Theoretical Quantum Optics

Exploiting quantum optics for sensing and fundamental questions.

New Publication

A great number of large-scale atom-interferometric detectors for gravitational waves and dark matter are planned to rely on single-photon transitions to suppress laser phase noise. We study (magnetically-induced) single-photon transitions under the influence of dark matter, violations of the equivalence principle, and other relativistic effects like the mass defect in terrestrial setups.

A. Bott, F. Di Pumpo & E. Giese
Atomic diffraction from single-photon transitions in gravity and Standard-Model extensions
AVS Quantum Science 5, 04402 (2023)

Nobel Prize in Physics 2023

We congratulate Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz and Anne L’Huillier on the Nobel Prize in Physics 20223 “for experimental methods that generate attosecond pulses of light for the study of electron dynamics in matter”.

Such pulses are routinely used to implement attosecond clocks, which give access to study the effect of time in quantum tunneling processes. These concepts are directly related to our efforts in quantum tunneling, as studied in QUANTUS+ .

The Theoretical Quantum Optics group at the Institute of Applied Physics, TU Darmstadt, studies theoretically quantum properties of light, matter and their interaction. Our research focuses on quantum-mechanical tests of fundamental physics as well as the development of quantum technologies for sensing and metrology. High-precision measurements of gravity lead us to the interface of two fields, namely quantum mechanics and relativity, and sometimes even into space. Our interests range from quantum gases to atom optics, from nonlinear quantum-optical effects to atom interferometry, and from quantum metrology to inertial sensing. Although working on theoretical and fundamental physics, we make an effort to stay in touch with the experimental reality.

Research areas

The Theoretical Quantum Optics group works at the interface of various applications of quantum technologies in the fields of quantum sensing, atom optics and nonlinear quantum optics.

Learn more

Research projects

The Theoretical Quantum Optics group is involved in several national projects that address fundamental questions as well as provide theoretical support for ambitious experiments.

Learn more

Group Leader

Prof. Dr. Enno Giese leads the research group ''Theoretical Quantum Optics'' at the Institute for Applied Physics since 2021.

Learn more

Our team

Theoretical Quantum Optics

Institute of Applied Physics

Research groups, advanced lab course, colloquium, infrastracture

Department of Physics

Department's office, Student affairs office, colloquia