-areas/">Scholarship Focus Areas and Research Labs</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/research/research-videos/">Research Videos</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/research/grant-resources-administration/">Sponsored Faculty Research</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="https://www.hmc.edu/research/internal-faculty-research-grant-opportunities/">HMC-Sponsored Faculty Research Grants</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="https://www.hmc.edu/research/grant-resources-administration/pic/">Postdoctoral Program in Interdisciplinary Computation</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/research/student-research-opportunities/">Student Research Opportunities</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="btn-group"> <a class="btn main-nav-item" href="/student-life/">Student Life</a> <button type="button" class="mudd-dropdown-toggle dropdown-toggle-split" data-bs-toggle="dropdown" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="visually-hidden">Toggle Dropdown</span> </button> <div class="dropdown-menu" id="menu-sl"> <ul aria-label="Menu of dsa offices"> <li class="icon" ><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/student-success/">Academic Resources and Student Success</a></li> <li class="icon" ><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/campus-life/">Campus Life</a></li> <li class="icon" ><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/career-services/">Career Services</a></li> <li class="icon" ><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/engagement/">Civic and Community Engagement</a></li> <li class="icon" ><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/residential/">Housing and Residential Life</a></li> <li class="icon" ><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/diversity/">Institutional Diversity</a></li> <li class="icon" ><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/wellbeing/">Wellbeing</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/student-life/mission/">About Division of Student Affairs</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/student-life/staff/">Meet the DSA Staff</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/ashmc/">ASHMC</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/campus-life/athletics/">Athletics</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/student-life/commencement/">Commencement</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/student-life/orientation/">Orientation</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/student-success/accessible-education/">Accessible Education</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/international-students/">International Students and Scholars</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/health-wellness/mudders-care-for-mudders/">Mudders Care for Mudders</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/student-life/emergency-resources/">Emergency Resources</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/student-handbook/">Student Handbook</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/student-life/title-ix/">Title IX and Sexual Assault</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="https://www.hmc.edu/student-life/7c-demonstration-policy/">7C Demonstration Policy</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/student-life/safety-report/">Annual Fire Safety and Security Report</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="btn-group"> <a class="btn main-nav-item" href="/about/">About</a> <button type="button" class="mudd-dropdown-toggle dropdown-toggle-split" data-bs-toggle="dropdown" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="visually-hidden">Toggle Dropdown</span> </button> <ul class="dropdown-menu"> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/about/visit/">Visit Campus</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/about/news/">Harvey Mudd News</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/calendar/">Upcoming Events</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/about/facts/">Fast Facts</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/about/history/">History</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/presidents-office/">President's Office</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/strategic-planning/">Mission and Strategic Planning</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="btn-group"> <a class="btn main-nav-item" href="/giving/">Giving</a> <button type="button" class="mudd-dropdown-toggle dropdown-toggle-split" data-bs-toggle="dropdown" aria-expanded="false"> <span class="visually-hidden">Toggle Dropdown</span> </button> <ul class="dropdown-menu"> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/give/">Make Your Gift Now</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/giving/annual-fund/">Annual Fund</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/giving/endowed-giving/">Endowed Giving at Harvey Mudd</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="https://www.hmc.edu/giving/planned-giving/">Planned Giving</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/giving/other-initiatives/">Current and Special Giving Initiatives</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/giving/ways-to-give/">Ways to Give</a></li> <li><a class="dropdown-item main-nav-item" href="/giving/contact/">Contact College