The division performs fundamental experimental and theoretical research on inherent properties of atomic systems and on atomic collision processes in the broad sense. The experiments are mostly carried out at the DESIREE facility at the Department of Physics, a very powerful new facility for different types of experiments with ions from atoms, molecules and clusters at low temperatures. We also study antihydrogen and interactions between atoms and electromagnetic radiation on extremely short time scales (attoseconds). Our activities are connected to nearby fields of research, in particular to astrophysics but also to atmospheric sciences and biophysics on a molecular level.

The activities at the division comprise theoretical and experimental approaches to molecular structure and fundamental processes in a wide variety of contexts - from properties of isolated molecules and pure water to astrobiology, heterogenous catalysis and energy conversion devices.

The research of the division of Condensed Matter and Quantum Optics is both experimental and theoretical. The research focuses on the fundamental aspects of quantum phenomena in light and matter, and has several potential applications in quantum information technology, quantum electronics and nanotechnology. Theoretical work is going on also in other areas of physics.

The activities of the CoPS involve many aspects of theoretical and experimental particle astrophysics, observational and theoretical cosmology, the use of supernovae and gravitational lensing to measure cosmological parameters, models for dark matter, and string theory.

The division is active in experimental particle- and astroparticle physics, primarily within the ATLAS and IceCube experiments. Current activities include the search for supersymmetric particles and studies of neutrinos of cosmological origin.

The division is engaged in different instrumentation research projects in the areas of accelerator physics, detectors for nuclear and particle physics, and systems for control and data acquisition.

The research of the division is focused mainly on radiotherapy optimization, and several of the ongoing projects are linked to the racetrack microtron at the Karolinska Hospital, Department of Hospital Physics, and a planned facility for radiotherapy with light ions. There are also some ongoing research in the fields of nuclear medicine and magnetic resonance imaging.