The LMU Center for NanoScience and four LMU spin-off companies present the Nano Innovation Award for particularly innovative doctoral theses. Andreas Gritsch, who completed his doctorate in the Otto Hahn Group Quantum Networks at MPQ, won second place. The physicist built a novel platform for quantum networks that has significant potential for the development of scalable quantum network nodes. more

The physicist from the Department of Laser Spectroscopy at MPQ has measured electronic transitions in deuterium with unprecedented precision. The prize, named after the Nobel Prize winner and pioneer of laser spectroscopy, honours particularly outstanding and ground-breaking dissertations in the field of physics. In his work, Vitaly Wirthl succeeded in measuring a specific energy transition in deuterium, the heavy hydrogen, more precisely than ever before. more

The experimental physicist receives the distinction for her pioneering work in molecular spectroscopy with interfering frequency combs. Named in honour of the eponymous scientist’s contributions to spectroscopy and metrology, the William F. Meggers Award was established in 1970 by Optica. Nathalie Picqué was presented with the award on 7 May 2024 at the CLEO Conference in Charlotte (NC), USA. more

Being elected as a member of the National Academy of Sciences is regarded as one of the most distinguished honours a scientist can receive. While the majority of members hold U.S. citizenship, up to 30 international members are elected annually. NAS members are “charged with providing independent, objective advice on matters related to science and technology”. more

His work on the principles and applications of quantum physics, such as in quantum information theory or the simulation of complex many-body systems, as well as his overall scientific achievements would contribute to revolutionising the world as we know it today, explained the university. It is the ninth honorary doctorate that Ignacio Cirac has been awarded to date. more

Ferenc Krausz, Director at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics and Chairholder at the Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, receives the prestigious Maximilian Order. Bavarian Prime Minister Markus Söder presented Ferenc Krausz with the Order on 6 February 2024 at the Bavarian State Chancellery. more

Immanuel Bloch, Scientific Director at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics  and Chairholder at the Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, has been awarded the prestigious Stern Gerlach Medal from the German Physical Society (DPG). The award – the highest accolade issued by the DPG for achievements in the field of experimental physics – recognises his ground-breaking research on quantum simulations with ultracold atoms in optical lattices. more

The experimental physicist receives the award for her significant contributions in the field of dual-comb interferometry. The research prize, established in memory of phycisist and mathematician Cécile Morette-DeWitt, is presented annually by the French Academy of Sciences. The award ceremony took place on 17 October under the famed cupola of the Institut de France. more