Department of Applied Physics

A hand with a blue vinyl glove adjusts complicated research instruments.

Our research focuses on materials physics, quantum technology, soft and living matter, and advanced energy solutions. Topics extend from fundamental research to important applications. Department of Applied Physics educates future generations of research and development professionals, data specialists, technology experts, inventors, and scientists for industry and society.

The department hosts the Academy of Finland Centres of Excellence Quantum Technology Finland (QTF, 2018-2025) and Life Inspired Hybrid Materials (LIBER, 2022-2029). Further quantum technologies are facilitated by the national quantum institute – InstituteQ, coordinated by Aalto University since 2021.

The department is a major user of the national research infrastructure OtaNano that provides fabrication, characterisation and measurement equipment and facilities for students, scientists and high-tech businesses. The Nanomicroscopy Center and the Low Temperature Laboratory of OtaNano are critical assets for our researchers. We extensively utilise and contribute to the development of the national and international cloud and supercomputing resources and databases.

A reflective metallic sphere causing ripple waves on a dotted surface, with the text 'ultraSound' and 'plasmonic waves'.
Press releases Published:

Record-speed waves on extremely water-repellent surfaces

An interdisciplinary team of physicists and biomedical engineers unlocked new properties in capillary waves thanks to superhydrophobicity.
A person in a tweed jacket stands in front of a whiteboard covered in diagrams. Next to them is intricate gold machinery.
Press releases Published:

Professor Päivi Törmä and the SuperC consortium pursue room-temperature superconductivity with quantum geometry and AI

Professor Päivi Törmä and the SuperC consortium aim to realize the energy-saving reality of superconductors operating at higher temperatures than near-absolute zero.
A close-up view of a cryostat's complex interior structure with multiple layers of wiring and components.
Press releases Published:

Doubling-down on an almost one-hundred-year old math formula unlocks more controllable qubits

Physicists found a simple and effective way to skip over an energy level in a three-state system, potentially leading to increased quantum computational power with fewer qubits.
Collage of black and white photographs showing a scientist working with heavy machinery and complex equipment.
Cooperation Published:

Year of Quantum 2025: What does this global declaration mean for Finland?

The year of 2025 marks a significant step forward for quantum technology research and development both in Finland and beyond.
An artistic rendering of two chips on a circuit board, one is blue and the other is orange and light is emitting from their surf
Press releases Published:

Researchers aim to correct quantum errors at super-cold temperatures instead of room temperature

One of the major challenges in the development of quantum computers is that the quantum bits, or qubits, are too imprecise. More efficient quantum error correction is therefore needed to make quantum computers more widely available in the future. Professor Mikko Möttönen has proposed a novel solution for quantum error correction and has received a three-year grant from the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation to develop it.
Jose Lado.
Research & Art Published:

Quantum physics professor searches for exotic qubit alternatives with new European funding

Aalto University physics professor Jose Lado will use this funding to engineer a new type of topological quantum material that could have applications for quantum bit, or “qubit,” development for noise-resilient topological quantum computation.
A close-up view of a cryostat's complex interior structure with multiple layers of wiring and components.
Press releases Published:

Doubling-down on an almost one-hundred-year old math formula unlocks more controllable qubits

Physicists found a simple and effective way to skip over an energy level in a three-state system, potentially leading to increased quantum computational power with fewer qubits.
A reflective metallic sphere causing ripple waves on a dotted surface, with the text 'ultraSound' and 'plasmonic waves'.
Press releases Published:

Record-speed waves on extremely water-repellent surfaces

An interdisciplinary team of physicists and biomedical engineers unlocked new properties in capillary waves thanks to superhydrophobicity.
A gold-plated cryostat sits half open with many cables coming out from the bottom.
Awards and Recognition Published:

OtaNano included in roadmap of Finnish research infrastructures with ‘lighthouse’ status

The lighthouse status, granted by the Research Council of Finland, demonstrates OtaNano’s position as a unique infrastructure for high impact research.
Photo showing four parallel wood tensile testing set-ups across the grain
Studies Published:

Online course on Wood Mechanics starts 24.2.2025

Learn 100% online about the engineering potential of wood as a complex natural material.

Logo of the PHYS Diversity Team in Aalto colours

Department of Applied Physics Diversity Team

The Diversity Team of the Department of Applied Physics aims to build an inclusive, diverse and welcoming work environment

Department of Applied Physics
Life at the campus.

Careers at Aalto

Aalto University is where science and art meet technology and business. We are an international community of 20,000 bold thinkers who shape a sustainable future with education, research breakthroughs and innovative ideas and solutions. Join us in changing the world – we have many attractive career opportunities to offer.

The goal at InstituteQ is to improve the readiness of Finland for the disruptive potential quantum technologies will have for society and the economy at large. By 2026, novel educational programs, growing quantum industry and eminent research directions are expected to be in full motion. The efforts of InstituteQ facilitate fundamental scientific findings, the adoption of novel technologies and the development of new commercial opportunities. The aim is to carry, implement and mutually benefit front line education, research, innovations, and infrastructures.

Logo with the word 'InstituteQ' featuring a gold and black circular design, on a white textured background.

InstituteQ - The Finnish Quantum Institute (external link)

InstituteQ coordinates quantum research, education, and business in Finland

QTF-hero logo

Quantum Technology Finland – The National Centre of Excellence (external link)

The national Quantum Technology Finland (QTF) Centre of Excellence brings together scientific and technological excellence and cutting-edge research infrastructures to harness quantum phenomena in solid-state-based quantum devices and applications.

A map of Finland sits on top of an artistic illustration of small-scale circuits.

Aalto University to coordinate Finnish quantum initiatives in latest national flagship programme

The flagship unites dozens of research institutions, companies, and startups in new collaborative front

News
Physics Research Seminar by Prof. Dong-Hee Kim from Gwangju Institute, on February 24 at Aalto University.
Lectures and seminars

Physics Research Seminar: Prof. Dong-Hee Kim

Prof. Dong-Hee Kim will give a seminar about flat-band superconductivity in the attractive Hubbard model on the kagome lattices under disorder.
Pile of books.
For Aalto community Information sessions

Online DPSP info session for ARTS doctoral students

Are you wondering what is actually required of your Doctoral personal study plan (DPSP)? Do you need help with your credit plan?
Computer Science Library
For Aalto community Lectures and seminars

CS Doctoral Seminars

Welcome to learn more about the work of our doctoral researchers.
Discrete integration contours
Public defences

Public defence in the field of Mathematics and Statistics, M.Sc. David Adame Carrillo

Lattice models and conformal field theory (title of the thesis)

Nanotalo building

Puumiehenkuja 2

Nanotalo

Kide

Konemiehentie 1

Aalto_University_Otakaari2B_

Micronova

Tietotie 3

Micronova cleanroom kuva: Aino Huovio
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