Complex Order

Prof. Kurt Binder (FB 08 Physics)
Prof. Hans-Joachim Elmers (FB 08 Physics)
Prof. Hans-Jürgen Butt (MPI Polymer Research)
Prof. Gerd Schönhense (FB 08 Physics)
Prof. Thomas Palberg (FB 08 Physics)
Prof. Kurt Kremer (MPI Polymer Research)
Prof. Friederike Schmid (FB 08 Physics)

In most modern materials but particularly in magnetic, in soft and in biologic matter, formation of order is not restricted to mere 1st order phase-transitions like crystallization or condensation. Rather, the focus will here be on tailored interactions between constituents and we shall exploit self organization processes under the influence of additional control fields or confinement.

Due to the competing interactions on different time and length scales, complex forms of order arise comprising a large interdisciplinary challenge. In this project we are interested in both the static aspects of order formation (phase diagrams, domain size distributions, onset of instabilities etc.) and the non-equilibrium dynamics of phase transition kinetics and relaxation processes. We thus shall cover extended length and time scales from the microscopic to the macroscopic regime as well as from ultrafast processes to slow relaxations.

Examples of interest for this group include twin pattern formation in shape memory materials coupled to magnetic order, soliton stair cases evolving to standing strain density waves in thin metal films or confined colloidal crystals, hierarchical order by different effective interactions on different length scales in colloidal or biological materials or multi scale dynamics of magnetic phase transitions.

This program unites materials chemistry with biology and colloid physics in state of the art system design and experimental characterization. It will expand to include the designated successors of F. Schmid & Prof. Adrian and should be supported by an experimental W2-position supplementing the existing expertise on optical techniques and spectroscopy with fast scattering methods. This position would also be of great importance for the research topic of novel organic charge transfer salts and further research on fast structural or magnetic processes throughout the MPGC.

Theory and simulation on the other side integrate the different material classes by suitable conceptual work & multi scale simulations. Hence, this connects the present research topic to the corresponding research topic, where the techniques of multi-scale simulations are developed. Progress in this topic, of course, will immediately affect also other subjects and thus provides strategic support to the centre.