Professor Sue Coppersmith: ‘What do theoretical Physicists do?’

As a theoretical condensed matter physicists, Professor Sue Coppersmith has used the principles of physics to understand a wide variety of systems ranging from sand, to pearls to the components of quantum computers.

A Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, the Australian Institute of Physics, and the National Academy of Sciences in the USA, Prof. Coppersmith recently became the 25th woman to complete the inaugural Australian Institute of Physics  (AIP) Women in Physics Lecture. 

The AIP Women in Physics (WIP) Lecture Tour celebrates the contribution of women to advances in physics. This annual award recognises a woman who has made a significant contribution in a field of physics. This year, Prof. Coppersmith gave lectures across New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory , Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia.  

“The tour was so meaningful, and I am incredibly inspired by the dedicated educators and enthusiastic students that I met,” she says.   

From sand to quantum computing

Physics is important because of its intellectual depth and beauty and understanding physics leads to new technologies that can greatly enhance your life.

In her lecture series, Prof. Coppersmith, Head of School of UNSW Physics, discussed what it's like to be a theoretical physicist and explained her research in condensed matter physics and quantum mechanics.

Throughout her career, Prof. Coppersmith has studied how organisms make strong seashells by combining brittle and soft materials, which helps scientists design new, fracture-resistant materials. She also researched how forces in sand behave differently from normal solids, which is important for industries that use granular materials. 

Currently, Prof. Coppersmith is working on combining silicon and germanium to create quantum dots, a key step towards building quantum computers. These quantum devices could eventually help us study things like exploding stars and dark matter.

In her talk, Prof. Coppersmith showed that theoretical physicists push human knowledge into new and interesting directions. She took the audience on a journey starting in the 1800s with a humble lightbulb, to quantum technologies that have changed our lives. She mentioned that by breaking quantum algorithms, one could steal all the money in the world!

The last leg of the tour

The Women in Physics Lecture Tour, established nationally in 1997, celebrates the achievements of exceptional women in physics. Each year, the award recognizes a woman who has made significant contributions to the field, aiming to inspire the next generation of physicists.

This year, Prof. Coppersmith delivered an impressive 8 public lectures, 23 school visits, and participated in several radio interviews.

At the concluding event at UNSW Sydney, the Dean of UNSW Science and previous AIP president, Professor Sven Rogge, introduced the public lecture, while astrophysicist Professor Sarah Brough, incoming Head of School of UNSW Physics, led the Q&A session.

The event wrapped up with Associate Professor Karen Livesey from the University of Newcastle presenting Prof. Coppersmith with the Women in Physics medal. The audience congratulated her for her remarkable contributions, and the AIP thanked her for her efforts in promoting physics, especially to school children across Australia.