Thomas Walther

Prof. Dr. Thomas Walther

Laser and Quantum Optics

Group Head

Working area(s)

Laser and Quantum Optics

Contact

work +49 6151 16-20830
fax +49 6151 16-20834

Work S2|15 114
Schloßgartenstr. 7
64289 Darmstadt

April 2016 Visiting Scholar, Institute of Modern Physics, Lanzhou, China
2007 – present Full Professor (W3), Institute for Applied Physics, TU Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany.
2002 – 2007 Full Professor (C4), Institute for Applied Physics, TU Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany.
1998 – 2001 Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
1994 – 1998 Assistant Research Scientist, Department of Physics, Texas A&M University, College Station TX.
1994 PhD Universität Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
Prof. Dr. Huber
IR-UV and UV-IR Double Resonance Spectroscopy for the Investigation of Molecular Dynamics in Polyatomic Molecules
1990 Diplom Physics Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München
Prof. Dr. Leuchs
Rydberg Atoms In Strong Electric Fields
2010 Athene Award for Teaching Excellence, Carlo und Karin Giersch-Stiftung, TU Darmstadt
2010 Teaching Award in Experimental Physics, Department of Physics, TU Darmstadt
2002 Teaching Award from the Association of Former Students at the College Level, Texas A&M University
1997 Michelson Postdoctoral Prize Lectureship, Case Western Reserve University
1995 Thesis Award, University of Zürich
  • Cooling and trapping of neutral atoms in magneto-optical traps (Trapping of neutral mercury, photo-association spectroscopy, metrology)
  • Foundations of quantum mechanics and quantum information (experimental tests of the Bell inequalities, photon sources for quantum key distribution)
  • Lasing without Inversion in Hg
  • Applications of lasers in environmental sensing (absorption sensors, LIDAR for measurement of temperature profile in the Ocean)
  • Development of Laser Sources for Cooling Relativistic Ions
  • Laser Spectroscopy on heavy elements
  • General laser development (cw and pulsed fiber amplifiers, cw and pulsed Ti:Sapphire lasers, external cavity diode lasers)
2006 R.P. Lucht, Th.N. Anderson, S.F. Hanna, R. Barron-Jimenez, Th. Walther, S. Roy, M.S. Brown, J.R. Gord, J.A. Caton Nitric oxide sensor and method, US Patent 6 982 426
1997 E.S. Fry, G. Kattawar, J. Pan; Detecting Underwater Objects based on the Absence of Frequency Shifted LIDAR Signals, US patent 6 388 246
1997 Invention disclosure together with Y. Emery, A. Fleischhauer and E.S. Fry, Angle-Tuned, Type-II External Cavity Frequency Doubling Without Temperature Stabilization
Since 1st January 2023 Vice President for Innovation and International Affairs
Technical University of Darmstadt
Dec. 2020 – Sept. 2022 Associate Department chair
Apr. 2020 – present Director Forum for Interdisciplinary Research (TU Darmstadt)
Oct. 2015 – present Member of the departmental Steering Committee
Oct. 2018 – Nov. 2020 Department chair
Nov. 2014 – Sept. 2016 Associate Department chair
Oct. 2013 – Oct. 2014 Department chair
Since July 2011 Deputy chair of Gerhard Herzberg Gesellschaft
Dec. 2010 – Dec. 2018 Member of the Accreditation Committee evalag
Since Dec. 2009 Board member of Gerhard Herzberg Gesellschaft
Oct. 2008 – Sept. 2010 Associate Department chair
Oct. 2006 – Sept. 2008 Department chair
Oct. 2004 – Sept. 2006 Managing director of the Inst. for Applied Physics
Nov. 2004 – Sept. 2008 Member of the Examination Board Bachelor Physics
Oct. 2003 – Sept. 2011 Member of the departmental Steering Committee
April 2003 – Sept. 2008 Member of the Student Committee
Oct. 2002 – Sept. 2006 Spokesman for university lecturers of the Department of Physics
Since 2002 Chair and member of several Professorial Appointments Committees