Light-Matter Interaction & Lasers

PhD students and research assistants

• Regina Schuster
  Subject areas: Deflection of light at ultrasonic fields in air, ultrasonic characterization
• Julian Jakob (also MPIK Heidelberg)
  Topics: Transient absorption spectroscopy and RABBITT, measurement of the nonlinear refractive index via Z-scan method, photo-polymerization
• Cornelia Bauer
  Subject areas: Transient absorption spectroscopy and RABBITT, characterization of volume modifications using ultrasound microscopy

Research Master

• Fabian Fritsch
  Topics: Photo-polymerization, ultrasound characterization

Bachelor and Master students

• Marius Foith (Bachelor thesis)
  Topic: Ultrasound imaging
• Cecilia Uber (Master thesis)
  Topic: Deflection of light at ultrasonic fields in air
• Delia Joa (advanced practice Bachelor)
  Topic: Measurement of the non-linear refractive index using the Z-scan method

Other employees assigned to the ZOT and the group

• Horst Müller - Master Mechanics Workshop ZOT
• Michael Wagner - Laboratory engineer ZOT
• Diemar Fritz - Assistant for IT and Finance ZOT
• Jan Wilczek - Foreman Electronics Workshop ZOT

Alumni

A complete list of publications by this group and ZOT can be found here.

Open positions and projects of this group and the ZOT can be found here.

Collaboration partners: Prof. Klaus Bartschat (Drake University, USA), Dr. Christian Ott (MPIK Heidelberg), Prof. Dr. Thomas Pfeifer (MPIK Heidelberg)

Quantum path interference

We investigate how the spectral phase of attosecond pulse trains influences the optical cross section in transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy. The interaction of extreme ultraviolet (XUV) and time-delayed near-infrared (NIR) fields with an atomic or molecular system determines the dynamics.

Publications:

Jakob et al. "Extracting RABBITT-like phase information from time-dependent transient absorption spectra"; arXiv:2503.00469 [physics.atom-ph]; doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2503.00469

Conference contributions:

Jakob et al. "Extracting RABBITT-like phase information from time dependent transient absorption spectra"; DPG Frühjahrstagung 2025-Bonn/ lecture A6.3

Funded by: CZS: P2022-03-018

Duration: Jan 2023- Dec 2024

Funding: 750T Euro

Collaboration partners: Prof. Mario Kupnik (Technical University Darmstadt), Dr. Christoph Heyl (Helmholtz Institute Jena)

Deflecting light in air

The aim of this project is to develop non-contact control options for photons that do not require the use of solids. This ambitious but extremely promising project is to be made possible by using ultrasonic waves (sono) to control photons and laser pulses in gases and also gaseous metafluids.

Publications:

Schrödel et al. "Acousto-optic modulation of gigawatt-scale laser pulses in ambient air" Nat. Photon. 18, 54-59 (2024) (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41566-023-01304-y)

Schrödel et al, "Non-contact light control in air: photonics", Physics in our time 2024

Conference contributions:

C. Haugwitz et al, "A 220 kHz Air-Coupled Spiral Ultrasonic Phased Array Using Waveguides," 2024 IEEE Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control Joint Symposium (UFFC-JS), Taipei, Taiwan, 2024, pp. 1-4, doi: 10.1109/UFFC-JS60046.2024.10793804.

J. H. Dörsam et al, "Precise Resonance Frequency Tracking Based on a DSP-Implemented Virtual Vector Voltmeter," 2024 IEEE Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control Joint Symposium (UFFC-JS), Taipei, Taiwan, 2024, pp. 1-4, doi: 10.1109/UFFC-JS60046.2024.10793929.

Schrödel et al, "Gigawatt-Scale Acousto-Optic Modulation in Ambient Air", CLEO conference 2023

Schrödel et al, "Gas-Based Sono-Photonics Demonstrated via 20 GW-Scale Laser Pulse Deflection", HILAS conference 2024

Schrödel et al, "Acousto-optic modulation of GW-scale beams in ambient air", Photonics West 2024

Prizes:

Presentation of the "DESY Innovation award" to the SOPHIMA team in Novmeber 2024 (Video)

Collaboration partners: Prof. Mario Kupnik (Technical University of Darmstadt), Dr. Christoph Heyl (Helmholtz Institute Jena)

Characterizing ultrasonic fields using optical methods

The conventional characterization of ultrasonic fields with microphones usually leads to measurement feedback. Therefore, optical characterization methods of sound fields using Schlieren imaging and Fizeau interferometry are developed.

Conference contributions:

Schuster et al. "Interferometric Visualization of High-Power Standing Ultrasound Fields"; DPG Spring Conference 2025-Bonn/ Poster K6.6

Download Poster Regina Schuster2.52 MBPDF

Publications:

Max Steudel et al. "Noninvasive characterization methods for ultra-short laser pulse induced volume modifications," Optics Express, doi.org/10.1364/OE.515308

Conference papers:

Bauer et al. "Examination of structures in transparent materials using scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM)"; DPG Spring Conference 2025-Bonn/ Poster Q 49.34

Download Poster Cornela Bauer1.68 MBPDF

Title: "Two-photon polymerization of resins without initiator molecules"

Funded by: Kessler+CO: EXPLOR-23AH

Duration: 2023- 2025

Funding: 40T Euro

Collaboration partner: Prof. Dr. Andreas Heinrich (ZOT, University of Applied Sciences Aalen)

Which physical effects are the cause of the refractive index change during the polymerization of resins?

When liquid resin is photo-polymerized, the refractive index changes. The aim is to gain a better understanding of the physical causes of the refractive index change. With this exploratory application, the first steps are to be taken to simplify the polymerization process to the extent that no non-essential molecules, such as initiators or UV blockers, are mixed into the resin. This material will be cured via a two-photon absorption process using a sub-15 fs laser, which will be on permanent loan from Hamburg. The spatial and temporal refractive index change will be measured and evaluated using a measuring station adapted for this project, which will be provided by AG-Heinrich (ZOT).

Publications:

Heinrich, Harth, "Evaluation of the refractive index during the polymerization of UV-curable acrylates"; DGaO-Proceedings 2024 - www.dgao-proceedings.de - ISSN: 1614-8436 - urn:nbn:de:0287-2024-B009-6

Hägele, Rank, Terborg, Heinrich, and Pruneri, "Comprehensive optical monitoring of photopolymer curing for additive manufacturing of diffractive elements," Optics Express 32, 35212-35227 (2024), doi.org/10.1364/OE.530967