Leiden University is an international, broad-based university. We distinguish five core domains for our research and teaching activities.

A full overview of THEOR PhD theses.

This thesis aims to improve the detection from ultra-weak single emitter by enhancing their emission properties with plasmonic nanostructures. We exploit the wet-chemically synthesized single crystalline gold nanorods (GNRs) as our basic frameworks in the whole studies, simply because of their unique…

This dissertation is an experimental study of laser-generated, atmospheric pressure, transient toroidal helium plasmas.

Heterogeneous catalysis is one of the fundamental processes of modern life, being common in industrial refinery and hydrogen vehicles, all the way to the living cell. The dissociation of H2 on Cu(111) is an important benchmark system for studying heterogeneous catalysis, with a large and varied amount…

Single-molecule spectroscopy has become a powerful method for using organic fluorescent molecules in numerous applications.

The specialisation consists of 120 European Credit Transfer System (EC) points and includes mandatory courses and electives (60 EC) and two research projects (60 EC).

Promotor: Prof.dr. J. Zaanen, A. Parnachev

Do you have any questions about the master’s programme Research in Physics: Classical/Quantum Information? Please contact us.

The specialisation consists of 120 European Credit Transfer System (EC) points and includes mandatory courses and electives (60 EC) and two research projects (60 EC).

Leading computer scientists from a variety of fields share their expertise and insights. Dive into the minds of these researchers and learn about real-world applications, the future of AI and related technologies and cutting-edge research. From chatbots to cybersecurity, from quantum to children's stories,…

Overlevingsanalyse is een onderzoeksgebied dat zich richt op het bestuderen van de tijd tot het optreden van een specifieke uitkomst.

On Wednesday September 26th, theoretical physicist Sean Carroll will give an Ehrenfest colloquium. It is part of a lecture series that has been running since 1912 and was founded by physicist Paul Ehrenfest.

This perspective addresses four challenges facing theorists whose aim is to make quantitatively accurate predictions for reactions of molecules on metal surfaces, and suggests ways of meeting these challenges, focusing on dissociative chemisorption reactions of H2, N2, and CH4.

We explore the particle physics and quantum world at the time of the big bang.

Promotor: Prof.dr. A. Achucarro, Co-Promotor: J.W. van Holten

Leiden has a strong tradition in theoretical physics, thoroughly linked with experimental disciplines.

The portal for prospective Indonesian Students contains information about the possibilities to study at Leiden University in the Netherlands.

The Leiden Institute of Physics (LION) offers bachelor and master level education in physics at Leiden University.

The MSc programme Physics offers 5 research-oriented specialisations where you can focus on Theoretical Physics, Quantum Matter and Optics, Biological and Soft Matter, or Cosmology. You can also combine Physics with education, management or science communication.

The interest of this thesis lies in spin transport in normal metals and superconducting half-metallic junctions.

The first direct detection of gravitational waves opened the possibility of mapping the Universe via this new and independent messenger.

In this thesis we use Josephson and noise scanning tunneling microscopy for the study of conventional, unconventional (iron-based) and disordered superconductors. On the one hand, Josephson scanning tunneling microscopy allows us to directly visualize the superfluid density with high spatial resolut…

An accurate description of reactive scattering of molecules on metal surfaces often requires the modeling of energy transfer between the molecule and the surface phonons. Although ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) can describe this energy transfer, AIMD is at present untractable for reactions with…

This thesis discusses the discovery potential of Intensity Frontier experiments.

The Dutch Research School for Theoretical Physics (DRSTP) has received excellent ratings from an independent international committee. The DRSTP is a school for PhD training which has grown out of a collaboration between the theoretical physics departments at six Dutch universities—including Leiden—and…

An overview of awards and prizes granted to our staff and students in 2022, as well as special appointments at Leiden University and other institutions.

The master’s programme Physics at Leiden University offers a wide range of specialisations from theoretical research to cosmology. You will be trained for a career in research or for a more practical-oriented specialisation. The programme offers a wide choice of individual study paths that take into…

On this page, you will find the recordings of the Tuesday Talks since April 2025. Recordings of the precursor to the Tuesday Talks, This Week’s Discoveries, are also available here.

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This thesis focuses on amyloid proteins, a class of proteins that convert into amyloid fibrils.

Many important topics in computer science, such as the correctness of software, the efficiency of algorithms and the modeling of complicated systems, depend on sound theoretical underpinnings. In the Theory group, we study these fundamental building blocks and develop verification methods to prove system…

The first book ever on information-theoretically secure multiparty computation

This thesis is about cosmological inflation and its relation to observations.

Because thin systems can deform along the thickness with relative ease, the interplay between surface mechanics and geometry plays a fundamental role in sculpting their three-dimensional shape.

The main objective of this thesis was to develop clinically relevant survival models for patients with high-grade soft tissue sarcoma of the extremities, in particular the development and validation of prediction models for use in clinical practice.

Promotor: Huub de Groot, Co-promotor: Francesco Buda

Working for a top faculty? Discover the vacancies at the Faculty of Science and apply immediately.

Promotor: A. Achúcarro, Co-Promotor: G.A. Palma

Promotors: Prof.dr. J. Zaanen, Prof.dr.ir. H. Hilgenkamp

This thesis contributes to studying primordial cosmology theories and their detectability in future observations.

Many important and extraordinary discoveries have been made in Leiden. Roam the city and discover the fascinating stories behind them. All you need is your smartphone!

A plasma is an ionized gas with very low electrical resistivity. As such, magnetic field lines are 'frozen in' and move with the fluid. Magnetic field lines that are linked, knotted and tangled, cannot be undone by the fluid motions.

The dissociative chemisorption of a molecule on a transition metal surface represents a rate-limiting step in many heterogeneously catalyzed processes, whereby most chemicals are made. In spite of the importance of this reaction, an accurate first principles approach to modeling it does not yet exist.…

To be able to measure small forces or small deviations from Boltzmann, the external vibrations at the resonance frequency must be very low. To achieve this, we have developed a very soft vibration isolation system and combine it with several other measures to reduce vibrations in our dilution refrigerators.…