Dr. Benjamin Stadtmüller
Scientific group leader, Department of Physics
Mail: bstadtmueller@physik.uni-kl.de
Phone: +49631205-2344
Office: 46-461
Researcher ID: B-2297-2015

News
On the Cover of J. Phys. Chem. Lett.
The cover art for our latest articles discussing the spin selective electron transmission through an all chircal metal-molecule heterostructure was selected for the 26th issue of the Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters that was published in July 2022. The image depicts the enantiospecific adsorption geometries of 3-methyl-cyclohexanone enantiomers on a naturally chiral Cu(643)R surface. This all-chiral heterostructure reveals a vectorial chiral-induced spin-selective electron transmission, which depends on all three components of the electrons' spin.
Observation of anisotropic light absorption in free-electron like-metals
Noble metals such as gold, silver or copper are often considered as nature’s closest representative of the nearly free electron gas. Consequently, it is expected that their material properties, such as their conductivity or their ability to absorb light, are fully isotropic.
In our latest research, we clearly demonstrate that this general and well-established properties of the free-electron model is not justified in real free-electron-like materials. For the exemplary case of silver, we uncovered a clearly anisotropic electronic response of free electron-like metals after the excitation with linearly polarized light. Our observation points to the existence of optical transition dipoles with fixed orientations in space even for noble metals.
For more details, please see our publication in Nature Communications and our recent press release on the website of the University of Kaiserslautern (in German):
- Coherent response of the electronic system driven by non-interfering laser pulses
T. Eul, E. Prinz, M. Hartelt, B. Frisch, M. Aeschlimann, B. Stadtmüller
Nat. Commun. 13, 3324 (2022)

Spin filtering can also be observed in point-chiral molecules
Spin filtering is one of the most crucial functionalities in all spintronic applications. In molecular materials, spin filtering can, for instance, be medicated by the chiral induced spin selectivity (CISS) effect. In our work, we uncovered that CISS is not limited to structurally helical, DNA-like molecules, but can also be observed for point-chiral molecules on natural chiral surfaces. Most importantly, we find a spin-dependent electron transmission through a single layer of the point-chiral molecules that depends on all three components of the electrons’ spin. To learn more about the vectoral spin filtering in all-chiral molecule-metal heterostructures, check out our latest work:
- Vectorial Electron Spin Filtering by an All-Chiral Metal-Molecular Heterostructure
C. B. Viswanatha, J. Stöckl, B. Arnoldi, S. Becker, M. Aeschlimann, B. Stadtmüller
J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 13, 6244–6249 (2022)

New preprint on arXiv.org
Getting smaller and faster – these are the two major challenges in the field of spintronics that aims at devising novel concepts for the next generation of information technology applications. In our quest to push the temporal limits of the optical manipulation of materials, we recently demonstrated an optical reduction of the antiferromagnetic order of the insulating NiO thin film on a yet unprecedented, (sub)picosecond timescale. This extremely fast spin dynamics of the NiO thin films covered by an ultrathin Pt layer is attributed to an ultrafast and highly efficient energy transfer from the optically excited electron system of the Pt layer into the NiO spin system. More details on our recent work can be found here:
- Indirect optical manipulation of the antiferromagnetic order of insulating NiO by ultrafast interfacial energy transfer
S. Wust et al. arXiv:220502686
Main Research Interests

Band Structure Engineering of (Molecular) Hybrid Systems
Metal-organic hybrid systems consisting of
- Hydrocarbon molecules
- Fullerenes and endohedral fullerenes
- Spin-textured or magnetic surface alloys
- Spin-textured or magentic quantum well systems

Hot Carrier Dynamics in (Molecular) Solids and Hybrid Systems
- Momentum space scattering of hot carriers in metals and low dimensional materials
- Charge transfer dynamics and spin injection at metal-organic hybrid systems
- Dynamics of charge transfer and Frenkel excitons in molecular materials
- Intramolecular charge transfer phenomena in metal-carrying molecular complexes

Manipulation of Magnetic Materials
- Ultrafast magentization dynamics
- Optically-induced spin transport and spin transfer phenomena
Current Projects
Spin + Phase-Change: Competing interactions of spin with charge and lattice, Project A02 in the SFB/TRR 173 Spin+X
Spin + Non-Equilibrium: Ultrafast non-equilibrium spin and charge transport, Project B03 in the SFB/TRR 173 Spin+X
Spin + Coupling Control:Control of spin-spin interactions in hybrid layer systems, Project B05 in the SFB/TRR 173 Spin+X
Electronic dynamics of luminescent 3MET systems, Project C9 in the SFB/TRR 88 3MET