Advancement</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="header-search-modal" class="modal" tabindex="-1" aria-label="Site search" aria-hidden="true"> <div class="modal-dialog modal-fullscreen"> <div id="header-search-modal-content" class="modal-content"> <div id="header-search-modal-header" class="modal-header"> <button id="header-search-modal-header-close" type="button" class="" data-bs-dismiss="modal"><span class="visually-hidden">Close</span></button> </div> <div class="modal-body"> <form id="header-search-modal-content-form" class="" action="https://www.hmc.edu/resources/search/"> <div class="d-flex"> <input type="hidden" name="cx" value="011700456152137806282:mrgonkg-qbi" /> <input type="hidden" name="ie" value="UTF-8" /> <input id="header-search-modal-input" class="form-control me-2" type="search" placeholder="Search hmc.edu" aria-label="Search" name="q" /> <button class="more-button" type="submit">Submit</button> </div> </form> </div> </div> </div> </div> </header> <main id="main" class="site-main"> <div id="page-title" class="container-fluid header-image px-0" style="background-image: url(https://www.hmc.edu/physics/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/10/Hero_Physics-–-1.jpg);"> </div> <nav id="breadcrumb" aria-label="Breadcrumbs." class="container-fluid"> <div id="breadcrumb-section-nav-wrapper" class="bc"> <div id="breadcrumb-wrapper"> <ol> <li class="breadcrumb-list-item"> <a class="breadcrumb-link" title="Harvey Mudd College home page" href="https://www.hmc.edu/"> <span class="home-link-text">Home</span> </a> </li> <li class="breadcrumb-list-item"> <a class="breadcrumb-link" title="" href="https://www.hmc.edu/academics/"> <span class="home-link-text">Academics</span> </a> </li> <li class="breadcrumb-list-item"> <span class="home-link-text">Department of Physics</span> </li> </ol> <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [{ "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.hmc.edu/" },{ "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Academics", "item": "https://www.hmc.edu/academics/" },{ "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Department of Physics" }] } </script> </div> <div id="section-nav" class="dropdown"> <button id="section-nav-button" class="btn btn-secondary dropdown-toggle" type="button" data-bs-toggle="dropdown" aria-expanded="false" data-bs-auto-close="outside"> Physics Menu </button> <div class="dropdown-menu"> <div id="section-nav-content-wrapper"> <ul id="menu-physics" class="dark-links"><li id="menu-item-5958" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-home current-menu-item page_item page-item-4 current_page_item menu-item-5958"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/" aria-current="page" class="dropdown-item">Department of Physics</a></li> <li id="menu-item-5961" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-5961"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/program/" class="dropdown-item"><span aria-hidden="true">Academic Program</span><span class="visually-hidden">Physics Academic Program</span></a> <button class='sub-menu-toggle' data-bs-toggle='collapse' data-bs-target='#sub-menu-1' aria-expanded='false' aria-controls='sub-menu-1'><span class='visually-hidden'>Toggle sub-menu of <span aria-hidden="true">Academic Program</span><span class="visually-hidden">Physics Academic Program</span></span></button><ul id="sub-menu-1" class="sub-menu collapse"> <li id="menu-item-5972" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-5972"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/program/majors/" class="dropdown-item">Physics Majors</a> <button class='sub-menu-toggle' data-bs-toggle='collapse' data-bs-target='#sub-menu-2' aria-expanded='false' aria-controls='sub-menu-2'><span class='visually-hidden'>Toggle sub-menu of Physics Majors</span></button><ul id="sub-menu-2" class="sub-menu collapse"> <li id="menu-item-5975" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5975"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/program/majors/standard-program/" class="dropdown-item"><span aria-hidden="true">Standard Program</span><span class="visually-hidden">Physics Major, Standard Program</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-5982" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5982"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/program/majors/applied-physics/" class="dropdown-item"><span aria-hidden="true">Applied Physics Option</span><span class="visually-hidden">Physics Major, Applied Physics Option</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-5981" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5981"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/program/majors/astrophysics/" class="dropdown-item"><span aria-hidden="true">Astrophysics Option</span><span class="visually-hidden">Physics Major, Astrophysics Option</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-5980" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5980"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/program/majors/biophysics/" class="dropdown-item"><span aria-hidden="true">Biophysics Option</span><span class="visually-hidden">Physics Major, Biophysics Option</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-5979" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5979"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/program/majors/chemical-physics/" class="dropdown-item"><span aria-hidden="true">Chemical Physics