Institute for Theoretical Physics

Research at the Institute for Theoretical Physics

Overview

Theoretical physics aims to organize the variety of physical phenomena in a systematic way, to explain and to develop new predictions based on theoretical models. The current focus of the research groups at the Institute for Theoretical Physics is in the area of systems of condensed matter far from equilibrium. All research groups of the institute contribute to the SFB 910 Control of self-organizing non-linear systems.


The research group Quantum Non-Equilibrium Dynamics investigates quantum systems far from thermal equilibrium and their control via strong driving and/or dissipation. To this end, intuitive analytical and numerical methods are combined with efficient numerical approaches. The focus lies on engineered many-body systems (quantum simulators), such as ultracold atoms or photonic systems.


Field-matter interaction in many-particle systems is investigated in the research group Nonlinear Optics and Quantum Electronics. The focus is on the quantum field theoretical description of collective quantum excitations from excitons, plasmons and phonons and their interaction with the quantized radiation field.


The research group Computer Simulations and Theory of Complex Fluids deals with the theoretical description of colloid systems and active liquid crystals using methods of statistical physics. Current topics are structure formation away from equilibrium, nonlinear material properties, as well as fluctuations and thermodynamics.


The research group Nonlinear Laser Dynamics focusses on the emission behavior of optical networks. Semi-classical stochastic delay differential equations are used and numerically investigated for the modeling. In addition to new analysis methods, applications for telecommunications and machine learning are being developed.


The working group Statistical Physics of Soft Matter and Biological Systems deals with a broad spectrum of questions that deal with the formation of complex structures and with dynamic processes in complex fluids and in biology. In particular, we study the active movement and hydrodynamics of micro swimmers.

RTG 1558

The Research Training Group used successfully the potential of the research groups of the Institute, to teach several generations of PhD students