Department of Physics, University of Otago

Department of Physics
The Department of Physics building at the University of Otago
Department of Physics building
TypeAcademic department
Established1869
Parent institution
University of Otago
Location
Dunedin
,
Otago
,
New Zealand
CampusUrban
Websitewww.otago.ac.nz/physics/

The Department of Physics is an academic department at the University of Otago located in the city of Dunedin, New Zealand. It is situated in the Science 3 building, at the northwest corner of the campus. The building is located at the intersection of Cumberland and St. David Streets.

History

The Department of Physics at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand—also known in Māori as Te Tari Hū-o-te-Kōhao—is the nation’s oldest physics department, starting with natural philosophy as a founding discipline of the University in 1869. Professor John Shand was the first Chair of mathematics and natural philosophy, appointed in 1870, one of three foundation professors of the university.[1] He was succeeded by Professor Robert Jack in 1914, who later pioneered radio broadcasting in New Zealand.[2][3][4]

A bequest to the university by watchmaker, mathematician, and inventor Arthur Beverly in 1907 funds undergraduate bursaries.[5]

The Beverly Clock—created in 1864—runs on daily temperature/pressure variations and has been in continuous operation (with minimal interruptions) in the since 1907.[6][7] The Beverly Clock is currently based in the physics building.

Historical innovations

  • In 1921 Robert Jack transmitted New Zealand’s first radio broadcast.[3][4]
  • In 1959–1960 Jack Dodd developed the theory of quantum beats.[8][9]
  • In 1998, an Otago team led by Andrew Wilson produced the first Bose–Einstein condensate in the southern hemisphere.[10][11]
  • In 2008, Ashton Bradley provided the theory for the first observation of spontaneous vortex production in a Bose-Einstein condensate using c-field theory.[12]
  • In 2010, the group of Mikkel Andersen used laser light to capture a single atom with high probability.[13][14]
  • In 2016 Blair Blakie predicted the formation of stable quantum droplets of ultra-cold magnetic gases.[15][16]
  • In 2021 Amita Deb and Niels Kjaergaard observed effects of the Pauli exclusion principle in light scattering. [17][18][19]

Teaching

  • Core Physics papers at 100 level are PHSI131, PHSI132, PHSI191; see also ASTR101, and JumpStart Physics[20]
  • The department also hosts the Sustainable Energy Programme, starting at 200 level[21][22]
  • PHSI191 Biological Physics is one of the largest Physics courses in the southern hemisphere, with 1400-1600 students[23]

Research strengths

The department has research efforts in

  • Quantum & Atomic Physics
  • Geophysics, Space & Climate Science [24]
  • Sustainable Energy Science and Technology
  • Astronomy[25] and Astrophysics[26]
  • Inference & Instrumentation
  • Theory of Bose-Einstein condensation: Non-equilibrium field theory[27], quantum turbulence[28], quantum droplets [29] and supersolids[30]
  • Theoretical & Computational Physics

The University hosts the The Dodd-Walls Centre for Photonic and Quantum Technologies (Māori: Te Whai Ao[31]), named after New Zealand physicists Jack Dodd and Dan Walls. The University also hosts the Quantum Technologies Aotearoa[32] a national multi-institution research program focused on advancement quantum technology.

