Thesis Projects
Thesis projects in the Physics of Functional Materials group cover diverse topics in modern materials physics, including magnetism, optics, micromagnetics, simulations and functional materials applications. Here you can find an overview of ongoing and completed Master’s, Diploma and PhD theses carried out within the group.
Ongoing
Doctoral Theses (PhD)
| Student | Title |
|---|---|
| J. Baumsteiger | Ab Initio Investigation of Magnetic Materials |
| I. Douveas | Title to be announced |
| A. Ducevic | Multiscale Numerical Modeling and Optimization of Soft Magnetic Composites |
| S. Helbig | Self-consistent solution of magnetic and friction energy losses of a magnetic nanoparticle |
| R. Kraft | Accurate Stray Field Evaluation for Finite-Element Micromagnetics with Fast Multipole Methods |
| J. Salazar | Spin Orbit Torque effects for magnetic sensors |
| D. Schramm | Advanced Magnetic Force Microscopy for Vector Magnetization Reconstruction |
| A. Setescak | Title to be announced |
| J. Smith | AI-Enhanced Magnetic Simulations |
| M. Steinbauer | Novel Simulation Techniques for Large Scale Systems in Micromagnetics |
| C. Wager | Optimization of Coercivity and Cost of a Permanent Magnet Considering the Microstructure |
| S. Zeilinger | Spintronic Devices for Memory and Sensor Applications |
Master Theses
| Student | Title |
|---|---|
| P. Chybiorz | Offset-Free Magnonic Sensors |
| S. Falmbigl | Preparation of nanodiamond-polymer composite materials for recording holographic gratings |
| I. Gutmann | Measurement, quantification and biophysical modelling of non-Gaussian diffusion and its application to translational diagnostic medicine |
| P. Heinrich | Characterization of 3D-Hall based magnetic sensing devices |
| B. Hofbauer | Noncollinear coupling |
| V. Knezevic | Title to be announced |
| M. Oppold | Parametric pumping of magnons |
Diploma Theses
| Student | Title |
|---|---|
| G. Satzinger | The significance of physical measurements performed with smartphones from different manufacturers |
| A. Zuleger | Micromechanics of compact bone |
Completed
Doctoral Theses (PhD)
| Student | Year | Title |
|---|---|---|
| S. Koraltan | 2025 | Nonuniform magnetic spin textures for sensing, storage and computing applications |
| A. Voronov | 2025 | Inverse Design Optimization and Experimental Study of Magnon Circuits for Room- and Cryogenic-Temperature Applications |
| M. Gattringer | 2024 | Development of magnon-based offset-free magnetic field sensors |
| E. Hadden | 2024 | Polymer based photonic materials for cold neutron optics |
| G. Wautischer | 2023 | Magnetic Structure Design and Source Reconstruction by Solving the Inverse Magnetostatic Problem |
| P. Flauger | 2022 | Simulation of Spin-Torque-Driven Magnetization Dynamics in the Diffusive and Coherent Transport Regime |
| F. Slanovc | 2022 | Mathematical Optimization in Magnetic Simulation |
| P. Heistracher | 2021 | Micromagnetic and Atomistic Spin Dynamics Modeling and Graphics Processing Unit Accelerated Simulations |
| H. Weitensfelder | 2020 | Current Sensing Based on xMR Sensors with a Vortex-State Free Layer |
| K. Auerbach | 2019 | Origin of Magnetic Noise in xMR Structures |
| O. Muthsam | 2019 | Noise Mechanisms in Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording |
| A. Bachleitner-Hofmann | 2018 | Origin of Noise and Hysteresis in State-of-the-Art GMR Sensors |
| C. Huber | 2018 | Printing and Magnetizing Magnetic Structures |
| P. Palmesi | 2018 | Highly Parallel Computation of Magnetic Stray-Field Interaction |
