The research program of the IFF institute 'Electronic Properties' is devoted towards the investigation of the electronic structure of atoms, molecules, clusters, and solids. The ultimate goal is the development of an understanding and thus a base for the control of the properties of (new) materials. The electronic structure constitutes the microscopic origin for all materials properties. The electronic interactions determine whether a solid is metallic, insulating, or semiconducting, whether it is transparent or exhibits a distinctive color, whether it is a magnet or a superconductor. Even the elastic properties and the thermal conductivity and heat capacity are determined by the electronic structure.

The electronic structure of simple solids consisting of a regular lattice formed by one or two atomic constituents, like pure metals or semiconductors such as GaAs, is quite well understood. Thin film systems introduce a modification of the intrinsic materials properties due to the interaction at the surface and the interfaces. In structures where at least one of the dimensions is in the nanometer range, the interface or surface properties in conjunction with quantum size effects result in large modifications of the original materials properties. This has led to the concept of 'atomic engineering of materials', whereby the materials properties are controlled by a variation of the atomic constituents at the microscopic atomic level. These concepts establish the central and interconnecting aspect of our research program, where we use both experimental as well as theoretical tools for our explorations. In our research we are not only interested in the ground state properties but also in the dynamic short time response to an external stimulus, as for example a short light pulse.

A large part of our research program is devoted towards the development of a microscopic understanding of classes of materials with a direct connection to a technological applications. Such materials where the microscopic control and the variation of the atomic constituents have a dominating influence for the technological application include semiconductor layer systems and heterostructures as well as thin film magnetic systems for sensors and storage media.

Oriented towards these technological applications the research efforts of the institute are organized in the following areas:

1. Magnetism of solids and thin films; From basic research to Magnetoelectronics

2. Clusters as new Materials.

3. Additionally in our institute there is an effort to develop new Methods and Instrumentation for our research. Hereby plays the application of synchrotron radiation a central role. This includes the design and construction of beamlines and instruments for research with synchrotron radiation.