Department of Physics

 

 

Faculty 1 - Department for  Physics

 

Physics researches the building blocks of nature and their interdependencies, looking both at the microcosm of the smallest particles and fundamental forces, as well as at the beginnings and the development of the universe - both of which can be understood surprisingly well by applying the same laws of physics.

 

The research on these natural laws is based on the study of individual atoms and their components. If atoms are bundled in larger arrangements such as nanostructures or macroscopic solid bodies, the interactions of the atoms result in completely new characteristics that, while a consequence of natural laws, cannot initially be deduced from the latter. Physics aims at describing all natural systems with as few as possible and simple laws, and at studying the potential of these laws in more complex arrangements. Thus, physics is not only the basis of the other natural sciences, but it is also always a driver for technological developments in engineering.

 

Physics at RWTH has two focus areas including both the experimental and theoretical aspects. In the area of elementary particle physics, working groups participate in the world's largest particle accelerators such as CERN's LHC in Geneva, as well as in large detectors for cosmic radiation and neutrinos in order to learn more about the world of the smallest particles and the composition of the universe. The physics of condensed matter, which studies the characteristics of the smallest solid particles using various experimental and theoretical approaches, focuses on future IT issues, in addition to developing methods.