Option</span><span class="visually-hidden">Physics Major, Chemical Physics Option</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-5978" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5978"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/program/majors/education/" class="dropdown-item"><span aria-hidden="true">Education Option</span><span class="visually-hidden">Physics Major, Education Option</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-5977" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5977"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/program/majors/geophysics/" class="dropdown-item"><span aria-hidden="true">Geophysics Option</span><span class="visually-hidden">Physics Major, Geophysics Option</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-5976" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5976"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/program/majors/mathematical-physics/" class="dropdown-item"><span aria-hidden="true">Mathematical Physics Option</span><span class="visually-hidden"> Physics Major, Mathematical Physics Option</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-5983" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5983"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/program/majors/physics-and-computers/" class="dropdown-item"><span aria-hidden="true">Physics and Computers Option</span><span class="visually-hidden">Physics Major, Physics and Computers Option</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-6044" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6044"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/program/majors/joint-major-in-computer-science-and-physics/" class="dropdown-item">Joint Major in Computer Science and Physics</a></li> <li id="menu-item-5971" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5971"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/program/majors/joint-physics-mathematics/" class="dropdown-item">Joint Major in Mathematics and Physics</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-5970" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5970"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/program/courses/" class="dropdown-item"><span aria-hidden="true">Course Descriptions</span><span class="visually-hidden">Physics Course Descriptions</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-5960" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5960"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/program/goals/" class="dropdown-item"><span aria-hidden="true">Learning Goals</span><span class="visually-hidden">Goals of the Department of Physics</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-5969" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5969"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/program/core/" class="dropdown-item">Physics in the Core Curriculum</a></li> <li id="menu-item-5968" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5968"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/program/study-abroad/" class="dropdown-item"><span aria-hidden="true">Study Abroad</span><span class="visually-hidden">Physics Study Abroad</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-6000" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6000"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/program/eea/" class="dropdown-item"><span aria-hidden="true">Emphasis on Environmental Analysis</span><span class="visually-hidden">Emphasis on Environmental Analysis for Physics Majors</span></a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-5959" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-5959"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/faculty-staff/" class="dropdown-item"><span aria-hidden="true">Faculty and Staff</span><span class="visually-hidden">Physics Faculty and Staff</span></a> <button class='sub-menu-toggle' data-bs-toggle='collapse' data-bs-target='#sub-menu-3' aria-expanded='false' aria-controls='sub-menu-3'><span class='visually-hidden'>Toggle sub-menu of <span aria-hidden="true">Faculty and Staff</span><span class="visually-hidden">Physics Faculty and Staff</span></span></button><ul id="sub-menu-3" class="sub-menu collapse"> <li id="menu-item-5967" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5967"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/faculty-staff/breznay/" class="dropdown-item">Nicholas P. Breznay</a></li> <li id="menu-item-5966" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5966"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/faculty-staff/donnelly/" class="dropdown-item">Thomas D. Donnelly</a></li> <li id="menu-item-5965" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5965"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/faculty-staff/eckert/" class="dropdown-item">James C. Eckert</a></li> <li id="menu-item-5992" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5992"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/faculty-staff/esin/" class="dropdown-item">Ann A. Esin</a></li> <li id="menu-item-5991" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5991"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/faculty-staff/gallicchio/" class="dropdown-item">Jason Gallicchio</a></li> <li id="menu-item-5990" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5990"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/faculty-staff/gerbode/" class="dropdown-item">Sharon