Institute of Theoretical Physics

Contact

Prof. Dr. Ralf Schützhold

Director Institute of Theoretical Physics
r.schuetzholdhzdr.de
Phone: +49 351 260 3618

Jana Oswald

Secretary Institute of Theoretical Physics
Secretary
j.oswaldhzdr.de
Phone: +49 351 260 3308

SFB 1242

Faculty of Physics TU Dresden

HI Jena

University Duisburg-Essen

Institute of Theoretical Physics

Scientific Profile

Non-equlibrium phenomena lead to many fascinating effects in various areas of physics. Often one finds astonishing parallels between quite different disciplines: For example, ultra-cold atoms or ions in traps display very similar mechanisms to electrons and phonons in solids. Further parallels exist between the creation of electron-positron pairs in extremely strong laser fields (so far only a prediction) and other effects such as nuclear fusion or the dielectric break-down in semi-conductor diodes. On a completely different scale, effects in extreme environments, such as around black hole or in the early universe, do also display interesting analogies to laboratory systems, e.g., ultra-cold atoms or ions in traps.

In the Institute of Theoretical Physics at HZDR, such non-equlibrium phenomena are investigated by predominantly analytical means. Key aspects include strong-field physics (in collaboration with the Institute of Radiation Physics), the fascinating properties of the promising material graphene (in collaboration with the Institute of Ion Beam Physics and Materials Research), as well as strongly correlated systems (which provides a link to the Dresden High Magnetic Field Laboratory).