Research Profile

Materials based on rare-earth metals and their compounds are important for our modern high-tech society but their molecular chemistry is surprisingly underdeveloped. Recent progress within the field shows that this is now dramatically changing. Over the last few years, dynamic developments in the chemistry and physics of molecular rare-earth compounds have moved boundaries and shifted paradigms previously valid for decades. 

The DFG Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) 1573 "4f for Future" deals with the synthesis and the physical properties of new molecular and nano-sized rare-earth compounds. Herein, we aim to synthesize materials with unprecedented optical and magnetic properties. The consortium addresses three major research areas:

• (A) Reactivity and Activation of Molecules,
• (B) Magnetically Induced Quantum Information,
• (C) Next-Generation Spectroscopy and Quantum Optics.

These areas are further cross-linked and supported by a cross-sectional project dealing with the implementation and application of new Quantum-Chemical Computations on Rare-Earth Compounds (Q). Both the central administrative project (Z) and an Integrated Research Training Group (G) support these research activities. 

The goal of this CRC is to significantly advance knowledge concerning the chemistry of molecular and nano-sized rare-earth compounds and to push forward our understanding of their physical properties towards novel applications. 

Find out more about the individual research projects here.