Our research focuses on understanding the fascinating properties of amorphous systems, which lack long-range order in their atomic or molecular structure. We investigate the physics and chemistry of phase transitions in these materials, such as the glass-to-liquid transition and crystallization kinetics, which depend on factors such as temperature, pressure, and the presence of crystalline seeds.

We also study the different phases of ice, including metastable and stable phases, and surface premelting, which can have important implications for the behavior of water and ice in various environments.

Another important area of our research is low-temperature chemistry, which involves studying chemical reactions and intermediates at very low temperatures. We use techniques such as hyperquenching to rapidly cool samples to very low temperatures, allowing us to trap and study highly reactive intermediates that are difficult to isolate under normal conditions. Our work on low-temperature chemistry includes the isolation of metastable intermediates like H2CO3.

Through our research, we aim to deepen our understanding of the properties and behavior of these fascinating systems, and to apply this knowledge to a range of fields, from materials science to atmospheric chemistry.

Thomas Lörting

Team

Publications