Research
The research groups are organized into institutes and laboratories and provide excellent opportunities for carrying out research at the highest level. Applications for doctoral studies and post doctoral research stays should be addressed directly to the professors.
In Astrophysics (ASTRO), distant and nearby galaxies are observed to understand the nature of dark energy and dark matter and the formation and evolution of structure in the Universe over cosmic time spans. Studies of star and planet formation help us to understand better the conditions for the emergence of Life. Switzerland's memberships in the European Southern Observatory (ESO) and European Space Agency (ESA) allow making use of the most powerful Earth- and space-based telescopes.
In Condensed Matter Physics (LFKP), materials are designed and synthesized on all length scales, with effective dimensionalities varying between zero (single atoms or clusters, eg. quantum dots) to three (bulk materials). Their quantum-mechanical excitations are studied with help of transport and thermodynamic measurements, as well as with optical spectroscopy. The available nanostructuring facilities allow the fabrication and characterization of new electronic device components with possible applications in the field of quantum information; the latter require that ultimate control is reached over the relevant quantum-mechanical degrees of freedom, such as spin, charge, or photons. Synthesis and measurement techniques are used and further developed in-house, in collaboration with ETH facilities, and at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI).
In Neuroinformatics (INI), scientists work at the interface between the disciplines of physics, biology, engineering, mathematics, computer science, and cognitive and medical sciences, where they explore the principles according to which brains work. The insights into the functionality of brains is used to develop new paradigms of information processing and to implement these in artificial devices that interact intelligently with the world.
In Particle Physics (IPP), highest energy collisions in the Teravolt scale soon available at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN are studied. There is a strong participation in international efforts to understand neutrino properties, solve the puzzle of the missing matter in the Universe, and to study high-energy cosmic rays. In parallel, research and development of new detectors and their application to other fields are pursued.
In Quantum Optics and Electronics (IQE), novel quantum phenomena in ultracold bosonic and fermionic gases are studied and new optical sources are developed operating in the mid-infrared and Terahertz spectral regions. In mesoscopic physics, self-assembled, optically active quantum dots are studied with emphasis on spin dynamics and quantum correlations between individual photons. Within ultrafast physics, novel ultrafast lasers and measurement techniques from the infrared to the X-ray with pulse durations from femto- to attoseconds are developed.
Theoretical Physicists (ITP) perform calculations for the experiments at CERN and other major high-energy particle facilities, analyze the predictions of string theory with respect to the fundamental building blocks of our world, and explore what mathematics implies for our understanding of many body problems and quantum phenomena. New exotic phases in artificial and novel materials emerging at low temperatures (e.g., high temperature superconductivity) are searched for and the properties of new materials are investigated. The potential of quantum computing and cryptography is analyzed and the implementation of new methods of information processing in mesoscopic devices is investigated. Computer simulations are covering a wide area of topics, mainly in atom optics and in condensed matter theory. The Institute for Theoretical Physics runs the Center for Theoretical Studies (CTS) as a workshop and guest program. The director of the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre (CSCS) is a member of ITP.
At the Laboratory for Ion Beam Physics (LIP), accelerator mass spectroscopy (AMS) allows for archeological dating and for isotope tracing in geological and medical analysis. High energy ion beams are used for structural investigations and modifications of materials. The laboratory invests heavily in the development of next-generation instruments for accelerator mass spectroscopy.