Notable staff

References

  1. ^ "From natural philosophy to physics". Otago University Press. 16 November 2014. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  2. ^ "Biography: Jack, Robert". Te Ara, The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  3. ^ a b Lisa Warrington; Alison Finigan (2014). Allen Hall 100 Years, 100+ Voices. Dunedin: Otago University Press. ISBN 978-0-473-29737-4. Wikidata Q107271268.
  4. ^ a b Cook, Charlotte (17 November 2021). "100 years of radio in NZ: Major news broadcast over the century". RNZ. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
  5. ^ "Biography: Beverly, Arthur". Te Ara, The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  6. ^ Amon, L E S; Beverly, A; Dodd, J N (1 October 1984). "The Beverly clock". European Journal of Physics. 5 (4): 195–197. doi:10.1088/0143-0807/5/4/002. ISSN 0143-0807.
  7. ^ Abrahams, Marc (2001). "The Latest on Long-Running Experiments". Annals of Improbable Research. 7 (3): 18–20. doi:10.3142/107951401782431809. Archived from the original on 21 February 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
  8. ^ Dodd, J N; Fox, W N; Series, G W; Taylor, M J (1959). "Light Beats as Indicators of Structure in Atomic Energy Levels". Proceedings of the Physical Society. 74 (6): 789–791. Bibcode:1959PPS....74..789D. doi:10.1088/0370-1328/74/6/122.
  9. ^ Dodd, J N; Series, G W (1961). "Theory of Modulation of Light in a Double Resonance Experiment". Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series A, Mathematical and Physical Sciences. 263 (1314): 1314. Bibcode:1961RSPSA.263..353D. doi:10.1098/rspa.1961.0165. S2CID 122747243.
  10. ^ Martin, J. L.; McKenzie, C. R.; Thomas, N. R.; Sharpe, J. C.; Warrington, D. M.; Manson, P. J.; Sandle, W. J.; Wilson, A. C. (1 April 1999). "Output coupling of a Bose-Einstein condensate formed in a TOP trap". Journal of Physics B: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics. 32 (12): 3065. arXiv:cond-mat/9904007. Bibcode:1999JPhB...32.3065M. doi:10.1088/0953-4075/32/12/322. ISSN 0953-4075. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  11. ^ "Andrew Wilson: What can you do with the fifth state of matter?". Radio New Zealand. 20 June 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  12. ^ Weiler, Chad N.; Neely, Tyler W.; Scherer, David R.; Bradley, Ashton S.; Davis, Matthew J.; Anderson, Brian P. (October 2008). "Spontaneous vortices in the formation of Bose–Einstein condensates". Nature. 455 (7215): 948–951. arXiv:0807.3323. doi:10.1038/nature07334. ISSN 1476-4687.
  13. ^ Grünzweig, T.; Hilliard, A.; McGovern, M.; Andersen, M. F. (2010). "Near-deterministic preparation of a single atom in an optical microtrap". Nature Physics. 6 (12): 951–954. Bibcode:2010NatPh...6..951G. doi:10.1038/nphys1778.
  14. ^ "Otago scientists make quantum leap capturing the atom". Otago Daily Times. 4 October 2010. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  15. ^ Ballance, Alison (24 February 2017). "Proof - the physics of creating a gas droplet". RNZ. Retrieved 22 December 2025.
  16. ^ "German experiments confirm Otago theory". Otago Daily Times Online News. 13 November 2016. Retrieved 22 December 2025.
  17. ^ Deb, Amita B.; Kjærgaard, Niels (19 November 2021). "Observation of Pauli blocking in light scattering from quantum degenerate fermions". Science. 374 (6570): 972–975. arXiv:2103.02319. Bibcode:2021Sci...374..972D. doi:10.1126/science.abh3470. PMID 34793206. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  18. ^ DeMarco, Brian; Thywissen, Joseph H. (19 November 2021). "No vacancy in the Fermi sea". Science. 374 (6570): 936–937. Bibcode:2021Sci...374..936D. doi:10.1126/science.abm0072. PMID 34793211. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  19. ^ "Otago work among top 10 physics advances". Otago Daily Times. 11 December 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
  20. ^ "Undergraduate Physics Papers". University of Otago. 18 October 2022. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  21. ^ "Otago offers new degrees in sustainable energy". Inside Government. 22 June 2025. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
  22. ^ "Otago offers new degrees in Sustainable Energy". University of Otago. 18 June 2025. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  23. ^ Rodger, Craig J.; Blakie, P. Blair. "The University of Otago". Association of Asia Pacific Physical Societies Bulletin. 28 (6).
  24. ^ "Explainer: The science behind the Aurora Australis". Radio New Zealand News. 12 May 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2025.
  25. ^ "Capturing space through a Kiwi lens". Radio New Zealand. 23 August 2025. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
  26. ^ "Dunedin physicist receives prestigious award". Otago Daily Times. 14 September 2022. Retrieved 16 November 2025.
  27. ^ Blakie, B; Bradley, A (2008). "Dynamics and statistical mechanics of ultra-cold Bose gases using c-field techniques". Advances in Physics. 57: 363.
  28. ^ "Otago research helping to unlock superfluid mysteries". Otago Daily Times. 2015.
  29. ^ "Proof - the physics of creating a gas droplet". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
  30. ^ "Bose Einstein condensate may reveal supersolid's secrets". National eScience Infrastructure. Retrieved 14 December 2025.
  31. ^ "Dunedin light research centre given Māori name". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  32. ^ "Quantum Technologies Aotearoa". Retrieved 14 December 2025.
  33. ^ Dodd-Walls Centre (2018). "Annual Report 2018" (PDF). The Dodd-Walls Centre. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
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