Photonics deals with the generation, transmission, processing and detection of light. Photonics covers the electromagnetic spectrum from the extreme ultraviolet to the long-wave microwave range. Photonics is omnipresent in our everyday lives: the Internet would be inconceivable without optical fibers for data transmission, without the lasers that send the data through the optical fibers, without the corresponding receivers and distributors. Assistance systems in vehicles and the vision of autonomous mobility cannot be realized without optical sensor technology. Lasers are among the most important tools for basic research in photonics, but they can also be found in telecommunications and the mobility industry, are used in materials processing and for additive manufacturing in industry and are increasingly proving to be an indispensable analytical tool in medicine, biology, chemistry and materials science.
Photonics tools and methods are developed and used in all working groups at the department. Research focuses on field-resolved spectroscopy, multiscale modeling of material processing, high-precision three-dimensional additive manufacturing, optical quantum simulators, micro-optical light sources and applications, the control of quantum states of light and their theoretical description. Spin-offs from the department and the connection to the Fraunhofer ITWM and IFOS enable direct transfer to industry.
Research Groups
Biophysics and ultrafast spectroscopy
Prof. Rolf Diller (Experimental physics)
Coherent and non-coherent relaxation in molecular systems after optical excitation
Theoretical quantum optics
Prof. Michael Fleischhauer (Theoretical physics)
Slow and stored light, quantum information with photons
Integrated optoelectronics and micro-optics
Prof. Henning Fouckhardt (Experimental physics/Technical physics)
III/V semiconductor lasers and optoelectronic microdroplet manipulation
Optical technologies and photonics
Prof. Georg von Freymann (Technical physics)
Laser-based 3D µ-printing of photonic materials
Topology in 3D photonic quantum simulators
Prof. Christina Jörg (Technical physics)
Nonlinear phenomena in 3D microprinted waveguide arrays
Physics and technology of nanostructures
Prof. Egbert Oesterschulze (Experimental physics)
Functionalized nanoparticle systems for electrochromic micro-optics
Optische Quantenmesstechnik
Prof. Ioachim Pupeza (Experimental physics)
Tools for controlling and measuring individual oscillations of optical waves
Ultrafast dynamics of laser-excited solids
Prof. Bärbel Rethfeld (Applied theoretical physics)
Multiscale modeling from laser absorption to material processing
Individual Quantum Systems
Prof. Artur Widera (Experimental physics)
Tailoring photonic systems for quantum sensor technology
Spin physics focuses on spin, i.e. the quantum mechanical intrinsic angular momentum of electrons and other subatomic particles. This intrinsic angular momentum is fundamental to the basic structure of matter. Light and dynamic excitations of solids can also have a spin. Spin physics deals with the interaction of light, spin and matter and is therefore the basis of numerous technological applications. These range from permanent magnets to medical diagnostic procedures and quantum information processing.
Spin physics plays a central role in the Department of Physics. Special attention is paid to the dynamic properties of spins and imaging processes. We study spins in atoms, molecules and solids. Our research creates the basis for novel technological applications, which we develop together with our partners from industry and engineering. Our activities in spin physics are consolidated in the new research building LASE (Laboratory for Advanced Spin Engineering), which provides an interdisciplinary link to the Departments of Chemistry and Mechanical Engineering.
