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Physics + Astronomy

photo of world's first quantum topological processor
Photo Credit
Used with permission from Microsoft
Majorana 1, the eight-qubit topological quantum processor unveiled at Microsoft Station Q's 2025 conference

Topological quantum processor marks breakthrough in computing

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Six UCSB researchers named among world’s most influential scientists
green and purple objects
Photo Credit
Fangzhou ZhaoI, Van de Walle group
Concept illustration of non-radiative recombination, in which electron-hole interaction at a defect in the atomic structure results in heat, rather than light, being emitted. Jim Speck will use his Vannevar Bush Award to advance understanding of the physics of such interactions.

Little-understood physics in gallium-nitride LEDs garners UCSB’s Jim Speck a prestigious Vannevar Bush award

Physicists work toward theory to describe pattern formation in conserved fields
two men standing against a gray background
Photo Credit
Jeff Liang
Professors Andrew Jayich, left, and Jon Schuller

Two UCSB professors selected by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to be Experimental Physics Investigators
image of developing zebrafish retina
Photo Credit
Rana Amini/Campàs Lab
Microscopy image of a developing zebrafish retina, with cell nuclei (blue) and membranes (yellow) shown

How cell nuclei organize eyes and brain
a hand holding a lightbulb with a glowing outline of a brain

Four junior faculty members win Sloan Research Fellowships
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Chasing quantum ‘magic’: Andrea Young receives $2 million award to develop a more stable quantum architecture
concept illustration of an active nematic fluid

Controlling the chaos of active fluids
Side view of a researcher in a lab, wearing goggles and a white coat, looking down
Photo Credit
Elena Zhukova

Making the world healthier, more sustainable and more secure through research
group shot of scientists
Photo Credit
Kelsey Leonard
Scientists from a broad range of disciplines converged on the UCSB campus for the Institute of Complex and Adaptive Matter's annual Week of Science

Scientists converge to discuss the latest research in complex adaptive matter
concept of laser-based quantum optical system

Experimental physicist David Weld to investigate the role of feedback and measurement in quantum systems
concept of a quantum magnetometer
Photo Credit
Brian Long
A quantum magnetometer on a chip

UC Santa Barbara quantum scientists to conduct NSF-funded research to pursue quantum-scale sensor technologies
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