Rate My Professor Paul Oxley

College of the Holy Cross

Physics Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics Plasma Physics Astrophysics Experimental Physics

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5.05/4/2026

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About Paul

Paul Oxley serves as Associate Professor and Department Chair in the Physics Department at the College of the Holy Cross, a position he has held since 2005. He earned a B.A. Honors in Physics with First Class honors from New College, Oxford University in 1994 and a Ph.D. in Physics from Harvard University in 2003, where his thesis focused on the production of slow antihydrogen from antimatter plasmas. Prior to joining Holy Cross, Oxley was a Research Associate in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Minnesota from 2003 to 2005 and a Research Scientist at New College, Oxford University from 1997 to 2003. His early career also included a role at Furukawa Research and Engineering Europe Ltd. from 1994 to 1995.

Oxley's research centers on experimental atomic physics, with a specialization in ion-atom collision studies, particularly charge transfer collisions that have applications in astrophysical and fusion plasma research. In his laboratory at Holy Cross, he collaborates with undergraduate students to conduct experiments using lithium atomic beams intersecting mass-selected ion beams, measuring total charge transfer cross sections for various ions. This work provides critical data to test theoretical models of these complex three-body interactions. Additional research interests encompass laser spectroscopy of highly excited atoms to test quantum electrodynamics, plasma physics, nuclear fusion, astrophysics, and applied magnetism, including measurements of magnetic properties of stainless steels at room and cryogenic temperatures. Key publications include 'Measurements of charge transfer and target-electron-loss cross sections for H+, D+, and He+ impact on lithium at low energies' (Physical Review A 105, 032824, 2022), 'Precision Atomic Beam Density Characterization by Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy' (Review of Scientific Instruments 87, 093103, 2016), 'Frequency Stabilization of Multiple Lasers and Rydberg Atom Spectroscopy' (Applied Physics B: Lasers and Optics, 2010), 'Measurement of the Lithium 10p Fine Structure Interval and Absolute Energy' (Physical Review A 81, 024501, 2010), 'Apparatus for magnetization and efficient demagnetization of magnetic materials' (IEEE Transactions on Magnetics 45, 3274-3283, 2009), and seminal works from his Harvard period such as 'Driven Production of Cold Antihydrogen and the First Measured Distribution of Antihydrogen States' (Physical Review Letters 89, 233401, 2002) and 'Background-Free Observation of Cold Antihydrogen' (Physical Review Letters 89, 213401, 2002). Oxley has received the Research Corporation Cottrell College Science Award (2006-2008, $82,000) and multiple Holy Cross Faculty Scholarship Awards for projects including lithium atomic beam apparatus and ion detection systems. He has delivered invited lectures at Wesleyan University, Amherst College, Columbia University's Nevis Laboratory, and the International Symposium on Ion-Atom Collisions in Paris. His service includes membership on the Committee on Tenure and Promotion, Curriculum Committee chair, and co-organizer of the New England Section of the American Physical Society meeting.