ctd.qmat: Complexity, Topology and Dynamics in Quantum Matter

© Tobias Ritz

Prof. Matthias Vojta, Dresden Speaker of ctd.qmat

"Our discoveries are leading the field globally - and we´ve firmly established Dresden and Würzburg as Germany´s premier centers of topological materials physics."

© Amac Garbe

Our vision

ctd.qmat develops materials with tailored properties that could lay the foundation for groundbreaking technologies. The donut symbolizes research into an entirely new class of quantum materials. If they can be made suitable for everyday use, they could pave the way for revolutionary quantum chips and other innovative applications.

© TUD

The Cluster of Excellence ctd.qmat – Complexity, Topology and Dynamics in Quantum Matter — at Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg and Technische Universität Dresden explores and develops novel quantum materials with tailored properties. Around 300 researchers from over 30 countries work at the interface of physics, chemistry, and materials science to lay the foundations for tomorrow’s technologies. In 2026, the cluster entered the second funding period of the German Excellence Strategy of the Federal and State Governments — with an expanded focus on the dynamics of quantum processes.

The new “d” in its name stands for the dynamics of quantum systems, a key topic in modern solid-state physics and a new research focus at ctd.qmat. A deeper understanding of quantum dynamics will enable novel quantum phenomena to be harnessed for applications in green energy, quantum computing, and advanced sensing. The rebranding is accompanied by a quantum soundtrack by loop artist Konrad Kuechenmeister.

Key Facts

• 300 researchers
• 33 nationalities
• 1,700 scientific publications since 2019
• 10 patents
• 5 researchers ranked among the world’s most cited
• 6 newly established professorships (starting in 2026)
• 1 international network of female researchers
• 6 awards for the mobile game app “Kitty Q – A Quantum-Adventure” and 1 award for the explainer video series “QUANTube – Science Break”

More information: https://www.ctdqmat.de

Further exciting insights

The university produced a film titled "Bright Minds. Excellent Research“, which provides insight into how passionate researchers at TUD are working to find solutions to the great global challenges of our day. Prof. Matthias Vojta is one of them. Website Bright Minds