From nuclear forces to astrophysics
Prof. Schwenk leads an internationally renowned research group in theoretical nuclear physics at TU Darmstadt. His research group focuses on the physics of the strong interaction and investigates nuclear forces and atomic nuclei under extreme conditions in the universe and in the laboratory.
A special interest of his research is the connection between nuclear physics and astrophysics, for example in the study of neutron stars as multi-messenger probes of neutron-rich matter, or the role of neutrinos-interactions with nuclei and matter in astrophysics. Schwenks ab-initio-calculations of neutron rich nuclei as well as his research on the nuclear physics of dark matter detection and rare decays, provides further strong links to the research interests at the MPIK. His research findings thus offer detailed insights into the structure of atomic nuclei, as well as into the nature of neutron stars. They make important contributions to our understanding of fundamental processes in nuclear physics, as well as in astrophysics.
Since 2015, Prof. Schwenk has been a Max Planck Fellow at the MPIK, where he has investigated the strong interactions in exotic nuclei and neutron stars. His recent appointment as an external scientific member further expands this successful collaboration and promotes scientific exchange at the highest level.
About Achim Schwenk
Achim Schwenk studied physics at the University of Heidelberg and the State University of New York at Stony Brook, USA, where he obtained his PhD in 2002. Following research posts at, amongst others, Ohio State University, the University of Washington in Seattle and as group leader of the theory department at TRIUMF in Canada, he was appointed Professor of Theoretical Nuclear Physics at TU Darmstadt in 2009, where he has since played a key role in shaping the research of the department.
Prof. Schwenk has received numerous awards for his scientific achievements, including Starting and Advanced ERC grants, a LOEWE Top Professorship, the ARCHES prize and Szymański-prize. He is the spokesperson for the Collaborative Research Centre CRC1245 “Nuclei: From Fundamental Interactions to Structure and Stars”.
With the appointment of Prof. Schwenk as an external scientific member, the MPIK is expanding its network of renowned researchers worldwide and strengthening its position as a centre of excellence in the fields of nuclear physics and its connection to astrophysics.
