Curtain up for ctd.qmat! We’re celebrating our new name with a custom quantum groove by loop artist Konrad Kuechenmeister.

Welcome to ctd.qmat 

ctd.qmat, the Cluster of Excellence for Complexity, Topology and Dynamics in Quantum Matter  at Julius-Maximilians-Universität (JMU) Würzburg and Technische Universität (TU) Dresden, brings together around 300 scientists from more than 30 countries to develop tailored quantum materials with extraordinary properties.

 

We harness topological effects and explore the dynamics of quantum processes. Working at the intersection of physics, chemistry, and materials science, we are laying the foundation for tomorrow’s technologies — from efficient electronics to robust quantum systems.

 

The cluster unites two of the leading research hubs in condensed matter physics, and entered its second funding period under the German Excellence Strategy of the Federal and State Governments in 2026.

 

More about ctd.qmat

300

researchers

33

nationalities

14

years funding period

2019 - 2025 & 2026 - 2032

1,700

publications since 2019

Events

  • Blaue Illustration von Grete Hermann in stilisierter Darstellung auf hellem Hintergrund.

    11 Feb 2026
    02:15 pm – 03:45 pm

    GHN colloquium with Prof. Elke Scheer (University of Konstanz)

    The GHN Colloquium talk series features the female scientists of the Grete Hermann Network (GHN) - an international network of female researchers in condensed matter physics and neighboring research areas to give a lecture on their research and current projects, as well as about their career paths.
  • Marktplatz in Zwickau mit historischen Gebäuden und Dom im Hintergrund.

    25 – 27 Feb 2026

    Seventh QMA retreat (Zwickau)

    In Zwickau we will meet and talk about your projects.
  • Sapporo

    02 Mar 2026
    09:00 am – 06:00 pm

    2nd Japan-Germany Workshop

    The PRESTO programs "Quantum Cooperation" and "Quantum Materials" supported by JST, are pleased to announce an international workshop jointly organized with researchers from the German Cluster of Excellence  ctd.qmat. This three-day intensive workshop aims to bring together experts, early-career researchers, and students from diverse fields related to Correlated and Topological Quantum Materials, providing a focused forum to explore cutting-edge topics and recent advances in this rapidly evolving area of research.

    15 – 17 Apr 2026

    BeWISE - Women in Science and Engineering 2026

    The three-day English-language conference will take place in Dresden from April 15–17, 2026, and offers workshops and coaching sessions. Through discussions with established female professors, participants gain insights into academic career paths. The conference targets female researchers in the qualification phase of DFG-coordinated programs.
  • Circular, colorful logo with honeycomb structure on blue background and text CTD.QMAT26.

    28 Sept – 02 Oct 2026

    CTD.QMAT26: International Conference on Complexity and Topology in Quantum Matter

    CT.QMAT26 is the third international conference of the Cluster of Excellence ctd.qmat on emerging quantum phenomena resulting from topological physics and its interplay with many-body interactions in diverse quantum matter settings, from topological electron materials to quantum spin systems and photonics. It will be taking place in the city of Würzburg, Germany.

Research

The Cluster of Excellence ctd.qmat develops tailored topological quantum materials and explores their potential for real-world applications. Focusing on the dynamics of quantum processes, ctd.qmat is laying the foundations for tomorrow’s high tech and pioneering new material concepts that go far beyond the silicon age, ushering in an entirely new era of innovation.

 

ctd.qmat brings together the world-class research of two leading universities – Julius-Maximilians-Universität (JMU) Würzburg and Technische Universität (TU) Dresden – and connects with outstanding partner institutions worldwide. Leading scientists from condensed-matter physics, photonics, chemistry, materials science, and nanoscience work together to translate fundamental research into revolutionary applications.

 

Beyond research, ctd.qmat nurtures scientific talent, strengthens public understanding of quantum technologies, and inspires the next generation of researchers.

 

More about our Research

Research Areas

Our latest Publications

Careers & Support

ctd.qmat advances the frontiers of theoretical and experimental research on topological quantum materials. Interdisciplinary teams work in state-of-the-art facilities at two leading research universities – Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg and Technische Universität Dresden – creating a vibrant environment for discovery and collaboration.

 

More about careers

Outreach

Kitty Q
Mädchen präsentiert Tablet mit der Katze-Q-App, Foto: Tobias Ritz.

Kitty Q

The mobile game “Kitty Q – A Quantum Adventure” invites kids and teens to explore the wacky world of quantum physics.

More

QUANTube
Mädchen mit Schrödingers Katze im Escape-Room Warum ist die Katze halb tot?

QUANTube

In the video series “QUANTube – Short Break Science,” young researchers explain fascinating phenomena from the world of quantum physics.

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Escape Room
Zwei Frauen vor orangefarbener KatzeQ-Wandgrafik, ziehen an einer Tür im Escape-Room-Stil.

Escape Room

Solve mind-bending puzzles in the Quantum Apartment to free Kitty Q from her half-dead quantum state!

 

More

RETHINKING PHYSICS
Frau betrachtet das Porträt von Merit Springer auf einer Ausstellungswand mit Beschreibungstext.

RETHINKING PHYSICS

A traveling exhibition celebrating women in quantum physics – featuring portraits of inspiring female scientists.

 

More

News

  • Pressebild-2026-02-Ctdqmat-Fototobiasritz-1920x1080

    New Name, Expanded Focus: ctd.qmat Launches into the Future of Quantum Research

    Marked by a new focus on dynamics and a distinctive quantum vibe, the Würzburg–Dresden Cluster of Excellence ctd.qmat — Complexity, Topology and Dynamics in Quantum Matter — is entering the second funding period of the German Excellence Strategy of the Federal and State Governments.
  • 2026-03-Ercgrant-Vaynzof-1920x1080

    European Funding to Bring New Technology to Market

    The European Research Council (ERC) is supporting a feasibility study led by Professor Yana Vaynzof, Principal Investigator at ctd.qmat, with a Proof of Concept Grant. The €150,000 award will be used to explore a new, high-speed production process for efficient photovoltaic technologies.
  • Aparajita Singha standing with arms crossed in a lab, surrounded by technical equipment.

    Measuring a Single Magnetic Moment. New Quantum Chair Launched in Dresden

    Aparajita Singha can measure single magnetic moments in quantum materials — a crucial foundation for future quantum technologies. She has now assumed her professorship in Nanoscale Quantum Materials at the Würzburg–Dresden Cluster of Excellence ctd.qmat and is based at TU Dresden.
  • Abstrakte Illustration eines kristallartigen blauen Objekts in einer nebligen Umgebung, Symbolisierung von Quanten‑Materialforschung.

    Surface-Only Superconductor Is the Strangest of Its Kind

    A new study by researchers at IFW Dresden and the Cluster of Excellence ct.qmat shows that although PtBi₂ looks like an ordinary shiny gray crystal, the electrons moving across its surfaces behave in ways never seen before. Intriguingly, the edges of the superconducting surfaces host long-sought Majorana particles — promising candidates for fault-tolerant quantum bits (qubits) in future quantum computers.
  • Porträt eines Forschers in Sakko vor Holzpaneelen — Mitglied des ct.qmat‑Clusters.

    Roderich Moessner to Receive Max Born Prize

    Professor Roderich Moessner, director of the Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems in Dresden and a Principal Investigator of the Cluster of Excellence ct.qmat, will be awarded the 2026 Max Born Prize in recognition of his outstanding scientific contributions to physics.
  • Fünf Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftler des ct.qmat‑Clusters stehen nebeneinander und blicken zur Kamera.

    ct.qmat Celebrates Five Among World’s Most Cited Researchers

    At ct.qmat, five esteemed members have been named among the world’s most frequently cited scientists.
  • Langzeitbelichtung einer Autobahn bei Nacht mit bunten Lichtspuren.

    New Structure for the Electron Highway

    Topological insulators could form the basis for revolutionary electronic components. However, as they generally only function at very low temperatures, their practical application has been severely limited to date. Researchers at the University of Würzburg have now developed a topological insulator that also works at higher temperatures.
  • Zwei Männer stehen bei einer Preisverleihung neben einer Holzkiste mit KatzeQ-Logo.

    Young Researchers Immersed Themselves in the Quantum World

    In keeping with the international quantum year "Quantum 2025", around 600 children experienced the fascinating phenomena of quantum physics live at the Würzburg children's university.
  • Rasterelektronenmikroskop-Aufnahme einer exfoliierten PtBi₂-Nanostruktur

    Topology Revealed by Dissipationless Charge Transport in Platinum-Bismuth

    An international research team, including scientists from the IFW Dresden and the Würzburg-Dresden Cluster of Excellence ct.qmat, has discovered a new transport phenomenon in the material platinum-bismuth (PtBi₂).