| S. Puchberger | 2018 | Structure and Properties of Ferroic Domain Walls |
| A. Grill | 2017 | Optimization of SPD-Processed Mg-Based Alloys for Hydrogen Storage |
| R. Windl | 2017 | GMR-Based Magnetic Sensors |
| M. Reinecker | 2016 | Elastic Properties of Polyurea |
| A. Ghaffar | 2014 | Confinement-Induced Structural Changes of Alkali Metals in Nanoporous Systems |
| A. Devishvili | 2011 | Magnetic Properties of Gd3+-Based Systems |
| Dipl. Phys. M. SalehiRavesh | 2010 | Quantitative Analysis of Lung Perfusion Using Contrast-Enhanced Dynamic Magnetic Resonance Imaging |
| K. Berger | 2009 | Empirical Study on the Effect of Simple Visual Representations |
| Mag. J. Koppensteiner | 2009 | Glass Transition in Nanoporous Confinement |
| Maga. C. Zechmann | 2007 | Growth and Characterisation of Novel Photosensitive Materials |
| Mag. R. Mazzucco | 2005 | Slow Photopolymerization Kinetics in PMMA |
| Mag. Ch. Pruner | 2004 | Construction of an Interferometer for Cold Neutrons Based on Holographic Gratings |
| M. A. Ellabban, MSc. | 2002 | Holographic Scattering in Electro-Optic Crystals |
| Mag. D. Havlik | 2000 | Low-Frequency Phenomena near the Structural and Glassy Transitions in C60/C70 Alloys |
| Mag. A. Tröster | 1999 | Application of Perturbative Methods to Phase Transitions with Elastic Coupling |
| Mag. M. Prem | 1997 | Martensitic Phase Transitions in Co-0.85%Fe |
| Mag. P. Dolinar | 1995 | Low-Frequency Dynamics of Orientational Ordering Transitions in Single-Crystal Fullerites |
| Mag. M. Fally | 1995 | Influence of Mesoscopic Structures on Macroscopic Properties of Crystals near a Structural Phase Transition: Domain Freezing and the Heat-Diffusion Central Peak |
| Mag. M. Zimmermann | 1995 | Investigations of Hydrogenated and Deuterated Lithium Tetraammonium Trihydrogentetrasulphate (NH4)4LiH3(SO4)4 (ALHS) around the Ferroelastic and the “Protonic” Phase Transition |
Master Theses
| Student | Year | Title |
|---|---|---|
| R. Ackermann | 2026 | Large Area Holographic Gratings in Nanodiamond-Polymer Composites for Neutron Interferometry |
| B. Emhofer | 2026 | Simulation of magnetoelastic mode filters for surface acoustic waves |
| N. Sturm | 2026 | Ensemble Learning as an Approach to Optimizing Machine Learning Algorithms for Performance Prediction of Photovoltaic Power Plants |
| I. Douveas | 2025 | Domain wall dynamics in 3D magnetic nanostructures |
| L. Schwarzmeier | 2025 | Introduction of Multiple Slip Systems for Anisotropic Microstructure Modelling in FEM-Framework |
| A. Setescak | 2025 | Magnetization Reconstruction from Magnetic Field Measurements Using Physics-Informed Inverse Problems |
| P. Koenig | 2024 | Dynamic Elastic Response of Multidomain KSCN-Crystals |
| M. Steinbauer | 2024 | Programmable magnetophonics |
| V. Wutte | 2024 | Influence of Interference Fields on Vortex Sensors / Linear Range Extension of Vortex Sensors |
| D. Zehner | 2024 | Integrating Molecular Dynamics and Micromagnetics for the Investigation of Nanoparticles in Liquid Carriers |
| S. Zeilinger | 2024 | Spin Orbit Torque Enabled Magnetic Sensor With Low Offset and Tunable Sensitivity |
| M. Gasser | 2023 | Exploiting Spin Orbit Torque for Magnetic Field Sensing |
| R. Kraft | 2023 | Accelerating Micromagnetic Finite-Element Solvers with Finite-Difference Stray Field Computations and Parallel-in-Time Integration |
| S. Moser | 2023 | Generation and Characterization of Elementary Holograms in Commercial Photopolymers |
| T. Adaktylos | 2022 | Simulation and Optimization of Electron Shielding in MBMW |
