If a wave hits an object and is reflected by it, the physicist uses the term "scattering". From the scattering properties it is possible to obtain information on the systems properties. Technological applications of interest are e.g. computer tomography or the exploration of oil reserves. We know already from our daily experience that the echo from an regularly planted orchard differs significantly from that of a forest.
The Resarch Unit concentrates on the scattering behaviour of complex systems. Among others these are:
(1) micro-disc lasers, being used in opto-electronics;
(2) random lasers where the confinement of the light is not achieved by mirrors, but by a random arrangement of scatterers; a recent and very active field in photonics;
(3) the long-time stability of quantum mechanical systems against perturbations, e.g. by interactions with their surroundings, relevant for quantum computing;
(4) the dynamics of ultra-cold atoms and matter waves (Bose-Einstein condensates, Nobel prize 2001 for Cornell, Wineland, Ketterle) on microchip surfaces, important for the development of highly sensitive magnetic field detectors with hitherto unprecedented sensitivity and resolution.
It is our aim to obtain a consistent description of these different physical phenomena within a unique framework, which, in particular, should be able to make reliable predictions for experiments in the different fields of possible applications.
DFG Programme
Research Units
International Connection
Belgium
Projects
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Central project
(Applicant
Ketzmerick, Roland
)
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Decay, scattering, and decoherence in many-body quanum systems
(Applicant
Buchleitner, Andreas
)
-
Microwave studies of open systems with complex dynamics
(Applicant
Kuhl, Ulrich
)
-
Non Hermitian dynamics of disordered media and interacting atomic Bose-Einstein Condensates
(Applicant
Fleischmann, Ragnar
)
-
Nonlinear transport of bosonic matter waves and light
(Applicant
Richter, Klaus
)
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Quantum chaos in optical microcavities
(Applicant
Wiersig, Jan
)
-
Scattering in random photonic networks
(Applicant
Peschel, Ulf
)
-
Scattering signatures of systems with a mixed phase space
(Applicant
Bäcker, Arnd
)
-
Semiclassical limit Bose-Einstein condensate dynamics
(Applicants
Oberthaler, Markus Kurt
;
Wimberger, Sandro
)
