APS Units

APS units are your opportunity to network with colleagues of similar interests, find collaborators and mentors, and stay informed of new developments in your specialized fields and regions.

Connect on Engage

Engage is a platform exclusive to APS unit members, where you can connect with other unit members, network online, participate in community discussions relevant to your field, and more. Unit leaders can also find the APS Unit Handbook and more resources on Engage.

We invite you to learn more about APS units on their websites, and log in to your myAPS account to join the unit that best fits your interest.

Join the conversation on Engage

Divisions

APS divisions are organized around specific subfields in physics.

• Astrophysics (DAP)
  DAP engages in observational and theoretical investigation that relates to the study of physical processes in stars and other discrete galactic sources, galactic structure and evolution, the early history and evolution of the Universe, and the Sun and solar activity.
• Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics (DAMOP)
  The first APS Division, DAMOP focuses on fundamental research on atoms, simple molecules, electrons and light, and their interactions to play an an enabling role underlying many areas of science.
• Biological Physics (DBIO)
  DBIO is made up of individuals interested in the study of biological phenomena using physical approaches and in investigations into the physical principles and mechanisms by which living organisms survive, adapt, and grow.
• Chemical Physics (DCP)
  DCP advances the understanding of subjects of chemical interest whose development depends strongly on modern physical theories or techniques.
• Computational Physics (DCOMP)
  DCOMP explores the use of computers in physics research and education as well as the role of physics in the development of computer technology.
• Condensed Matter Physics (DCMP)
  Currently the largest of all APS Divisions, DCMP concentrates on such topics as superconductivity, semi-conductors, magnetism, complex fluids, and thin films, investigating a broad range of physics problems, both applied and basic.
• Fluid Dynamics (DFD)
  DFD advances and diffuses the knowledge of the physics of fluids with special emphasis on the dynamical theories of the liquid, plastic and gaseous states of matter under all conditions of temperature and pressure.
• Gravitational Physics (DGRAV)
  DGRAV serves as a focus for research in all areas of gravitational physics.
• Laser Science (DLS)
  DLS promotes laser science interests within APS and represents such interests with other societies by sponsoring events, awards, and educational programs.
• Materials Physics (DMP)
  DMP applies fundamental condensed matter concepts to complex and multiphase media, including materials of technological interest.
• Nuclear Physics (DNP)
  DNP is comprised of scientists and educators who study fundamental problems related to the nature of matter.
• Particles and Fields (DPF)
  DPF is dedicated to the study of fundamental particles and fields, their structure, their interactions and interrelationships, the design and development of high energy accelerators, and the design and development of instrumentation techniques for high energy physics.
• Physics of Beams (DPB)
  DPB advances and diffuses knowledge regarding the nature and behavior of beams and the instruments for their production and use through opportunities for discussion and coordination.
• Plasma Physics (DPP)
  DPP advances and disseminates knowledge, understanding, and applications of plasmas — assemblages of charged particles of natural and laboratory origin.
• Polymer Physics (DPOLY)
  DPOLY focuses on the physics of natural and synthetic macromolecular substances.
• Quantum Information (DQI)
  DQI promotes the advancement and diffusion of knowledge concerning the physics of quantum information, computing, fundamental concepts, and foundations, serving as a focus for theoretical and experimental research in these and related areas.
• Soft Matter (DSOFT)
  DSOFT advances knowledge and builds community among the interdisciplinary group of scientists, mathematicians, and engineers working on soft matter physics, one of the fastest growing areas of physics research.

Topical groups

APS topical groups are smaller units organized around subfields of physics.

