Topology Takes the Court: The Topological Beavers Win the Physik Sommerfest Volleyball Tournament

Topology is a major research theme across the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy in Würzburg. Nevertheless, several recent observations suggest a particularly high topological density at the Chair for Applied Physics. Following the experimental demonstration of the quantum spin Hall effect in III–V semiconductor quantum wells and the realization of a topological field-effect memristor, the evidence has now been strengthened by a result obtained outside the laboratory:

At the Physik Sommerfest 2026, the Topological Beavers, representing TEP, won the traditional volleyball tournament.

The team’s path to the title proved remarkably robust against disorder, finite-size effects, and strong coupling to the opposing teams. Unlike topological edge states, however, the Beavers did not restrict themselves to the boundary — they successfully controlled the entire court.

Thus, while topology undoubtedly extends throughout the faculty, the latest experimental evidence leaves little room for doubt: at this year’s Sommerfest, the winning topological state was clearly localized at TEP.

Congratulations to the Topological Beavers!