Sputter facility for thin film deposition


Welcome to IFW Dresden

We explore the physics and chemistry of new materials. Our aim is to generate new fundamental knowledge and innovations. New materials are necessary to store information in a better way and to transmit it faster, to filter waves of specific frequency, to shield magnetic fields, to convert heat into electricity or to store energy. These processes take place at the level of molecules, atoms and electrons and are determined by the laws of quantum physics. At IFW Dresden, we investigate these physical laws and develop materials with better or completely new functions.

Read  more

PhaseLab student laboratory at IFW Dresden: An optical experimental setup with a laser beam is viewed using a tablet.

17.08.2026

PhaseLab Student Lab: Registration Now Open

Starting today, teachers can register their 12th-grade physics courses for the PhaseLab student laboratory

Read More
Two Zn₄Sb₃ samples after long-term thermal cycling: the pristine sample with zinc whiskers on the left and the sample coated with a thin ZnO layer by Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) on the right.

12.08.2026

Atomically Precise Coating Stabilizes Thermoelectrics

The new approach opens up new opportunities for more efficient waste heat recovery

Read More
Four people stand in the courtyard of IFW Dresden in front of a reflecting pool. From left to right: Prof. Dr. Bernd Büchner, Dr. Kusumita Arora, Sohag Sen, and Prof. Dr. Tanusri Saha-Dasgupta.

22.07.2026

IFW Dresden strengthens Indo-German Cooperation in Quantum Research

Exploring Future Opportunities for Indo-German Collaboration

Read More

IFW Institutes

Festkörperforschung

Institute for Solid State Research

Prof. Dr. Bernd Büchner

Material-oriented experimental solid state physics with a special focus on quantum materials and nanoscale substances.

Read more
Metallische Werkstoffe

Institute for Metallic Materials

Prof. Dr. Kornelius Nielsch

Thermoelectric, magnetic and superconducting materials, functional thin films, metal physics

Read more
Neuartige Elektronik-Technologien

Institute for Emerging Electronic Technologies

Prof. Dr. Yana Vaynzof

Emerging semiconductor materials, integration into novel optoelectronic devices, sustainable photovoltaic devices

Read more
Materialchemie

Institute for Materials Chemistry

Prof. Dr. Anjana Devi

The IMC does research on chemistry of functional materials with focus on nanoscale and 2D materials, structural analysis and alloy design and processing.

Read more
Theoretische Festkörperphysik

Institute for Theoretical Solid State Physics

Prof. Dr. Jeroen van den Brink

Theoretical aspects of condensed matter physics and materials science.

Read more

Information for you

lightbulb

Research

Five IFW institutes combine their experience in our research program. Are you looking for latest publications or searching for a certain topic or group? Here you find further information.   

Research at IFW
newspaper

Offers for visitors

We offer guided labtours for registered visitors in small groups. Our target group are high schoool students keen on physic, chemistry and engineering.  

Learn more
address book

Career & Training

You want to work at the IFW Dresden? Here you can find our current job offers, vocational trainings and the PhD positions.

Job offers
user

People

About 500 people work at IFW. You want to know whom to adress? Here you find a list of contact persons.

Contact persons