Research Groups
Ultrafast phenomena on surfaces
Prof. Martin Aeschlimann (Experimental physics)
Laser-excited spin dynamics on ultra-short time scales
Biophysics and ultrafast spectroscopy
Prof. Rolf Diller (Experimental physics)
Optical manipulation of spin-crossover-complexes
Fundamentals of solids and many-body systems
Prof. Sebastian Eggert (Theoretical physics)
Spin and charge in antiferromagnets with restricted dimensions (1D, 2D)
Theoretical quantum optics
Prof. Michael Fleischhauer (Theoretical physics)
Dissipative spin systems and many-body spin physics with Rydberg atoms
Optical technologies and photonics
Prof. Georg von Freymann (Technical physics)
Optical induced magnetic landscapes and terahertz dynamics
Magnetism
Prof. Burkard Hillebrands (Experimental physics/Technical physics)
Spintronics and magnonics
Biophysics and quantum sensor technology
Prof. Elke Neu-Ruffing (Experimental physics)
Consistent control of individual spins
Ultracold quantum gases and quantum atom optics
Prof. Herwig Ott (Experimental physics)
Spin physics with interacting Rydberg atoms and Rydberg molecules
Nanoscaled Magnonic Hybrids
Prof. Philipp Pirro (Experimental physics/Technical physics)
Spin waves in hybrid systems for logic and data processing
Ultrafast dynamics of laser-excited solids
Prof. Bärbel Rethfeld (Applied theoretical physics)
Spin-resolved electron dynamics and transport
Theoretical semiconductor optics and quantum electronics
Prof. Hans Christian Schneider (Theoretical physics)
Dynamics of the interaction of light, electrons and magnetic excitations
Biophysics and medical physics
Prof. Volker Schünemann (Experimental physics)
Dynamic processes in molecular spin switches and single-molecule magnets
Applied spin phenomena
Prof. Mathias Weiler (Experimental physics)
Spin control with electricity, sound and light
Individual Quantum Systems
Prof. Artur Widera (Experimentalphysik)
Quantum computing with Rydberg atoms in optical tweezers
Physics and biophysics of complex interfaces
Prof. Chrsitiane Ziegler (Technical physics)
Spin phenomena in organic thin-film systems
"Physics Meets Life Science" is the motto of biophysics. Biophysics is an interdisciplinary science that deals with the application of physical and physical-chemical methods to research elementary and complex processes in living nature.
Our location has a broad spectrum of research areas in which biophysical issues are dealt with. These include biospectroscopy, membrane biophysics and biophysics at interfaces and nanostructures. The research portfolio of the RPTU in Kaiserslautern also includes research on biological systems at the molecular level as well as membrane-bound and neuronal processes through to the interaction of cell assemblies with artificial surfaces and the development of state-of-the-art laser and quantum technology.
Research Group
Biophysics and ultrafast spectroscopy
Prof. Rolf Diller (Experimental physics)
Ultra-fast, functionally fundamental processes in biologically relevant molecules
Biophysics and quantum sensor technology
Prof. Elke Neu-Ruffing (Experimental physics)
Sensors for currents and much more in the life sciences
Optical quantum measurement technology
Prof. Ioachim Pupeza (Experimental physics)
Molecular vibrational spectroscopy of biological systems
Biophysics and medical physics
Prof. Volker Schünemann (Experimental physics)
Iron-dependent processes in biological systems
Physics and biophysics of complex interfaces
Prof. Christiane Ziegler (Technical physics)
Interaction of biological systems and technical surfaces
Solid-state physics investigates the properties of solid matter. The electrical, magnetic, thermal or optical properties depend not only on the size of the material but also on its structure: a finding that has driven the field of nanotechnology forward. It thus forms the basis for a broad spectrum of current research areas such as semiconductor electronics, data storage technologies, modern sensors or quantum information systems. Solid-state physics is highly interdisciplinary. It requires the development and application of very sophisticated experimental analysis methods as well as highly complex theories to describe the processes on a microscopic spatial and high-resolution temporal scale.
Our department is dedicated to a broad spectrum of current topics in solid state physics, both in experimental and theoretical terms. On the one hand, our research focuses on the investigation and further development of novel organic, magnetic and photonic materials such as metals, semiconductors and dielectrics as well as their hybrid structures. On the other hand, we are dedicated to researching fundamental ultrafast phenomena in solids, on their surfaces and in nanostructures. These form the basis for new innovative sensors and other electronic and photonic components. Another central focus of our work is the continuous improvement of experimental and numerical methods in the field of solid state physics.
