Focus of my research:
In order to develop the next "next-generation" device or technology we need to first explore and understand the limitations of the existing ones. The key requirement of any technological advancement is a comprehensive knowledge about basic properties of materials.

The expression "quantum materials" comprises a huge variety of materials which host emerging physical properties rooted in basic quantum effects. A huge choice of interesting physics is covered by the notion "Quantum Matter". For example, materials have been identified in which their macroscopic physics is governed by exceptional single particle conditions (e.g. Dirac- or Weyl physics in semi-metals) or collective excitation of multiple strongly correlated particles (e.g. nematicity, unconventional superconductivity and magnetism, or spin- and charge-density order).

In order to contribute to a better understanding of emergent physical phenomenae we try to disturb exciting materials by systematic changes of certain conditions that may alter their equilibrium ground states. Extreme conditions available in our laboraties, e.g., the world's strongest magnetic fields and lowest temperatures, high pressure, and reduced dimensions can act as external non-invasive tuning parameters. In my research I am using a combination of these external parameters on a broad range of quantum materials.

I am particularly interested in the mesoscopic behavior of those materials as their dimensions approach the mesoscale regime, i.e. the micro- and nano meter range. New insights into the physics of any material of interest can be revealed as the dimensions are shrunk down to its typical intrinsic length scales. For example, we are investigating how collective ground states, such as superconductivity or magnetic order, behave if the dimensions of their host are reduced to below the relevant coherence lengths. With our approach we can tune the specimen dimensions by at least three orders of magnitude, that is through a range of 0.1-100 micrometers.

Here at the Dresden High Magnetic Field Laboratory we aim to investigate, understand, and control strong correlation effects in topical quantum materials. Our tools are, for example non-destructively generated pulsed magnetic fields up to 100 Tesla, low temperatures down to below 100 Milli Kelvin, and high pressures reaching beyond 1 Mega Bar. Together with the Institute of Ion Beam Physics and Materials Research (IBC) the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf offers an impressive amount of expertise and experimental opportunities for my research. In addition I have the great opportunity to collaborate with the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids (MPI CPFS) in Dresden.