DCF research groups

The group is engaged in experimental studies of liquid crystals and similar materials at interfaces. Main topics are wetting, anchoring, and other interface-induced phenomena, defects in smectic films, and the use of liquid-crystal structures for new self-organizing soft matter systems. [more]

A growing number of experimental techniques relies heavily on short-pulse lasers. Our laser facility delivers pico- as well as femtosecond pulses mainly used for experiments that take advantage of non-linear optical processes (e.g., multiphoton laser-scanning microscopy, Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering microscopy). [more]

We study systems that involve a 'human component'. We try to find 'the right' tools to understand social systems on various scales – from minimal model systems showing collective behavior (e.g. emergence of cooperation) to societal transformations (e.g. towards sustainable mobility). We apply methods from statistical physics, computer simulations, as well as empirical data analysis. [more]

Symmetry breaking and pattern formation are striking collective phenomena which can be observed in many systems far from thermal equilibrium. Well-known examples are the swarming of starlings, patterns in bacterial colonies, laning in colloidal suspensions, thermal convection, or the stop-and-go waves in a traffic jam. A primordial example is the clustering of the granular dust in the accretion discs surrounding young stars, which eventually leads to the formation of planets, such as Earth. [more]

The group investigates the behavior of complex fluids at their interfaces with solids and gases. For instance, ball pens work well on paper, but would typically fail on glass. The reason for this is the different interaction of the ink, a complex fluid, with the different kinds of surfaces. The impact of our projects spans from everyday occurrence (e.g. paper) over Biology to computer technology (silicon microchips). [more]