Reader in Physics

1992 High school diploma at TG Backnang
1992-1993 Compulsory Military Service
1993-2000 Studies: Physics Diploma at Stuttgart University
2000-2005 PhD Studies, Institut fuer Strahlenphysik, Stuttgart University
2005 Dr. rer. nat. (PhD) ‘Magna Cum Laude’
2005-2007 Post Doc, University of Kentucky, group of Prof.Dr. Steven W. Yates
2007-2010 Post Doc, Liverpool University, Group of Prof. Dr. Peter A. Butler
2010-2013 Post Doc, TU Darmstadt, Group of Prof. Dr. Thorsten Kroell, 
Group Leader Project A1 of CRC-634 (SFB-634)
2013 Lecturer in Physics, University of the West of Scotland

2017 Reader in Physics, University of the West of Scotland

2020 Professor in Physics, University of the West of Scotland

Experimental low-energy nuclear structure physics:

I am one of the few nuclear spectroscopists who work on stable as well as on radioactive nuclei

Experimental techniques:

World-class expertise in nuclear resonance fluorescence (g,g'), neutron-induced reactions (thermal as well as fast), profound knowledge of fusion evaporation reactions, decay studies, Coulomb excitation, inelastic particle-scattering experiments [(a,a'g), (e,e')], and several other reactions.

Spectroscopy of:

gamma rays, conversion electrons, (heavy) charged particles, neutrons

Nuclear structure expertise:

World-class:

1. Nuclear electric dipole response (Quadrupole-octupole coupled, Pygmy Dipole Response, Giant Dipole Response)
2. Nuclear magnetic dipole reponse (Scissors Mode, Spin-Flip, GT Resonances)
3. Strong octupole correlations

Outstanding expertise:

1. Low-lying isocalar and isovector (mixed-symmetry) excitations (quadrupole as well as octupole)
2. Multi-phonon excitations (what was classically known as) in near-spherical nuclei
3. Shape coexistence in the Zr/Mo (A~96 mass region) and A~180 Pb region.

Other interests: Basically, all features of the nuclear many-body quantum system and developments in physics. Besides I am interested in all aspects of science but in particular in history.

Additionally, I am interested in other aspects of the nuclear many-body quantum system such as shape coexistence, giant resonances, single-particle dominated structures, etc.). 

Research: Low-energy nuclear structure physics

A few examples for ongoing projects are:

- Double octupole phonon excitations in 208Pb. 

- Octupole correlations near 144-barium and 224-radium.

- Explore applicability of Moessbauer spectroscopy to 277-actinium. Is it possible to resolve the interaction of a CP-violating E1 moment and a crystal intrinsic electric field in an Ac₂O₃ lattice?

- Investigate the Pygmy Dipole Resonance in beta decay. Is there a connection to the reactor antineutrino problem?

- Investigate the Pygmy Dipole Resonance in the stable nickel nuclei using the (γ,γ') technique to determine the associated enhancement of neutron capture reactions in astrophysical scenarios (p-process 58Ni or r-process starting points). 

- Use various spectroscopic techniques to explore whether proposed candidates are (at least fragments) of low-lying octupole isovector (mixed-symmetry) states.