Conference Overview
Plenary Speakers
The plenary talks will be adressing latest advancements in different research fields.
- Christophe Ballif, EPF Lausanne: Energy transition at scale: myths, realities and opportunities for physicists, from Switzerland to China
- Livia Bove, EPF Lausanne: A Laboratory View of Planetary Interiors: New Structures and Exotic States of Simple Molecular Systems under Extreme Conditions
- Tomas Brage, Lund University: Diversity Dimensions in Physics - always there, often forgotten
- Matthias Gaberdiel, ETH Zürich: Deriving AdS/CFT
- Florian Kehl, ETH Zürich: Enceladus in the Focus: Europe's Large-Class-Mission for the Search of Extraterrestrial Life on Saturn's Ice Moon
- Juerg Leuthold, ETH Zürich: Can Plasmonics ever Outperform Photonics? A Discussion on Pros and Cons of Plasmonics
- Jean-Philippe Martinez, MPI for Gravitational Physics, Potsdam:Solving the Relativistic Two-Body Problem: Analytical Approximations, Numerical Relativity, and Their Historical Lessons in the Era of Global Collaboration
- Andreas Müller, Université de Genève: Physics Education Research today - an Applied Science
- Pasquale Scarlino, EPF Lausanne: High-Kinetic-Inductance Resonators for Hybrid Quantum Architectures and Photonic Metamaterials
- Paris Sphicas, University of Athens & CERN: Particle Physics: the path to the future
- Anna Vangone, Roche Pharma Research and Early Development Basel: Designing Biology: How AI is Transforming Drug Discovery
- Vanessa Wood, ETH Zürich: Vibrational modes in nanomaterials and practical implications for (opto)electonics and (electro)chemistry and beyond
Public Lecture
- Didier Queloz, ETH Zürich, Nobel Laureate 2019: The exoplanet revolution and life in the Universe
It is planned to possibly supplement this lecture with a panel discussion (tbc), organised in collaboration with the NCCR Genesis.
Topical Sessions
The following parallel sessions are foreseen:
- Accelerator Science and Technology
- Applied Physics
- Atomic Physics and Quantum Optics
- Biophysics and Soft Matter
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Energy, Sustainability and Environment
- Gravitational Waves ****
- History and Philosophy of Physics
- Magnetism and Spintronics at the Nanoscale
- Nuclear, Particle- & Astrophysics *
- Quantum Computing **
- Semiconductors in Industry
- Theoretical and Mathematical Physics ***
* in collaboation with CHIPP; ** in collaboration with NCCR SPIN, *** in collaboration with NCCR SwissMAP, **** in collaboration with the Swiss Gravitational Wave Coordination Group (SGWG)
Depending on the number and contents of the contributed papers, each topical session may be split into special thematic subsessions.
Poster Session
The poster session will take place on 26 August in the frame of a lunch buffet and will be continued on 27 August. All posters are presented on both session days.
The three most outstanding posters will be awarded with a "Best Poster Prize". Additionally to the above requirement, at least the first author of the poster must be personally present at the conference in order to be eligible for the award. The awards will be given in a small ceremony on 28 August.
The maximum poster size is A0 (portrait).
Award Ceremony
Following our tradition, outstanding scientific work will be honored with the SPS awards in the fields of General Physics (sponsored by ABB Research Center), Condensed Matter Physics (sponsored by IBM Zürich Research Laboratory), Metrology (sponsored by METAS), Computational Physics (sponsored by COMSOL), Energy Technology (sponsored by Hitachi Energy), Sensing, Detection and Monitoring (sponsored by Sensirion) and Quantum Science and Technology (sponsored by ID Quantique). Each award is granted with CHF 5000.-.
Furthermore the winners of the Charpak-Ritz award, the CHIPP awards and the Prix Charles Haenny will also be honored.
The award ceremony will be held on 24 August at 13:00h.
General Assembly
The general assembly is scheduled for 24 August in the late morning. The agenda will be published in the SPG Mitteilungen no. 79.
We encourage all members to actively participate and contact the committee, at least three weeks before the meeting, if special points of interest should be discussed at the assembly.
Conference Dinner
A conference dinner is scheduled for the evening of 26 August in the Musée Olympique in Lausanne. The number of participants is limited. You can select the option during the regular registration process. The fee is CHF 95.- per person (further details will follow soon).
Important: Since we have to plan ahead with the restaurant, it is not possible to register for the dinner on site.
Industrial Exhibition
An exhibition with scientific devices, equipment, software and literature will be organized in parallel to the sessions. An invitation letter has been mailed to interested companies. If your company would like to join the exhibition, but did not receive the letter by the end of March, please contact the .
Lab Tours
Several lab tours, i.e. in the Swiss Plasma Center and further labs of the physics institute, are foreseen in the afternoon of the last conference day, after the parallel sessions end. You may apply for one of them directly in the registration form. Further details will be provided soon.
Additional information for selected sessions
Condensed Matter (KOND)
The condensed matter program welcomes contributions from all topics within condensed matter physics. This includes but is not limited to contributions from magnetism, superconductivity, semiconductors, fundamental questions on novel quantum phases or applied research. We also welcome contributions focusing on method developments for research on condensed matter materials, and will aim to bundle your input into topical sessions that serve as a fertilizer for fruitful discussions.