Lectures @ Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
SS 2022: Experimentalphysik 5c, Physik kondensierter Materie
This introductory lecture into Condensed Matter Physics consists of a combination of classical lectures (Thu, 10:15.-11:45, Lorentz-Raum, 05-127, JGU M) and integrated "inverted classroom" teaching/ excercises in presence (Tue, 8:30-10:00, Lorentz-Raum, JGU M). The details regarding this concept will be presented in the introductory lecture on Tuesday, 19.4., 09:15 (no inverted classroom/ exercises in the first week).
This lecture is given by
apl. Prof. Martin Jourdan, main part
Dr. Sonka Reimers
Dr. Benjamin Stadtmüller
Prof. Thomas Palberg, guest lecturer "soft matter"
More information for students of the JGU M can be found in the LMS Moodle course.
Selected Publications
2022
- Vectorial Electron Spin Filtering by an All-Chiral Metal-Molecular Heterostructure
C. B. Viswanatha, J. Stöckl, B. Arnoldi, S. Becker, M. Aeschlimann, B. Stadtmüller
J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 13, 6244–6249 (2022) - Coherent response of the electronic system driven by non-interfering laser pulses
T. Eul, E. Prinz, M. Hartelt, B. Frisch, M. Aeschlimann, B. Stadtmüller
Nat. Commun. 13, 3324 (2022) - Observation of optical coherence in a disordered metal–molecule interface by coherent optical two-dimensional photoelectron spectroscopy
M. Aeschlimann, T. Brixner, M. Cinchetti, M. Feidt, N. Haag, M. Hensen, B. Huber, T. Kenneweg, J. Kollamana, C.Kramer, W.Pfeiffer, S. Ponzoni, B Stadtmüller, P. Thielen
Phys. Rev. B. 105, 205415 (2022) - Atomic and mesoscopic structure of Dy-based surface alloys on noble metals
S. Mousavion, K. M. Yu, M. Maniraj, L. Lyu, J. Knippertz, B. Stadtmüller, M. Aeschlimann
New J. Phys. 24, 033048 (2022) - Role of primary and secondary processes in the ultrafast spin dynamics of nickel
M. Stiehl, M. Weber, C. Seibel, J. Hoefer, S. T. Weber, D. M. Nenno, H. C. Schneider, B. Rethfeld, B. Stadtmüller, M. Aeschlimann
Appl. Phys. Lett., 120, 062410 (2022)
2021
- Energy and Momentum Distribution of Surface Plasmon-Induced Hot Carriers Isolated via Spatiotemporal Separation
M. Hartelt, P. N. Terekhin, T. Eul, A.-K. Mahro, B. Frisch, E. Prinz, B. Rethfeld, B. Stadtmüller, M. Aeschlimann
ACS Nano 15, 19559 – 19569 (2021) - Spectroscopic Evidence for a New Type of Surface Resonance at Noble-Metal Surfaces
T. Eul, J. Braun, B. Stadtmüller, H. Ebert, M. Aeschlimann
Phys. Rev. Lett. 127, 196405 (2021) - Momentum and energy dissipation of hot electrons in a Pb/Ag(111) quantum well system
F. Haag, T. Eul, L. Grad, N. Haag, J. Knippertz, M. Cinchetti, M. Aeschlimann, B. Stadtmüller
Phys. Rev. B 104, 104308 (2021) - Mobilization upon Cooling
S. Aeschlimann, L. Lyu, S. Becker, S. Mousavion, T. Speck, H.-J. Elmers, B. Stadtmüller, M. Aeschlimann, R. Bechstein, A. Kühnle
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 60, 19117–19122 (2021) - The 2021 Ultrafast Spectroscopic Probes of Condensed Matter Roadmap –
Chapter 8: Ultrafast Momentum Microscopy – A new approach for ultrafast band structure imaging
B. Stadtmüller
J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 33 (2021) 353001 - chapter 8
2020
- Vertical bonding distances and interfacial band structure of PTCDA on a Sn-Ag surface alloy
J. Knippertz, L. L. Kelly, M. Franke, C. Kumpf, M. Cinchetti, M. Aeschlimann, and B. Stadtmüller
Phys. Rev. B 102, 075447 (2020) - Signitures of an atomic crystal in the band structure of a C60 thin film
N. Haag, D. Lüftner, F. Haag, J. Seidel, L.L. Kelly, G. Zamborlini, M. Jugovac, V. Feyer, M. Aeschlimann, P. Puschnig, M. Cinchetti, and B. Stadtmüller
Phys. Rev. B 101, 165422 (2020) - Direct evidence for efficient ultrafast charge separation in epitaxial WS2/graphene heterostructures
S. Aeschlimann, A. Rossi, M. Chávez-Cervantes, R. Krause, B. Arnoldi, B. Stadtmüller, M. Aeschlimann, S. Forti, F. Fabbri, C. Coletti, I. Gierz
Sci. Adv. 2020; 6 : eaay0761 - Ultrafast magnetization dynamics of Mn-doped L10 FePt with spatial inhomogeneity
