Research Phase and Master's Thesis in the Physics programs

During the last year of the Master's program you will have the unique opportunity to work on exciting research topics within the specific field of the program. During this so-called research phase, you can choose from an extensive number of research groups and current projects.

Aliaksandr Bandarenka and a Master's student in his group discuss about their research. Foto: TUM.PH/Eckert. The research phase constitutes one thematic block, culminating in the dissertation of the Master's thesis.

Research Phase

Current Info Events

The build-up of the research phase

To the scope of the one year research phase (59 ECTS) belong firstly, the development of the necessary special knowledge within a cutting-edge research line and secondly, the acquisition of the corresponding experimental or theoretical skills, that are necessary for the realization of the research project within the frame of the Master's thesis. Each of these steps conforms a module, the Master's seminar and the Master's training. Both modules belong intrinsically together and account in total for 24 ECTS. Subsequently, the independent research project can be carried out as part of the Master's thesis, which corresponding module comprises 30 ECTS. The research phase is completed with the Master's colloquium, the defense of the Master's thesis, for which 5 ECTS are given.

During the research phase, the fulfilment of an independent scientific work is tighly connected with the acquisition of additional skills, such as project management, team work as well as the depiction and presentation of scientific results.

Module	Description	Credits (CP)	PL/SL*
Master's seminar	Literature research and specialization	10	S
Master's training	Methodology and project planning	14	S
Master's thesis		30	P
Master's colloquium	Master's thesis defense	5	P
Sum		59

*: P="Prüfungsleistung", graded exam,
S="Studienleistung", non graded exam (pass/fail)

Finding a topic

Students have to take contact by their own with the working groups and potential supervisors, in oder to agree on a topic for the research phase/master thesis. Additionally to this, supervisors have the option to announce topics in the section below (supervisors see "Access for supervisors" on the right). However this possibility is not used by all institutes and not all topics are listed. Therefore it is recommended to ask the professors or in the institutes for topics.

Furthermore, it is recommended to start early (at least one semester in advance) to search for an appropriate topic. Having face-to-face interaction with the group, you can see if you like the topic and if you feel comfortable in the group (you will be working one year there!). We discourage you from simple e-mail exchange, as it is usually not successful.

Filtering in the offers for possible theses

You can search through the offers of Master’s thesis topics at the Physics Department.

Search for:

Offers of Master’s thesis topics

Study area	Topic	Supervisor
AEP	Absolute Photoemissionszeitbestimmung in Iodmethan und Iodethan	Kienberger
Research group Laser and X-Ray Physics Description Auch für KM! (English see below) Diese Masterarbeit behandelt die experimentelle Bestimmung der absoluten Photoemissionszeit des I4d-Niveaus in Iodmethan und Iodethan für Photonenenergien zwischen 90eV und 120eV, und ist Teil einer größeren Messkampange die es zum Ziel hat die Photoemission von kleinen organischen Molekülen zu untersuchen, und damit besser zu verstehen. Dabei eröffnet sich die Möglichkeit nicht nur die molekulare Umgebung, sondern auch die sog. giant resonance im I4d->Ef Kanal - ein Phänomen von großem Interesse in der Atomphysik - in der Zeitdomäne zu untersuchen. Die anregungsenergieabhängige Photoemissionszeit, welche in der Größenordnung von Attosekunden liegt (1as = 1e-18s), kann experimentell nur mit spezialisierten Methoden aus der Ultrakurzzeitphysik bestimmt werden: unser Aufbau implementiert das Prinzip der attosecond streak camera und ein kürzlich etabliertes absolutes Referenzierungsschema und ist damit nahezu einzigartig in der Welt. Die experimentelle Arbeit wird durch numerische Untersuchungen der Photoemissionszeit der Moleküle ergänzt. Dabei werden etablierte Methoden für die Bestimmung der molekularen elektronischen Struktur, sowie für die Behandlung des Photoemissionsprozesses zum Einsatz kommen. PDF-Version mit Referenzen: https://www.groups.ph.tum.de/fileadmin/w00bya/e11/_my_direct_uploads/ad_german_reduced.pdf This thesis concerns itself with the experimental assessment of the absolute timing of the I4d photoemissionfrom Iodomethane and Iodoethane for photon energies between 90eV and 120eV. It is part of a larger effort to understand the dynamics of photoemission from small molecules and offers the opportunity to study not only the influence of the molecular environment on the observable photoemission delay, but also the so-called giant resonance in the I4d->Ef photoemission in the time domain - a phenomenon of great interest in atomic physics.The excitation-energy dependent photoemission delay, which is on the order of attoseconds (1as = 1e-18s), can only be accessed in an experiment using sophisticated tools from the field of ultrafast physics: our setup implements the attosecond streak camera principle and an absolute referencing scheme established recently. It is one of the few in the world where such experiments can be conducted. The experimental work will be complemented by state-of-the-art numerical studies of the photoemission process in these molecules in order to complete the picture, where well-established methods will be applied for the determination of molecular electronic structure and the treatment of the photoionization process. Contact person Christian Schröder
KTA	Absorption of antinuclei in ALICE Time Projection Chamber using machine learning algorithms	Fabbietti
Research group Dense and Strange Hadronic Matter Description Dark Matter (DM) is believed to account for roughly 27% of the mass-energy of our Universe, and its nature remains one of the most intriguing unsolved questions of modern physics. Multiple balloon- and space-borne experiments are searching for the traces of DM using the idea of possible annihilation or decay of DM particles into ordinary (anti)particles, including light (anti)nuclei. The latter (such as antideuterons and antihelium nuclei) are considered as especially promising probe for such indirect DM searches, as the background stemming from ordinary collisions between cosmic rays and the interstellar medium is expected to be very low with respect to the DM signal. In order to reliably estimate the fluxes of antinuclei near Earth stemming from DM and from background, it is necessary to know the probability for antinuclei to interact inelastically with ordinary matter on their way to the detectors (e.g. with interstellar medium and Earth's atmosphere). This probability is driven by the inelastic cross section of corresponding processes, which for antinuclei are still poorly (or not) known. This fact hinders precise calculations of antinuclei fluxes near Earth and forces existing estimates to rely on extrapolations and modelling. The here advertised master project will deal with the analysis of inelastic interactions of antinuclei inside the gas volume of the Time Projection Chamber of the ALICE detector. Such interactions typically create a bunch of secondary (charged) particles with low momentum with a characteristic topology of secondary vertex inside the TPC volume. The pattern can be recognised by machine learning algorithms trained on simulated events, in which such annihilation processes happen in a controlled environment. After the validation of algorithms with simulated events, one can analyse real experimental data and tag the annihilation events of interest, which in turn can be used to evaluate the effective antinuclei + A inelastic cross section. This project will be structured in the following way: - simulation of the inelastic interactions of antinuclei with the TPC gas using Geant4 toolkit - training and validation of neural networks to reliably recognise antinuclei annihilation events - Analysis of the ALICE experimental data from pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 13 TeV - Evaluation of the effective antinuclei + A inelastic cross sections Contact person Ivan Vorobyev
KM	A finite temperature quantum algorithm for the Hubbard model	Knap
Research group Collective Quantum Dynamics Description The goal of the thesis is to develop an analyze finite temperature algorithms for quantum computers. The field is quickly evolving. Please contact me to discuss a concrete project.
KM	Analyse von Dunkelfeldbildgebungsmethoden mit Synchrotron Röntgenstrahlung (topic is not available any more)	Herzen
Research group Physics of Biomedical Imaging
AEP	Atomistically thin semiconducting 2D materials and their optical properties	Holleitner
Research group Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials Description Atomically thin van der Waals crystals form truly two-dimensional materials with remarkable quantum effects. Examples range from semi-metallic graphene to topological insulators and semiconducting materials with a thickness of only few atoms. The goal of this project is to characterize the fundamental symmetries of the underlying crystals and optical properties of such two-dimensional materials determined by optical means including Raman, photoluminescence (PL) and second harmonic generation (SHG) measurements, and to understand their optical properties particularly in two-dimensional heterostacks. The latter allow to build atomically thin field-effect, tunnelling, and photovoltaic devices. Interest and good knowledge in solid state physics, semiconductor physics, Python programming, optoelectronics or nanofabrication is a plus, but certainly not a must.
KTA	Bau und Test neuer schneller Myontriggerdetektoren fuer das ATLAS-Experiment am Large Hadron Collider	Kroha
Research group Max-Planck-Institute for Physics / Werner-Heisenberg-Institute (MPP) Description Fuer den Betrieb des ATLAS-Experiments bei sehr hohen Proton-Kollisionsraten am Large Hadron Collider (High-Luminosity LHC) werden neue sog. thin-gap resistive plate chambers (RPC) als Myontriggerdetektoren entwickelt. Derzeit findet der Technologietransfer in die Industrie fuer Massenproduktion der benoetigten grossen Detektorflaechen statt. Prototypendetektoren werden bei verschiedenen Firmen gefertigt und evaluuiert. Im Rahmen der Arbeit soll die Prototypenfertigung bei ausgewaehlten Firmen begleitet und der Test der Prototypen durchgefuehrt werden.
KTA	Bayesische Modellierung des GRB Nachleuchtens	Greiner
Research group Max-Planck-Institue for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE) Description Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are transient objects bright in gamma-rays that result from an intense relativistic stellar explosion. As this explosion expands, it begins to sweep up the surrounding interstellar gas which shines X-rays (so-called afterglow). These X-rays act as unique probes of the gas within the GRBs local host galaxy as they are photo-electrically absorbed by that gas. Thus, the X-ray afterglow can be used to examine the group properties of galactic gas which can shed light on star formation and galaxy evolution. However, to date, no study of properly grouping and analyzing these gas properties exists. This thesis will use real and simulated data and an existing Bayesian hierarchal modeling software to explore the group properties of interstellar gas via the simultaneous fitting of X-ray spectra obtained with the Swift X-ray telescope (XRT). Comparisons of existing methodologies will be performed to understand the trade-offs of analyzing individual x-ray spectra with existing x-ray analysis software (3ML) vs dedicated hierchcical models. Finally, the observed properties will be compared to predictions of galaxy formation simulations. Technically, this thesis involves (i) understanding GRB afterglows and their use as interstellar gas probes, (ii) simulation of a population of GRBs with existing with existing software, (iii) analysis of big-data sets via hierarchical Bayesian modeling, (iv) acquisition and reduction of XRT x-ray spectra (v) communication of results and advanced data visualization.
KM	Benchmarking and characterization of quantum devices (topic is not available any more)	Filipp
Research group Technical Physics Description Benchmarking and characterization of quantum devices Identifying error sources and efficiently characterizing the properties of quantum operations acting on individual qubits, multiple qubits, or entire quantum processors is crucial to overcome coherence limitations of quantum computers. Different benchmarking techniques can be useful to isolate and identify sources of errors. In particular, different implementations of Randomized Benchmarking can provide insights into processes that limit qubit coherence times. In this project you will gain thorough understanding of the noise sensitivities of various benchmarking techniques and implement them in the experimental control stack. You will be able to use state-of-the-art control hardware with the ability to program quantum circuits using gate-based algorithms with on-device logic in order to achieve efficient control of quantum processors. Ideally, these techniques will be used to identify dominant noise sources and eliminate those using appropriate amendments to the microwave control setup. Contact person Max Werninghaus Malay Singh
KTA	Building and characterising a hybrid gaseous particle detector	Fabbietti
Research group Dense and Strange Hadronic Matter Description Micropattern gas detectors (MPGD) are a type of particle detector used in many large high energy physics experiments (Atlas, CMS, ALICE). MPGDs work by amplifying the signals generated by charged particles traversing a gas volume. This is made possible by using amplification structures with micrometre scale patterns. There are different designs of such detectors, which include Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) and Micro-Mesh Gaseous Structure (Micromegas). These are both highly scalable and offer good performance on their own but by combining both designs in a hybrid detector the performance can be pushed even further. The Hydra (Hypernuclei Decay R3B Apparatus) TPC project in GSI plans to make use of the high radiation hardness and tracking capabilities of a hybrid Micromegas+GEM detector to study the mesonic decay of hypernuclei into nuclei and pions. In the scope of this thesis project, the building and characterization of a prototype Micromegas+GEM detector will be conducted. For this task, a new dedicated detector chamber will be built, and performance tests will be conducted looking at the achievable signal amplification, energy & spatial resolution, and ion back flow suppression. In addition to these, novel exciting studies investigating electric field distortions under an applied magnetic field using a strong electromagnet will also performed. The results obtained from this research and development effort will be used for the final design of the Hydra TPC detector! Contact person Berkin Ulukutlu
AEP	Characterizing CsI coated THGEMs for photon detection	Fabbietti
Research group Dense and Strange Hadronic Matter Description Traditional devices for photon detection like the Photomultiplier Tube or more recent technologies such as Silicon Photomultipliers are very cost-intensive. Therefore, especially with large area experiments in mind it is very interesting to investigate new ways of detecting photons. In this project we are taking the approach of combining a photosensitive material with a Thick GEM (THGEM) in a gaseous detector. THGEMs are robust, low-cost devices, which can be used for electron multiplication. The THGEM is coated with a photosensitive material and placed within an electrical field. When a photon releases an electron from the material the photo electron drifts in the THGEM hole and undergoes avalanche amplification due to a high electric field that is preset inside the holes. Below the THGEM an anode is used for electron readout. Depending on the gain of the THGEM this could enable single photon detection. In the scope of the thesis CsI coated THGEMs, which are useful in the UV light range, will be characterized and their quantum efficiency will be studied. Contact person Thomas Klemenz
KTA	Charakteriesierung der Eigenschaften neuer schneller Myondetektoren fuer das ATLAS-Experiment am Large Hadron Collider	Kroha
Research group Max-Planck-Institute for Physics / Werner-Heisenberg-Institute (MPP) Description Fuer den Betrieb des ATLAS-Detektors bei sehr hohen Proton-Kollisionsraten am Large Hadron Collider (High-Luminosity LHC)werden neue schnelle und strahlungsbestaendige Myondetektoren gebaut. Die Eigenschaften dieser Detektoren sollen systematisch getestet und charakterisiert werden.
KM	Chemical reactions and spins	Brandt
Research group Experimental Semiconductor Physics Description Elementary steps in chemical reaction pathways are difficult to disentangle. Often, such elementary steps involve radicals, molecules with unsaturated paramagnetic bonds. This allows to develop unique techniques monitoring their chemical reaction via spin selection rules based on the Pauli principle. You will develop highly sensitive magnetic resonance techniques measuring the charge transport in electrolytic cells to identify such spin-dependent reactions and, on the way, you will learn a lot about photocatalysis, electrochemistry and electron spin resonance. This Master’s thesis might be particularly interesting for students fascinated by renewable energies and motivated to work at the intersection of physics and chemistry.
AEP	Computational model for the growth of closed shells: how can self-assembled shapes be conserved during growth?	Gerland
Research group Theory of Complex Bio-Systems Description The aim of this Master thesis is to use computer simulations as a tool to explore possible growth mechanisms for closed shells that form by self-assembly via out-of-equilibrium mechanisms. These shells could be the envelope of biological cells or of engineered biosynthetic containers made, e.g. of DNA or proteins. This thesis will focus on the conceptual kinetic mechanisms, on a coarse-grained level, rather than the detailed molecular implementation. Contact person Cesar Lopez Pastrana
KTA	Confinement of charged nanoparticles: Quadrupole Ion Trap - particle detection	Eisenhauer
Research group Max-Planck-Institue for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE) Description Charged particles trapping and isolation, originally started in fundamental physics some 60 years ago, has nowadays numerous applications with interdisciplinary impact from astrophysics to biology. In laboratory astrophysics, ion traps are one of the few instruments allowing studies at conditions approaching those in the interstellar medium, where low temperatures (tens of K) and number densities (<10^10 cm^-3) prevail. In this project the main goal is to develop an detection system for a charged and trapped nanoparticles of sizes ~500 nm in an cryogenic quadrupole ion trap. This is an experimental physics project, the participant will work to integrate the hardware (laser, detector, DAq) together with customised software in order to accomplish the task. This project will offer a deep insight into photon detection using APD (avalanche-photodiode), signal filtering and processing using Fourier transforms and data acquisition using customized hardware. Contact: Dr. Pavol Jusko Prof. Paola Caselli
KM	Controlled Fabrication of Chiral Lead-Free Perovskites	Deschler
Research group Experimental Semiconductor Physics Description The Deschler group at the Walter Schottky Institute of TU Munich invites applications for Bachelor/Master Projects on Controlled Fabrication of Chiral Lead-Free Perovskites The group The Deschler group is an independent research group at Walter Schottky Institute of TU Munich, established through the DFG Emmy-Noether Program and an ERC starting Grant. Our research focuses on the ultrafast dynamics of functional materials and their applications energy applications. More information can be found on our website at https://www.wsi.tum.de/views/sub_group.php?group=Deschler&sub_page=home Your projects Hybrid organic inorganic perovskites are optoelectronic materials with tunable chemical and electronic structures. Incorporating chiral organic molecules into perovskite networks also attracts great attention due to their potential optical communication applications. Nevertheless, most reported chiral perovskite materials possess highly toxic Pb, which potentially limits their practical applications. In this project, your work would focus on introducing chiral organic molecules into hybrid lead-free perovskite, and grow corresponding high-performance single crystals and thin films. You will spearhead the design and fundamental understanding of novel functionality in materials. Specifically, you can work on one of following topics: · Designing chiral lead-free perovskites with different chiral organic molecules · Incorporating MA, FA, or Cs into chiral lead-free perovskites to get different layers samples · Transition metal doping on chiral lead-free perovskites to acquire magnetic properties During your Bachelor or Master project in our group, you will have the chance to gain hands-on experience in the solution-/vapor-based synthesis of novel functional materials, a range of state-of-the-art spectroscopic, optoelectronic and diffraction tools, as well as detailed understanding of the physics of functional semiconductors. Dedicated support from a PhD student or postdoc will be available during your project. You will be expected to make scientific discoveries and contribute to the dynamic atmosphere of our group. Your Application Applications should be sent to felix.deschler@tum.de. Please include your CV, and other related documents. Looking forward to your applications! Contact person Shangpu Liu
KM	Controlling magnon transport in antiferromagnetic insulators	Gross
