A laboratory exploration of new worlds, stars, and revolutionary states of matter
CMAP is a National Science Foundation Physics Frontier Center born out of two major breakthroughs in science. First, is the ability to explore matter at quantum-relevant pressures in the laboratory- conditions not previously explored on Earth, but common in planets and stars throughout the universe.
Second is the discovery of thousands of extrasolar planets and many more stars, changing humanity’s perceived role in the universe.
Hosted at the University of Rochester and designated as a National Science Foundation (NSF) Physics Frontiers Center, the Center for Matter at Atomic Pressures (CMAP) is a collaboration among faculty, scientists, researchers and students at MIT, Princeton, the Universities of California at Berkeley and Davis, the University at Buffalo, and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
A pivotal time in the history of physics
About CMAP
By combining the talent and resources of leading institutions from across the country, CMAP researchers conduct laboratory-based exploration of planets and stars throughout the universe, including revolutionary states of matter right here on Earth.
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February 5, 2025
A. Sur, R. Tejada Arevalo, Y. Su, and A. Burrows write in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, “With the recent realization that there likely are stably stratified regions in the interiors of both Jupiter and Saturn, we construct new nonadiabatic, inhomogeneous evolutionary models with the same microphysics for each that result at the present time in respectable fits for all major bulk observables for both planets.”
January 30, 2025
Z. Lin, S. Seager and B. P. Weiss write in The Planetary Science Journal, “The interior composition and structure of Uranus are ambiguous. It is unclear whether Uranus is composed of fully differentiated layers dominated by an icy mantle or has smooth compositional gradients.”
Our research
CMAP’s cutting edge research explores the states and processes of the most extreme matter that can be produced with today’s laboratory capabilities, which may exist in the deep interiors of planets and stars throughout the universe.
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Education and outreach initiatives
CMAP is committed to engaging the public and inspiring the next generation of scientists. We offer several outreach and education programs, including summer experiences for undergraduates and high school students.
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Events
CMAP offers a variety of events, including a seminar series open to the general public and center meetings for faculty, scientists, researchers and students from our partner institutions. Check out CMAP’s upcoming events.
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Our Sponsor and Partners
