Albert Einstein Center for Fundamental Physics

The Albert Einstein Center for Fundamental Physics (AEC) has been founded in 2011. Its aim is to foster high-level research and teaching in fundamental physics at the University of Bern. The main focus is on experimental and theoretical particle physics and its applications (e.g. medical physics), as well as on the related spinoff and outreach activities.

The AEC has been initially established with contribution of the Institute for Theoretical Physics (ITP) and of the Laboratory for High-Energy Physics (LHEP) of the University of Bern. With its over 100 members the AEC is among the largest university groups of scientists working on particle physics in Switzerland, and a strong player internationally.

Our educational activities are organized together with Physics and Astronomy.

Seminars

All seminars taking place through the semester can be found here.

News

Here you can find recent news fromthe AEC, ITP and LHEP.

Activities

Awards

Greinacher Prizes 2024 for Gaia Dellepiane and Ivo Schulthess

Dr. Gaia Dellepiane and Dr. Ivo Schulthess have received this year's Greinacher Prize for their PhD theses. Dr. Gaia Dellepiane (PhD supervisor: Prof. Saverio Braccini) - "Novel Radionuclides for Theranostics at the Bern Medical Cyclotron". Dr. Ivo Schulthess (PhD supervisor: Prof. Florian Piegsa) - "Search for Axion-Like Dark Matter and Exotic Yukawa-Like Interaction"

Awards

2025 High-Energy Physics Prize awarded to Jürg Gasser, Heinrich Leutwyler and Martin Lüscher

We are proud to announce that the 2025 High-Energy Physics Prize of the European Physical Society has been awarded to Jürg Gasser, Heinrich Leutwyler and Martin Lüscher for ground-breaking contributions to new theoretical methods that have advanced our understanding of strong interactions in their non-perturbative regime. In particular, to Gasser and Leutwyler for the formulation of low-energy effective field theory, which opened the way to accurate predictions in hadron physics and in the standard model; to Lüscher for leading developments on the formulation of QCD on the lattice, which enabled the rigorous calculation of non-perturbative contributions to physical observables from first principles.

Research

Precision calculation for nuclear beta decays

Recent work on radiative corrections to superallowed β decays in
effective field theory featured as DOE Science Highlight.

Event

SIGN25 Workshop in Bern

The 10th international SIGN25 workshop on the sign problem in QCD and beyond will take place at the University of Bern from 20th to 24th of January 2025. For further information click here.

Fellowship

Albert Einstein Center Fellowship

The Albert Einstein Center for Fundamental Physics (AEC) calls for nominations for the Albert Einstein Center Fellowship. The aim of this fellowship is to support outstanding young scientists in the field of theoretical or experimental physics of the fundamental interactions and to offer them scientific freedom and a stimulating environment, within the AEC at the University of Bern, to develop and fully express their potential.

Event

Outreach

Here you can find more information about physics related outreach events hosted at the university of Bern.

Visitor Program

The Albert Einstein Center for Fundamental Physics (AEC) at the University of Bern maintains a visitor program directed towards scientists working in theoretical or experimental high-energy physics and related areas.

Event

Events and workshops

Here you can find a list of events and workshops hosted by the AEC or where the AEC takes part in.

About us

Equal Opportunity

The Albert Einstein Center for Fundamental Physics (AEC) ensures the equal treatment of all of its employees and helps to advance the scientific careers of its members.

Event

Muon g-2 Workshop in Bern

The Sixth Plenary Workshop of the Muon g-2 Theory Initiative will be held at the University of Bern from 4th to 8th of September 2023.

Awards

Humboldt Prize for Uwe-Jens Wiese

Uwe-Jens Wiese has received a Humboldt Research Award to cooperate with scientists at the University of Bonn.

Research

Searching for Traces of Dark Matter with Neutrons

An international research team, lead by members of the AEC, has succeeded in significantly narrowing the scope for the existence of dark matter.

Awards

SNF Consolidator Grant for Martin Hoferichter

Martin Hoferichter was awarded an SNF Consolidator grant for his project "Searching for physics beyond the standard model in low-energy precision observables”.

Research

Deeper understanding of strong interactions

Urs Wenger and collaborators have carried out groundbreaking new simulations of the structure of the pion with the help of the Piz Daint supercomputer.

Research

New Muon g-2 Measurement

On 10.8.23 the Muon g-2 Experiment at Fermilab announced the result of their new measurement of the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon. This confirms previous results and significantly reduces the uncertainty. The status of the Standard Model prediction is summarized in this statement by the Muon g-2 Theory Initiative. At present it is not possible to conclude whether the measurement agrees with the Standard Model or not. Further studies of the theoretical prediction are ongoing and will be discussed during the forthcoming Plenary Workshop here in Bern.

Awards

Sakurai Prize for Heiri Leutwyler

Heiri Leutwyler has been awarded the 2023 J. J. Sakurai Prize for Theoretical Particle Physics for his fundamental contributions to the effective field theory of pions at low energies, and for proposing that the gluon is a color octet.

Contact

University of Bern
Albert Einstein Center for Fundamental Physics

Sidlerstrasse 5
3012 Bern

Phone: +41 31 684 86 31