Research group Technical Physics Description In antiferromagnetic insulators, we obtain two magnon modes with opposite spin chirality due to the two opposing magnetic sublattices. In this way, magnon transport in antiferromagnetic insulators can be considered as the magnonic equivalent of spin transport via electrons. The aim of this thesis is to obtain a better understanding of the magnon transport in antiferromagnetic insulators and investigate external control parameters that allow a manipulation of the spin information transport in the antiferromagnetic insulator. Moreover, these experiments allow to extract important transport properties like for example the magnon spin life-time. We are looking for resourceful master student heavily interested in these magnon transport experiments. In order to answer questions regarding magnon transport in magnetic insulators, your thesis will contain aspects of the fabrication of nano-scale devices using electron beam lithography as well as ultra-sensitive low-noise electronic measurements in a cryogenic environment. Contact person Hans-Gregor Hübl Matthias Althammer
KTA	CRESST: Freezing cold, deep underground, illuminating the dark (matter)	Schönert
Research group Experimental Astro-Particle Physics Description The CRESST (Cryogenic Rare-Event Search with Superconducting Thermometers) experiment operated at the Gran Sasso underground laboratory employs highly sensitive cryogenic detectors to the search for signals of the elusive dark matter particles, a main ingredient of the Universe whose nature is still unknown. The energy thresholds reached in CRESST-III are the lowest in the field, making CRESST the most sensitive experiment to light dark matter. Optimisation of the tungsten thin-film thermometers and of the techniques for data analysis promise will further improve the energy threshold, which will significantly boost the physics reach of the experiment. A student can contribute to: - design, production and prototyping of new CRESST detectors in Munich - development of high purity crystals - development of new software tools for data analysis - dark matter data analysis and, if interested, can participate in the operation of the main experiment at Gran Sasso. The theses can be carried out at the Chair for astroparticle physics of the Physics Department and/or at the Max-Planck-Institute for Physics (MPP). Supervision at the Physics Deptartment by Prof. Schönert / Dr. Strauss and at the MPP by Prof. Schönert / Dr. Federica Petricca. Please contact schoenert@ph.tum.de, raimund.strauss@ph.tum.de and petricca@mpp.mpg.de for further information. We will organize a dedicated meeting for interested (bachelor) students on Tuesday, February 1, 14:00-16:00. For more information please check https://www.moodle.tum.de/course/view.php?id=75320 . Also Master students are welcome to join the meeting.
KM	Design and Operation of a Multi-Input Quantum Perceptron (topic is not available any more)	Filipp
Research group Technical Physics Description Quantum machine learning is a new area of research at the interface of classical machine learning and quantum computing. Advantages arising from the quantum implementation of a neural network are still unclear but an implementation and training of a small scale quantum network could shed some light on its usefulness. You will start by understanding the principle of adiabatic ramp neurons as implemented with superconducting qubits. You will then investigate possible implementation of a network using 2-3 multi-input neurons and design a training experiment to perform on such a device. This will involve the design and characterization of a multi-qubit chip device including numerical simulations that is optimized for multi-input version of the neuron. Ideally, you will measure the non-linear activation function of a quantum perceptron depending on the weights set by the ZZ coupling to the input neurons and train the network to classify quantum or classical input data. Contact person Ivan Tsitsilin
AEP	Design of a Scintillation Detector with Drift Monitoring via a Pulser System	Märkisch
Research group Particle Physics at Low Energies Description The Proton and Electron Radiation Channel (PERC) facility, currently being set up at the FRM II, aims to measure the beta-asymmetry in neutron decay an order of magnitude more precisely to determine parameters of the Standard Model and to search for new physics beyond it. A system of superconducting coils guides the decay products towards the detector systems. PERC has one primary, downstream detector system and a secondary system located upstream, that will identify events with backscattered electrons from the primary detector. At first, the primary detector will be based on a fast plastic scintillator and photomultiplier tubes, similar to the detectors of previous experiments. Calibrating the detectors is a key factor in achieving the precision aimed at. Radioactive sources with mono-energetic electrons serve for the calibration. A pulser system continuously monitors the detector’s drift with short, controlled light pulses. The pulser system, which includes a Kapustinsky pulser, a silicon photomultiplier and temperature sensors, is being controlled via an Arduino. Within this project, the student will design and assemble the first primary detector for PERC and commission it including the pulser system. The performance of the detector will studied, including simulations based on Geant4. Contact person Karina Bernert
KTA	Die Physik unterschiedlicher Gammastrahlungs-Transienten (topic is not available any more)	Greiner
Research group Max-Planck-Institue for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE) Description The gamma-ray sky is very active, much more than the optical or X-ray sky. In addition, deep sky surveys for neutrinos, gravitational waves, radio or TeV Transients is presently performed. The understanding of these transients is helped dramatically by using multi-wavelength and multi-messenger information. With two previous Master theses we have developed a sophisticated program package for an automated daily search for gamma-ray transients in Fermi/GBM data, and a subsequent follow-up search in the all-sky Swift survey for better localization. This thesis shall be devoted to use this software package to (i) detect transients over one year, (ii) analyse the GBM data for these transients (derive position, spectrum), (iii) identify X-ray counterparts with Swift, (iv) establish a "population" analysis of such bright transients according to different source types, (v) correlate with other surveys such as eROSITA, HAWC, SKA, and (vi) investigate the different physical mechanisms underlying the diverse types of transients. The project includes elements from computational and observational high-energy astrophysics, and will allow for obtaining extensive knowledge on the broad class of high-energy transients. Some background in astrophysics is advantageous, but affinity with Python programming is a must. Contact: Jochen Greiner, jcg@mpe.mpg.de, MPE Room 1.3.13, Tel. 30000-3847
KTA	Die Valenzstruktur des Protons	Caldwell
Research group Max-Planck-Institute for Physics / Werner-Heisenberg-Institute (MPP) Description The Bayesian Analysis Toolkit will be used in conjunction with QCDNUM, a package to solve the integro-differential equations describing the evolution of the proton structure with different resolution scales to analyze the recently published 'high-x data' on the proton structure from the ZEUS Collaboration. The goal is to extract the distributions of quarks and gluons in the proton and their uncertainties at the highes values of x, the momentum fraction carried by these partons. The project will be carried out with support from experts in Data Science and experts on proton structure studies. Contact person Allen C. Caldwell
AEP	Effects of different anions and cations on electrode materials for applications in aqueous batteries	Bandarenka
Research group Physics of Energy Conversion and Storage Description Energy storage technologies are an indispensable element of the transition towards an eco-friendly society. Due to their low cost, scalability, and non-flammability, rechargeable aqueous sodium-ion batteries are a promising candidate for stationary applications, ranging from photovoltaic-powered private households to large-scale grid power buffers. This experimental master thesis project will aim at understanding, characterizing, and optimizing intercalation-type battery electrodes. The student will contribute to the ongoing investigation of fabrication methods, electrolyte composition, electrode substrates, active material composition, full-system prototyping, and performance characteristics like self-discharge and lifetime. The project will involve experimental laboratory training and hands-on work on battery systems, thereby conveying standard fabrication and characterization methods. Contact person Xaver Lamprecht
AEP	Electron-Selective ALD Protection Layers for Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Evolution	Sharp
Research group Experimental Semiconductor Physics Description The Chair for Experimental Semiconductor Physics (Prof. Sharp) at the Walter Schottky Institute of the Technical University Munich (TUM) investigates novel materials for solar energy conversion applications. Our research explores different design strategies to improve the photoelectrochemical (PEC) activity and stability of energy materials under operation conditions. One promising path to PEC solar water splitting is the development of functional photoelectrodes from multi-junction solar cells. For this, new ultra-thin protection layers that provide corrosion protection while maintaining efficient charge transport need to be developed. This Master’s thesis focuses on the synthesis of electron-selective protection layers for PEC hydrogen evolution by means of atomic layer deposition (ALD). In this thesis, you will investigate and tune the chemical stability, optical and electrical properties of ALD grown metal-oxides. In the second phase of your thesis, you will employ the developed protection layers to prepare functional photoelectrodes from multi-junction solar cells with the goal of an improved PEC performance. In our group, you will have the chance to gain hands-on experience in atomic layer deposition and sophisticated physical vapor deposition methods, state-of-the-art spectroscopy and microscopy techniques, optoelectronic and diffraction techniques, as well as detailed understanding of the physics of functional semiconductors. Dedicated support from a PhD student will be available during your project. We are looking for a highly motivated student with background knowledge in semiconductor physics and/or photoelectrochemistry. contact: Tim Rieth Contact person Tim Rieth
KM	Emergente (nichtlineare) Hydrodynamik in Ultrakalten Quantengasen	Knap
Research group Collective Quantum Dynamics Description Isolated quantum matter can thermalize locally because the surrounding system can act as a path. We will study how hydrodynamics can emerge at late times in such systems. The field of quantum dynamics is quickly evolving. Please contact me directly to discuss a concrete project.
KTA	Entwicklung neuer schneller Ausleseelektronik fuer kuenftige Experimente der Hochenergiephysik an Collidern	Kroha
Research group Max-Planck-Institute for Physics / Werner-Heisenberg-Institute (MPP) Description Fuer die Experimente an kuenftigen hochergetischen Beschleunigern wird neue schnelle Ausleseelektronik fuer die Myondetektoren in Form von Mikrochips entwickelt. Erste Prototypen sollen im Rahmen der Arbeit getestet und Verbesserungsmoeglichkeiten erarbeitet werden.
KM	Exploration of Novel Photoactive Ternary Nitrides	Sharp
Research group Experimental Semiconductor Physics Description The Chair for Experimental Semiconductor Physics (Prof. Sharp) at the Walter Schottky Institute of the Technical University Munich (TUM) investigates novel photoelectrode materials for solar energy conversion applications. Our research explores new materials and different design strategies to improve the photoelectrochemical (PEC) activity and stability of energy materials under operation conditions. Here for, transition metal nitrides represent a versatile chemical space for creating new functional materials with tunable properties for a variety of applications, including e.g. solid-state lighting, integrated circuits, and photocatalysis. This master thesis focuses in the first half on the synthesis and exploration of an unreported novel ternary nitride semiconductor with the goal to develop a new, efficient and stable photoanode. The second part will be dedicated to overcome stability and efficiency limiting effects such as oxidation and corrosion via the applications of surface passivation coatings and treatments. In our group, you will have the chance to gain hands-on experience in reactive magnetron co-sputtering and other sophisticated physical vapor deposition methods, state-of-the-art spectroscopy and microscopy techniques, optoelectronic and diffraction techniques, as well as detailed understanding of the physics of functional semiconductors. Dedicated support from a PhD student will be available during your project. We are looking for a highly motivated student with background knowledge in semiconductor physics and/or photoelectrochemistry. Contact person Laura Wagner
KM	Exploring renewable energy systems with laser induced current transient thechnique	Bandarenka
Research group Physics of Energy Conversion and Storage Description The advent of ultrafast lasers has paved the way and eased the investigations of mechanisms and phenomena, which hitherto were difficult to interrogate or measure. One of such mechanisms is the kinetics of the electrified electrode-electrolyte interface. The laser induced current transient (LICT) technique has proven to be a robust, unique, and indispensable tool for predicting to a high degree of accuracy the activity of reactions by identifying the so-called potential of maximum entropy (PME). The PME is the potential at the interface at which the degree of disorder peaks. At the PME, the reaction should proceed faster than at potentials remote from it. Thus, one can anticipate that the closer the PME is to the thermodynamic equilibrium potential of an electrocatalytic reaction, the faster the kinetics of this reaction should be. By employing the LICT technique, the PME measured at the electrode-electrolyte interface (i.e., Au polycrystalline electrode and Ar-saturated Na2SO4 electrolyte at a pH of 8) has been reported to be 0.58 V vs RHE. However, using Ar-saturated K2SO4 at the same pH yielded a PME value of 1.30 V vs RHE. Therefore, it is our considered view that this presents a stupendous opportunity to tailor the cation mixture of Na+ and K+ as electrolyte to obtain a PME value of 1.23 V vs RHE, the thermodynamic equilibrium potential of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Hence, this presents the leeway for optimizing the activity towards the ORR via the tuning of the electrolyte cation concentration. Contact person Theophilus Kobina Sarpey
KTA	Exploring the properties of Quark-Gluon Plasma with anisotropic flow measurements at the Large Hadron Collider	Fabbietti
Research group Dense and Strange Hadronic Matter Description The matter produced in ultra-relativistic heavy-ion collisions resembles the Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP), which is an extreme state of nuclear matter consisting of deconfined quarks and gluons. Such a state existed in the early Universe, just a few microseconds after the Big Bang. Its properties can be experimentally accessed by measuring the azimuthal anisotropies in the momentum distribution of produced particles in heavy-ion collisions, for instance, in lead-lead collisions reconstructed with the ALICE experiment at CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Of particular interest in this context is the anisotropic flow phenomenon, which is an observable directly sensitive to the properties of QGP. In this project, we introduce the basics of anisotropic flow and corresponding analyses techniques, and we guide a student throughout all steps needed for its final measurement, in the large-scale LHC datasets distributed on Grid. We start a project by briefly introducing a theoretical framework within which an anisotropic flow phenomenon can be defined and quantified. Next, we introduce sophisticated multi-particle correlation techniques, which were developed recently by experimentalists particularly for anisotropic flow measurements. We go in detail through the practical implementation of multi- particle correlations, students are expected at this point to perform some simple analytic calculations, and to learn and perform programming tasks both in ROOT and AliROOT. ROOT is the object-oriented analysis frame- work written in C++ programming language, and it is used at the moment as a default software in high-energy physics by all major collaborations world- wide, while AliROOT is the more speci c analysis framework developed by ALICE experiment, and which is based on ROOT. We wind up the project by letting the student do an independent ani- sotropic flow analysis with his/her own newly developed code in AliROOT, utilizing multi-particle correlation techniques, over real heavy-ion collisions collected by ALICE at LHC, and stored on Grid. Contact person Ante Bilandzic
KM	Fabrication of high-coherence superconducting qubits (topic is not available any more)	Filipp
Research group Technical Physics Description Over the last two decades the coherence time of superconducting qubits, a leading platform in quantum computing, could be improved by five orders of magnitude from several nanoseconds up to hundreds of microseconds. However, for practical quantum computers further improvements of the qubits are required. In this project we will investigate different strategies to reproducibly fabricate Josephson junctions and junction arrays for different types of qubits. To go beyond the NISQ era, new fabrication techniques like surface passivation, post process treatments, optimal etching parameters and deposition conditions will be investigated to build highly coherent qubits with T1 times exceeding 100 µs. One line of research will focus on exploring the capability of operating superconducting qubits at higher microwave frequencies and the potential to overcome limits of current qubit technologies. New superconducting materials, such as rhenium, vanadium, indium, nitrides and other composite systems, will be employed that have a higher critical temperature than commonly used materials such as aluminum and niobium. Within this thesis, you will grow and optimize thin films of superconducting materials, design and fabricate high-frequency resonators and qubits, and characterize them at millikelvin temperatures with spectroscopic techniques. You will learn the process of superconducting circuit fabrication like photolithography, thin film deposition and reactive ion etching in our in-house cleanroom and you will learn how to control qubits with microwave pulses using an arbitrary waveform generator. Contact person Leon Koch Franz Haslbeck
AEP	Finding Active Sites on Fuel Cell Catalysts with Scanning Tunneling Microscopy	Bandarenka
Research group Physics of Energy Conversion and Storage Description Currently, one of the main goals of our society is to reduce carbon emissions to stop the global temperature increase. A popular approach is to use hydrogen as a fuel as it would provide a sustainable and worldwide accessible energy system based on abundant resources and zero-emission. For the dream of a hydrogen economy to become reality, suitable and high-performing catalysts have to be identified and developed. Commonly, theoretical models and calculations are employed to gather information on the geometric structure of an optimal catalyst and its active sites. In our group, we use an experimental technique based on conventional scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) to in-situ identify active sites. The resulting insights can help to develop catalytic materials with optimal shapes and sizes and reduce the amount of rare materials needed for the construction of e.g. fuel cells, metal-air batteries, or electrolyzers. The content of this experimental Master thesis is to apply the STM technique on different systems and to ideally achieve atomic resolution. A current collaboration will try to link our STM approach to machine learning for a more efficient evaluation or even prediction of the data. Especially haptic sensitivity will be helpful in this work. If you’re interested, please send an e-mail with a short introduction of your person and scientific background. We’re looking forward to meeting you! Possible starting date: October 2021 or later Contact: Regina Kluge (regina.kluge@ph.tum.de) Contact person Regina Kluge
