News
News from our physics research and the academic life at the department of physics
Successful Program Extended: French-German Double Degree Master’s Program in Physics
The Franco-German University (DFH) has renewed its funding for another four years for the joint Master’s program in Physics offered by Freie Universität Berlin and the Institut Polytechnique de Paris. Each year, up to ten students can be admitted to this double-degree program.
Apr 27, 2026
How Sensitive are the Computers of the Future?
New publication in Nature Physics : An international research team led by quantum physicist Prof. Dr. Jens Eisert shows limitations of fault-tolerant quantum computing.
Apr 17, 2026
Dr. Vibhuti N. Rai receives Gerhard Ertl Young Investigator Award 2026
Dr. Vibhuti N. Rai, a postdoctoral researcher in the Franke research group, has been awarded the prestigious Gerhard Ertl Young Investigator Award 2026.
Mar 27, 2026
Deutschlandstipendium: 10 Physics Students Receive Stipends in the Summer Semester 2026
For 15 years, the Deutschlandstipendium has supported students from all disciplines – including physics. In the summer semester 2026, three bachelor’s, three master’s, and four teacher-training physics students will receive financial support of 300 euros per month.
Mar 10, 2026
Application for the Summer Semester 2026
In response to the strong demand for an extension of the application deadline for Master’s degree programs, we will reopen the application portal from February 18 to February 28, 2026.
Feb 13, 2026
Einstein Foundation Berlin Supports the Research of Quantum Physicist Prof. Dr. Christiane Koch
The research project ' Error Suppression, Correction, and Mitigation in Adiabatic Quantum Computation' will be funded by the Einstein Foundation Berlin with around 500,000 euros over the next three years.
Jan 07, 2026
Quantum Physicist Dr. Philippe Faist Receives ERC Consolidator Grant
The European Research Council is funding Dr. Philippe Faist's (Eisert Group) research project QPhysComplex with nearly two million euros.
Dec 10, 2025
Physical Society of Berlin Honoures Best Physics Teachers and School Students
On 19 November 2025, the Physical Society of Berlin honored the best physics teachers as well as school students who achieved outstanding performance in upper-level physics courses. The award ceremony took place in a festive setting with around 250 guests at Freie Universität Berlin.
Dec 02, 2025
Collaborative Research Center/Transregio 227 “Ultrafast Spin Dynamics” enters its third funding period
The transregional Collaborative Research Center “Ultrafast Spin Dynamics” will receive an additional ten million euros in funding from the DFG until 2029.
Nov 24, 2025
FUturist Projects from the Department of Physics
Twice now, projects from the Department of Physics have been honored with a FUturist Award. In 2024, the project FUturesLiteracy (Dau, Kubsch) impressed the jury with its transformative approach to teaching. In 2025, the project FUFLINTAΦ, initiated by Eva Glomski (Dau, Kubsch), received the award for its contribution to sustainable development in science. New project ideas for the next round of the FUturist call can be submitted until November 30, 2025 . Projects that promote socio-ecological change in teaching, research, administration, and on campus are eligible for funding of 5,000 euros and may be proposed by any member of the university community.
Nov 12, 2025
Quantum Physicists at Freie Universität Berlin Congratulate 2025 Physics Nobel Laureates
In the year that marks the 100th anniversary of quantum physics, the Nobel Committee honors the groundbreaking foundational research in quantum mechanics conducted in the 1980s by John Clarke, Michel Devoret, and John Martinis in the United States. The quantum physicists at Freie Universität Berlin warmly congratulate the American researchers and welcome the recognition of their fundamental contributions.
Oct 08, 2025
Attosecond Control and Measurement of Chiral Photoionization Dynamics
New Publications in Nature and Physical Review Research : For the first time, an international research team, including Professor Dr. Christiane Koch’s group, has demonstrated that chiral electron dynamics can be measured and controlled on their natural attosecond timescale.
Sep 15, 2025
Advancing Protein Simulation with Machine Learning
The research team led by Professor Dr. Cecilia Clementi has achieved a breakthrough in the computer simulation of proteins – the building blocks of life. In the July issue of the journal Nature Chemistry , the international team presented CGSchNet, a machine-learned coarse-grained (CG) model that can accurately and efficiently simulate proteins like never before. Operating significantly faster than traditional all-atom molecular dynamics, CGSchNet enables larger proteins and complex systems to be explored – offering potential applications in drug discovery and protein engineering that could advance cancer treatment methods for example
Jul 28, 2025
Physics Study Award 2025: Physical Society of Berlin (PGzB) Honors Three Master's Graduates from Freie Universität Berlin
The Physical Society of Berlin (PGzB) has honored Chantal Müller (Reich Group), Anton Halaski (Koch Group), and Jacopo Venturin (Clementi Group) for their outstanding academic achievements in the Physics Master’s program. The awards were presented during a celebratory event held on July 10, 2025, at the PTB.
Jul 16, 2025
Excellent Quantum Physics Research Between Europe and Africa
Quantum physicists at Freie Universität Berlin are collaborating with the pan-African scientific excellence network AIMS. As part of this collaboration, Dr. Ryan Sweke holds the German Research Chair at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS). This scientific partnership in the field of Quantum Machine Learning (QML) was initiated by Prof. Dr. Jens Eisert and is funded by the Alexander von Humboldt-Foundation and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). Freie Universität Berlin serves as the host institution for this international collaboration.
Jul 07, 2025
Oliver Gueckstock Receives the Young Scientist Award of the German Terahertz Center
Dr. Oliver Gueckstock from the Kampfrath Group was honored by the German Terahertz Center for his outstanding doctoral thesis.
Jun 27, 2025
Ordóñez Group and Müller Group – New Research Groups at the Department of Physics
Two new Emmy Noether junior research groups have started their work at the Department of Physics. We warmly welcome the scientists and wish them great success in their research!
Jun 10, 2025
New Collaborative Research Center at the Department of Physics
Molecules in two-dimensional materials are the focus of a new Collaborative Research Center (CRC) that will be funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) with over ten million euros for approximately four years. The spokesperson for CRC 1772 is physicist Prof. Dr. Stephanie Reich. The center will begin its work in October 2025.
Jun 02, 2025
New Excellence Cluster "Center for Chiral Electronics"
Freie Universität Berlin, together with Martin Luther University, the Max Planck Institute for Microstructure Physics in Halle, and the University of Regensburg, is pleased to announce the funding of joint cutting-edge research through the Excellence Cluster " Center for Chiral Electronics " (CCE). The ambitious research program aims to develop concepts for energy-efficient electronics.
May 23, 2025
How to Use Spintronics to Detect Terahertz Waves
Researchers from the Terahertz Physics Group (Kampfrath's Group) have demonstrated a novel approach to probing ultrafast phenomena using broadband terahertz pulses. In their study, published in Science Advances , they observed charge-to-spin conversion at the interface of two nanometer-thin metallic layers – occurring at extremely high terahertz frequencies. These findings not only advance our understanding of interfacial processes but also open up new possibilities for detecting terahertz electric fields.
Apr 21, 2025
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