Hanns-Christoph Nägerl’s research centers on experimental quantum many-body physics with systems of ultracold atoms and molecules. A central goal is to “quantum engineer” novel states of matter using the toolbox of quantum atom optics. At temperatures in the nanokelvin range, quantum mechanics dominates the individual and collective properties of the particles, giving rise to novel phases for quantum matter and to non-trivial phase transitions between the different quantum phases. Using advanced techniques such as laser cooling, Bose-Einstein condensation, and coherent laser control, Nägerl’s group investigates e.g. the properties of highly correlated many-body states that are generated when the particles are confined to periodic potentials or to lower dimensions.
