At a glance

Research Group Bechinger: Colloidal Systems

Our group is largely interested in colloidal systems, i.e. mesoscopic particles with diameters of 10 – 1000 nanometers which are suspended in a liquid. Although colloids are much larger than atoms, both systems are essentially driven by the same underlying equations and therefore share many properties. This similarity is particularly striking in situations which are governed by structural aspects or fluctuations as being important for phase transitions, glass formation, critical and dissipation phenomena etc. In contrast to atomic systems where the interactions are dictated by the electronic structure, in colloidal systems they can be largely tuned by external parameters such as optical, electrical or magnetic fields. This distinguishes colloids as versatile model systems which become increasingly important for the understanding of fundamental processes in solid state and material science but also for experimental tests of theories related to statistical physics.

Research Group Schmidt-Mende: Hybrid Nanostructures

Hybrid Nanostructures

We are interested in organic and hybrid nanostructures. One focus of our research is concerned with the fabrication and investigation of organic/inorganic hybrid solar cells with a focus on the fundamental physical processes in the devices, such as organic and perovskite solar cells. We aim to control the morphology to investigate the influence on device performance and physics. We investigate organic-organic, organic-inorganic and inorganic-inorganic interfaces and nanostructures that are responsible for functional properties. Fundamental processes of charge generation, transport and recombination as well as light coupling are directly influenced by manipulation of the interface and its nanostructure.

Research Group Baum: Light and Matter

Atoms and electrons are the two central constituents of all materials in our surroundings, but their movements and reaction paths are so small and so fast that observation is close to impossible. By unifying electron microscopy with attosecond/femtosecond laser technology, we combine the awesome spatial resolution of modern electron microscopes with the spectacular time resolution that is offered by the cycle period of light. In this way, light-matter interaction and material transformations become visible on atomic dimensions in space and time.

Apl Professor Fonin: Low-dimensioinal Systems

Magneto- and spin electronics stand at the boundary between fundamental physics research, materials science and technological applications. Of particular interest here are new classes of magnetic materials as well as the surface and interface properties of magnetic nanostructures. We focus on the investigation of the interplay between structural, electronic and magnetic properties of low-dimensional systems at surfaces.

Research Group Scheer: Mesoscopic systems

Our research is mainly focused in the field of mesoscopic physics with strong emphasis on nanoelectronics where novel electronic transport phenomena in reduced dimensions are explored. Furthermore, it includes the study of mesoscopic superconductivity in hybrid systems consisting of superconductors and non-superconducting materials. In collaboration with Dr. Torsten Pietsch a variety of spin transport phenomena and nanomagnetism are studied in nanostructures down to the atomic scale. Another important research activity is given by the field of molecular electronics devoted to the study of electric and thermoelectric properties of single-molecule junctions with the aim to unravel their transport mechanisms. Jointly with Prof. Dr. Johannes Boneberg nanooptoelectronics, in which optical fields and nanoplasmonic elements are used to control the transport through atomic size conductors, are investigated. Finally, the vibrations of nanomembranes are explored as alternative control knob of the electronic transport behavior of atomic and molecular size circuits. 

Research Group Gönnenwein: Modern Materials Science

Our scientific work focuses on the fabrication and investigation of multifunctional magnetic heterostructures and devices. We use magnetotransport, spin caloritronics and spin dynamics experiments to unravel the properties of thin films and nanostructures with complex magnetic textures or interesting topological features. In addition, we work on spin physics of fluctuations and spin current noise within the framework of SFB 1432.

Apl Professor Boneberg: Nano Optics

In our group the interaction of light with nanostructures as well as the application of light for the formation of nanostructures is studied in the following project areas: 

• pulsed laser interference lithography 
• optical nearfields
• dewetting of metals 
• control of magnetic domains and domain walls by thermal gradients 
• influence of laser light onto the electronic transport properties of atomic-sized contacts

Apl Professor Hahn: Photovoltaics

The Photovoltaics Division has its roots in the Chair of Applied Solid States Physics founded by Prof. em. Ernst Bucher in the 1970s. It is now worldwide one of the largest university groups with applied research in silicon photovoltaics. Our equipment allows the complete processing of solar cells in industry-type and lab-type manners as well as a detailed characterization of wafers and solar cells. Numerous patents were transferred into industry.