| S. Koraltan | 2022 | Switching mechanisms and barriers in artificial spin ice systems |
| I. Macielleo | 2022 | Analysis of Neutron Diffraction by Optically Thin Gratings |
| C. Puchberger | 2022 | Structure Determination of a Holographic Nanoparticle-Polymer Composite Grating Using the Talbot Effect and a Standard Microscope |
| L. Grohmann | 2021 | Reduced Mathematical Model and State Observer for a Levitation Belt Furnace |
| S. Lahijani | 2021 | Diffractive Light- and Neutron-Optical Elements of Varying Thickness from Stacks of Photosensitive Foil |
| M. Suppan | 2021 | Fabrication of Anisotropic Polymer-Bonded Magnets Using a 3D Printer and an External Magnetic Field |
| J. Weber | 2021 | Incorporation of A Priori Domain Knowledge in Function Approximation Using Shape-Constraint P-Splines |
| C. Weselka | 2021 | Ferroelectric Transition in the Domain Walls of PbTiO3 |
| M. Gattringer | 2020 | Field-Free SOT Switching via Repolarization of Spin Accumulation |
| L. Gruber | 2020 | Polar Domain Walls in Lead Titanate |
| C. Schuster | 2020 | Polar Domain Walls in Nonpolar Strontium Titanate |
| K. Sonnleitner | 2020 | 3D Printing and In-Situ Alignment of Anisotropic Polymer-Bonded Magnets |
| A. Ducevic | 2019 | Magnetoresistive Sensor Elements with Perpendicular Anisotropy |
| E. Pfneisl | 2019 | Influence of Mechanical Stress on Magnetization of Iron-Cobalt |
| P. Flauger | 2018 | Diffractive Neutron-Optical Elements from Ionic-Liquid Polymer Composites |
| M. Fleisch | 2018 | Liquid Crystal and SU-8 Polymer Diffraction Gratings |
| P. Fodor | 2017 | Positioning Systems Based on Geomagnetic Distortions in Indoor Environments |
| S. Puchberger | 2016 | Analysis of Crackling Noise in Porous Materials by Strain-Drop Measurements |
Diploma Theses
| Student | Year | Title |
|---|---|---|
| D. Wind | 2020 | Liquid-Crystal Microstructures for Microfluidic Devices |
| M. Franck | 2018 | Optimization of the Holographically Generated Space-Charge Field in a Photorefractive Lithium Niobate Crystal |
| L. Weichhart | 2018 | The Origin, Propagation and Applications of Sound Waves in Nature and Technology |
| L. Nohava | 2017 | A Parallel Transmission Pulse Design Framework for 7 T MRI with Physical Constraints and SAR Minimization |
| M.-R. Puica | 2016 | Use of DMA for the Study of Glass-Forming Liquids: Relaxation Dynamics and Confinement Effects |
| G. Heuberger | 2016 | Diffraction by Thin Gratings |
| M. Kirov | 2016 | Domain Patterns and Their Physical Properties |
| B. Gottsbachner | 2015 | Synthesis and Thermoelectric Properties of Iron Silicide Nanowires |
| M. Meingaßner | 2014 | Polymer-Nanoparticle Composites for Holographic Applications |
| Mag. M. Burock | 2013 | Domains in Ferroelastic Crystals |
| R. V. Graf | 2013 | The Literary in Quantum Mechanics – The Quantum-Mechanical in Literature |
| J. Kilgus | 2013 | Construction of an Ellipsometer |
| S. Leitner | 2013 | Novel Heat Storage Systems – Innovative Thermal Energy Storage |
| J. Schabasser | 2013 | Measurement of the Elastic Behaviour of Hygroscopic Polymers |
| H. Schabschneider | 2013 | The Influence of Various Parameters on the Generation of Snow Crystals in an Artificial Cloud |
| Mag. B. Strasser | 2012 | Increasing the Signal-to-Noise Ratio in MR Spectroscopic Imaging by Coil Combination at 7T |
| M. Bönisch | 2011 | The Influence of Hydrogen on the Stability of Lattice Defects in Metals |
| G. Wiener | 2010 | School Experiments for Introducing Modern Physics |
