The department is part of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and unites four institutes: the Argelander Institute for Astronomy, the Helmholtz Institute for Radiation and Nuclear Physics, the Institute for Applied Physics and the Physikalisches Institut. The four institutes conduct a broad spectrum of research - from nuclear, hadron and particle physics to optics, condensed matter and radio astronomy. The unique infrastructure and close integration of research and teaching offers an outstanding environment for science at an international level.
In the further funded cluster ML4Q - Matter and Light for Quantum Information, scientists are researching the fundamentals of quantum computers and quantum networks together with the University of Cologne, RWTH Aachen University and Forschungszentrum Jülich. The aim is to develop qubit platforms based on innovative materials and to enable fault-tolerant quantum computing using novel algorithms. The project is coordinated by Prof. Dr. Simon Stellmer at the Bonn site.
The Color meets Flavor cluster is dedicated to researching the fundamental structure of matter - in particular the interplay between the strong ("color") and weak ("flavor") interactions. The aim is to identify new physical phenomena beyond the Standard Model using precise experiments and theoretical modeling. The investigations range from low-energy experiments at the ELSA accelerator to high-energy experiments at CERN or the KEK. In addition to the University of Bonn, the Technical University of Dortmund, the University of Siegen and Forschungszentrum Jülich are also involved. The spokesperson of the cluster is Prof. Dr. Jochen Dingfelder.
The astrophysical Cluster of Excellence Our Dynamic Universe focuses on the temporal development of the universe - from the formation of planets and stars to the structure of large-scale cosmic processes. In close cooperation with the University of Cologne, the researchers combine observations, laboratory astrophysics, modern simulations and data science methods to understand the dynamics of matter and energy flows in the cosmos. On the Bonn side, the cluster is co-led by Prof. Dr. Cristiano Porciani.
All three clusters are interdisciplinary and involve not only universities but also non-university partners such as Forschungszentrum Jülich and CERN. They create attractive research environments for young scientists and strengthen Bonn as a research location in the long term. The new Clusters of Excellence will begin an initial seven-year funding phase on January 1, 2026. A common goal of the three Clusters of Excellence is to further develop teaching in the faculty in a targeted manner and to inspire young people for the natural sciences.