Professor Immanuel Bloch receives renowned Prize of the European Physical Society (EPS)

The European Physical Society, founded in 1968, represents the community of European physicists, playing an important role in their scientific and policy activities. The Quantum Electronics and Optics Division (QEOD) of the EPS recognizes with this biannual award “the very highest level of achievements in fundamental research in optical physics.”

Immanuel Bloch began his studies in physics at the Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität in Bonn where he received his diploma in 1996. After having spent one year of research at Stanford University he joined the Laser Spectroscopy Division of Professor Theodor W. Hänsch (MPQ and LMU). In 2000 he obtained his doctoral degree from LMU. He continued his research in the Hänsch group until he became appointed as Professor the Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz. Since 2008 he has been Director at the MPQ and leader of the Quantum Many Body Systems Division and since 2009 chair of quantum optocs at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität.

His main research topic is the investigation of ultracold quantum gases in artificial crystals of light, so-called optical lattices. These systems can be used e.g. as models for solid states helping to gain a deeper understanding of conductivity or superconductivity. They are as well suited for storing and processing quantum information. One of his recent achievements was the experimental demonstration of perfectly controlled manipulation and addressing of single atoms in such a lattice, putting the atoms into any possible pattern.

Immanuel Bloch has been twice awarded with the Philip Morris Research prize (in 2000 together with Prof. Hänsch and in 2007). In 2002 he has received the Otto Hahn Medal of the Max Planck Society, in 2005 the Gottfried-Wilhelm-Leibniz prize of the German Science Foundation (DFG), the German National Merit Medal and the International Commission of Optics Prize. The EPS award will be presented in a special plenary ceremony on Tuesday May 24th 2011 during the Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO) Europe, in Munich. Olivia Meyer-Streng
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Immanuel Bloch
Chair of Experimental Physics, LMU Munich, Schellingstr. 4
80799 München, Germany, and
Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics
Phone: +49 89 32905 138
e-mail: immanuel.bloch@mpq.mpg.de
Dr. Olivia Meyer-Streng
Press & Public Relations
Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics
Phone: +49 89 32905 235
e-mail: olivia.meyer-streng@mpq.mpg.de