Gerbode</a></li> <li id="menu-item-5989" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5989"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/faculty-staff/ilton/" class="dropdown-item">Mark Ilton</a></li> <li id="menu-item-5988" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5988"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/faculty-staff/lynn/" class="dropdown-item">Theresa Lynn</a></li> <li id="menu-item-5987" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5987"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/faculty-staff/saeta/" class="dropdown-item">Peter Saeta</a></li> <li id="menu-item-5986" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5986"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/faculty-staff/sahakian/" class="dropdown-item">Vatche Sahakian</a></li> <li id="menu-item-5985" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5985"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/faculty-staff/shuve/" class="dropdown-item">Brian Shuve</a></li> <li id="menu-item-5984" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5984"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/faculty-staff/tamayo/" class="dropdown-item">Daniel Tamayo</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-5963" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-5963"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/research/" class="dropdown-item"><span aria-hidden="true">Research</span><span class="visually-hidden">Physics Research</span></a> <button class='sub-menu-toggle' data-bs-toggle='collapse' data-bs-target='#sub-menu-4' aria-expanded='false' aria-controls='sub-menu-4'><span class='visually-hidden'>Toggle sub-menu of <span aria-hidden="true">Research</span><span class="visually-hidden">Physics Research</span></span></button><ul id="sub-menu-4" class="sub-menu collapse"> <li id="menu-item-5962" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-5962"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/research/clinic/" class="dropdown-item"><span aria-hidden="true">Clinic</span><span class="visually-hidden">Physics Clinic</span></a> <button class='sub-menu-toggle' data-bs-toggle='collapse' data-bs-target='#sub-menu-5' aria-expanded='false' aria-controls='sub-menu-5'><span class='visually-hidden'>Toggle sub-menu of <span aria-hidden="true">Clinic</span><span class="visually-hidden">Physics Clinic</span></span></button><ul id="sub-menu-5" class="sub-menu collapse"> <li id="menu-item-5955" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-5955"><a href="/physics/research/clinic/projects/" class="dropdown-item">Past Clinic Projects</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-5956" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-5956"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/research/publications/" class="dropdown-item">Publications</a></li> <li id="menu-item-5954" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-5954"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/research/colloquium/" class="dropdown-item">Colloquium Series</a></li> <li id="menu-item-6002" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6002"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/research/safety/" class="dropdown-item">Laser Safety</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-5999" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-5999"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/students/" class="dropdown-item"><span aria-hidden="true">Students</span><span class="visually-hidden">Physics Students</span></a> <button class='sub-menu-toggle' data-bs-toggle='collapse' data-bs-target='#sub-menu-6' aria-expanded='false' aria-controls='sub-menu-6'><span class='visually-hidden'>Toggle sub-menu of <span aria-hidden="true">Students</span><span class="visually-hidden">Physics Students</span></span></button><ul id="sub-menu-6" class="sub-menu collapse"> <li id="menu-item-6004" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6004"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/students/current-students-recent-alumni/" class="dropdown-item">Current Physics Students and Recent Alumni</a></li> <li id="menu-item-5964" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-5964"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/students/resources/" class="dropdown-item"><span aria-hidden="true">Student Resources</span><span class="visually-hidden">Physics Student Resources</span></a> <button class='sub-menu-toggle' data-bs-toggle='collapse' data-bs-target='#sub-menu-7' aria-expanded='false' aria-controls='sub-menu-7'><span class='visually-hidden'>Toggle sub-menu of <span aria-hidden="true">Student Resources</span><span class="visually-hidden">Physics Student Resources</span></span></button><ul id="sub-menu-7" class="sub-menu collapse"> <li id="menu-item-5974" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5974"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/students/resources/gre/" class="dropdown-item">Physics GRE Subject Test</a></li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-5998" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5998"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/students/graduates-attending-programs/" class="dropdown-item">Physics Students Attending Top Graduate Programs</a></li> <li id="menu-item-5993" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-5993"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/students/awards/" class="dropdown-item"><span