Welcome to the Homepage of the DESY Theory Group

The theory group carries out an active research programme on the fundamental interactions of nature and the fabric of matter, space and time. The research in particle theory is closely linked with the experimental research in particle physics at DESY by explaining observations and making predictions for future experiments. The research carried out in the DESY theory group addresses the main theoretical challenges that particle physics faces at the present time, like

• What is the spectrum of fundamental particles?
• What is the nature of their interactions?
• How do elementary particles obtain the property of mass?
• Do all the forces of nature arise from a single fundamental interaction?
• How did the effects of particle physics influence the early evolution of our universe?
• Are there more than three dimensions of space?
• What is dark matter? Can it be produced in the laboratory?
• Which theory of quantum gravity explains gravity in a way consistent with the quantum nature of matter?

The DESY theory group is a leading centre for Theoretical Physics in Europe. It organizes various scientific events, employs and educates a considerable number of postdocs and hosts several guests. In this way it contributes significantly to the shaping of the scientific landscape in Europe.

The DESY theory group hosts the EC-funded Marie Curie Excellence Team led by J. Teschner devoted to the study of Nonlinear Sigma Models in String Theory.

The theory group has two partner institutions, the theory group of DESY Zeuthen and the John von Neuman institute.

The group is strongly linked both on a local and an international scale to several universities and other research institutions, including

• Participation in the Collaborative Research Center SFB 676 granted by the German Science Foundation (DFG) and close cooperation with the II Institute for theoretical physics of the Hamburg university.
• Strong links with the experimental groups at DESY , with the Institute for experimental physics of the Hamburg university and with the Analysis Centre of the Helmholtz Alliance "Physics at the Terascale .
• Participation to Hamburg's Center for Mathematical Physics and to Hamburg's Landesexzellenzcluster "Connecting Particles with the Cosmos".