Research into customized quantum materials

The cluster combines two of the leading research locations for condensed matter and has entered the second funding period of the Excellence Strategy of the federal and state governments in 2026.

New materials with customized functionalities form the basis of modern technologies, from information processing to energy supply and mobility. Solid-state physics, the pioneer of many significant technological breakthroughs, has introduced the revolutionary concept of topology: Materials can exhibit fascinating and robust global properties that are not visible in local measurements.

The Cluster of Excellence "Complexity, Topology and Dynamics in Quantum Materials (ctd.qmat)" has set itself the goal of understanding, mastering and applying new quantum materials and thus creating the basis for future technologies. Researchers from physics, chemistry and materials science are pursuing an interdisciplinary program: It combines theory and experiment in the search for materials, the investigation of new physical phenomena, the manipulation of quantum physical states, the development of innovative applications and the development of a systematic understanding of topological physics. The cluster investigates novel materials in which quantum mechanics, topology and physical and chemical complexity generate new properties and phenomena.

Topology has established itself worldwide as one of the most important branches of solid state physics, with Würzburg and Dresden as leading research locations in Germany. By combining the complementary expertise and infrastructure of both locations, ctd.qmat has developed into an enormously productive and globally visible beacon that attracts the best minds in this field and radiates out into society.

ctd.qmat is divided into four research areas. Three are dedicated to different platforms of topological physics: electron transport, magnetism and photonics & metamaterials. The fourth area builds a bridge to technological applications; examples from the first funding period are topological lasers, topological catalysts and quantum sensors.

Since the establishment of the cluster, the field of research has developed at breathtaking speed. Each new discovery leads to further, more profound questions. Experimental and theoretical advances have made it possible to investigate problems and regimes that were previously almost inaccessible. We have discovered new materials, developed new platforms for topological physics, made conceptual advances, and used all this for new topology-based applications. In particular, we have uncovered remarkable quantum dynamical phenomena over large length and time scales. Dynamics, which offers promising prospects for novel functionalities, has therefore become an additional guiding theme of the cluster in the current funding phase. With its integrated, multi-layered research strategy, ctd.qmat is excellently positioned to advance this highly topical field of research with further fundamental contributions.