Solid State Physics

Central research topic of the solid-state theory group is nanophysics. This group consists of Prof. Walter Pötz (group leader), Ao. Prof. Ulrich Hohenester, and Ass.-Prof. Peter Puschnig, as well as a number of PhD and Master students and post docs.

Special research topics concern themselves with ab-initio electronic structure calculations, the simulation of plasmons on nanoparticles, quantum transport, coherent and optical properties of nanostructures (semi-conductors, surfaces, topological insulators, ...), quantum control (Bose-Einstein condensates, quantum gates), as well as spintronics.

Complex tasks typically are tackled in a combination of analytic model development and numerical analysis. The more computer intensive projects generally are executed on various computer clusters.

Next to a number of national and international collaborations, this group is also strongly interlinked with in-house experimental efforts and partners at the TU Graz and has a strong publication record.

This group is member of the University's focal programs “Models and Simulation” and “Nanosciences and Nanoanalytics”.

Individual Research Profiles:

Theoretical Nanophysics

Ulrich Hohenester (http://physik.uni-graz.at/~uxh/):

Simulation of metallic and semiconducting nanostructures is at the heart of our research activities. In collaboration with the experimental nanooptics group we investigate plasmonic nanoparticles, which can be used for numerous applications (sensorics, solar cells, novel light sources). Within this collaboration we have also developed the Matlab toolbox MNPBEM for the simulation of plasmonic nanoparticles. Other research activities are concerned with the optical properties and quantum optics with semiconductor quantum dots, as well as optimal quantum control of Bose-Einstein condensates in atom chips.

Theoretical Nanophysics

Walter Poetz (http://physik.uni-graz.at/~wap/):

We study the dynamics and control of open quantum systems in the context of solid-state quantum gate realizations. Current efforts in quantum transport theory concentrate on spintronics with the goal of identification of room temperature spin filters. We also develop methods to and study the dynamics of Dirac fermions on the surface of topological insulator surfaces.

Ab-Initio Electronic Structure Calculations

Peter Puschnig (http://physik.uni-graz.at/~pep/):

This subgroup deals with the parameter-free computation of electronic, structural and optical properties of materials based on a quantum mechanical treatment of the many-electron problem in the framework of density functional theory. A focus lies on the ab-initio description of electronic and optical properties of organic semiconductors and their interfaces with surfaces and nanostructures.

Contact:

Solid-State Theory,

Institute of Physics,

Universitätsplatz 5,

Universität Graz,

A-8010 Graz,

AustriaTel.: (43) [0] 316 380 5225,

Fax.: (43) [0] 316 380 9820

Email: itp(at)uni-graz.at

Web Page: physik.uni-graz.at/itp/sst/