Physikerin der Woche - Kalenderwoche 39, 2025

Newsha is a PhD student in physics at the University of Duisburg-Essen. She is part of the CRC 1242, working within Project A07, led by principal investigator Dr. Andrea Eschenlohr.

Her research focuses on how molecular adsorption influences electronic and optical properties. As a model system, she uses FeOEP (Iron Octaethylporphyrin) molecules adsorbed on a Cu(001) surface, which is prepared in an ultra-high vacuum (UHV) system. These molecules are ideal for studying ultrafast and surface-specific dynamics, and potentially relevant for future applications in molecular electronics. To probe these interactions with high sensitivity and surface specificity, she employs second harmonic generation (SHG). This nonlinear optical technique enables her to detect changes in symmetry and charge distribution at the interface.

Physikerin der Woche - Kalenderwoche 7, 2025

Ann-Sophie is a PhD student in Marika Schleberger's group at the University of Duisburg-Essen. She received her Master of Education in mathematics and physics with the goal of becoming a teacher. However, after completing her degree, she decided to embark on a research career and her doctorate in physics. As part of the CRC 1242, her research focuses on ultrafast non-equilibrium dynamics in condensed matter, particularly through time-resolved ion-induced photoelectron emission spectroscopy.

Simulations predict that the interaction and relaxation processes within the electronic and phononic systems following an ion impact occur on timescales ranging from sub-picoseconds to nanoseconds. Experimentally verifying these dynamics, however, poses a real challenge due to the precision required to pinpoint the ion impact in time and the creation of a suitable (sub-)picosecond ion pulse. Within the framework of Project C05 of the CRC 1242, such a source has been developed, enabling the creation of picosecond ion pulses via femtosecond photoionization of noble gas atoms.

Building on this achievement, Ann-Sophie is conducting the world ́s first pump-probe experiment using ions as a pump source. Her work investigates ion-induced non-equilibrium dynamics in solids, providing unprecedented experimental insights into these processes. This research represents a groundbreaking step in understanding the fundamental ultrafast dynamics triggered by ion impacts.

Physikerin der Woche - Kalenderwoche 42, 2024

Janine is a bachelor’s student at HHU Düsseldorf, where she is pursuing degrees in Physics and Mathematics with a minor in Quantitative Biology.
Alongside her studies, she works as a student assistant in the TWIST Group, led by Prof. Karin Everschor-Sitte at the University of Duisburg-Essen, where she engages in research activities in the Collaborative Research Center SFB/TRR270 HoMMage Project B12. The project focuses on optimizing magnets by using machine learning to identify material inhomogeneities.
Additionally, Janine is responsible for science communication within the AKPIK (Working Group on Physics, Modern Information Technology, and Artificial Intelligence) of the DPG, where she is currently creating a series of Instagram posts that highlight the role of AI in physics.

Physikerin der Woche - Kalenderwoche 26, 2024

Maria is a postdoctoral researcher at the Faculty of Physics at the University of Duisburg-Essen. She has a nanoscience and physics background and a PhD from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. Her research is centered on the theoretical study of topological magnetic textures or “knots” in the continuous magnetic field in matter. These include complex structures such as spin spirals, skyrmions, hopfions, and dislocation lines. Maria employs a combination of analytical techniques and numerical simulations to study the stability and properties of these magnetic textures. Recently she predicted a new topological defect in the magnetic texture -- a “screw dislocation.”

Such magnetic textures are significant because they provide deeper insights into fundamental physics questions related to topology, symmetry, and conservation laws. Moreover, they have practical applications with the potential to revolutionize the current paradigm of 2-bit magnetic data storage devices, potentially leading to major advancements in current computation technology.

Beyond her research, Maria enjoys teaching at the university and is an active member of the academic community. She frequently collaborates with other researchers, both experimentalists and theoreticians and engages in the organization of scientific conferences.

Physikerin der Woche - Kalenderwoche 38, 2023

Lea is a Ph.D. student in the group of Heiko Wende at the University of Duisburg-Essen. As a member of the SFB1242, she studies ultrafast non-equilibrium dynamics in condensed matter, with a focus on the investigation of ultrafast dynamics in spin-crossover molecules using time-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy.

Spin-crossover molecules have two distinct spin states, a low-spin and a high-spin state, which can be switched between by external stimuli such as light or temperature. Pump-probe experiments such as time-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy cannot be performed in a university lab, so she goes to the European XFEL, where extremely intense X-ray pulses are generated, which she needs to get the energy and time resolution to resolve the dynamics in spin-crossover molecules.

The picture was taken in the clean room of the European XFEL, where she successfully mounted the samples for the beamtime.

Physikerin der Woche - Kalenderwoche 22, 2022

Katharina just finished her Master studies at the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz in the field of materials science and spintronics. In the Kläui Lab, under the supervision of apl. Prof. Martin Jourdan, she focused on the growth and characterization of epitaxial Gadolinium Bismuth thin films for spin Hall effect investigations. Katharina’s research, supported by the Deutschlandstipendium, is part of a long-term endeavor to identify new materials with large spin Hall angles for next-generation low-power data storage technologies. Besides her studies, she works as a student assistant in the TWIST Group of Prof. Karin Everschor-Sitte at the University of Duisburg-Essen. Interested in advanced nanoscale imaging techniques and domain walls, she is excited to visit the research group of Prof. Dennis Meier at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology with an Erasmus scholarship.

Physikerin der Woche - Kalenderwoche 2, 2019

Karin is the head of the Emmy-Noether group TWIST – Topological Whirls in SpinTronics at the University of Mainz. Now she works as a professor at the University of Duisburg-Essen. Within the TWIST Group they investigate the complex fundamental physics of topologically protected magnetic structures — skyrmions. In particular, they study the interplay between skyrmions, different magnetic structures, and spin and charge currents. This interplay is governed by microscopic mechanisms within complex materials that must also be understood and engineered. Gaining a deeper understanding of these mechanisms to optimally utilize the properties of skyrmions towards potential spintronics applications is a key focus of their work. Karin was awarded with the Hertha Sponer Prize 2018 of the German Physical Society.

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