Steffen Wirth

Steffen Wirth is a Professor and Group Leader in the Physics of Correlated Matter department at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids in Dresden, Germany. He has held a W2 position at the institute since 2010 and has been conducting research there since May 2000. His work spans multiple institutions across Germany, Ireland, France, and the United States, reflecting his international scientific collaborations.

Wirth's research focuses on the investigation of electronic correlations using Scanning Tunneling Microscopy/Spectroscopy, electronic transport, and magnetic measurements of bulk and thin film samples. His primary areas of interest include 4f heavy fermion systems, superconductivity, electronic inhomogeneity, two-dimensional transport, and non-trivial topological surface states. His group specializes in cryogenic scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy, with particular emphasis on topological materials. He has made significant contributions to understanding quantum criticality, Kondo physics, and the interplay between structure and electronic properties in strongly correlated electron systems.

Analysis of Wirth's recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong focus on topological materials, heavy fermion systems, and quantum critical phenomena. His work spans experimental techniques including scanning tunneling microscopy, thermal transport measurements, and X-ray spectroscopy, often applied to rare earth compounds, hexaborides, and novel quantum materials. A recurring theme is the investigation of electronic and magnetic properties at the intersection of topology, strong correlations, and quantum criticality.

• Fellow of the American Physical Society (2017)
• Outstanding Referee of the American Physical Society (2015)
• Feodor Lynen Fellowship by the Alexander von Humboldt-Foundation (1997-1999)

Wirth has supervised numerous PhD students and postdoctoral researchers throughout his career, though currently no PhD projects are available in his group. His research has been supported by various grants enabling advanced experimental capabilities in cryogenic STM, thin film preparation, and low-temperature measurements. His work often involves international collaborations with institutions across Europe and the United States.

Wirth leads a research group with laboratory facilities including cryogenic STM (B3.3.11), thin film preparation (B3.3.15), and additional STM capabilities (A1). His team combines local probe techniques with bulk measurements to obtain complementary information across different length scales, providing comprehensive insights into correlated electron systems.