Y. Liu, U. Bierbrauer, C. Stick, S. T. Weber, M. Hofherr, N. Y. Schmidt, M. Albrecht, D. Steil, S. Mathias, H. C. Schneider, B. Rethfeld, B. Stadtmüller, M. Aeschlimann
Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials 502, 166477 (2020) - Tailoring molecular island shapes: influence of microscopic interaction on mesostructure
S. Aeschlimann, L. Lyu, B. Stadtmüller, M. Aeschlimann, and A. Kühnle
Nano Research, 13, 843-852 (2020) - Ultrafast optically induced spin transfer in ferromagnetic alloys
M. Hofherr, S. Häuser, J. K. Dewhurst, P. Tengdin, S. Sakshath, H. T. Nembach, S. T. Weber, J. M. Shaw, T. J. Silva, H. C. Kapteyn, M. Cinchetti, B. Rethfeld, M. M. Murnane, D. Steil, B. Stadtmüller, S. Sharma, M. Aeschlimann, S. Mathias
Sci. Adv. 2020; 6: eaay8717
2019
- Thermal-driven Formation of 2D Nano-porous Networks on Metal Surfaces
L. Lyu, M. Maniraj, S. Mousavion, S. Becker, H. Huang, M. Aeschlimann, B. Stadtmüller
J. Phys. Chem. C, 123, 43, 26263-26271 (2019) - Time-resolved two-photon momentum microscopy– A new approach to study hot carrier lifetimes in momentum space
F. Haag, T. Eul, P. Thielen, N. Haag., B. Stadtmüller, M. Aeschlimann
Rev. Sci. Instrum. 90, 103104 (2019); and highlighted in Scilight 2019, 411103 (2019) - Modification of Pb quantum well states by the adsorption of organic molecules
B. Stadtmüller, L. Grad, J. Seidel, F. Haag, N. Haag, M. Cinchetti, M. Aeschlimann
J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 31, 134005 (2019) - Strong modification of the transport level alignment in organic materials after optical excitation
B. Stadtmüller, S. Emmerich, D. Jungkenn, N. Haag, M. Rollinger, S. Eich, M. Maniraj, M. Aeschlimann, M. Cinchetti, S. Mathias
Nat. Commun. 10, 1470 (2019)
2018
- Structure and electronic properties of the (√3×√3) R30° SnAu2/Au(111) surface alloy
M. Maniraj, D. Jungkenn, W. Shi, S. Emmerich, L. Lyu, J. Kollamana, Z. Wei, B. Yan, M. Cinchetti, S. Mathias, B. Stadtmüller, M. Aeschlimann
Phys. Rev. B 98, 205419 (2018) - Adsorption induced distortion of the tri-metallic nitride core of the endohedral fullerene Sc3N@C80 on the Ag(111) surface
J. Seidel, L. L. Kelly, M. Franke, C. Kumpf, M. Cinchetti, M. Aeschlimann, B. Stadtmüller
Phys. Rev. B 98, 085434 (2018) - Spin- and Angle-Resolved Photoemission Study of The Alq3/Co Interface
J. Stöckl, A. Jurenkow, N. Großmann, M. Cinchetti, B. Stadtmüller, M. Aeschlimann
J. Phys. Chem. C, 122, 6585-6592 (2018)
2017
- Speed and efficiency of femtosecond spin current injection into a non-magnetic material
M. Hofherr, P. Maldonado, O. Schmitt, M. Berritta, U. Bierbrauer, S. Sadashivaiah, A.J. Schellekens, B. Koopmans, D. Steil, M. Cinchetti, B. Stadtmüller, P.M. Oppeneer, S. Mathias, M. Aeschlimann,
Phys. Rev. B 96, 100403(R) (2017) - Ultrafast magnetization dynamics in Nickel: impact of pump photon energy
U. Bierbrauer, S. T. Weber, D. Schummer, M. Barkowski, A.-K. Mahro, S. Mathias, H.-C. Schneider, B. Stadtmüller, M. Aeschlimann, B. Rethfeld,
J. Phys.: Condens. Matter. 29, 244002 (2017) - Band structure evolution during the ultrafast ferromagnetic-paramagnetic phase transition in cobalt
S. Eich, M. Plötzing, M. Rollinger, S. Emmerich, R. Adam, C. Chen, H. C. Kapteyn, M. M. Murnane, L. Plucinski, D. Steil, B. Stadtmüller, M. Cinchetti, M. Aeschlimann, C. M. Schneider, S. Mathias
Sci. Adv. 3 e1602094 (2017)
2016
- Epitaxial growth of thermally stable cobalt films on Au(111)
N. Haag, M. Laux, J. Stöckl, J. Kollamana, J. Seidel, N. Großmann, R. Fetzer, L. L. Kelly, Z. Wei, B. Stadtmüller, M. Cinchetti, M. Aeschlimann,
New J. Phys. 18, 103054 (2016) - Modifying the surface of a Rashba-split Pb-Ag alloy using tailored metal-organic bonds
B. Stadtmüller, J. Seidel, N. Haag, L. Grad, C. Tusche, G. van Straaten, M. Franke, J. Kirschner, C. Kumpf, M. Cinchetti, M. Aeschlimann,
Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 096805 (2016) - Dynamic spin-filtering at the Co/Alq3 interface mediated by weakly coupled second layer molecules
A. Droghetti, P. Thielen, I. Rungger, N. Haag, N. Großmann, J. Stöckl, B. Stadtmüller, M. Aeschlimann, S.Sanvito, M. Cinchetti,
Nat. Commun. 7, 12668 (2016)