Physics
Specialization in Advanced Matter and Energy Physics
The specialization Advanced Matter and Energy Physics gives you a solid understandig of gas phase, soft condensed matter and hard condensed matter physics. Using state-of-the-art equipment and under the supervision of top-ranked physicists you will be able to do research into topics as:
- Tests of fundamental physics theories at the atomic scale; frequency metrology of cold atoms and molecules; properties of new forms of ultracold atoms and molecules; quantum computation
- Artificial photosynthesis; bio-fuels; next generation energy materials, such as nanocrystals, nanowires and nanophotonic systems for tomorrow's solar energy conversion
- Emergence, the surprising and theoretically mysterious properties condensed matter systems exhibit when they are sufficiently complex
- Unravelling how new (un)conventional superconductors work and how they can be applied as qubits, field senors, magnets or in power applications
- Properties of complex liquids, granular, soft and bio-matter including jamming and selforganisation
Programme outline
The specialization Advanced Matter and Energy Physics is organized into three study paths:
- Emergent energy materials
- Atomic quantum physics
- Soft and complex matter
Each of these paths contains:
- A set of compulsory courses taken bij all students
- A selection of two of four guided-choice electives
- Free choice electives
Each of the study paths provides a coherent programme that equips students to conduct their research projects in one of the participating groups. The major elements of the curriculum are shown schematically in this PDF file.
Study paths can also be combined. The programme coordinator will help you to design a coherent study programme tailored to your own interest and optimally suited to prepare you for your research project. The programme coordinator will also act as tutor to help you graduate on time after two years of study.
Research project
A small literature survey and an extensive one-year research project form an essential part of the programme. Usually these projects are conducted at one of the associated research groups, but these can also be conducted in a research laboratory abroad or in an industrial lab. Our contacts include top physicists at the world's most prestigious scientific institutions. The VU University Amsterdam research groups are all part of LaserLaB Amsterdam which is part of a consortium of 27 leading laboratories in laser based research throughout Europe.
Participating research institutes
The Advanced Matter and Energy Physics programme is powered by three major players in experimental physics research in Amsterdam: the Physics Department of VU University Amsterdam (VU), the Van der Waals-Zeeman Institute for Experimental Physics of the University of Amsterdam (UvA), and the premier NWO/FOM institute AMOLF. Top researchers from all three institutions teach groundbreaking topics in each of the three study paths, and challenging reseach projects at the forefront of ongoing and new research are on offer from all three partners.
Career perspectives
As a successful graduate, your training in the important and growing fields of experimental physics research will make you a highly prized commodity in the market for PhD candidates. You will be of interest to research groups at VU, UvA and AMOLF, as well as to the hosts of your international or industrial research placement. Besides this, your strong analytical and problem-solving skills, along with your ability to design, set up, exploit and communicate successful experimental solutions providing clear answers to important (scientific) questions will make you highly attractive to the world beyond physics.
Our MSc graduates have gone on to work in the knowledge-besed sector (for example Philips, Philips Medical Systems, ASML, Shell, Océ, TNO, ESA), the financial sector, the IT and consultancy secor (KPN, McKinsey, ING, ABN AMRO), as well as in government (for example Ministries of EZ, VROM, OCW). Students with strong writing and communication skills can go on to a career with a newspaper, magazine or science-oriented non-profit organization.
Contact
Dr. Rick Bethlem
E-mail: h.l.bethlem@vu.nl
Phone: +31 (0)20 598 7951
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