Experimental Soft Matter Physics

Experimental Soft Matter Physics research is conducted within the “Light and Matter” research program.  The interaction of light with matter is one of the most important fields of physics and optical processes are indispensable in many branches of modern industry. Although the latter predominantly involves solid-state materials, soft materials offer a vast horizon of novel possibilities and challenges.

Soft matter physics deals with materials that are easily deformed by thermal fluctuations and external forces. Examples are liquids, colloids, foams, polymers, biomaterials, liquid crystals or granular materials. Their physics is directly intertwined with the ability of their constituent molecules to self-assemble or to organize into mesoscale and even macroscale structures, giving rise to many novel and unexpected physical phenomena.

Our group comprises experimental investigations of optical phenomena in soft matter, interactions of light with soft matter, as well as possible applications in photonics, information technology and medicine. Among the main topics of research are the investigation of polar nematic liquid crystalline materials, liquid crystalline elastomers, magneto-active polymers, self-assembled biological materials and biomedical optics.

The group’s forefront soft matter material research on new materials is accompanied by the development of optical methods. The work is done closely with the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana.