ReseaRch Quality assuRance foR the futuRe a ... - Lund University

Panel 13 – PHYSICS / MATHEMATICS
like nanowires. The group is also entering more in-situ related work investigating
single crystal surfaces under realistic catalytic conditions. This
work show great promises for the future. The achievements of the surface
science group have also been profound because of Maxlab and theoretical
support. In fact in surface and nanoscale science it is difficult to think of
many other institutions anywhere that have played such pivotal roles. The
research profile of the surface science group is thus outstanding.
2.6.4 Collaboration
The Division of Solid State Physics has very strong interactions with other
departments in Lund through the Nanometer Structure Consortium
and through other Strategic Centers funded by SSF. Individuals are also
engaged in collaborations with scientists in several other countries. Collaborative
efforts of this division are very good.
2.6.5 Research activity and teaching
The division offers an impressive number of courses in almost all modern
aspects of the research they carry out. This is very impressive as the development
of these courses is by no means trivial. It reflects a commitment
of behalf of the division professors to integrate research and education.
The rating would be excellent.
In the report there was no indication whether Problem-Based Learning
(PBL) was being used in the division. It would be a good idea to implement
this, as has been done in other divisions of Physics.
2.6.6 Evaluation of future plans
As is to be expected the future research plans of the division and the
consortium involve continuation of prime quality research in the areas
already familiar to them and in which they are among the best in the
world. The proposed work in the growth of complex heterostructures
and 3D branching structures to create novel materials and self-assembled
neural-network model structures is to be commended. Further investigations
of transport and optical properties of low-dimensional structures
to investigate spin transport and excitonic properties are also very timely.
The efforts in nanoelectronics, nanophotonics and nanobiophysics should
also continue to provide the researchers with competitive edge. Given
that the group is already accepted as pioneers in the types of work that
they have carried out, they might want to broaden their areas of expertise
by extending their research beyond semiconductors to provide themselves
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