Since 2020, the Collaborative Research Centre SFB 1432 "Fluctuations and Nonlinearities in Classical and Quantum Matter beyond Equilibrium" at the University of Konstanz has examined how fluctuations and nonlinearities influence the behaviour of physical systems far from equilibrium. Now the German Research Foundation (DFG) has approved funding amounting to 14.6 million euros for a second period lasting until 2028.
Plenty achieved with even more planned
"In the first funding period, we developed experimental and conceptual foundations to enable innovative synergies. For example, we engaged in research into spin-mechanics coupling using ultrafast electron microscopy, novel non-linear frequency combs or the quantum dynamics of fluctuations in the electromagnetic field," says Wolfgang Belzig, summarizing some of the successes of the last four years. He is a professor of quantum transport theory in the Department of Physics at the University of Konstanz and spokesperson of SFB 1432.
The Collaborative Research Centre was launched with 19 projects and its team succeeded in developing new experimental methods for observing quantum fluctuations and ultrafast electron processes (e.g. in the attosecond range), making decisive progress in magnetism research (for example in the diffusive motion of skyrmions) and providing evidence of non-linear effects in nanomechanical systems and highly overdamped environments. The resulting 180 publications now share the findings with other researchers and the general public.
To achieve these goals, researchers from the fields of experimental and theoretical physics, chemistry and mathematics work closely together in the context of SFB 1432. In the second funding period, the team will expand its work to include a total of 23 projects. Among other topics, the researchers will focus on investigating fluctuations in ferroelectric and magnetically nonlinear materials, analyzing non-equilibrium effects in active systems and developing advanced mathematical analysis methods for complex dynamic systems.
"In the second funding period, we will reap the fruits of our intensive collaboration over the first four years. By including new aspects in our work, we will explore a wider spectrum of surprising physical phenomena and look for new synergies", Wolfgang Belzig adds expectantly.
Promotion of early career researchers and science communication
In the second funding period, the integrated Research Training Group "FaN" will continue to provide doctoral researchers a structured training programme tailored to the interdisciplinary requirements of SFB 1432. Of the 48 doctoral researchers working on the projects, 38 receive funding directly from the SFB. A new addition is a public relations project that aims to share SFB 1432's physics concepts with a wider audience, especially older secondary school students, using educational gaming and interactive formats.
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