| Mag. G. Jantschy | 2009 | Hands-On Experiments in Selected Areas of Physics |
| W. Resch | 2009 | Goethe’s Theory of Colours in the Context of Contemporary Didactics for Schools and Adult Education |
| R. Zeitlhofer | 2009 | The Computer in Experimental Physics Education |
| J. Aringer | 2008 | Holography with Regard to Applications in the Cognitive Biology of Pigeons |
| M. Bichler | 2007 | Growth of PMN-PT Single Crystals and Selected Physical Measurements |
| M. Reinecker | 2007 | Restoration of an ADL Crystal-Growth Apparatus and Growth of PMN Single Crystals |
| S. Allmann | 2006 | Small-Angle Neutron Scattering on Conductive Polyisoprene–Carbon Black Nanocomposites under In-Situ Strain for Investigating the Tenso-Resistive Effect |
| J. Koppensteiner | 2006 | Birch Coefficients and Axis Equations of State in the High-Pressure Range |
| M. Stracuzzi | 2006 | School Experiments from Optics to Quantum Optics |
| R. Haschky | 2005 | Thermoelastic Measurements on PLZT Ceramics of Different Concentrations |
| W. Stranz | 2005 | Growth of Gemstones with Special Emphasis on Diamond |
| H. Dachraoui | 2003 | Photorefractivity in Centrosymmetric Crystals |
| B. Schmidt | 2003 | Measurements on Blue Semiconductor Lasers |
| S. Koppenberger | 2001 | High-Pressure Phase Transformations in Crystals |
| M. Palman | 2001 | Automation of Birefringence Measurements According to Senarmont |
| B. Seisl | 2001 | Comparison of Different Growth Methods Regarding the Distribution of Foreign Atoms in KDP-Related Crystals Using X-Ray Topography |
| R. Fatzi | 2000 | Holographic Scattering – An Overview |
| G. Fischer-Hummer | 2000 | Polarization Microscopy on Strontium Titanate, Potassium Manganese Trifluoride, and Calcium-Doped Potassium Manganese Trifluoride |
| U. Hantsch | 2000 | Investigation of Mesoscopic Structures at the High-Temperature Phase Transition of NH4LiSO4 Using Physical and X-Ray Methods |
| R. Csaszar | 1999 | Construction of a Pressure Cell for a Light Microscope to Investigate Crystals at Liquid-Nitrogen Temperatures |
| W. Leidinger | 1999 | Nematic Liquid Crystals Using EBPA as an Example: Introduction, Properties, Applications |
| J. Wolfsberger | 1999 | Two-Beam Interference and Holographic Scattering in LiNbO3:Fe and SBN:Ce |
| M. Fink | 1998 | Application of Holographic Methods for Characterizing Nitrilotriacetates and LiNbO3:Fe |
| Ch. Pruner | 1998 | Investigation of Light-Induced Structures in PMMA Using Holographic Methods and Neutron Scattering |
| W. Sedlacek | 1995 | Positron Annihilation in Sintered Materials |
| D. Havlik | 1994 | Thermal Diffusion “Central Peak” in Low-Frequency Elastic Moduli Using KSCN as an Example |
| Th. Milavec | 1993 | Specific Heat of (NH4)3H(SO4)2 and Rb3H(SeO4)2 Crystals while Observing a Domain Effect |
| P. Dolinar | 1992 | Optical Investigations of Crystals of the Type X3H(YO4)2 |
| M. Zimmermann | 1991 | Setup, Automation and Application of an Apparatus for Measuring Linear Birefringence near Phase Transitions |
Habilitation Theses
| Student | Year | Title |
|---|---|---|
| C. Abert | 2019 | Micromagnetics and Spintronics: Models, Numerical Methods and Applications |
| Dr. G. Krexner | 2003 | Studies of Local Atomic Structures with Nuclear Methods |
| Dr. M. Fally | 2002 | The Photorefractive Effect for Light and Neutrons: Unconventional Light-Induced Refractive-Index Changes |
| Dr. W. Schranz | 1994 | Static and Dynamic Properties of the Order-Disorder Phase Transition in KSCN and Related Crystals |
| Dr. R. A. Rupp | 1992 | Material Characterization by Holographic Methods |