Core Research Area Photon and Nanosciences

Photon and Nanosciences integrates a broad spectrum of successful projects investigating questions in basic research.

Topics range from magnetism, laser and quantum physics, and nanochemistry to biophysical problems such as the decoding of molecules using ultrafast lasers and cutting-edge radiation sources at the research campus in Hamburg-Bahrenfeld.

The areas of application for basic research in these fields are diverse. Research with laser rays has enabled us to develop precision medical technologies such as laser scalpels for surgery or new types of hard disk and storage media. Research into nanoparticles opens up new therapeutic approaches in medicine.

This core research area is part of an extensive network and has been successful in acquiring interdisciplinary projects in which the University works together with external partner institutions: In addition to two collaborative research centers, since 2012 the area has developed a particular focus on the real-time observation of ultrafast processes in atoms and molecules through its excellence cluster CUI: Advanced Imaging of Matter. The goal of this research initiative is to decode the way in which molecular bonds develop and break, thus enabling us to use this knowledge to steer such mechanisms, for example, to generate complex biologically and medically relevant substances.