Research focus
Research at the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research is focused on the physics and chemistry of condensed matter, including especially complex materials and nanoscale science. In both of these fields, electronic and ionic transport phenomena are of particular interest.Organization
The institute currently has eight departments.Electronic Structure Theory
Led bySolid State Spectroscopy
The Department of Solid State Spectroscopy is headed by Bernhard Keimer. Collective quantum phenomena in highly correlated electronic materials are studied by spectroscopic and scattering techniques. Topics of particular current interest include the interplay between charge, orbital, and spin degrees of freedom in transition metal oxides, the mechanism of high-temperature superconductivity, and the control of electronic phase behavior in metal-oxide superlattices. The department also develops new spectroscopic methods such as high-resolution neutron spectroscopy and spectral ellipsometry.Nanoscale Science
Research efforts in the Department of Nanoscale Science, directed by Klaus Kern, are centered on nanometer-scale science and technology with a focus on the bottom-up paradigm. The aim of the interdisciplinary research at the interface between physics, chemistry and biology is to gain control of materials at the atomic and molecular level, enabling the design of systems and devices with properties determined by quantum behavior on one hand and approaching functionalities of living matter on the other hand.Nanochemistry
The Lotsch department employs modern techniques of nanochemistry and combines them with classical methods of solid-state synthesis to develop materials with complex property profiles, including two-dimensional systems and layered heterostructures, porous frameworks, photonic nanostructures, and solid electrolytes for applications in (photo)catalysis, sensing, and solid-state batteries. Our research vision is to translate fundamental research into sustainable material solutions to meet today’s global challenges, specifically in energy conversion and storage.Physical Chemistry of Solids
Under Joachim Maier, the Department of Physical Chemistry of Solids is concerned withSolid State Quantum Electronics
Induced by quantum mechanical phenomena, heterostructures grown from complex materials offer a fascinating potential to create novel electron systems. Many have outstanding properties that are not otherwise found in nature. The design, growth, and exploration of such electron systems are at the focus of the Department of Solid State Quantum Electronics spearheaded by Klaus von Klitzing. The group is led byQuantum Many-Body Theory
Directed by Walter Metzner, Electronic properties of solids are analyzed and computed in the Department of Quantum Many-Body Theory with a main emphasis on systems where electronic correlations play a crucial role, such as cuprates, manganites and other transition metal oxides. Besides symmetry-breaking phase transitions leading to
Scientific members
*Research groups
13 research groups have been established at the institute since 2005: * Organic Electronics (Hagen Klauk, since 2005) * Ultrafast Nanooptics (Markus Lippitz, junior professorship at the University of Stuttgart, 2006-2014) * Theory of Semiconductor Nanostructures (Gabriel Bester, 2007-2014) * Tunneling Spectroscopy of Strongly Correlated Electron Materials (Peter Wahl, 2009-2014) * Computational Approaches to Superconductivity (Lilia Boeri, 2009-2013) * Solid State Nanophysics (Jurgen Smet, since 2011) * Nanochemistry (Bettina Lotsch, 2011-2016) * Dynamics of Nanoelectronic Systems (Sebastian Loth, Collaboration with the Center for Free-Electron Laser Science, 2011-2018) * Nanoscale Functional Heterostructures (Ionela Vrejoiu, 2012-2015) * X-ray spectroscopy of oxide heterostructures (Eva Benckiser, since 2014) * Ultrafast Solid State Spectroscopy (Stefan Kaiser, junior professorship at the University of Stuttgart, since 2014) * Electronic Structure of Correlated Materials (Philipp Hansmann, 2015-2018) * Computational Quantum Chemistry for Solids (Andreas Grüneis, 2015-2018)International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS)
The International Max Planck Research School for Condensed Matter Science (IMPRS-CMS) is a joint program of the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research (Max Planck Institut für Festkörperforschung) and the University of Stuttgart. The objective of the research school is high-quality fundamental research on condensed matter using advanced experimental and theoretical methods. The IMPRS takes on the challenge of creating an exciting, interdisciplinary PhD program that will motivate young scholars to choose a career in research.Max Planck Graduate Center for Quantum Materials (GC-QM)
Several Max Planck Institutes all across Germany contribute to the overall research activities in this very intriguing field, and the Max Planck Graduate Center for Quantum Materials builds on the complementary research activities at the participating institutes. More specifically, we choose a strategy which will lead to strong synergy effects: the activities of the center will primarily allow students to experience every aspect of world-class research in a highly competitive field and - in a more general sense - also strengthen the existing bonds and collaborations, thus driving the field as such into the future.Max Planck Center
The ''Max Planck-EPFL Center for Molecular Nanoscience and Technology'' serves as a forum for cooperative research by bringing together scientists of the Max Planck Society and the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL). The center explores novel scientific aspects of molecular nanostructures with a particular focus on new science relevant for sustainable energy, chemical sensing and biomedical technologies. The ''Max Planck-UBC-UTokyo Center for Quantum Materials''Emeritus scientific members
* Ole Krogh Andersen (1978-2012) * Martin Jansen (1998-2012) * Klaus von Klitzing * Hans-Joachim Queisser (1970-1997) * Arndt Simon (1974-2010) * Peter Wyder (1984-2001)Infrastructure
The Institute employs approximately 430 people, including 110 scientists, 90 PhD students and 70 guest scientists.External links
References
{{Authority control Solid State Research Materials science institutes Physics institutes