Molecules are fascinating quantum systems with a wide range of optical properties, depending on their chemical structure. We are particularly interested in light-induced excitations in molecules on ultrashort timescales, ranging from femtoseconds to nanoseconds. Our experiments are performed using short laser pulses that are only a few tens of femtoseconds long. On the one hand, these light pulses allow us to use a measurement instrument that is shorter than most of the processes occurring in molecules. On the other hand, the short duration of the pulses enables us to generate very strong fields.

Our main research areas are:

• Strong-field processes in molecules and molecular crystals
• Optical switching of spin states in iron complexes
• Energy-transfer properties of molecular structures

Further details on these topics can be found under Research.