The section 203, "Nanoscale Materials Science" addresses scientific questions and technological problems in surface science and -technology, magnetism, nanoscience and –technology. Our interest ranges from the study of atomic and molecular nanosystems by means of advanced scanning probe microscopy, the fabrication of hard coatings, coatings for medical applications, magnetic thin films and devices, magnetic shape memory alloys, to surface analysis services by TOF-SIMS, XPS and scanning Auger.

The section 203 is organized in five research groups and has a strong link to the NCCR on Nanoscale Science at the University of Basel, Switzerland, and SwissProbe AG. The five research groups profit from staff with a background in solid state physics, chemistry, mechanical and electrical engineering and perform projects ranging from basic science to application oriented development including problem solving and analytical services for industry. For more detailed information follow the group links.