Contact: ,
Applied Physics: Bridging Theory and Innovation
Applied physics provides essential tools and methodologies for addressing scientific challenges across a wide range of scales, from nuclear and astrophysical processes to advanced technologies for fusion, sensing, and communication. Recent developments include high-precision isotopic and spectrometric techniques for astrophysics, fusion research, and environmental monitoring; advanced plasma diagnostics and modeling to improve the understanding of boundary plasmas and plasma–wall interactions in tokamak devices; and ultrafast laser-based methods for beam characterization and plasma spectroscopy. In parallel, progress in micro- and nanotechnologies—encompassing semiconductor detectors, magnetic nanostructures, spin-wave devices, and wavefront correction techniques—continues to drive innovation in imaging, high-frequency electronics, and communication systems.
This session of the SPS annual meeting will highlight applied physics research spanning plasma and fusion science, nuclear and radiation instrumentation, ultrafast photonics, micro- and nanoelectronics, and advanced diagnostic and modeling approaches. By bringing together expertise from these complementary domains, the session aims to foster interdisciplinary exchange and showcase developments that translate fundamental physics into impactful technologies.
Contact: ,
Accelerator Science and Technology
A broad range of research applications can be accommodated by particle accelerators, which generate specific types of secondary radiation, such as X-rays, neutrons, muons or exotic particles, at very high energies. Another use case is in the field of medical applications for treating patients and diagnosing illnesses. Contributions are encouraged on all aspects of accelerator development for future high energy frontier electron, proton and muon colliders, high brightness synchrotron light sources, high intensity neutron sources as well as medical accelerators.
Contact:
Energy, Environment and Sustainability
This session aims to foster broad participation from the research community, with particular encouragement for early-career researchers and students. Contributions may address fundamental or applied research, system-level analyses, or interdisciplinary perspectives at the interface of energy, environment, and sustainability. By welcoming a wide range of topics and approaches, the session seeks to stimulate exchange across disciplines.
Contact: ,
Gravitational Waves
For this special session, organised in collaboration with the Swiss Gravitational Wave Coordination Group (SGWG), contributions covering all aspects of gravitational wave physics are welcome. Particular emphasis is placed on contributions connected with the Einstein Telescope (ET), the LISA mission, and the ongoing LIGO-Virgo detectors, and gravitational wave activities linked to pulsar timing arrays and atomic interferometers.
Relevant topics include data analysis, theoretical aspects, and experimental challenges of any of the relevant experiments.
We particularly encourage PhD students and postdocs to submit abstracts and to join the meeting. Depending on the number of proposed contributions, the session will take place on one or two afternoons. Poster contributions are also welcome.
Contact: ,
Magnetism and Spintronics at the Nanoscale
This focus session concerns the latest advancements in the fabrication, measurement, and exploitation of novel functionalities in spintronic and nanomagnetic materials.
We aim to showcase recent work conducted by experimentalists and theorists from Switzerland and neighboring countries who are researching the magnetic properties of thin films, interfaces, and nanostructures. Dirk Grundler (EPFL), Yujeong Bae (EMPA) and Daniela Petti (Polytechnic University of Milan) will present invited talks during the sessions.
Contact: , ,
Quantum Computing (organized by the NCCR SPIN)
The quantum computing session aims to bring together the groups working on all aspects of quantum computing and simulation from hardware to software, experiment to theory, qubit materials, engineering, computer science and quantum information. This includes various qubit realizations such as atomic, ionic, photonic, superconducting, spin and other qubits, as well as cryo-CMOS control. On the software side, the session includes quantum algorithms, quantum error correction and mitigation, quantum information, as well as NISQ and fault tolerant computing and use cases.
The session is organized by the NCCR SPIN: Spin qubits in Silicon, and will comprise a mixture of oral and poster contributions from both senior and junior researchers. Please submit your contribution before the abstract submission deadline.
Contact: ,
Theoretical and Mathematical Physics (organised by the NCCR SwissMAP)
This sessions aims to offer a forum to the theoretical and mathematical physics community in Switzerland and beyond, ranging from statistical mechanics and probability, via PDEs and geometry all the way to holographic dualities and quantum gravity. The session is organised by the NCCR SwissMAP and will showcase contributions by researchers in Switzerland and neighbouring countries in areas relevant to the main research directions of the NCCR.
Contact:
Semiconductors in Industry
Semiconductors are the backbone of modern industry. They power everything from smartphones and electric vehicles to advanced medical devices and AI systems. In today’s era of digital transformation, their role is critical for enabling faster computing, energy efficiency, and connectivity across sectors. Global supply chain challenges have highlighted their strategic importance, making innovation in semiconductor physics essential for resilience and competitiveness. The goal of this year's Physics in Industry session is to provide a unique opportunity to explore how fundamental principles drive breakthroughs in semiconductor technology—fueling progress in electronics, automation, and sustainable solutions.
Contact: ,