Research

Single-molecule quantum network nodes

A quantum network has the potential to transform various fields in science and technology by leveraging the principles of quantum mechanics to enable secure communication, quantum cloud computing, and distributed quantum sensing. Numerous advances are in the making to identify suitable architecture and material platforms to establish a quantum network. As an elementary building block, a network node needs to fulfill the requirements of storing, processing quantum information in stationary qubits, and efficiently interconverting the information to flying photons. In this project will combine the recent advances in single-molecule microscopy, precision spectroscopy, spin control, and cavity quantum electrodynamics to exploit the potential of single-molecules as quantum network nodes.

Eine Wissenschaftlerin und ein Wissenschaftler arbeiten hinter einer Glasfassade und mischen Chemikalien mit Großgeräten.

Chirality and quantum physics of molecules

Chirality, or handedness, is a fundamental property of many molecules and has important impacts in chemistry and biology. The measurement and control of molecular chirality with light is an emerging interdisciplinary field of research. In this project, we aim to perform sensitive measurements on chiral molecules through the action of optical forces (forces exerted on a molecule through interaction with light). Such optical forces can be generated by tailored chiral light fields. We want to detect these forces and employ them to investigate fundamental questions of quantum mechanics related to the chirality of molecules.