Optical Quantum Systems

We are a new research group at the Kirchhoff-Institute for Physics

 

Our group explores optical quantum systems to study emergent many-body phenomena.

Quantum fluids of light can be experimentally realized within nanostructured material-filled optical resonators. Utilizing the light-matter interactions in this platform, we conduct fundamental studies on thermodynamics and quantum-statistical effects.

Specifically, we explore how topological states can arise in photonic structures under finite-temperature conditions, how complex networks of optical condensates can be employed as physical computers for optimization problems, or how quantum many-body states of light, e.g. photon superfluids, can be synthesised at room temperature. Unravelling such open questions is at the forefront of today’s research in quantum physics and may lead to new applications for future quantum technologies.

To learn more about our research you can take a look at at our previous publications.

Details about current teaching activities can be found here.

You can contact us directly with any questions or attend Prof. Dr. Schmitt's office hours on Tuesdays from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.

 

There are PhD and Postdoc positions available in our group! We always offer thesis projects for Bachelor and Master students, as well as HiWi jobs.

In our group we are committed to building an open and diverse research environment.

Please contact us to learn more.

 

News

Quan­tum Gases of Light exhibit Critical Behaviour

Experiments on quantum gases of photons in the research group of Prof. Schmitt provide new insights into the physics of phase transitions and reveal a critical exponent.

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2026-08-27

Mohammad and Moritz join the group

Welcome to our new Master students.

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2026-05-19

Lab move to Heidelberg

Quantum Optics Experiments moved to new Labs at Heidelberg

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2026-03-11

Congrats to Tim for finishing Bachelor project

OptiQS' first Bachelor student: Tim has successfully completed his Bachelor’s thesis on exceptional points in coupled photon Bose–Einstein condensates.

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2026-02-19

Welcome Andris to OptiQS

Andris Erglis joins OptiQS Team to study open quantum systems in photon BECs

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2026-02-17

Welcome Kiran to the OptiQS Group

Welcome Kiran! New Postdoc Joins the OptiQs Group in Heidelberg.

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2026-02-17

Kevin wins Dissertation Prize

Congrats to Kevin who has been awarded the 2025 Ehrenfest–Afanassjewa thesis prize!

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2025-12-16

Welcome Peter to the OptiQs Group

Peter Schnorrenberg starts PhD on photon Bose–Einstein condensates

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2026-02-18

Statistics at the Limit: Thermodynamics of Light in Two-State Systems

Thermodynamics is usually associated with large systems and many particles. In our new paper, we show that even few-particle systems obey the laws of thermodynamics.

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2025-10-31

New Paper on Temporally-driven Photon BECs out in PRL

Temporally-driven Bose-Einstein condensates of photons provide insight into the excitation spectrum of open, thermalized quantum gases, revealing the collective dynamics of photons and molecules through driving and dissipation.

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2025-07-18

CQD Colloquium (summer term 2026)

Zentrum für Quantendynamik Kolloquium
Kirchhoff-Institut, INF 227 SR 1.403
Thursday, 3. September 2026
2:00 pm Integrated Photonics for Trapp...
Henrik Hirzler, Institute for Quantum Electronics, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland

Gallery

SUPPORT & COUNSELLING

Funding

Optical Quantum Systems
Prof. Dr. Julian Schmitt
Kirchhoff-Institut for Physics, EINC 
Im Neuenheimer Feld 225a (02.121)
69120 Heidelberg
06221/54-16072
Contact
Team assistant
Natasja Staelens
Kirchhoff-Institut für Physik, EINC 
Im Neuenheimer Feld 225a (02.122)
69120 Heidelberg
06221 / 54-16071
Contact