KM	Fractonic quantum matter at low temperatures	Knap
Research group Collective Quantum Dynamics Description Fractonic quantum matter possesses excitations with constrained mobility. In two dimensions, excitations can for example only move on one dimensional lines. The goal of this thesis is to study either with numerical or field theoretical techniques their ground state and dynamical properties. The field of fractions is quickly evolving. Please contact me directly to discuss a concrete project.
KTA	GRAVITY Wide Upgrade	Eisenhauer
Research group Max-Planck-Institue for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE) Description GRAVITY is a second generation interferometric instrument in operation ESO’s Paranal Observatory, Chile. Connected to four 8m telescopes, it combines their light to obtain imaging, spectroscopic and astrometric information at the highest spatial resolutions currently available in infrared astronomy. The master project will focus on the upgrade of GRAVITY ravity with new active, optical delay lines to co-phase the light of the different telescopes. Specifically the student will integrate, test and characterize the combination of a high precision linear stage and a piezo-electrically driven mirror mount in combination with a laser distance metrology system to achieve 20 nm optical path length stability. Topics will cover mechano-optical design, control system engineering and interface design and the student should expect to spend a significant fraction of their time in the laboratories at MPE. This thesis presents a rare opportunity to support and witness a state of the art instrumental project for the Very Large Telescope all the way from the design phase to its implementation. Contacr: Maximilian Fabricius (mxhf@mpe.mpg.de) and Frank Eisenhauer (eisenhau@mpe.mpg.de)
BIO	Growing shapes: Kinetics of integrating cell wall material into the envelope of a growing cell	Gerland
Research group Theory of Complex Bio-Systems Description The aim of this Master thesis is to explore different modes of cell wall growth, which is locally controlled by enzymes but has a global effect on the shape of the cell. Which schemes of enzymatic action permit stably growing cell shapes? And which ones can mimick the observed growth behavior of different bacterial species? These fundamental questions are surpisingly largely open, partially due to the difficulty of experimentally determining which local properties of the cell wall affect the enzymatic activity. In light of this experimental barrier, conceptual theoretical models can classify different plausible schemes by their large-scale behavior, which is more easily observed experimentally. This thesis will combine simulations of stochastic models for growing shapes with simple analytical toy models to address some of the open questions. Contact person Cesar Lopez Pastrana
AEP	High efficiency next generation organic solar cells	Müller-Buschbaum
Research group Functional Materials Description Next generation organic solar cells are solar cells beyond the silicon type photovoltaic devices. Organic solar cells have reached efficiencies in the champion solar cells well above 18%. Key element of such solar cells is the highly designed active layer, which transfers light into separated charge carriers. Aim of this experimental project is the preparation and full characterization of an active layer for high performance organic photovoltaic devices to further understand the fundamental correlation between morphology and solar cell performance. In this work a novel efficiency record-setting system will be investigated regarding the influence of an additional third component, in our case, either solvent additive or polymer. The project will involve a literature review, sample preparation, photovoltaic device fabrication and photoluminescent measurements. The focus is the usage of advanced scattering techniques for the determination of structural length scales of the active layer in the solar cell.
KM	Hochauflösende magnetische Mikroskopie unter Verwendung des spitzenverstärkten Anomalen-Nernst-Effekts	Back
Research group Experimental Physics of Functional Spin Systems Description We want to use a tip-enhanced near-field microscope to enable high-resolution magnetic microscopy. In this experiment, the tip of a force microscope is illuminated with a laser and thus a large temperature gradient is generated locally (via the field increase at the tip). The temperature gradient generates an anomalous Nernst voltage locally, which can be detected via electrical contacts on the ferromagnetic nanostructure. With this method, it should be possible to realise magnetic microscopy with a spatial resolution of 20 nm. Contact person Christian Riedel
KM	Hochauflösende Produktanalyse bei der elektrokatalytischen CO2 Reduktion mittels differentieller electrochemischer Massenspektrometrie (DEMS)	Schindler
Research group Chemical Physics Beyond Equilibrium Description Die Reduktion von CO2 und Herstellung verschiedener Kohlenwasserstoffe aus CO2 verläuft über verschiedene Reaktionswege und Reaktionsprodukte. Diese sind sehr stark beeinflußt von der Elektrodenoberfläche bzw. dem Katalysator, an dem die Reaktion abläuft. Zur Entwicklung geeigneter Katalysatoren ist es von entscheidender Bedeutung, die Korrelation auftretender Produkte und Zwischenprodukte der elektrochemischen CO2 Reduktion mit den jeweiligen Elektrodenoberflächen detailliert zu untersuchen. Dies soll in dieser Masterarbeit mittels "Differential Electrochemical Mass Spectrometry (DEMS)" durchgeführt werden, die es erlaubt sowohl Probevolumina aus dem flüssigen Elektrolyten als auch dem Gasvolumen oberhalb des Elektrolyten zu analysieren. The reduction of CO2 and the production of various hydrocarbons from CO2 takes place via various reaction pathways and interstitial reaction products. These are very strongly influenced by the electrode surface or the catalyst on which the reaction takes place. In order to develop suitable catalyst materials, it is of crucial importance to examine in detail the correlation between the products and intermediate products of the electrochemical CO2 reduction and the respective electrode surfaces. In this master's thesis, this shall be carried out by means of "Differential Electrochemical Mass Spectrometry (DEMS)", which allows both sample volumes from the liquid electrolyte and from the gas volume above the electrolyte to be analyzed.
KTA	How quark-gluon plasma flows in ALICE experiment	Fabbietti
Research group Dense and Strange Hadronic Matter Description It is predicted that in its early stage, our Universe was made of deconfined quarks and gluons, a state known as the quark-gluon plasma (QGP). Understanding its properties is therefore a crucial element in the description of the first instants after the Big Bang. In order to deepen our current knowledge of the QGP, high-energy nuclear physicists turn to the study of ultrarelativistic collisions in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. QGP formation is indeed a well-known stage in the evolution of the collision of two heavy ions, like lead, while signs of its possible creations have been seen in smaller system sizes, like p-Pb or even pp. The estimation of the anisotropies in the azimuthal distribution of the produced particles is one of the probes used by experimentalists to access the collective properties of the QGP. Sophisticated analysis techniques, gathered under the name of multiparticle correlation techniques, have been developed in recent years to measure the anisotropic flow phenomenon at the origin of the observed asymmetric distributions and provided great help in constraining the parametrization of the initial state and collective evolution of the system. Another important development towards this goal is the introduction of Bayesian methods, where the model parameters can be inferred from the experimental observables. This leads to a better understanding of the underlying theoretical models. Nevertheless, despite these formidable advancements in the evaluation of the QGP properties, the uncertainties remain still large, and the introduction of novel observables and new measurements is needed to fix this issue. After an introduction to the phenomenon of anisotropic flow, and its analysis techniques, the candidate students will have the possibility to work on various research topics: ● Experimental measurement of newly developed observables in Pb-Pb collisions recorded by the ALICE detector at the LHC, during Run1 and Run2, and their comparisons with the predictions from different tunings of Bayesian analyses. The determination of new tunings and consecutive generations of simulated events by the student can also be considered. ● Investigations on the dependence of the various flow observables on the collision system size. ALICE has already collected events for pp, p-Pb, Xe-Xe and Pb-Pb collisions, and O-O data are planned for the future Run3. Studying the anisotropic flow in such a wide range of system sizes helps advance our understanding of QGP formation. Moreover, such measurements would provide great insights into the supposed robustness of the parameter tuning obtained with Bayesian studies. ● Developments of new theoretical observables, complementary to the traditional techniques, and feasibility studies of their experimental measurements. Through these projects, the candidate student will be able to develop data analysis skills using some of the most used programming languages in high-energy particle physics (e.g. ROOT, bash, Mathematica, C++, ...), while experiencing the atmosphere of an international collaboration. Contact person Cindy Mordasini Seyed Farid Taghavi
KTA	In-situ electron microscopy for mechanical testing	Petry
Research group FRM II Description Starting from July 2022, the working group “High Density Nuclear Fuels” at the research neutron source Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II) is looking for a M.Sc. student / working student / internship In-situ electron microscopy for mechanical testing The research working group “High Density Nuclear Fuels” at the research reactor FRM II is working on the qualification of newly-developed high-density nuclear fuels in Europe. The most promising candidates are a metallic uranium-molybdenum alloy fuel (U-Mo) or high-density uranium silicide (U3Si2), both using aluminum-based cladding. Therefore, scientists in the fields of physics, chemistry, engineering, physical technology and computer science are working intensively together on fuel fabrication technologies, the determination of material properties as well as the irradiation behavior of such fuels. As radioactive specimen are often limited in sample size, and mechanical properties cannot be measured quickly. Therefore, this project includes the installation of an in situ testing device for mechanical properties within the electron microscope. Further, an evaluation for different materials (e.g. uranium, aluminum, tungsten, zirconium…) is required, where the obtained mechanical data is compared to macroscopic measurements and alternative measurement techniques such as acoustic microscopes. The work also includes specimen preparation, which are cut with the Focused Ion Beam (FIB) of the Electron Microscope. Best suited are students studying physics, engineering, materials science or comparable studies. We are looking forward to receive your application. Further information on the fuel development at FRM II can be found at https://www.frm2.tum.de/en/fuel-development For questions and applications, please contact Bruno Baumeister (bruno.baumeister@frm2.tum.de; +49 89 289 13967) Julia Mausz (Julia.Mausz@frm2.tum.de ; +49 89 289 14419) Framework conditions The tasks typically involve working in radiation protection areas with open handling of radioactive materials such as uranium. The high security standard of FRM II generally requires a security clearance according to the German atomic law.
KM	Investigation of many-body couplers for superconducting qubits (topic is not available any more)	Filipp
Research group Technical Physics Description High connectivity between qubits can lead to significant advantages when compiling quantum algorithm on real hardware. For example, in trapped ion quantum computing architectures multi-qubit entanglement is mediated by shared oscillator modes, allowing for all-to-all connectivity and long range interactions. In this project we aim to explore the coupling of multiple superconducting quantum circuits (qubits or resonators) via a shared coupling element. We investigate simultaneous couplings between multiple superconducting circuit elements by controlling the interaction strength and interaction time. The ideal outcome of this project is the demonstration of useful quantum operations, such as joint measurements, qubit reset or quantum operations on multiple qubits. Contact person Ivan Tsitsilin
KM	Josephson Ring Modulator Coupler Measurement	Gross
Research group Technical Physics Description Adiabatic Quantum Computation aims at finding the solution for optimization problems by adiabatic Hamiltonian evolution. Physically, the problems are encoded in the so-called Ising Hamiltonian and the task is to find the state of lowest energy, the ground state. As can be seen in the Ising Hamiltonian, all spins have to interact with all other spins to be able to deal with general optimization problems. In practice, achieving this all-to-all connectivity is a hard task. A particularly promising approach is the so-called Lechner-Hauke-Zoller architecture, which we want to implement with superconducting circuits. There, one of the fundamental building block is a Josephson ring modulator coupler featuring the strong ZZ interaction. Your task will be the experimental characterization of the JRM coupler. You will analyze the ZZ interaction strength in the on-state and the parasitic cross-talk between the qubits in the off-state of the coupler. Ultimately, you will realize a simple quantum annealing protocol. Contact person Yuki Nojiri
BIO	Koordinierung von Informationen innerhalb eines nicht-neuralen Organismus	Alim
Research group Theory of Biological Networks Description The smart slime mould Physarum polycephalum is renowned for its ability to solve complex problems - lacking any brain nor organising center. Instead the giant cell that makes up the entire organism houses thousands of nuclei that altogether control the organisms behaviour. How do nuclei interact to mount behaviour? Do they compete, cooperate or happily ignore each other? You will follow nuclei dynamics with fluorescence microscopy during the organism’s response to an environmental challenge. Quantification of individual nuclei trajectories will inform you if nuclei act individually or cooperatively during behavioural response. You will have the opportunity to discuss your findings with biologists and applied mathematicians throughout your project.
KTA	Lebensdauermessung von Protonemittern am R3B Experiment	Fabbietti
Research group Dense and Strange Hadronic Matter Description Protonenradioaktivität ist ein, seit einigen Dekaden experimentell verifiziertes Phänomen, das unter anderem auch an der TU-München entdeckt wurde. Trotzdem sind die Lebensdauern für die meisten Protonemitter noch nicht, oder nur sehr ungenau vermessen. Wir wollen im Rahmen eines BMBF geförderten Projektes eine neuartige Methode für diese Messungen etablieren und damit ein umfangreiches Messprogramm zusammen mit der R3B Kollaboration bei FAIR in Darmstadt beginnen. Das R3B – Experiment (Reactions with Relativistic Radioactive Beams) spielt eine herausragende Rolle bei der Untersuchung exotischer Kerne mit extremem Proton zu Neutron Verhältnis. Ein zentraler Detektor in diesem Projekt ist das, aus mehreren tausend Einzelkristallen bestehende, CALIFA Kalorimeter, das einen hochselektiven Trigger für die quasifreie Streuung liefert. Wir wollen damit und einem gerade im Aufbau befindlichen, hochauflösenden Silizium Tracking-Array durch Vertex-Rekonstruktion die Lebensdauer kurzlebiger Kerne vermessen. Im Rahmen einer Masterarbeit sollen dafür zum einen erste Simulationsrechnungen gemacht werden, die den Parameterbereich der Methode eingrenzen, zum andern soll das Detektorsystem in einem ersten Experiment bereits im kommenden Frühjahr untersucht und charakterisiert werden. ADVISOR: Prof. L. Fabbietti / Dr. R. Gernhäuser
KTA	LEGEND: Why does matter prevail over antimatter in today's Universe?	Schönert
Research group Experimental Astro-Particle Physics Description Neutrinos were discovered in 1956, but only at the turn of the millennium was it experimentally proven that the three known neutrino types can convert into one another. These flavor oscillations are possible only if neutrinos have nonzero mass, which is currently the only established contradiction to the standard model (SM) of particle physics. From tritium beta decay experiments and cosmological observations, we know that their masses are very small—less than 10^{-5} of the electron mass. Neutrinos are the only fundamental spin-1/2 particles (fermions) without electric charge. As a consequence, they might be Majorana fermions, particles identical to their antiparticles. This is a key ingredient for the explanation for why matter is so much more abundant than antimatter in today’s Universe and why neutrinos are so much lighter than the other elementary particles. Majorana neutrinos would lead to nuclear decays that violate lepton number conservation and are therefore forbidden in the Standard Model of particle physics. The so-called neutrinoless double-beta (0nbb) decay simultaneously transforms two neutrons inside a nucleus into two protons with the emission of two electrons. The LEGEND-200 experiment, currently under commissioning at the Italian Gran Sasso underground laboratory aims to be the first experiment to probe half-lives beyond 1E27 years. We offer the opportunity to carry out exciting experimental BSc (and MSc) theses with a focus on: - liquid argon detector development: SiPMs, VUV light detection and wavelength shifting, xenon-doping, trace analysis; - germanium detectors: detector design, modeling of signal generation, pulse shape analysis, surface event discrimination; - new software tools and algorithms: classical techniques, machine learning methods; - data analysis: rare line searches, exotic decays, time and spatial coincidence searches; - Monte Carlo simulations: light propagation and detection in liquid argon, gamma rays from radioactive decays, isotope production deep underground by cosmic rays; and, if interested, can participate in the operation of the main experiment at Gran Sasso. You would be fully integrated into the research team and would work closely together with our international partners. The theses can be carried out at the Chair for astroparticle physics of the Physics Department. Supervision at the Physics Deptartment by Prof. Schönert and his team. Please contact schoenert@ph.tum.de for further information. We will organize a dedicated meeting for interested bachelor students on Tuesday, February 1, 14:00-16:00. For more information please check https://www.moodle.tum.de/course/view.php?id=75320 . Also Master students are welcome to join.
