Research Interest
I am an experimental physicist who utilizes synchrotron radiation based techniques for the investigation of the electronic structure of matter, its magnetic properties and their dynamics. My current research addresses charge and spin order phenomena and their dynamics occurring in nano-structured materials, thin films and at surfaces by spatially resolved x-ray spectroscopy, x-ray microscopy and resonant scattering of coherent x-rays. An integral part of my research concerns the development of new experimental techniques providing novel capabilities. Presently, I am developing resonant soft x-ray scattering techniques which combine nanometer spatial resolution with the ultrafast time resolution provided by femtosecond pulsed x-ray sources (XFEL, HHG and femtoslicing) thereby taking full advantage of these revolutionary x-ray sources.
Professional Experience
| Professor, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France Investigation of ultrafast magentization dynamics by X-ray scattering techniques. Development of novel experimental X-ray techniques for HHG and XFEL sources. |
France 9/2006 – present |
| Scientific Conseiller, Synchrotron SOLEIL, France Investigation of ultrafast magentization dynamics by X-ray scattering techniques. Development of novel experimental X-ray techniques for HHG and XFEL sources. |
France 9/2006 – present |
| Staff Scientist, Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, USA Order phenomena at polymer film surfaces and interfaces and their dynamics. Development of scattering of coherent X-rays for single shot microscopy at X-ray lasers. |
11/1999 – 9/2006 |
| Postdoctoral Fellow, IBM Almaden Research Center, USA Understanding the origin of liquid crystal alignment on carbonaceous surfaces from polarization effects in soft x-ray absorption spectroscopy. |
3/1998 – 11/1999 |
| Research Assistant, Institute for Solid State Research, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany Soft x-ray absorption/emission spectroscopy for the investigation of the electronic structure of solids exploiting energy and momentum conservation. Dissertation: Soft X-ray Spectroscopy of Broad Band, Size Confined, and Correlated Materials |
3/1995 – 3/1998 |
| Diploma Student, Institute for Solid State Research, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany Investigation of electron correlation effects in alkali halides by soft x-ray spectroscopy Diploma thesis: Soft X-raySpectroscopy of Porous Silicon and Potassium Halides |
3/1994 – 3/1995 |
| Research Student, Laboratoire Louis Néel, CNRS Grenoble, France Low magnetostriction materials for future transformers. |
1/1992 – 6/1992 |
Education
| Ph.D. in Physics (summa cum laude) Adviser: Prof. W. Eberhardt, Universität zu Köln, Germany |
2/1998 |
| Diploma, in Physics Adviser: Prof. W. Eberhardt, Universität zu Köln, Germany |
2/1995 |
| Study abroad in France at Université Joseph Fourier and Laboratoire Louis Néel, CNRS, Grenoble, France |
8/1991 – 8/1992 |
| Study of Physics at the Universität zu Köln, Germany | 10/1988 – 2/1995 |