Centers & Institutes
Caltech Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy is home to interdisciplinary research collaborations and centers that bring together faculty, students, postdoctoral scholars, research and technical staff from around the world.
IQIM at Caltech is a National Science Foundation Physics Frontiers Center. IQIM seeks to exploit and advance an emerging revolution in quantum science.
IPAC at Caltech partners with NASA, NSF, JPL and the world-wide research community to advance exploration of our Universe through science operations, data archiving, community support and engagement.
The Walter Burke Institute for Theoretical Physics is an endowed research center that supports the community of theoretical physicists at Caltech as they discover fundamental laws of nature and expand our understanding of the universe at all scales.
The Leinweber Forum for Theoretical Physics is an endowed institute dedicated to advancing fundamental research across all areas of theoretical science. Support extends to graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and visiting researchers through programs that link Caltech to the network of Leinweber Institutes.
COO serves the Caltech astronomy community in the administration of Palomar Observatory and Caltech participation at Keck Observatory. COO also develops advanced optical and near-IR instrumentation for these and other observatories.
TAPIR, located in the Cahill Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics, is a research group focused on theoretical studies of astrophysics, cosmology, and gravitation, exploring phenomena from black holes and gravitational waves to the large-scale structure of the universe.
The Brinson Exploration Hub is an interdisciplinary initiative that brings together researchers from Caltech and JPL to rapidly develop and test ambitious space and Earth exploration projects—accelerating novel scientific concepts and technologies from idea to implementation with support from a major philanthropic gift.
The Center for Data-Driven Discovery (CD3), in strong partnership with JPL, helps the faculty across the entire Institute in developing novel projects in the arena of data-intensive, computationally enabled science and technology.
Richard N. Merkin Center for Pure and Applied Mathematics was established with the goal of creating a hub for mathematical research. Collaboration across disciplines underpins the Center's programs.
AIM is an NSF-supported mathematical sciences institute based at Caltech that advances mathematical knowledge by hosting collaborative workshops, research groups, and virtual research communities, while also broadening participation and raising awareness of the role of mathematics in science and society.
SRL is a research center that develops advanced X-ray and particle detectors for balloon and space missions and uses them to study high-energy astrophysics, cosmic rays, and energetic particles from the Sun and beyond, helping reveal energetic processes around black holes, supernovae, and the heliosphere.
The Alliance for Quantum Technologies (AQT) is a novel consortium of Academic and Research Institutions, including National Laboratories, and industry targeting to accelerate areas in Quantum Information Science and Technology through the INtelligent Quantum NEtworks & Technologies — INQNET — program of work.
The Dr. Allen and Charlotte Ginsburg Center for Quantum Precision Measurement (GCQPM) is in the construction phase, with occupancy anticipated for fall 2026. Research in the Ginsburg Center will include LIGO future technology and precision engineering; IQIM; Condensed Matter/Quantum Theory; and an Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO)-based experiments.