Thermal fluctuations in non-equilibrium: From quantum to classical systems. Focus: Nonlinear systems

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Matthias Krüger
• Subject Area: Statistical Physics, Nonlinear Dynamics, Complex Systems, Soft and Fluid Matter, Biological Physics ; Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: from 2012 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 227697387

Nonlinear systems, especially if far from equilibrium, are an exciting field of statistical physics: The behavior of mean values as well as fluctuations are largely unexplored, both theoretically as well as experimentally. In this project, we aim at the theoretical description of such nonlinear systems out of equilibrium, by investigation of the following specific cases: i) The (quantum-) fluctuations of the electromagnetic field in nonlinear systems, ii) the Brownian motion of a driven particle in nonlinear bath, and iii) the nonlinear response of a colloidal model system, and its connection to fluctuations in the unperturbed state.

• DFG Programme: Independent Junior Research Groups