Sebastian Maehrlein, leader of the “THz Structural Dynamics” group, has been awarded an independent Emmy Noether group by the German Research Foundation (DFG) for a funding period of 6 years. His research focus will be centered on actively steering lattice angular momentum in solids for ultrafast control of material properties.
Even though exchange of energy and linear momentum between lattice vibrations (phonons) and other degrees of freedom is a cornerstone of solid-state physics, phonon angular momentum is commonly just assumed to account for angular momentum conservation [more...]

After the traditional New Year’s coffee had to be cancelled for two years due to corona, the FHI employees were happy to finally come together again with a sparkling drink, finger food, a delicious bratwurst and wonderful weather at the Haber lime tree.