The quantum Rabi model describes the coupling of a two-level system to a bosonic mode, one prominent example is an atom coupled to a light field. When the coupling gets stronger than the relevant energy scales of the atom and the light field new effects are expected, for example a collapse ad revival of the initial state. In optical systems, however, this regime is not achievable, but cold atoms can simulate this regime. This proposal, conceived together with our theory colleagues from Bilbao, has been tested successfully in our lab.

Dr. Julian Schmitt from the Institute of Applied Physics received the Wissenschaftspreis 2024 of the Industrie-Club Düsseldorf for his groundbreaking research on quantum gases of photons, which on the one hand expand the understanding of quantum states in fundamental science and on the other hand can produce new technological components for the sensor technology or control of laser beams.

A fundamental relation connecting the temporal fluctuations and the response behaviour has been experimentally observed in a quantum gas made of photons, the particles of light. The validity of this so-called quantum regression theorem could so far not be directly revealed for quantum gases.

Dr. Julian Schmitt of the Institute for Applied Physics of the University of Bonn is awarded the Rudolf-Kaiser-Prize 2023 - one of the most renowned German prizes for young researchers in physics.