Our research is focused on the interaction of X-rays with matter to reveal its fundamental aspects and to develop new applications of X-ray scattering and spectroscopy with accelerator driven sources of hard X-rays. In particular these are:

• Development of photonic nanostructures like multilayers and planar cavities for controlling the interaction of x-rays and matter
• Investigation of cooperative effects in the light-matter interaction in the X-ray regime
• Pump-probe experiments to study the non-equilibrium dynamics of matter after impulsive excitations
• Development of non-equilibrium X-ray optics
• Applications of high-purity polarimetry for nuclear quantum optics and materials science
• Experiments towards establishing a nuclear clock based on the isotope Scandium-45

Our research methods comprise laboratory-based methods for preparation of multilayers and thin films together with x-ray analytics and laser pump-probe techniques in the laboratories in Jena, as well as the use of advanced instrumentation and X-ray scattering methods at synchrotrons and X-ray lasers.

• Development and applications of high-purity polarimeters at synchrotrons and x-ray lasers
• Mössbauer spectroscopy with imaging applications
• Laser pump – X-ray probe spectrometers
• Advanced sputter deposition setup for preparation of new functional materials
• High-resolution X-ray diffractometry for characterization of thin films and multilayers