History
Physics has been an important discipline at ETH Zurich since the foundation of the institution in 1855. The first chair in Physics was held by Rudolf Clausius, who is best known for his formulation of the second law of thermodynamics. Up to 1912, experimental physics dominated the activities: for example, Heinrich Friedrich Weber measured the specific heat of diamond. These data were later used by Albert Einstein for the first application of the quantum hypothesis to solids. At a later time, leading expert in magnetism Pierre Weiss successfully created high magnetic fields at ETH Zurich.
As a student at ETH Zurich, which was still a technical school at that time, Einstein complained about the lack of modern theoretical physics in the curriculum around 1900. He would change this situation when, in 1912, he accepted a chair for theoretical physics at his alma mater which, by then, had been given the status of Technical University. His successors, Peter Debye and later Wolfgang Pauli, ensured high standards for teaching and research in physics. After 1920, the field of experimental physics at ETH Zurich was dominated by Paul Scherrer, who introduced a strong program in nuclear physics in 1932.
Move to Hönggerberg
After 1960, the steep increase in the number of students in the natural and engineering sciences in general, and in physics in particular, led to an unprecedented growth in the size of the physics faculty, especially in condensed matter, theoretical and particle physics. The inevitable space problems that ensued were solved with the creation of a new campus in Hönggerberg, outside the city centre, between 1965 and 1973. At the same time, the Institute of Physics changed its organisational form to that of a Department (D-PHYS), adopting a structure that has remained largely unchanged since.
Research in condensed-matter physics on magnetism, superconductivity and ferroelectricity relied on the capability to synthesize and characterize materials, complemented by a significant effort in laser physics and development. The Institute for Particle Physics benefited from CERN programs and participated in the realization of a medium-energy proton accelerator at the national laboratory for nuclear- and particle physics (SIN, now Paul Scherrer Institute). In theoretical physics, the traditionally strong field of mathematical physics was complemented by chairs in condensed-matter and phenomenological particle physics.
After 1980, the growing importance of research and technology based on the interaction between light and matter motivated the introduction of the new discipline of quantum electronics. The new institute (IQE) grew rapidly to the size of the other three mentioned above (LFKP, IPP, ITP). Cooperation with the University of Zurich (UZH) exist for the teaching in theoretical physics and the graduate education in particle physics. Since 2000, a number of groups have been prominently involved in the new National Priority Research Programs (NCCR).
Ever evolving connections
New links to the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), the National Laboratory of Switzerland, were realized via joint chairs. Specifically, the laboratory for neutron scattering LNS at PSI operates jointly under the auspices of the Department of Physics and PSI. The department also hosts the laboratory for ion-beam physics (LIP). The installation provides experimental tools for environmental sciences, climatology, archaeology and materials science.
More recently, members of the physics department have been able to explore interdisciplinary collaborations and exchange thanks to ETH Zurich hubs such as the Quantum Center and the Center for Origin and Prevalence of Life (COPL).
A new building on the horizon
The Hönggerberg site is expected to host a new building for physics research: the HPQ building will house underground high-performance laboratories for especially sensitive research experiments alongisde additional office space. This development will be especially important for research in the field of quantum technologies.