Research Centers & Institutes
Interdisciplinary research collaborations and centers bring together PMA faculty and students, as well as colleagues from around the world, to pursue common areas of interest and focus.
Among those operated at Caltech are the following:
Center for Data-Driven Discovery (CD3)
The central focus of CD3 is the methodologies for handling and analysis of large and complex data sets, in facilitating the data-to-discovery process. It is about applications of data-driven computing in various scientific domains, such as biology, physics, astronomy, geophysics, etc.
The Infrared Processing and Analysis Center (IPAC)
IPAC is dedicated to science operations, data archives, and community support for astronomy and solar system science missions, with a historical emphasis on infrared-submillimeter astronomy and exoplanet science.
Caltech's Institute for Quantum Information and Matter (IQIM)
IQIM is advancing research to understand and harness highly entangled quantum systems for the purpose of yielding new materials, new communication and computation methods, new limits to our ability to measure things, and even new insights into the structure of the Universe.
Keck Institute for Space Studies (KISS)
This multi-divisional effort develops new planetary, Earth, and astrophysics space mission concepts and technology by bringing together a broad spectrum of scientists and engineers for sustained scientific and technical interaction. This unique organization links the study elements of a think tank with the implementation elements of designing and developing prototypes.
Space Radiation Laboratory (SRL)
The Space Radiation Lab is involved in the development of hard X-ray detectors and grazing incidence focusing optics, as well as balloon and satellite payloads. SRL also develops particle detectors for balloons and satellites.
Walter Burke Institute for Theoretical Physics (WBITP)
The Burke Institute promotes research in theoretical physics by providing outstanding educational and research opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, bringing distinguished visiting scholars to Caltech, hosting workshops to accelerate the exchange of ideas, and encouraging cross-disciplinary collaborations.