Condensed matter physics is the study of the macroscopic and nanoscopic properties of materials. It seeks to understand emergent, collective properties of large numbers of electrons, atoms, or molecules from underlying principles of quantum mechanics. Theoretical research in condensed matter physics is carried out in several institutes in the Department of Physics. Interests range from the study of quantum transport, superconductivity, quantum magnetism, optics and photonics, dynamics of out-of-equilibrium quantum systems, and quantum information theory.

The core subjects of the Theory of Condensed Matter course program are:

  • Condensed Matter Theory I, Fundamentals (and Advanced Topics)
  • Condensed Matter Theory II: Many-Body Theory, Fundamentals (and Advanced Topics)

where the "Advanced Topics" can be deselected as needed, e.g., as part of the minor. In these core subjects, we lay the foundations of solid-state theory and quantum field theory techniques for describing interacting many-body systems.

In addition, we offer a number of exciting special courses that are very close to current research activities:

  • Physics of Quantum Information
  • Theory and Applications of Quantum Machines
  • Computational Condensed Matter Physics Computational Condensed Matter Physics
  • Field Theories of Condensed Matter: Conformal Field Theory
  • Theoretical Molecular Biophysics
  • Quantum Theories of Condensed Matter: Nonequilibrium Dissipative Systems
  • Quantum Field Theoretical Methods in Condensed Matter: Quantum Criticality 
  • Theoretical Nanooptics
  • The ABC of Density Functional Theory
  • Theoretical Quantum Optics 
  • Superconductivity, Josephson effect and applications,
  • Theory of Magnetism,
  • Mathematical Methods of Theoretical Physics
  • Theory of Strongly Correlated Electron Systems

In the advanced seminar you will work deeply into a current research topic in condensed matter theory and give a talk on it.

The course exercises will help you to master the numerous technical and mathematical methods used to treat the course program. This will prepare you optimally for a master's thesis in one of the Theory of Condensed Matter working groups.