Wolf Widdra

Prof. Dr. Wolf Widdra is a Principal Investigator at the Institute of Physics, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, where he leads the Surface Science Group. He serves as Principal Investigator for projects A06 and iRTG within the TRR227 Collaborative Research Center focused on ultrafast spin dynamics.

His research spans several cutting-edge areas in surface physics. Widdra's group pioneered the discovery of two-dimensional oxide quasicrystals, representing a new class of materials beyond traditional metal alloy quasicrystals. His team investigates the formation mechanisms of these structures from materials like $$\text{BaTiO}_3$$ and $$\text{SrTiO}_3$$ on Pt(111) surfaces, employing advanced techniques including scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), LEED, SXRD, XPS, and various spectroscopic methods. The group also studies alkali-induced surface effects in chalcogenide solar cells and conducts nanometer-resolved investigations of ultrafast spin and electron dynamics at magnetic surfaces.

Widdra collaborates extensively through the TRR227 network with the Free University of Berlin and participates in international projects co-funded by ANR and DFG, particularly focusing on phason dynamics in oxide quasicrystals using synchrotron-based measurements and high-temperature STM.

His laboratory utilizes a comprehensive suite of surface analysis techniques including diffraction methods (LEED & SXRD), microscopy (STM, AFM, PEEM, LEEM), and spectroscopies (XPS, UPS, ARUPS, 2PPE, STS, HREELS) to investigate two-dimensional oxide systems and their applications in both fundamental science and renewable energy technologies.