Department of Physics

BioNanoPhysics Center

Participating research groups

Plasmonic Nanostructures

Prof. Dr. Monika Fleischer

Our research focuses on light-matter-interaction in plasmonic nanostructures and their hybrid systems. For this purpose, lithographic nano-structuring techniques, high-resolution microscopy and spectroscopy as well as numerical simulations are applied. We thus investigate the spectral properties of nano-antennas, integrate them in optical sensors, or analyse charge and energy transfer processes to nano-emitters.

Advanced Materials and Electron Microscopy

Prof. Dr. Jannik Meyer 

We investigate novel materials, in particular 2D materials and other low-dimensional structures, which possess unique electronic, mechanical or optical properties that can be combined in various ways by simply stacking the layers on top of each other. We study the structure, structure-property relationships, and new ways for the controlled manipulation of these materials, primarily by atomic resolution transmission electron microscopy.

Computational and Theoretical Soft Matter

Prof. Dr. Martin Oettel

We investigate equilibrium and dynamics of simple colloidal models using analytical theory and many-particle simulations. Applications range from hard sphere systems via coarse-graining in protein systems to thin film growth which are pursued in collaboration with other members of the Center.

Statistical Physics of Soft- and Biological Matter

Prof. Dr. Roland Roth

We investigate the structure, thermodynamics and phase behavior of highly confined many body systems of soft- and biological matter, such as fluids, colloidal suspensions and protein solutions, using state of the art statistical mechanical approaches, including classical density functional theory (DFT) and computer simulations. We have strong collaborations with other groups of the Center.

Experimental Non-Equilibrium Many Body Physics

apl. Prof. Dr. Hans-Joachim Schöpe

Physical phenomena far from equilibrium still represent one of the last unsolved mysteries in classical physics. Out of equilibrium, special non-stationary processes lead the system to the next equilibrium state. To identify these, we study simple colloidal model systems with highly sophisticated experiments using microscopy, scattering, and spectroscopy. Among other things, a deeper understanding of these processes helps to comprehend self-organization and to design new materials.

NanoBioPhysics and Medical Physics

Prof. Dr. Tilman Schäffer

We investigate mechanical properties of living cells and tissues, dynamic interactions of individual biomolecules and transport processes in artificial and natural membranes. For this purpose, we develop and use novel instruments and methods of high-resolution microscopy, in particular atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning ion conductivity microscopy (SICM), combined with optical microscopy (fluorescence microscopy, laser scanning microscopy).

Physics of Molecular and Biological Matter

Prof. Dr. Dr. hc. Frank Schreiber

We investigate molecular and biological matter with regard to physical-quantitative questions of structure formation, kinetics, dynamics and spectroscopic properties. In doing so, we use and develop novel scattering methods, in particular using modern synchrotron and neutron sources. Applications range from complex hybrid materials for solar cells to multicomponent protein systems.

Mesoscopic Physics and Nanostructures

Prof. Dr. David Wharam

The electronic properties of semiconducting nanostructures provides a productive area of research with regard to both their fundamental properties as well as the development of future devices and device concepts. In the Working Group novel quantum devices, e.g. quantum-dots and quantum-point-contacts, based upon semiconductor heterostructures are fabricated using modern methods in nanotechnology, and their electronic properties at low temperatures investigated.

Coopted research groups

Cellular Nanoscience

Prof. Dr. Erik Schäffer (Center for Plant Molecular Biology)

Our interdisciplinary research in biophysics focuses on developing and applying single-molecule label-free, fluorescence, and force microscopy techniques - high-resolution optical tweezers and novel trapping probes - to understand how molecular machines, such as kinesin transport motors and DNA repair proteins, work mechanically to fulfill their cellular function.