ERC consolidator grant for ASC scientist Christian Schilling
09.12.2025
As well as leading the Theoretical Quantum Physics research group at LMU’s Faculty of Physics since 2019, Dr. Christian Schilling is a member of the MCQST Cluster of Excellence and leads the Quantum Algorithms consortium within the Munich Quantum Valley. His research focuses on frontier questions in quantum information, quantum chemistry, mathematical physics, and quantum computing.
Density functional theory (DFT) is a key tool for calculating fundamental properties of molecules and solids, such as their electronic structure. It is important for basic research and for industrial applications alike. However, it has weaknesses: it cannot adequately describe strongly correlated many-body systems, a limitation that results in unreliable predictions of their properties and behavior. This is a major obstacle for developing novel materials in areas such as energy generation and microelectronics.
For his ERC project beyondDFT (Systematic Framework of Functional Theories for Strongly Correlated Electrons), Christian Schilling is taking a different tack by using one-body reduced density-matrix functional theory (1RDMFT). His approach describes the electronic structure of materials in a novel manner. It is based on a theoretical framework he has developed over the past years, which refines existing and constructs new functional theories more efficiently. In particular, it provides a pathway for incorporating electron spin and explains how important excited states can be targeted.
For his model, Schilling uses his own conceptual advances in 1RDMFT and innovative methods from entanglement theory. In this way, he aims first to achieve more accurate functional approximations for ground states and then to develop functional models for excited states. In the course of beyondDFT, he also plans to design a scheme that compresses quantum correlations, significantly accelerating 1RDMFT algorithms and thus reducing computing costs.
“BeyondDFT is preparing the ground for a fundamental transformation in electronic structure theory,” says Schilling. “The framework has the potential to establish itself as a new standard tool for electronic structure calculation in physics, chemistry, and the materials science.”
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