aria-hidden="true">Awards</span><span class="visually-hidden">Physics Awards</span></a> <button class='sub-menu-toggle' data-bs-toggle='collapse' data-bs-target='#sub-menu-8' aria-expanded='false' aria-controls='sub-menu-8'><span class='visually-hidden'>Toggle sub-menu of <span aria-hidden="true">Awards</span><span class="visually-hidden">Physics Awards</span></span></button><ul id="sub-menu-8" class="sub-menu collapse"> <li id="menu-item-5996" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5996"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/students/awards/external-graduate-awards/" class="dropdown-item"><span aria-hidden="true">External Graduate Awards</span><span class="visually-hidden">Physics External Graduate Awards</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-5995" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5995"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/students/awards/external-undergraduate-awards/" class="dropdown-item"><span aria-hidden="true">External Undergraduate Awards</span><span class="visually-hidden">Physics External Undergraduate Awards</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-5994" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5994"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/students/awards/internal-awards/" class="dropdown-item"><span aria-hidden="true">Internal Awards</span><span class="visually-hidden">Physics Internal Awards</span></a></li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="menu-item-5997" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5997"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/alumni/" class="dropdown-item"><span aria-hidden="true">Alumni</span><span class="visually-hidden">Physics Alumni</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-6003" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6003"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/news/" class="dropdown-item"><span aria-hidden="true">Departmental News</span><span class="visually-hidden">Physics Departmental News</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-5973" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-5973"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/history/" class="dropdown-item"><span aria-hidden="true">History of the Department</span><span class="visually-hidden">History of the Physics Department</span></a></li> <li id="menu-item-6001" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-6001"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/visit/" class="dropdown-item">Visiting the Department of Physics</a></li> </ul> </div> <span id="scroll-shadow"></span> </div> </div> </div> </nav> <div id="content-wrapper"> <div class="container-xxl"> <div id="page-title-primary"> <div> <h1>Department of Physics</h1> </div> </div> <div class="wp-block-mudd2021-info-box info-box" data-box-style="2"><div class="info-box-icon-wrapper"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="info-box-icon" src="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2024/02/phy.png" alt="" role="presentation" width="449" height="449"/></div><div class="info-box-heading-copy-wrapper"><div class="info-box-heading-wrapper"><h2 class="heading">Physics at Mudd</h2></div><div class="info-box-copy-wrapper"> <p>Harvey Mudd College offers a physics major with both depth and breadth in classical and modern physics, theory and experiment, foundations and applications as well as a joint major in physics and mathematics. The Physics program constitutes a rigorous foundation for graduate work or employment in physics and other technical fields. We have a vigorous student-faculty research program in a wide variety of fields in experimental and theoretical physics. </p> <p><strong>Our Core Values:</strong> The Harvey Mudd College Physics Department recognizes the value, dignity, and humanity of every member of our community. We strive to conduct ourselves with honesty and integrity. We commit to building an environment that is welcoming, supportive, and free from racism, bias, and all forms of intimidation, harassment, and discrimination. And we challenge ourselves to pursue educational and scientific excellence that embodies these values.</p> </div></div><ul class="button-list" data-buttons="4"><li><a class="mudd-more-button button-1" href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/physics/program/"><span>Academic Program</span></a></li><li><a class="mudd-more-button button-2" href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/faculty-staff/"><span>Faculty and Staff</span></a></li><li><a class="mudd-more-button button-3" href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/physics/research/"><span>Research</span></a></li><li><a class="mudd-more-button button-4" href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/students/resources/"><span>Student Resources</span></a></li></ul></div> <div class="wp-block-mudd-showcase-single"><div class="wp-block-mudd-showcase-single-image-wrapper"><img decoding="async" class="wp-block-mudd-showcase-single-image" src="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/04/shanahan-classroom-1480.jpg" alt="" width="768" height="450"/></div><div class="wp-block-mudd-showcase-single-content-wrapper"><h2 class="wp-block-mudd-showcase-single-heading">Colloquium Series</h2><div class="wp-block-mudd-showcase-single-copy"> <p>Junior and senior physics majors attend our biweekly colloquium series, held on Tuesday afternoons at 4:30 p.m. in Shanahan B460. The talks are open to all students and to the public, and are frequently attended by scientists from the other Claremont Colleges, Cal Poly Pomona, and others. The series features speakers from a broad range of institutions and fields of physics.