The Department of Physics was founded in 1924 by Aldo Pontremoli (1896 – 1928), in response to the demand of science and technology from the social and industrial environment of Milan, the largest of the country. Pontremoli, who had lively interest in different fields of physics, introduced to the Department the research topics of major interest in Europe, built the first experimental installations, and with the support of local institutions founded a radiology laboratory for studies on UV and X radiations, and radio-active materials. He prematurely died in a dramatic dirigible accident during a scientific expedition to the North Pole.

In the following pre-war period further instrumental installations were set on and studies on main classical physics subjects, such as electrodynamics and statistical physics, were developed. At the end of the 40’s and the beginning of the 50’s, after a period of reconstruction, the financial support and number of people were large enough to resume a well coordinated research activity.

The main research lines started in the Department at different times.

First were the studies on nuclear and particle physics, based on the investigation of cosmic rays, given the lack in Europe of particle accelerators, at that time.

This activity was favored by the growing interest of the country towards the development of nuclear physics and its applications, which led in 1951 to the foundation of the National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN), with the scope of funding and coordinating the research in the field. From these first research lines the research in accelerator physics and relevant technology, astrophysics, and medical physics later grew in the Department.

Although the electromagnetic properties of matter and gas discharges have been among the preferred topics since the beginning of the Department, well organized research in physics of matter began in the Department in the mid -50’s, with studies in condensed matter. Quantum optics, plasma physics, and biophysics were introduced later, in the 60’s . A national institution for the co-ordination and support of the research in the physics of matter (INFM) was founded in 1994. In this field nanotechnology is a more recent research line. Theoretical studies in nuclear and particle physics, in the physics of matter, and in other more speculative areas have always received a great emphasis, and have a long standing tradition in the Department.

In 2007 the Department staff is composed of 97 faculty members (26 professors, 33 associate professors, 38 assistant professors), 16 technicians, 11 administrative officers, and 7 custodians. The actual group of professionals working in the Department is larger than the Department staff. In fact, the Department hosts several research institutions, which participate in joint research projects

with their own personnel and funds: the Interdisciplinary Center for Nano-structured Materials and Interfaces (CIMAINA) a “Center of Excellence” of our University; the Milan Division of the National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN), (with 32 scientists, 33 technicians, and 12 administrative officers); the Milan Division of the National Institute for the Physics of Matter (INFM).

The personnel of the nearby Institute of Applied General Physics closely collaborates with the Department staff.

Most of the infra-structures and institutions of our University devoted to higher education in physics reside in the Department: a three year, first level, and a two year, second level, Physics Degree Course; a three year Doctorate School in Physics, Astrophysics and Applied Physics; a four year Post-Graduate School in Health Physics, and one year topical Master Courses. A Specialization Course for physics teachers is also held every year in the Department.

A Computer Center, with both Department and INFN personnel, maintains up to date computational facilities and gives support to research and computer science laboratories.

Essential support to experiments and maintenance of laboratories is provided by the Department Workshop, where technicians can design and produce high-quality tools and components.

The members of the Department are organized in different Divisions, on the basis of their scientific interests. The research is mostly performed in the framework of international collaborations, both on large scale installations and on university scale devices operating in the Department. Valuable support to research comes from graduate students and research fellows.

Small-group research environments are equally supported by the Department as larger groups; both can provide occasions for generating technological advances and new ideas.

The main characteristics of the Department are: a balance between research in basic physics; applied physics and technological applications; a commitment to education in physics, and the diffusion of scientific culture in the community. In a recent evaluation of the quality of the research carried out during a three years period in Italian universities, by means of international peer review, the Department has been rated very close to the top level.

Divisions of the Department:

• Elementary Particle Physics
• Nuclear Physics
• Accelerators and Related Technologies
• Electronics
• Structure of Matter
• Quantum Optics, Coherent Phenomena, and Optoelectronics
• Optics
• Plasma Physics and Astrophysics
• Theoretical Physics
• Medical and Health Physics
• History of Science and Physics Education