Nanoscience, Novel Solid State Physics and Modern Materials

The findings of nanoscience can be found everywhere in our daily life. The fabrication and imaging of nanostructures has significantly improved in the recent years. Single molecules and even atoms can be visualized. Only this progress makes it possible to investigate the fundamental properties of nanostructures. In our department, we investigate electronic and also magnetic properties of single molecules, which might play an important role for prospective molecular electric circuitry or data storage devices.

Optical phenomena can be measured in space and time with the help of attosecond electron microscopy. Nanostructures also play a major role in energy conversion processes. The interaction between light and matter allows their nanostructuring. Charge transport forms the physical basis for components in microelectronics. Furthermore, one can also use the spin of the electrons to process and store digital information. The corresponding research field is often referred to as spintronics (or spin electronics), since spin and charge play an important role. In Konstanz we are investigating basic concepts for future spintronic components. In addition to the development of suitable materials, the focus is on pure spin currents, the microscopic understanding of charge, spin and thermal transport, as well as the transition to the world of quantum physics. The work includes theories, simulations and experiments from the atomic to the micrometer scale.

The light-matter interaction allows nanostructuring of matter. Material systems, which are investigated in the department, range from 1D to 3D materials from organic molecules, graphene, metal-clusters, semiconductors, superconducting materials, magnetic thin films and heterostructures, magnetic nanoparticles to metal-oxides, just to name a few.