AEP	Lightweight Organic Solar Cells as Alternative to Nuclear Batteries for Deep Space Power Generation	Müller-Buschbaum
Research group Functional Materials Description The exploration of the outer solar system so far relied heavily on the use of scarce, highly radioactive plutonium stockpiles for power generation, as traditional solar cells have a too low power-to-mass ratio in low light environments to be suitable for those missions. Latest advances in organic solar cells now open up the possibility of utilising them on lightweight foils as photovoltaic solar sails for efficient power generation in low solar irradiation conditions. We have just recently successfully demonstrated the first power generation of organic solar cells on a suborbital space-mission, featuring our in-house developed "Organic and Hybrid Solar Cells In Space" (OHSCIS) experiment. While this demonstration still employed a more traditional, non weight-optimised solar cell design for more typical earth-bound applications, your task will now be to further optimise the design and material selection to reduce the mass of our organic solar cells for our next upcoming space-mission. The solar cells you build will then take part in this mission and be launched into space.
AEP	Low-dose multi-scale phase-contrast micro-tomography at a brilliant source (topic is not available any more)	Herzen
Research group Physics of Biomedical Imaging
KM	Machinelles Lernen zur Molekulardynamik	Egger
Research group Theory of Functional Energy Materials
KTA	Messung der Lichtkurve des Crab Nebels	Greiner
Research group Max-Planck-Institue for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE) Description The Crab nebula is the brightest steady gamma-ray source on the sky. As an extended source, it is not expected to change its flux with time. Consequently, it has been used as an inflight-calibration source for basically all high-energy satellites over the last 50 years. In 2011, nature surprised us: the Crab emission faded by 10%. A worldwide campaign set in to observe the Crab at all possible wavelength to understand the cause of the fading. With no clear explanation unraveled, astronomers interest has faded as well. The present Master thesis shall measure the flux history of the Crab over the last 10 years, using two gamma-ray instruments: Fermi/GBM and INTEGRAL/SPI. This goal splits into two sub-tasks: (1) use our existing software for Fermi/GBM and measure the Crab intensity and spectrum since 2008 - this employes computations on our high-performance computer; (2) expand our existing Python code for GRB analysis of INTEGRAL/SPI towards co-adding day-long exposures, which then can be used to measure the Crab light curve since 2001 (with emphasis on 2011-2021). The goal is to find out, whether the Crab returned to its historical flux state, or continued to fade - thus adding clues to the nature of its variability. Technically, this thesis involves (i) learning the basics of X-ray/gamma-ray astrophysics, (ii) understanding data analysis of gamma-ray detectors (non-imaging with GBM and coded-mask imaging with SPI), (iii) improving Python programming, (iv) comparing the 2008-2011 results to published results, (v) challenging proposed theories with the lightcurves obtained for 2012-2021. Some background in astrophysics is advantageous, but affinity with Python programming is a must. Contact: Jochen Greiner, jcg@mpe.mpg.de, MPE Room 1.3.13, Tel. 30000-3847
AEP	Modeling of the FRM II core	Märkisch
Research group Particle Physics at Low Energies Description highly enriched uranium (HEU) to lower enriched uranium. This program is part of worldwide efforts to minimize the usage of HEU in research reactors. For this reason, a parameter study is set up in order to identify possible and compatible FRM II core designs for conversion. The working group “Reactor Physics” at FRM II is actively working on developing new core designs for the conversion of the FRM II. In order to reach the goal of a core with the lowest enrichment possible, a parameter study is set up that aims to identify possible and compatible FRM II core designs. As a first essential step, several 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) codes for use in high performance research reactors are available to perform a code-to-code verification based on experimental results. Within this thesis, the potential of Ansys Fluent for the FRM II core will be explored. You will get familiar with the physics of modelling fluids with the Navier-Stokes equation, the intricacies of the simulation program and the FRM II core. You will develop and verify suitable postprocessing tools and compare results by Fluent and Ansys CFX. Contact person Christian Reiter
KTA	Modellierung relativistischer Elektronen in Tokamak Plasmen	Günter
Research group Max-Planck-Institute for Plasmaphysics (IPP) Description Major tokamak disruptions are one of the major challenges for realizing a tokamak fusion power plant. During such an event, the energy confinement of the plasma gets lost on a short time scale such that the temperature of the plasma drops by orders of magnitude. As a result of the increasing resistivity and the large plasma current, a strong toroidal electric field arises that can accelerate electrons to relativistic velocities. Via collisions, the number of such runaway electrons (REs) can increase exponentially until the whole plasma current is carried by REs. When such an RE beam is eventually lost in a future reactor like ITER, it could lead to massive loads onto material components and deep melting such that avoidance and mitigation is of high priority. Experiments in present devices provide an excellent basis for developing and validating modeling tools that can eventually predict the phenomena in ITER. One of the puzzling observations from the ASDEX Upgrade experiment in Garching is that the formation of a RE beam depends on the value of the edge the field line helicity close to the plasma boundary ("safety factor" q95). Large scale plasma instabilities are likely playing an important role for this threshold. The non-linear magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) code JOREK (see the code website https://www.jorek.eu) developed by an international community has the necessary ingredients to simulate REs in realistic 3D tokamak geometry and their interaction with plasma instabilities. The aim of this master project is to simulate experimental discharges with and without RE beam formation using a RE fluid model to reveal the origin of the experimentally observed threshold. The work will be conducted within the "MHD and fast particles group" at the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics in Garching in close contact with the experiment and our international collaborators.
KM	Nachweis von Spin-Orbit-Torques mit Hilfe eines stehenden Spinwellenmusters	Back
Research group Experimental Physics of Functional Spin Systems Description Current-induced spin-orbit torques (SOTs) in ferromagnet/nonmagnetic metal heterostructures open vast possibilities to design spintronic devices to store, process, and transmit information in a simple architecture. It is a central task to search for efficient SOT devices, and to quantify the magnitude as well as the symmetry of current-induced spin-orbit magnetic fields (SOFs). Here, we will evaluate an approach to determine the SOFs based on magnetization dynamics by means of time-resolved magneto-optic Kerr microscopy. A microwave current in a narrow Fe/GaAs (001) stripe generates an Oersted field as well as SOFs due to the reduced symmetry at the Fe/GaAs interface, and excites standing spin wave (SSW) modes because of the lateral confinement. Due to their different symmetries, the SOFs and the Oersted field generate distinctly different mode patterns. Thus, it is possible to determine the magnitude of the SOFs from an analysis of the shape of the SSW patterns. Specifically, this method, which is conceptually different from previous approaches based on line shape analysis, is phase independent and self-calibrated. It can be used to measure the current-induced SOFs in other material systems, e.g., ferromagnetic metal/nonmagnetic metal heterostructures. Contact person Lin Chen
AEP	Near-infrared Quantum Dot Solar Cells for Space Application	Müller-Buschbaum
Research group Functional Materials Description We’re looking for a master student to join the next flight project of NIR CQDs solar cells to space. The general idea about this research topic and your major tasks in this project are introduced as follow. Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconductor nanocrystals with typical size of 2-10 nm. When the size of materials become very small in the range of nanometers, the optoelectronic properties or other properties are significantly different from their bulk counterparts. Notably, colloidal QDs’ unique advantages and properties have shown great promises as the light absorbers in solar cells, such as solution-processability and size tunability of bandgap, which enables the QD absorbers to harvest infrared low-energy photons of the solar spectrum beyond the absorption edge of silicon very efficiently. Therefore, as opposed to the costly and complicated fabrication process of conventional NIR solar cells, colloidal QDs based NIR solar cells have shown great promises. To date, great advances and improvements of the device performance, exceeding efficiencies of 10 % already, have been achieved by several fabrication strategies. In a previous experiment, we launched organic and perovskite solar cells to space for the first time ever and studied how these devices operate in the space environment. For the second space flight, we want to test the operation of NIR colloidal QD solar cells in orbital altitudes for the first time. Here, your master thesis starts. The first part of your project will be to learn how to fabricate NIR CQD solar cells and characterize them with different spectroscopic and morphologic analysis methods. You will find yourself in a team of motivated master students that are all working on the fabrication and optimization of their solar cell systems, where knowledge exchange and communication create a solid base for a productive and educational environment. Thus, you will learn a lot about solar cells and the principles behind many of their typical characterization methods. Based on your measurements of your solar cells, you will be guided to optimize the fabrication methods and solar cell layers to improve the device performance. The second part of this project will be to study your solar cells before and after their space flight to learn how the solar cells behave after experiencing extreme conditions during the rocket flight and exotic space environment. Your novel results will be worth publishing in a scientific journal, giving you the possibility to become a co-author in this future work. We’re looking forward to meeting you and telling you more about this project!
KM	Neuronale Netzwerke zur Berechnung von Ramanspektren	Egger
Research group Theory of Functional Energy Materials
KTA	Nichtlineare MHD-Simulationen zum X-Punkt-Strahler in Tokamaks	Günter
Research group Max-Planck-Institute for Plasmaphysics (IPP) Description One of the most important challenges in magnetic fusion research is the heat exhaust at the plasma edge. Without any additional measures, the heat fluxes at the edge of a fusion power plant would be similar to the heat flux at the surface of our sun. The usual solution for that problem is to modify the magnetic field geometry in such a way that the last closed flux surface (separatrix) leads the heat flux along magnetic field lines into a so-called divertor chamber where high plasma densities and low temperatures ensure high radiation losses, protecting the metallic walls of the device. A quite new development in this respect is to create a zone of high radiation within the last closed flux surface just above the so-called X-point by injecting dedicated impurities into the plasma. These impurities result in strong radiation losses that might cause pressure gradients within a magnetic surface. The latter corresponds to an MHD unstable situation. The task of this master thesis is to model such situations, using our non-linear MHD code JOREK, in order to understand and optimize heat exhaust by X-point radiation.
KM	Non-reciprocal devices for microwave signal routing	Filipp
Research group Technical Physics Description Breaking time-reversal symmetry by external magnetic fields leads to non-reciprocal behavior of microwave propagation that can be used for signal routing and isolation. In the context of superconducting qubits this becomes relevant to shield the qubits from incoming radiation along the readout path. In this project you will gain an understanding of different types of circulators and isolators and evaluate high bandwidth realizations based on Josephson junction elements or novel materials, in which chiral edge plasmons or topological insulators could be used for non-reciprocal devices without external fields. In collaboration with the group of Prof. Knolle and the group of Prof. Holleitner we will explore a variety of different materials both from the theoretical and the experimental perspective. You will then test suitable realizations at cryogenic temperatures, study losses and reflection properties and investigate, how these devices can be integrated directly onto the superconducting qubit chip.
AEP	Novel nanostructured thermoelectric hybrid materials	Müller-Buschbaum
Research group Functional Materials Description In this project, we aim to fabricate and investigate novel organic-inorganic hybrid materials for thermoelectric applications. The goal is to realize efficient low temperature (T < 100°C) thermoelectric thin films and coatings which can contribute for example to energy efficient buildings. By combining nanostructured inorganic materials with conducting polymers a novel approach for this class of materials shall be realized. Possible inorganic nanomaterial components include Silicon nanocrystals (either undoped, n-type or p-type doped) as well as other nanoparticles. Different polymer materials such as the polymer blends of conjugated polymers, which can be tuned in conductivity and in its nanostructure, shall be used as the organic partner in our hybrid approach.
AEP	Observation of quantum switching in driven-dissipative superconducting oscillators	Gross
Research group Technical Physics Description Classical nonlinear systems are known to exhibit metastable behaviour, where spontaneous transitions may take place. These transitions are often associated with spontaneous symmetry breaking and can be viewed as classical phase transitions. However, recent developments in quantum theory of driven-dissipative nonlinear resonators reveal that the underlying switching processes may be of purely quantum nature. This can be experimentally observed during the transient dynamics in nonlinear superconducting resonators. An immediate goal of this master project is to experimentally study switching dynamics in driven Josephson parametric amplifiers (JPAs) and observe quantum features, such as vacuum squeezing and Wigner function negativity, in the associated transient resonator states. The far-reaching goals of this research are related to fundamental investigation of quantum phase transitions in novel driven-dissipative superconducting systems, such as quantum metamaterials. In the framework of this project, the student will experimentally employ existing JPA devices as both the driven-dissipative system and quantum preamplifiers. The latter will be the key for efficient observation and quantum tomography of the transient JPA dynamics. More specifically, the tasks of the master student will consist of the FPGA programming, construction of an experimental set-up in a dilution refrigerator, cryogenic microwave measurements, and data analysis in collaboration with external theory partners. This project will be an important integral part of our various activities on quantum microwave communication, where JPAs are employed as the key building blocks. These activities are supported within the framework of the MCQST cluster, QMiCS project (EU Quantum Flagship), QuaMToMe project (BMBF, "Grand Challenge der Quantenkommunikation"), and will also have a significant overlap with the QuaRaTe project (BMBF) on quantum sensing. Contact person Kirill Fedorov
AEP	Optimisation of the microwave delivery for electrically detected magnetic resonance of NV centers in diamond	Brandt
Research group Experimental Semiconductor Physics
KM	Optomechanics of coupled micro-drums	Poot
Research group Quantum Technologies Description In this project you will dive into the interesting field of cavity optomechanics. We create micrometer-scale mechanical devices made from silicon nitride using advanced nanofabrication techniques here on campus: imagine a drum, but now more than 10 000x smaller! So small that it can be played ustilizing the momentum of photons, the so-called radiation pressure. You will also use light to extract information about mechanical properies - like their quality factors and resonance frequencies and even see their eigenmodes. What happens to these properties when many of the drums are coupled? That will be the key question of your project. We apply a novel technique to perform usually very long measurements on rather short time scales. We already have some working samples, so you can directly start and go ahead with the measurements. But you will also have the chance to learn many aspects of nanofabrication and make your own devices in the cleanroom, then measure them, and analyze the data. Contact person David Hoch
AEP	Performance evaluation of humidified gaseous particle detectors	Fabbietti
Research group Dense and Strange Hadronic Matter Description Micropattern gas detectors (MPGD) are a type of particle detector used in many large high energy physics experiments (Atlas, CMS, ALICE). MPGDs work by amplifying the signals generated by charged particles traversing a gas volume. This is made possible by using amplification structures with micrometre scale patterns. There are different designs of such detectors, which include Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) and Micro-Mesh Gaseous Structure (Micromegas). These are both highly scalable and offer good performance. Still, one of the main limiting factors for the long-term stable operation of MPGDs is the formation of electrical discharges inside the amplification structures. Due to this, there has been an extensive effort over the years to understand and develop methods to mitigate these discharges. One of the remaining questions however is how the humidity (the water content) of the used gas mixture affects the formation of discharges in MPDS. This project aims to conduct the first comprehensive studies investigating the correlation between gas humidity and MPGD discharge stability. For this task, a dedicated detector chamber will be used with modifications to the gas system which enables the precise control of the ambient humidity levels. This venture is a great entry point for anyone interested in particle detector hardware research and development. The achieved results of which might end up shaping the next generation of cutting-edge high energy physics experiments! Contact person Berkin Ulukutlu
