Experimental condensed matter physics

the group of Prof. H.-J. Güntherodt
The main activity of the group is focused onto the application of scanning probe methods (SPM) on a wide variety of surfaces. The instruments (STM, LTSTM, AFM, MRFM, MFM, SNOM, FAMARS) are operated in various environments, such as air, UHV and fluids, from room temperature down to 1.5 K.

the group of Prof. E. Meyer
The aim is to investigate physics of surfaces on the nanometer-scale. Ultra-sensitive force sensors are being developed. Phenomena, such as true atomic resolution of dynamic force microscopy, friction on the atomic scale, Kelvin force microscopy and mechanical detection of magnetic resonance are studied. One of the ultimate goals is the detection of single spins.

the group of Prof. P. Oelhafen
This group is working in the fields of general surface physics, experimental determination of the electronic structure of disordered condensed matter and thin film technology. The experimental methods include photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS, XPS, time resolved photoelectron spectroscopy on laser excited sample surfaces), optical characterization methods and thin film deposition by various plasma assisted preparation techniques.

the group of Prof. C. Schönenberger
Our research is directed towards static and dynamic electric-transport properties of nanostructures of various kind including normal metals, superconductors, and organic conductors. The structures are fabricated either by high-resolution electron-beam lithography or by using a chemical approach.

the group of Prof. D. M. Zumbühl
Research focuses on mesoscopic and nanoscale physics, quantum coherence, spin and electron interactions in semiconductor nanostructures such as laterally gated quantum dots. We are pursuing coherent manipulation of quantum mechanical degrees of freedom in solid state nanostructures with the ultimate goal of implementing quantum computation schemes, for example in coupled electron spin qubits.