Research Groups
Ultrafast phenomena on surfaces
Prof. Martin Aeschlimann (Experimental physics)
Ultrafast electronic and photonic phenomena on solid surfaces, ultra-thin layers and in nanostructures
Fundamentals of solids and many-body systems
Prof. Sebastian Eggert (Theoretical physics)
Quantum phase transitions and collective excitations in interacting model systems for solids
Integrated optoelectronics and micro-optics
Prof. Henning Fouckhardt (Experimental physics/Technical physics)
Technologies for the production of optoelectronic components and measurement techniques for them
Magnetism
Prof. Burkard Hillebrands (Experimental physics/Technical physics)
Materialien für die Spintronik und Magnonik
Topology in 3D photonic quantum simulators
Prof. Christina Jörg (Technical physics)
Photonic model systems for topological solid-state phenomena
Physics and technology of nanostructures
Prof. Egbert Oesterschulze (Experimental physics)
Functionalized surfaces for heterogeneous condensation and microfluidic applications
Nanoscaled Magnonic Hybrids
Prof. Philipp Pirro (Experimental physics/Technical physics)
Spin waves in hybrid systems for logic and data processing
Ultrafast dynamics of laser-excited solids
Prof. Bärbel Rethfeld (Applied Theoretical physics)
Interactions of light, electrons and lattice vibrations far from thermodynamic equilibrium
Theoretical semiconductor optics and quantum electronics
Prof. Hans Christian Schneider (Theoretical physics)
Electronic and optical properties of solids far from equilibrium
Applied spin phenomena
Prof. Mathias Weiler (Experimental physics)
Acoustic surface waves
Physics and biophysics of complex interfaces
Prof. Chrsitiane Ziegler (Technical physics)
Surface and interface effects of organic and inorganic semiconductors
Quantum optics studies the quantum physics of light, including its interaction with matter and its practical applications. The most perplexing paradoxes of quantum physics are observed every day in quantum optics laboratories, using technologies that can detect individual atoms, electrons and photons and also control them with extreme precision. To fully understand the technology of today, you need quantum mechanics, and it is in quantum mechanics that we are looking for the revolutionary new technologies of tomorrow, from quantum computing to sensors of fantastic sensitivity and precision, to detailed control of microscopic processes of all kinds.
Our department is deeply involved in quantum optics. Our theoretical research groups study abstract concepts such as quantum topology, strong interactions in one-dimensional systems and quantum chaos - and we look for ways to apply these concepts to make radically new microscopic types of sensors, switches and motors. Our experimental research groups are already making such things real, manipulating single atoms with photon and electron beams to make single molecules with enormous expansion, motors driven by quantum statistics, and quantum computers with real practical power.
Research Groups
Fundamentals of quantum physics
Prof. James R. Anglin (Theoretical physics)
Microscopic roots of thermodynamics in nonlinear quantum dynamics
Fundamentals of solids and many-body systems
Prof. Sebastian Eggert (Theoretical physics)
Strongly correlated driven quantum systems in non-equilibrium
Theoretical quantum optics
Prof. Michael Fleischhauer (Theoretical physics)
Open quantum systems, non-equilibrium phenomena and topology
Optical technologies and photonics
Prof. Georg von Freymann (Technical physics)
Photonic Bose-Einstein condensates and quantum simulators
Magnetism
Prof. Burkard Hillebrands (Experimental physics/Technical physics)
Magnonic Bose-Einstein condensates
Topology in 3D photonic quantum simulators
Prof. Christina Jörg (Technical physics)
Quantum simulation in 3D photonic structures
Biophysics and quantum sensor technology
Prof. Elke Neu-Ruffing (Experimental physics)
Quantum systems as sensors
Ultracold quantum gases and quantum atom optics
Prof. Herwig Ott (Experimental physics)
Ultracold quantum gases and quantum computing
Optical quantum measurement technology
Prof. Ioachim Pupeza (Experimental physics)
Optical correlation measurements in the time domain
Theoretical semiconductor optics and quantum electronics
Prof. Hans Christian Schneider (Theoretical physics)
Electronic and (quantum) optical properties of complex materials
Individual Quantum Systems
Prof. Artur Widera (Experimental physics)
Investigation of ultracold quantum gases and the dynamics of individual atoms