AEP	Perovskite Solar Cells for Space Applications	Müller-Buschbaum
Research group Functional Materials Description Perovskite solar cells have become a hot research topic in the last few years. The lightweight thin-film solar cells are of particular interest for space applications due to their exceptional power per mass, exceeding their inorganic counterparts by magnitudes. Recently, we performed the Organic and Hybrid Solar Cells In Space experiment (OHSCIS) and launched of perovskite solar cells to space for the first time. The mechanical and electronic design of the experiment aimed at maximizing the data collection rate and precise measurements. We showed that the perovskite solar cells operate in space conditions and produce reasonable power per area of up to 14 mW cm-2. Also during a phase being turned away from the sun, the solar cells produced power from collecting faint Sun-light scattered from Earth. Our results highlight the potential for near-Earth applications and deep space missions of these technologies. Soon a next space missing will come up and presently we are looking for an interested master student to join the exiting next flight of perovskite solar cells to space. The task will be to make new sets of perovskite solar cells and test them with the set-up. After the successful flight to space, the solar cell data need to be evaluated and analyzed in detail to learn from the space flight.
KTA	Populationsanalyse von kurzen GRBs und Super-Ausbruechen von Magnetaren (topic is not available any more)	Greiner
Research group Max-Planck-Institue for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE) Description Giant flares are known from very exceptional cases in our Galaxy and the Magellanic Clouds. When such flares are observed from outside the Galactic plane, they are indistinguishable from short GRBs. The population analysis aims at identifying the fraction of short GRBs which could be mis-identified as magnetars in bright nearby galaxies.
KTA	Post-irradiation examination of U-Mo/Al based fuel samples irradiated by swift Xe ions	Petry
Research group FRM II Description Starting spring 2022, the working group “High Density Nuclear Fuels” at the research neutron source Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II) is looking for a M.Sc. student / working student / internship Post-irradiation examination of U-Mo/Al based fuel samples irradiated by swift Xe ions The research working group “High Density Nuclear Fuels” at the research reactor FRM II is working on the qualification of newly-developed high-density nuclear fuels in Europe. The most promising candidates are a metallic uranium-molybdenum alloy fuel (U-Mo) or high-density uranium silicide (U3Si2), both using aluminum-based cladding. Therefore, scientists in the fields of physics, chemistry, engineering, physical technology and computer science are working intensively together on fuel fabrication technologies, the determination of material properties as well as the irradiation behavior of such fuels. The past test irradiations of U-Mo/Al fuels showed an unsatisfying irradiation behavior. This is mainly caused by the growth of an interdiffusion layer (IDL) between the two materials. To thoroughly study this phenomenon and find proper solutions, U-Mo/Al fuels with selected diffusion coating barriers have been prepared and shipped to Argonne National Laboratory (US) for ion irradiation tests, which can very well simulate in-reactor irradiation at a much lower cost. The applicant for this topic is supposed to work on the post-irradiation examination followed by the irradiation experiment with advanced techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with focused ion beam (FIB) sample preparation and element detection by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), as well as transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Best suited are students studying physics, engineering, materials science or comparable studies. We are looking forward to your application. Further information on the fuel development at FRM II can be found at https://www.frm2.tum.de/en/fuel-development For questions and applications, please contact Bruno Baumeister (bruno.baumeister@frm2.tum.de; +49 89 289 13967) Jingyi Shi (Jingyi.Shi@frm2.tum.de; +49 89 289 12695) Framework conditions The tasks typically involve working in radiation protection areas with open handling of radioactive materials such as uranium. The high security standard of FRM II generally requires a security clearance according to the German atomic law.
KTA	Preparation and investigation of U3Si2/Al fuel samples	Petry
Research group FRM II Description Starting spring 2022, the working group “High Density Nuclear Fuels” at the research neutron source Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II) is looking for a M.Sc. student / working student / internship Preparation and investigation of U3Si2/Al fuel samples The research working group “High Density Nuclear Fuels” at the research reactor FRM II is working on the qualification of newly-developed high-density nuclear fuels in Europe. The most promising candidates are a metallic uranium-molybdenum alloy fuel (U-Mo) or high-density uranium silicide (U3Si2), both using aluminum-based cladding. Therefore, scientists in the fields of physics, chemistry, engineering, physical technology and computer science are working intensively together on fuel fabrication technologies, the determination of material properties as well as the irradiation behavior of such fuels. This project aims at gaining insight into the performance of high-density U3Si2/Al fuels. The applicant for this topic is supposed to prepare U3Si2/Al bilayer samples that can represent the fuel system using the Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) technique. The thermal properties of this kind of fuel can be investigated by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) measurements. To predict its irradiation behavior, ion irradiation experiments are expected to be performed under certain conditions that can represent the in-reactor irradiation environment. Best suited are students studying physics, engineering, materials science or comparable studies. We are looking forward to your application. Further information on the fuel development at FRM II can be found at https://www.frm2.tum.de/en/fuel-development For questions and applications, please contact Bruno Baumeister (bruno.baumeister@frm2.tum.de; +49 89 289 13967) Jingyi Shi (Jingyi.Shi@frm2.tum.de; +49 89 289 12695) Framework conditions The tasks typically involve working in radiation protection areas with open handling of radioactive materials such as uranium. The high security standard of FRM II generally requires a security clearance according to the German atomic law.
AEP	Printed polymer-based thin film batteries	Müller-Buschbaum
Research group Functional Materials Description Materials for high energy density, solid-state batteries have been tremendously explored in the last decade. In particular, lithium-ion technology has attracted major interest. Among the many different types of batteries, the so-called polymer-based thin film batteries are very attractive as they can be incorporated into thin film devices. An inherent important part of such thin film lithium ion batteries is the membrane and solid-state polymer electrolyte membranes have attracted high attention in this respect. Lithium ions’ incorporation into solid-state polymer electrolyte membranes had shown a significant effect on both, the structure and properties, of the membranes in either the bulk or film format. The morphological reorganization and the thermodynamic properties of the solid-state polymer electrolyte membrane upon adding lithium salts and small molecules are the subjects of the experimental investigation. The polymer membranes will be prepared with printing. The structure and crystallinity of the lithium-doped membranes at different temperatures will be investigated with small/wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS). The effects of morphology on the ionic conductivity of these ion-conducting membranes will be investigated using impedance spectroscopy. Aim of the present study is to increase conductivity with the help of small molecule additives, which can further improve the membrane morphology beyond the possibilities of the standard approach. Such high conductivity will be very beneficial for further downsizing of polymer-based thin film batteries.
KTA	Production of Hypertriton and 3He via Coalescence in Event Generators	Fabbietti
Research group Dense and Strange Hadronic Matter Description In high-energy hadron-hadron/hadron-nuclei collisions at the LHC, the production of light (anti)nuclei and more complex multi-baryon bound states is observed. Their production yields have been measured as a function of transverse momentum (pT). Such measurements play key role in important astrophysical value as they provide input for the background estimates in indirect dark matter searches in space. However the current theoretical description of the production mechanism of light(anti)nuclei and hyper(anti)nuclei is still a big challenge. There are two phenomenological models are typically used to describe the production of multi-baryon bound states: the statistical hadronisation model (SHM) and the coalescence model. The former assumes that the light nuclei are emitted from a source in local thermal and hadrochemical equilibrium and their abundances are fixed at chemical freeze-out. Whereas in the later, light nuclei are assumed to be formed by the coalescence of protons and neutrons which are close in phase space at kinetic freeze-out. In the recent developments of coalescence model, the quantum-mechanical properties of nucleons, and nuclei are taken into account and the coalescence probability is calculated from the overlap between the source function of the emitted protons neutrons and hyperons which are mapped on the Wigner density of the nuclei and hypernuclei. Goal: Simulation of the yield-spectra as a function of transverse momentum (pT) using a wigner density approach in coalescence model and compare with the measurements in hadronhadron collisions for 3He and He . The wigner densities will be constructed using the three-body wave functions. The student will first be introduced to the ALICE software based on the C++ programming language. Over the course of time all the necessary concepts related to theory will be taught in close supervision of two PhD students. Contact person Bhawani Singh
KTA	Sampling anharmonic phonons in energy materials	Egger
Research group Theory of Functional Energy Materials
KM	Scaling and 3D integration of superconducting qubit devices (topic is not available any more)	Filipp
Research group Technical Physics Description To build powerful quantum computers based on superconducting qubits, one has to face the challenge of a limited area on a planar chip to host an increasing number of qubits. Therefore, efforts to minimize the footprint per qubit and to provide scalable means to address and readout all qubits are key to further progress. The goal is to develop new fabrication and integration techniques such as superconducting air-bridges/crossover that add the third dimension to the usual 2D designs of quantum computers as well as through silicon vias (TSVs), small diameter holes through the silicon substrate that enable us to connect both sides of the chip as well as stacking several chips on top of each other. These additional degrees of freedom will enable us to implement advanced designs for qubits and resonators and increase the number of quantum circuits on a chip. During this project you will learn important nanofabrication techniques like photolithography, thin film deposition and reactive ion etching. You will also model and characterize superconducting quantum circuits. Contact person Leon Koch
KM	Selective breakdown of phonon quasiparticle picture in halide perovskites	Egger
Research group Theory of Functional Energy Materials
AEP	Selten-Erd Photoleiter zur Erzeugung und Detektion von Terahertz Strahlung	Koblmüller
Research group Semiconductor Nanostructures and Quantum Systems Description Terahertz (100 GHz - 10 THz) devices experience a fast growth of interest in recent years, where photonic systems (such as photomixers) are on the horizon to soon enable commercial or industrial THz applications. The operation of photonic systems relies, principally, on the excitation of a photoconductive material by e.g. a pulsed laser with a pulse duration much shorter that 1 ps = 1 THz-1 (typically < 100 fs). Thereby, the photoconductive material (a highly resistive semiconductor) is switched by the laser pulse to a conductive state by generating electron-hole pairs via absorption, while an applied DC bias further separates the carriers, giving rise to a current containing THz frequency components. So far, the major bottleneck hindering desired performance metrics, was the photoconductive material itself. The material needs to fulfill numerous requirements, such as e.g. high absorption coefficient at the technologically relevant 1.55 µm wavelength range, sub-ps carrier life¬time, high carrier mobility, high breakdown field strength and high resistance (low dark current). Therefore, major research efforts are needed to develop new photoconductor materials and bring such photonic systems out of basic research to real-life commercial applications. Goal of Thesis: The aim of this thesis is to develop ultrafast photoconductor materials with small band gap suitable for laser and fiber technology at 1.55 µm. In particular, we will focus on InGaAs-based materials and superlattices doped with self-assembled rare-earth (ErAs, ErSb) precipitates, which act as efficient trap sites to tune carrier lifetime while maintaining high carrier mobility. This prototype system should further allow exceptional control of carrier capture and resistance by p-compensation doping and As/Sb-alloying strategies. Thereby, you will work closely with team members of the SQNM group to learn and develop numerous methods in • the epitaxial synthesis of metal/semiconductor systems (molecular beam epitaxy) • state-of-the-art characterization of structural properties (high-resolution X-ray diffraction, TEM, He-ion microscopy, AFM) • advanced carrier transport & optical spectroscopy (Hall-effect probe, PL) Good knowledge in physics, semiconductors, as well as previous experience with lab work related to characterization of semiconductors are a benefit, but secondary to motivation and commitment. Applications should be sent to Gregor.Koblmueller@wsi.tum.de or Akhil.Ajay@wsi.tum.de. Please include your CV, and a transcript of records (Bachelor & Master). Last date: 15 October 2021 Contact person Akhil Ajay
KM	Semiconductor photoanodes for photoelectrochemical water splitting	Sharp
Research group Experimental Semiconductor Physics Description The Chair for Experimental Semiconductor Physics (Prof. Sharp) at the Walter Schottky Institute of the Technical University Munich (TUM) investigates novel photoelectrode materials for solar energy conversion applications. Our research also explores new materials and different design strategies to improve the photoelectrochemical (PEC) activity and stability of energy materials under operation conditions. More information can be found on our website www.wsi.tum.de. The Master’s project will focus on photoelectrochemical water splitting to generate hydrogen as storable chemical fuel using multi-layer semiconductor photoelectrodes. In this context, one of the main challenges is the material stability under the harsh PEC operating conditions. To overcome this limitation, the Master’s project will focus on protecting/passivating the semiconductor surface with conformal functional layers. Specifically, you will synthesize cobalt oxide thin films by plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition on semiconductor light absorbers to yield stable and catalytically active photoelectrodes. Thereby you will explore the influence of composition, optical and interface properties on the photoelectrochemical characteristics. Furthermore, you will investigate these multilayer photoelectrodes under operando conditions utilizing nanoscale microscopy and spectroscopy techniques to gain fundamental insight into their performance under oxygen evolution condition. In our group, you will have the chance to gain hands-on experience in atomic layer deposition of thin catalyst layers, state-of-the-art spectroscopy and microscopy techniques, optoelectronic and diffraction techniques, as well as detailed understanding of the physics of functional semiconductors. Dedicated support from a PhD student will be available during your project.
KTA	Sensitivity study of a distributed network of neutrino telescopes: MonteCarlo studies, likelihood analysis, and machine learning applied to high energy astrophysics.	Resconi
Research group Experimental Physics with Cosmic Particles Contact person Lisa Schumacher
AEP	Silicon-Germanium based anode coatings for Lithium-ion batteries	Müller-Buschbaum
Research group Functional Materials Description Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have taken over a major role in the field of energy storage since several years. Especially in sectors such as portable devices, renewable storage systems and electric vehicles, this technology is already dominating the market. In order to meet the ever-increasing requirements such as durability, energy density and manufacturing costs, it is essential to implement new performance-enhancing materials into the cell architecture. Group IV elements as Silicon (Si) and Germanium (Ge) are considered to be appealing alternatives to commercial graphite anodes due to their high-energy capacity. In this respect, Si is becoming the focus of research due to the highest theoretical capacity (4200 mAh g-1) and low working potential. Additional advantages such as environmental friendliness, resource abundance and low cost have prompted several research groups around the world to look closer into this topic. However, the cycling performance and the rate capacity of these novel anodes are still limited by the low intrinsic electron conductivity and poor Li+ diffusivity. In addition, Ge can provide better cyclability and a dramatically improved electron conductivity into the system. Within this thesis, we focus on diblock copolymer templating of Si/Ge thin films as novel anode materials for LIBs. Here CR2032 Litihium-ion coin cells will be manufactured. Mayor topic will be an extensive study on different anode coatings with real and reciprocal space analysis methods.
BIO	Simulating the collective motion of encapsulated enzymes in external substrate gradients	Gerland
Research group Theory of Complex Bio-Systems Description Recent experiments revealed that the diffusion coefficients of enzymes can depend on the concentration of their corresponding substrates: the enzyme diffuses faster in the presence of more substrate. The aim of this thesis is to understand the consequences of this effect on the collective motion of enzymes. Imagine a vesicle immersed in a substrate gradient and loaded with thousands of units of a specific enzyme. What would happen to this vesicle? Would the non-uniform motion of the enzymes inside affect the shape of the vesicle? And what kind of deformations could be produced? Would it be possible to cause the movement of the vesicle along a preferred direction? To tackle these questions, you will be involved in the implementation of Brownian dynamics simulations combining a mesh description of the vesicle, the diffusion-dependent movement of enzymes and the interactions between the enzymes and the vesicle. With this work you can contribute to some of the latest developments in enzyme dynamics and active matter. Moreover, your results can be utilized to design and analyze experiments. Prerequisites: Interest in biophysical systems and in simulations of dynamical systems. Contact person Giovanni Giunta