• Compression of Condensed Matter (GCCM)
  GCCM promotes the development and exchange of information on all high-pressure compression (static, dynamic, and shock).
• Data Science (GDS)
  Data science is a fast-growing and highly interdisciplinary field that is at the intersection of statistics, computer science, and mathematics. Applications of data science in engineering and both physical and life sciences are countless and increasing.
• Energy Research and Applications (GERA)
  GERA promotes communication relevant to the physics involved in humankind's safe generation, transmission, storage, and efficient use of energy with as small an impact on the Earth's environment and resources as feasible.
• Few-Body Systems (GFB)
  GFB serves as an umbrella organization of atomic, molecular, nuclear, particle, and mathematical physicists, as well as quantum chemists, who are interested in the dynamics of “simple” systems.
• Hadronic Physics (GHP)
  GHP should interest physicists working in fields such as the partonic structure of hadrons and nuclei, heavy-ion physics, lattice gauge theory, jet physics, spectroscopy, and QCD at finite temperature and density.
• Instrument and Measurement Science (GIMS)
  GIMS advances the development of new instrumentation and measurement science and to provide a forum for discussions of these topics.
• Magnetism and its Applications (GMAG)
  GMAG serves the magnetism community by organizing conference sessions of interest to physicists working on magnetism and its applications and by fostering interactions and meetings with other scientists and engineers interested in advancing and diffusing knowledge of the multidisciplinary field of magnetism.
• Medical Physics (GMED)
  GMED advances and diffuses knowledge of physics in various areas of medicine, such as the physics of imaging, therapy, and modeling, with applications in oncology, neurology, cardiology, as well other diseases and normal physiological states.
• Physics Education Research (GPER)
  GPER is dedicated to the learning and teaching of physics.
• Physics of Climate (GPC)
  GPC's objective includes the integration of scientific knowledge and analysis methods across disciplines to address the dynamical complexities and uncertainties of climate physics.
• Plasma Astrophysics (GPAP)
  GPAP advances plasma astrophysics — an interdisciplinary body of knowledge that seeks common ground between plasma physics and astrophysics, and involves the application of fundamental concepts of plasma physics to the solution of outstanding problems in astrophysics.
• Precision Measurement & Fundamental Constants (GPMFC)
  GPMFC serves as a focus for research related to investigating and testing the fundamental laws of physics and their underlying connections, determining fundamental constants, and developing and improving basic measurement standards, with special emphasis on the high precision experiments that are characteristic of such research.
• Quantum Materials Synthesis (GQMS)
  GQMS fosters the development and exchange of information in the science of quantum materials synthesis, including synthesis of bulk single crystals, 2D materials, thin films/heterostructures and nanostructures and the characterization approaches necessary to obtain a quality index for particular quantum materials.
• Statistical and Nonlinear Physics (GSNP)
  GSNP encompasses nonlinear science from dynamical systems and chaos, through pattern formation and spatio-temporal chaos, to fluid turbulence and complex systems.

Forums

APS forums are centered on special interests in physics.

• Diversity and Inclusion (FDI)
  FDI was created in 2016 with strong support from APS leadership and other Forums as a recommendation from APS's report on the LGBTQ+ climate in physics.
• Early Career Scientists (FECS)
  FECS's objective is to enhance APS's ability to meet the needs of early career scientists, to offer them support services, and to provide them with an opportunity for increased inclusion and participation in the activities and decision-making of the physics community.
• Education (FEd)
  FEd serves as a space for member involvement in activities related to physics education, at all educational stages, from elementary to grad school and life-long learning.
• Graduate Student Affairs (FGSA)
  FGSA enhances the ability of APS to meet the needs of graduate students. FGSA offers support services and encourages participation in activities and decision-making in the physics community.
• History and Philosophy of Physics (FHPP)
  FHPP brings together physicists, historians, and other members of APS with an interest in the history of physics and its impact on culture, education, and physics research itself.
• Industrial and Applied Physics (FIAP)
  FIAP enhance APS's ability to meet the needs of the industrial and applied physics community and helps APS take advantage of the evolving opportunities in the practice and application of physics.
• International Physics (FIP)
  FIP fosters cooperation and communication among physicists of all countries.
• Outreach and Engaging the Public (FOEP)
  FOEP’s goal is to increase the public’s awareness of physics by providing a forum within APS for the large number of physicists currently involved in a diverse array of outreach and public engagement activities.
• Physics and Society (FPS)
  FPS addresses issues related to the interface of physics and society as a whole.

Sections

APS sections are organized regionally to allow physicists to connect with others in their geographic area.

• Eastern Great Lakes (EGLS)
  EGLS brings together physicists, other scientists and engineers from industry, government and academia for topical symposia twice a year. All are welcome to participate in these meetings, and APS members are invited to join the section, especially those in the greater Ohio region.
• Far West (FWS)
  FWS provides a platform to connect physicists in one of the most vibrant academic and industrial regions of the USA, especially those living or working in California, Nevada, and Hawaii.
• Four Corners (4CS)
  4CS has a strong commitment to support the work of physics students and to give them opportunities to present their research and to meet physicists in the region by offering small, regional meetings of limited expense and activities that can reach more APS members and potential members, including students and industry physicists.
• Mid-Atlantic (MAS)
  MAS serves the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia
• New England (NES)
  NES is a network of physicists from academia, industry, government and individuals interested in physics and related subjects in the New England region of the United States.
• New York State (NYSS)
  NYSS brings together physicists from industry, government laboratories, and academia and supports them through symposia, awards for students, outreach activities, and grants.
• Northwest (NWS)
  NWS facilitates the exchange of physics information and discussion among members living in the rather large area of the Pacific Northwest, primarily Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, and Alaska.
• Prairie (PSAPS)
  PSAPS advances and diffuses knowledge of physics in Illinois, western Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Wisconsin and neighboring regions to the west.
• Southeastern (SESAPS)
  SESAPS advances and diffuses knowledge of physics within the Southeastern region of the United States, including the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
• Texas (TSAPS)
  TSAPS advances and diffuses the knowledge of physics in the Texas area.

Ethics information

Nominees for and holders of APS funding and recognition and official leadership positions are expected to meet standards of professional conduct and integrity as described in the APS ethics guidelines. Violations of these standards may disqualify people from consideration or lead to revocation of honors or removal from office.