Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics
Encyclopedia
The Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics (abbreviation: MPQ; ) is a part of the Max Planck Society
which operates 80 research facilities in Germany
.
The institute is located in Garching, Germany
, which in turn is located 10 km north-east of Munich
. Five research groups work in the fields of laser physics
, quantum information theory, laser spectroscopy, quantum dynamics and quantum many body systems.
The institute was accommodated for a time on the premises of the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics. The institute moved to the new building in July, 1986 and officially separated from the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics. With the appointment of Theodor Hänsch as head of the new institute from Stanford University
, the institute grew significantly. Hänsch was also given a chair at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich which ensured close links between MPQ and the university complex in Munich. After the retirement of Siegbert Witkowski in 1993, the research on the high energy laser was stopped and other research areas were started. The new Department of Quantum Dynamics of Gerhard Rempe started working in 1999.
, coherent control, development of components for quantum computers and quantum networks, Bose-Einstein condensation of degenerate quantum gases, etc. It also conducts research in other areas where lasers play a central role. There was a group at MPQ that conducted experiments on gravitational waves.
In 2005, Theodor W. Hänsch of this institute was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics
, together with John L. Hall
, "for their contributions to the development of laser-based precision spectroscopy, including the optical frequency comb technique".
Max Planck Society
The Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science is a formally independent non-governmental and non-profit association of German research institutes publicly funded by the federal and the 16 state governments of Germany....
which operates 80 research facilities in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
.
The institute is located in Garching, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, which in turn is located 10 km north-east of Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
. Five research groups work in the fields of laser physics
Laser Physics
Laser Physics is an international scientific journal published by Nauka/Interperiodica. It is distributed through the Springer.-Topics covered:The journal specializes in laser physics, but also publishes papers about:...
, quantum information theory, laser spectroscopy, quantum dynamics and quantum many body systems.
History
The Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics was founded on January 1, 1981. It was a successor of a project group for laser research of the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics which was established in 1976. The use of lasers for fusion research, quantum optics and spectroscopy were the goals of the project group, which consisted of 46 members.The institute was accommodated for a time on the premises of the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics. The institute moved to the new building in July, 1986 and officially separated from the Max Planck Institute for Plasma Physics. With the appointment of Theodor Hänsch as head of the new institute from Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
, the institute grew significantly. Hänsch was also given a chair at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich which ensured close links between MPQ and the university complex in Munich. After the retirement of Siegbert Witkowski in 1993, the research on the high energy laser was stopped and other research areas were started. The new Department of Quantum Dynamics of Gerhard Rempe started working in 1999.
Research
The institute conducts investigations in quantum physics. The faculty members conducts research in topics such as theoretical quantum optics, quantum information theory, Bose-Einstein condensation, ultra-high-resolution laser spectroscopy, quantum physics of ultra-cold atoms, femtochemistryFemtochemistry
Femtochemistry is the science that studies chemical reactions on extremely short timescales, approximately 10–15 seconds .-Introduction:...
, coherent control, development of components for quantum computers and quantum networks, Bose-Einstein condensation of degenerate quantum gases, etc. It also conducts research in other areas where lasers play a central role. There was a group at MPQ that conducted experiments on gravitational waves.
In 2005, Theodor W. Hänsch of this institute was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics
Nobel Prize in Physics
The Nobel Prize in Physics is awarded once a year by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. It is one of the five Nobel Prizes established by the will of Alfred Nobel in 1895 and awarded since 1901; the others are the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Nobel Prize in Literature, Nobel Peace Prize, and...
, together with John L. Hall
John L. Hall
John Lewis "Jan" Hall is an American physicist, and Nobel laureate in physics. He shared one half of the 2005 Nobel Prize in Physics with Theodor W. Hänsch for his work in precision spectroscopy.-Biography:...
, "for their contributions to the development of laser-based precision spectroscopy, including the optical frequency comb technique".
Degree programme
- MPQ offers Ph.D.Ph.D.A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
programme "International Max-Planck Research School (IMPRS) on Advanced Photon Science" together with the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Technical University of MunichTechnical University of MunichThe Technische Universität München is a research university with campuses in Munich, Garching, and Weihenstephan...
and the Vienna University of TechnologyVienna University of TechnologyVienna University of Technology is one of the major universities in Vienna, the capital of Austria. Founded in 1815 as the "Imperial-Royal Polytechnic Institute" , it currently has about 26,200 students , 8 faculties and about 4,000 staff members...
.