KTA	Simulation vertikaler Plasmainstabilitäten am ASDEX Upgrade Tokamak	Günter
Research group Max-Planck-Institute for Plasmaphysics (IPP) Description Fusion plasmas with a vertically elongated cross section like they are studied in present tokamaks and are foreseen for the large future ITER experiment develop vertical instabilities when the energy confinement of the plasma is lost during the “thermal quench” of a major disruption event. Non-linear magneto-hydrodynamic simulations coupled to resistive wall models describing the conducting structures (such as vaccum vessel and coils) can reproduce experimentally observed phenomena accurately. For ITER, vertical instabilities are a big concern as they can, e.g., lead to large forces onto conducting structures as well as massive heat loads onto plasma facing components. Beyond a threshold of the plasma elongation, the vertical instabilities can normally not be avoided even with active control. There is, however, an experimental observation from ASDEX Upgrade that the plasma may remain vertically stable in spite of significant elongation under specific conditions. Theoretically, such a “neutral point” for the vertical motion is expected, but it is not clear from experiment and theory how robust it would be. In this master project, the described experimental condition will be simulated with the non-linear magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) code JOREK (see the code website https://www.jorek.eu). The aim is to reproduce the neutral point observation and study the robustness to small variations of the plasma configuration (initial current and pressure profile, initial location, etc.). If possible, concrete proposals for future experiments should be deduced that will allow to validate the findings. The work will be conducted within the "MHD and fast particles group" (very international, English speaking) at the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics in Garching in close contact with the experiment and our international collaborators.
AEP	Smart nano-sensors made of stimuli-responsive polymers in solution and in thin films	Müller-Buschbaum
Research group Functional Materials Description Whereas macroscopic sensors made of stimuli-responsive hydrogels are well established, in the nanoworld such sensors still face many challenges. Potential fields of application of such sensors extend from engineering to bioengineering and medicine, e.g. as nanosensors for the control of concentration of glucose for diabetes patients or as switchable surface in the frame of tissue engineering. In this experimental project smart hydrogels, made of stimuli-responsive hydrogels will be investigated. Hydrogel films with thicknesses of a few tens to some hundreds of nanometers and spontaneously deswell or swell due to external stimuli, like temperature or the concentrations of ions. The changes in thickness and in molecular interactions in swelling or collapsing hydrogels will be probed during the switching process by different lab-based techniques. A comprehensive understanding of the switching process can be achieved by complementary neutron scattering experiments at large scale facilities. The project will involve a literature review, preparation of hydrogels, as well as experimental investigations and interpretations of the repeated switching of the stimuli-responsive hydrogels.
AEP	Strukturen für den Ursprung des Lebens	Alim
Research group Theory of Biological Networks Description Weiße Raucher sind wahrscheinlich die Wiege des Lebens. Ihre Höhlen und Tunnel ermöglichen es Reaktanten an katalytischen Stellen anzusammeln, um damit die Reaktionen am Ursprung des Lebens in Gang setzen. Wie entstehen und wachsen diese katalytischen Stellen mit dem Smoker? Sie werden zweidimensionalen Smoker auf einem Mikrofluidik-Chip wachsen lassen und aus Ihren Daten die Rauchergeometrie vermessen und damit Strömung und Transport im Netzwerk berechnen und mit Ihren Daten vergleichen. Sie lernen Mikrofluidik, Mikroskopie, Matlab, Bildanalyse und die Strömungsphysik der laminaren Strömung in Strömungsnetzen kennen. Voraussetzungen: Statistische Physik und Faszination für die Wunder der Natur.
KTA	Studien zur Suche nach dem Protonzerfall im zukünftigen JUNO Experiment (topic is not available any more)	Oberauer
Research group Experimental Astro-Particle Physics Description Der sich im Aufbau befindliche JUNO Detektor hat neben der Neutrinophysik das Potential zur Suche nach dem Protonzerfall. In der Arbeit soll die Signatur solcher hypothetischen Ereignisse am Computer in Simulationen bestimmt und mit der von möglichen Hintergrundereignissen atmosphärischer Neutrinos verglichen werden, um so eine Strategie zur Suche nach dem Protonzerfall zu entwickeln. Aus den Resultaten der Simulationen sollen zudem die Rahmenbedingungen für Testexperimente am Beschleuniger bestimmt werden, mit denen die Signatur des Protonzerfalls experimentell bestimmt werden kann. Contact person Matthias Raphael Stock
BIO	Studying the bacterial life cycle and morphology using flow cytometry	Gerland
Research group Theory of Complex Bio-Systems Description The flow cytometer is an optical device that can measure cell properties at a single cell level with a high throughput. The aim of this Master thesis is to explore the dynamics of bacterial populations using flow cytometry to address the following questions: How does a cell population change at the onset of growth arrest? What are the dynamics of cellular viability during starvation? Do bacteria uniformly die under starvation or are there growing subpopulations? Can one accurately infer morphological information from flow cytometry data? How can cell dynamics under starvation be modeled with the help of stochastic processes? Contact person Seyed Hamid Seyed Allaei
KTA	Studying the spacial and kinematic properties of the particle emission in pp collisions at the LHC (topic is not available any more)	Fabbietti
Research group Dense and Strange Hadronic Matter Description In recent years, the method of femtoscopy has been successfully applied to make use of two-particle momentum correlations to investigate the strong force acting upon a pair of hadrons [Nature 588 (2020) 232-238]. This has been achieved by creating, at TUM, a numerical framework capable of modeling the pair-wise particle emission profile [Phys.Lett.B 811 (2020) 135849]. Nevertheless, the required input is model dependent, as it requires knowledge on the spacial and momentum correlations of the particles at the moment of their production. The task of the participant is a continuation of the existing work, with the specific duty of studying the possibility of applying more generic methods to obtain information on the initial properties of the emission region. Finally, the bachelor candidate will implement the procedure within a universal framework, that is to be used in future N-body femtoscopic studies. The requirements are: 1) Basic knowledge and interest in KTA. 2) Basic knowledge and interest in programming. The gained experience is: 1) The basics of the statistical thermal model analysis of particle production at LHC. 2) Understanding of the femtoscopy method, with a stress on the particle emission in high-energy proton-proton collisions. 3) Working with numerical Monte-Carlo models. 4) Improvement of the programming skills, in particular C++ and the ROOT framework, both of which are essential in the field of data analysis. In addition, basic knowledge related to Python and Linux will be gained. Contact person Dimitar Mihaylov
KTA	Study of Kirkendall effect in U-Mo/Al layer systems	Petry
Research group FRM II Description Starting immediately, the working group “High Density Nuclear Fuels” at the research neutron source Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II) I is looking for a M.Sc. student / working student / internship Study of Kirkendall effect in U-Mo/Al layer systems The research working group “High Density Nuclear Fuels” at the research reactor FRM II is working on the qualification of newly-developed high-density nuclear fuels in Europe. The most promising candidates are a metallic uranium-molybdenum alloy fuel (U-Mo) or high-density uranium silicide (U3Si2), both using aluminum-based cladding. Therefore, scientists in the fields of physics, chemistry, engineering, physical technology and computer science are working intensively together on fuel fabrication technologies, the determination of material properties as well as the irradiation behavior of such fuels. The past test irradiations of U-Mo/Al fuels showed an unsatisfying swelling under irradiation. This is mainly caused by the growth of an interdiffusion layer (IDL) between the two materials. Initial fission gas accumulation sites are possibly located in nm-sized voids formed due to the unequal diffusion rates of the two species (Kirkendall effect). This effect can be observed for example by placing insoluble markers at the interface, which move relative to the interface. The applicant for this topic is supposed to prepare U-Mo/Al bilayer samples with selected inert markers, conduct ion irradiation or heating experiments to activate the atomic diffusion, and perform scanning electron microscopy/ energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX) analyses. The goal of this study is to obtain an in-depth understanding of the fission gas accumulation and growth in U-Mo/Al fuels. Best suited are students studying physics, engineering, materials science or comparable studies. We are looking forward to your application. Further information on the fuel development at FRM II can be found at https://www.frm2.tum.de/en/fuel-development For questions and applications, please contact Bruno Baumeister (bruno.baumeister@frm2.tum.de; +49 89 289 13967) Jingyi Shi (Jingyi.Shi@frm2.tum.de; +49 89 289 12695) Framework conditions The tasks typically involve working in radiation protection areas with open handling of radioactive materials such as uranium. The high security standard of FRM II generally requires a security clearance according to the German atomic law.
KM	Superconducting devices based on superconductor/ferromagnet heterostructures	Gross
Research group Technical Physics Description The combination of ferromagnetic and superconducting materials leads to intriguing proximity effects at the interface of the two materials. The goal of this thesis is to investigate the spin transport of superconductor/ferromagnet interfaces and model the obtained results in the framework of proximity effects. To this end, we will fabricate superconducting devices based on superconductor/ferromagent heterostructures with a special focus on controlling magnetization dynamics via superconducting charge currents. This requires investigations at low temperatures around the critical temperature of the superconductor in large magnetic fields. In addition microwave magnetic fields will be employed to drive magnetization dynamics in the ferromagnet and excitations in the superconductor. We are looking for a talented master student to investigate spin transport in superconductor/ferromagnet heterostructures. You will fabricate superconductor/ferromagnet heterostructures using our new UHV sputtering system. As a next step, you will structure these blanket films with optical and electron beam lithography into superconducting devices. Finally, you will characterize your fabricated samples at low temperatures utilizing superconducting magnet cryostats. Here, high frequency spin dynamics as well magnetotransport studies are the focus of your thesis. Contact person Hans-Gregor Hübl Matthias Althammer
KM	Synchronization and nonlinear dynamics of nanomechanical oscillators	Poot
Research group Quantum Technologies Description Synchronization is a universal phenomenon that is knows since they days of Huygens. When two or more oscillators with slightly different frequencies are coupled, they will start to move in phase. We can create small mechanical devices using advanced nanofabrication techniques here on campus. By sending light of the right wavelength, they start to oscillate, and when increasing the power the optomechanical coupling synchronizes them. The goal of this project is to synchronize devices made from silicon nitride, which is a special material with a lot of stress in it, and to increase the number of synchronized oscillators. The larger the system becomes, the richer the nonlinear dynamics will become. You will first make the devices in the cleanroom, measure them, and analyze the data. See http://www.groups.ph.tum.de/en/qtech/openings/ for a detailed description of this project.
AEP	Theoretical investigations of dynamic effects in bismuth vanadate	Egger
Research group Theory of Functional Energy Materials
KTA	Three-body strong interaction studied using femtoscopic correlation functions	Fabbietti
Research group Dense and Strange Hadronic Matter Description One of the main challenges of the modern era in particle physics is to obtain a quantitative description of the three-body strong interaction among particles, such as nucleons and hyperons. Three-body forces are indeed crucial for the understanding of the nuclear structure as well as the inner composition of compact stellar objects like the neutron stars. Nevertheless, an accurate microscopic description of the three-body problem is still far from being achieved and precise experimental data to test the existing models are strongly demanded. In recent years, the ALICE Collaboration at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) provided unprecedented experimental information on the two-body strong interaction among particle pairs using the femtoscopy technique (for a complete review see [1]). The interaction models are constrained by studying the particle correlation in the momentum space. The extension of such a powerful technique to the case of three-particle systems is currently under development, in view of the future LHC Run-3 data-taking which will allow to probe the three-body interactions. The student will contribute to the development of the three-body femtoscopy by studying the shape of the correlation functions in the case of attractive and repulsive three-body potentials. To this end, the student will perform analytical calculations at the second order of the perturbation theory in Quantum Mechanics using the available potential models and will make use of toy Monte Carlo simulations to produce the expected correlation functions. [1] L. Fabbietti, V. Mantovani Sarti, O. Vazquez Doce, arXiv:2012.09806 [nucl-ex] Contact person Raffaele Del Grande
KTA	Toward a complete b->c tau nu fit in the Weak Effective Theory	van Dyk
Research group Theoretical Elementary Particle Physics Description You will use the EOS software to generate a hypothetical data set of experimental measurements, and use it to validate a fit of the b->c tau nu Wilson coefficients of the effective theory. You will take care to explore possible blind directions in the parameter space, and seek new observables that break these blind directions. Your thesis will pave the way toward a complete extraction of the experimental information contained in upcoming data sets by the LHCb and Belle II experiments. Knowledge of Python is required. Contact person Meril Reboud
AEP	Two-dimensional Pattern Formation via Local Cell-Cell Signaling	Gerland
Research group Theory of Complex Bio-Systems Description Pattern formation phenomena occur in many different contexts ranging from physical and chemical systems to developmental biology and synthetic biology. For instance, in developmental biology, the correct relative positioning and determination of different cell fates is essential to ensure that the organism functions correctly. Whilst many models for pattern formation have been studied, the focus here is on cellular systems with interactions only between neighboring cells. This form of communication has previously received less attention from theoretical research than e.g. long-range diffusible signals as a means of communication. Our goal is to explore fundamental limits, patterning concepts, and engineering potential with a simple top-down model. Building on previous work, the project will concentrate on searching mechanisms of pattern formation with the goal of investigating which information processing and communication logics can robustly produce different prototypical patterns in two spatial dimensions. Prior knowledge in biology/biophysics is not needed, but interest in theoretical physics and computational problem solving is expected. Contact person Stephan Kremser
KTA	Untersuchung der Signalantwort des MADMAX Experiments zur Suche nach Axionen als dunkler Materie	Majorovits
Research group Max-Planck-Institute for Physics / Werner-Heisenberg-Institute (MPP) Description Im Rahmen des MADMAX Projektes zur Suche nach dunkler Materie Axionen werden verschiedene Testaufbauten bei Raumtemperatur und in flüssigem Helium (4 K) zur Kalibrierung und zur Untersuchung der genauen Signalantwort des experimentellen Aufbaus betrieben. Es werden Reflektionsdaten Daten genommen und ausgewertet. In the frame work of the MADMAX projects several test stands at room tamperature and in liquid helium for the investigation of the detailled system response and for calibration of the setup are being operated. Reflectivity data will be atken and analyzed.
KTA	Untersuchung und Verbesserung des Verhaltens von sMDT-Kammern bei hohen Gammastrahlungsuntergrundraten	Kroha
Research group Max-Planck-Institute for Physics / Werner-Heisenberg-Institute (MPP) Description Das Verhalten neuer Myondetektoren (small-diameter Muon Drift Tube Detektoren, sMDT-Kammern) fuer kuenftige Experimente an hochenergetischen Teilchencollidern soll unter den diesen Experimenten zu erwartenden extrem hohen Untergrundstrahlungssraten untersucht werden. Dazu werden Daten in einem Myonstrahl in der Gamma-Bestrahlungseinrichtung am CERN aufgenommen und analysiert. Das Schwergewicht der Arbeit liegt an der Auswertung der Daten. Ein Aufenthalt am CERN zum Aufbau des Experiments und zur Aufnahme der Daten kann in Betracht gezogen werden.
KM	Zeitaufgelöste Messung des Umschaltprozesses für in der Ebene magnetisierte mikrostrukturierte Elemente	Back
Research group Experimental Physics of Functional Spin Systems Description The demonstration of magnetization switching induced by spin-orbit torques in a ferromagnetic metal (FM)/heavy metal (HM) bilayer has attracted tremendous attention due to possible application in magnetic random access memories (MRAM). Typically, an in-plane current sent through the heavy metal layer (e.g. Pt) gives rise to a spin accumulation at the FM/HM interface due to the spin Hall effect. The spin accumulation acts on the ferromagnet (e.g. Co) via the spin transfer torque effect and leads to magnetization dynamics and, ideally, to switching. In this Master thesis, we will use time resolved magneto-optical Kerr microscopy (TRMOKE), which is a time and spatially resolved technique, to trace the switching dynamics of an in-plane magnetized ferromagnetic metal. The following points will be addressed: 1) The Co/Pt thin films will be patterned to micrometer-size devices by using a by mask-free laser writer or by electron-beam lithography. 2) Time and spatially resolved magnetization dynamics will be measured by TRMOKE. 3) Finally, the experimental data will be compared to theory. Contact person Lin Chen