A variety of processing technologies is available for fabrication of solar cells. On the one hand industrial-type processing of large area solar cells is available, e.g. based on screen-printing for metallization. But also more advanced technologies and processing steps can be applied to determine their potential for application in novel solar cell concepts.

Reserach Group Müller: Physics of Complex Materials

The focus of our group’s research is designing complex materials as well as their in-depth physical (electronic, magnetic, structural) characterization, with the goal of finding novel fundamental phenomena and functionalities possibly leading to applications in quantum-, information-, energy, or other technologies.

Research Group Karpitschka: Soft and living matter physics

The group investigates the behavior of complex fluids at their interfaces with solids and gases. For instance, ball pens work well on paper, but would typically fail on glass. The reason for this is the different interaction of the ink, a complex fluid, with the different kinds of surfaces. Similarly, the quality of an ink-jet print depends critically on the drying behavior of the ink which is deposited as tiny droplets onto almost any kind of surface. From ambient humidity to surface porosity, various parameters will impact this process. The impact of our projects spans from everyday occurrence (e.g. paper) over biology to computer technology (silicon microchips).

Apl Professor Di Bernado: Superconducting spintronics and quantum devices

Our group focuses on the investigation of the physical properties of systems combining superconductor (S) and ferromagnet (F) materials. Our research fits into the emerging research field currently known as ''superconducting spintronics'' which aims at developing electronic devices with high energy efficiency for large data centers and quantum technology applications. 

Research Group Burkard: Condensed Matter Theory and Quantum Information 

Our research focus is on the following topics:

• Quantum computing
• Spin physics and spin qubits
• Hybrid quantum systems
• 2D Materials
• Time-domain quantum optics

Research Group Zilberberg: Theory of Condensed Matter

In recent years, there has been rapid development in control and manipulation of coherent quantum systems. These advances allow for the study and utilization of coherent quantum phenomena as well as the exploration of quantum mechanical concepts that were formerly of purely theoretical interest in realistic many-body setups. Our research is centered on the study of electronic and photonic quantum engineered systems, with all its modern ramifications such as topology, out-of-equilibrium, controllability, and its consequences for fundamental physics and device applications. We are theoreticians that value a strong synergy with experiments for inter-disciplinary results.

Research Group Fuchs: Soft Condensed Matter

Soft Matter comprises many important materials in everyday use, such as colloidal dispersions, emulsions, liquid crystals and polymeric materials. Proteins, cells, and other constituents of living organisms have many properties in common with these synthetic substances. Soft matter systems are characterized by collective phenomena which occur at very low frequencies. Elastic deformations require forces orders of magnitude smaller than in conventional crystalline solids, and thermal fluctuations play a dominant role. Soft matter thus is a testing ground for advancing "Statistical Physics" and provides many model systems for the investigation of fundamental topics.

In our group, we develop first principles approaches in the frame of Statistical Physics and the classical "Theory of Many Body Systems", in order to understand structural and transport properties of novel soft matter systems, especially far from thermal equilibrium. 

Research Group Belzig: Theory of Quantum Transport

Our research focus is on the following topics:

• Theory of Condensed Matter and Quantum Transport
• Superconductivity, Superconducting Nanostructures and Devices
• Quantum Theory and Quantum Simulation
• Hybrid Quantum and Nanoelectromechanical Systems
• Quantum Magnonics and Spin Transport in Heterostructures

Research Group Nowak: Theory of Magnetic Materials

Research in our group is in condensed-matter theory and statistical physics with a focus on materials for spintronic applications, as, e.g. data processing, sensor systems, energy conversion, and biomedical therapies. A key aspect in spintronics is the transport and control of angular momentum, where intriguing phenomena are often caused by spin-orbit interaction, a relativistic effect that couples the electron’s spin to its orbital motion and plays a central role in quantum materials. Its manifestations include phenomena like Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction, a chiral spin-spin interaction that fosters topological spin textures. Understanding the flow of angular momentum is also vital for the progress of ultrafast spin dynamics. Recent work on ultrafast demagnetization in ferromagnets has demonstrated that angular momentum can be transferred from the spin system to the lattice on femtosecond time scales. These findings add another piece to the mysteries of spintronics, namely, the understanding of the microscopic mechanisms that transfer angular momentum between the spin system and the lattice.

Research Group Leitenstorfer: Ultrafast Phenomena and Photonics

Our research focus is on the following topics:

• Ultrafast quantum photonics
• Multi-terahertz physics and technology
• Femtosecond technology and applications