</p> <span class="wp-block-mudd-button"><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/research/colloquium/"><span>Upcoming Colloquia</span></a></span> </div></div></div> <div class="wp-block-mudd2021-page-feature page-feature" style="background-image:url(https://www.hmc.edu/physics/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2022/10/Gallicchio_Youngest_Researcher.jpeg)"><div class="page-feature-inner"><div class="page-feature-content"><h2 class="heading">Getting a Head Start</h2><p class="copy">Professor Jason Gallicchio works to make sure the youngest member of his research group is off to a great start. </p></div></div></div> </div> </div> </main> <footer id="footer" class="site-footer"> <div id="footer-upper" class="container-fluid"> <div id="footer-upper-cta"> <div id="footer-upper-cta-seal"> <img id="footer-upper-cta-seal-image" src="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/wp-content/themes/mudd-2021/images/seal-black.png" alt="Harvey Mudd College seal" /> </div> <div id="footer-upper-cta-text-wrapper"> <ul class="row"> <li class="col-4"><a class="mudd-more-button footer-upper-cta-link" href="//connect.hmc.edu/register/inquirylist"><span>Request Info</span></a></li> <li class="col-4"><a class="mudd-more-button footer-upper-cta-link" href="//www.hmc.edu/admission/connect/visiting-campus/"><span>Visit</span></a></li> <li class="col-4"><a class="mudd-more-button footer-upper-cta-link" href="//www.hmc.edu/admission/apply/"><span>Apply</span></a></li> </ul> <div id="footer-upper-cta-address" class=""> <p>301 Platt Blvd., Claremont, CA 91711<br /><a href="tel:+19096218000">909.621.8000</a> | <a href="mailto:info@hmc.edu">info@hmc.edu</a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div id="footer-upper-promotion" class=""> <div id="footer-upper-promotion-image"> </div> <p> Your support helps educate compassionate leaders in STEM. <a id="footer-promo-link" href="//www.hmc.edu/give">Give now »</a> </p> </div> <div id="footer-upper-promotion-2" class=""> <div id="footer-upper-promotion-2-image"> </div> <p> The official store for Harvey Mudd College apparel and merchandise <a id="footer-promo-2-link" href="//store.hmc.edu/">Shop HMC »</a> </p> </div> </div> <div id="footer-lower-wrapper" class="light-links"> <div id="footer-lower"> <div id="footer-lower-small-print"> <ul> <li><a href="/emergency-preparedness/">Safety Information</a></li> <li><a href="/health-wellness/mudders-care-for-mudders/">Mudders Care for Mudders</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.hmc.edu/map/">Map and Directions</a></li> <li><a href="/resources/directory/">Directory</a></li> <li><a href="/resources/privacy-statement/">Privacy Statement</a></li> <li><a href="/resources/website-accessibility/">Accessibility</a></li> <li><a href="/human-resources/policies-procedures-and-guidelines/equal-opportunity-and-nondiscrimination-statement/">Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination Statement</a></li> <li><a href="/human-resources/employment-at-harvey-mudd/">Employment at Harvey Mudd</a></li> </ul> <p>Harvey Mudd College does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. </p> <small>© Copyright 2025 | Harvey Mudd College is a member of <a href="//www.claremont.edu/">The Claremont Colleges</a></small> </div> <div id="footer-lower-social"> <ul> <li><a class="facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/harveymuddcollege"><span>Harvey Mudd College Official Facebook</span></a></li> <li><a class="instagram" href="https://www.instagram.com/harvey_mudd"><span>Harvey Mudd College Official Instagram</span></a></li> <li><a class="threads" href="https://www.threads.net/@harvey_mudd"><span>Harvey Mudd College Official Threads</span></a></li> <li><a class="youtube" href="https://www.youtube.com/user/HarveyMuddCollege"><span>Harvey Mudd College Official YouTube</span></a></li> <li><a class="flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/harvey-mudd-college/"><span>Harvey Mudd College Official Flickr</span></a></li> <li><a class="linkedin" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/harvey-mudd-college"><span>Harvey Mudd College Official LinkedIn</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </footer> </div> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://catalog.hmc.edu/widget-api/widget-api.min.js?ver=1.0.0" id="acalog-scripts-js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/wp-content/themes/mudd2021-physics/jscripts.min.js?ver=1.0.0" id="physics_scripts-js"></script> <script integrity="sha384-u1OknCvxWvY5kfmNBILK2hRnQC3Pr17a+RTT6rIHI7NnikvbZlHgTPOOmMi466C8" src="//cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/bootstrap@5.2.1/dist/js/bootstrap.bundle.min.js?ver=5.2.1" crossorigin="anonymous"></script><script type="module" src="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/wp-content/themes/mudd-2021/js/main.js?ver=1.0.91"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="https://www.hmc.edu/physics/wp-content/plugins/mudd-button/build/view.js?ver=2fc8836fa32fc8cb91a5" id="mudd-button-view-script-js" defer="defer" data-wp-strategy="defer"></script> </body> </html>