Registering the research phase

The registration to all modules belonging to the research phase is done at once in the Dean's Office (Dekanat), normally at the beginning of the third Master's semester. When doing this, the certificate of mentor counseling has to be included. After agreeing on a topic with the future supervisor, students can print out the registration form in the student access.

After six months the Master's thesis should begin. Passing the Master's seminar and the Master's training will be recorded in TUMonline and you are officially alowed to start the thesis.

Handing in the thesis and getting the grade

Before handing in the Master's thesis, you need to update the final titel of the thesis in the database (student access) and upload an electronic copy (PDF-file). Afterwards, you have to hand in two printed versions in the Dean's Office (Dekanat). Alternatively you may hand in the rpinted copies via postal mail – use the submission letter you may generate on the status page after uploading the thesis PDF for this. The submission letter (as well as the submission form at the Dean’s Office) especially contains the required statement according to §18 paragraph 9 APSO.

You have to hand in the thesis at the latest on the deadline, please keep this on mind. The thesis is not handed in until the two paper copies and the signed submission form (or the signed submission letter for postal submission) physically arrived at the Dean’s Office! If the two copies and the submission letter are given into the mail without any delay we can interpret the date of uploading the PDF file as submission date retroactively.

Extension of the deadline is only possible for good reasons. See FAQ on Thesis extension.

The Master's thesis will be evaluated by the supervisor and a second examiner. The second examiner is appointed by the examination board on suggestion of the supervisor (after official registration of Master’s thesis).

The supervisor and the second examiner will also grade the Master's colloquium, which completes the research phase.

Re-enrollment during the research phase

For any examination you must be enrolled as a student of TUM. Hence you need to re-enroll for one semester more e.g. if you hand in your Master’s thesis or your Master’s colloquium takes place after the current semester ends. According to APSO, coursework and examinations until the first week of the lectures of the next semester are counted for the current semester – but for the Master's Thesis the rule is: you must be enrolled at the date you hand in your thesis (meaning handing in after 1st of April or 1st of October is impossible if your are not re-enrolled in summer or winter semester respectively)

With a due date for your thesis e.g. in October, you should not forget to re-enroll for the winter semester and the corresponding deadline would be August 15.

Organization of the colloquium

The Master’s colloquium is organised and conducted by the supervisor together with the second examiner. The Master’s colloquium takes approximately 60 minutes, consisting of a 30 minutes talk and 30 minutes examination. Naturally, the inclusion of the colloquium in a group seminar is possible.

Completing your Master studies

At the end of the semester in which you reach the necessary 120 ECTS in your Master's degree program you will be exmatriculated (according to §13(1) enrolment rules of TUM). In most cases the Master's colloquium will be the last exam to reach this point.

Taking further exams and final documents

You are principally allowed to take further exams after reaching the 120 ECTS, i.e. to replace previous results in the catalog of special courses or non-physics courses with better results. Therefore it is generally not possible that the final documents are generated before you are exmatriculated. In case you need the final documents (or even preliminary documents) earlier, you have to request for it explicitly. See the Remarks on end of studies and final documents for further information.

Deriving the final grade

The final grade is the ECTS-weighted average of the graded exams, which are used to fulfill the 120 ECTS. These are the elective course in theoretical physics, the special courses, the non-physics courses, the Master's thesis and colloquium.

If you have taken more than 30 ECTS in the special courses or more than 8 ECTS in the non-physics elective courses, then TUMonline will try to find the combination, which results in the best final grade. Redundant courses will be listed as "additional courses" in your transcript. If you want a different combination than the one TUMonline is suggesting, please contact the coordinator of the Master's degree program before the final documents are printed.

Nr.	Module	Credits (CP)	ca. %
1	Theoretical physics	10	12
2	Special courses	30	36
3	Non-Physics courses	8	10
4	Master's thesis	30	36
5	Master's colloquium	5	6
	Sum	83	100