Master of Physics

The Master of Science in Physics is awarded after the completion of a research-oriented study programme, which introduces students to the frontier of research in physics. The main goal of this programme is to develop the ability to work efficiently and independently at the forefront of research and technology development in the academic world and the business sector. This requires both an introduction to the general practice of scientific work and a professional specialisation in a field of physics. Students are taught knowledge and skills in several areas of physics and are trained in independent scientific work. In particular, they acquire in-depth knowledge in three basic research areas (solid state physics, quantum optics, and gravitational physics) and carry out a research project in one of these areas. Six experimental groups and four theory oriented groups work in quantum optics, covering a broad spectrum of topics, including: atom optics and quantum sensors, ultra-cold quantum gases, optomechanics, quantum dynamics in external light fields, ultrafast laser optics, quantum computing, quantum metrology, applied laser physics, trapped-ion quantum engineering, and optical clocks. Four experimental groups and three theoretical groups work in solid-state physics. The research topics include low-dimensional solids (graphene, atomic wires, thin films), nanostructures (quantum dots), solar energy, strongly correlated electrons, exactly solvable quantum systems, and quantum transport. Several experimental and theoretical groups conduct research related to gravitational physics at our faculty and at the associated Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute). The research topics include laser interferometry and gravitational wave astronomy on ground, and in space, quantum control, string theory, general relativity, cosmology. Additional research fields for Master's theses are radioecology and quantum information theory. In addition, a Master's research project can be carried out in several collaborating research centres such as the Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V.