Elke Neu-Ruffing

Prof. Elke Neu-Ruffing is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at Rheinland-Pfälzische Technischen Universität Kaiserslautern since August 2022. Her workgroup focuses on quantum sensors using diamond color centers for biophysical applications. She holds a PhD from Saarland University (2012) and has held postdoctoral positions at Basel University and Harvard University. Her research explores nanoscale sensing via nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers and their integration into scanning probes.

Education:

• PhD in Physics, Saarland University (2012)
• Diplom Physik, University of Kaiserslautern (2006)

Research Interests: Quantum sensing, diamond-based nanotechnology, color center fabrication, and applications in life sciences. Her group investigates NV centers as atomically small sensors for magnetic/electric fields and temperature, embedded in diamond scanning probes. Recent work includes energy transfer mechanisms between 2D materials and diamond color centers, and wafer-scale quantum technologies.

Funding: Supported by German Ministry of Education & Research, European Union, Daimler-Benz Foundation, and Robert Bosch Foundation. Recent projects include Seed Fund Contest awards (2024) and collaborations within EU networks like QuSco.

Labs/Teams: The Quantum Sensing and Biophysics group develops custom microscopes combining confocal and atomic force microscopy. Current lab members include scientists Nimba Oshnik and Oliver Opaluch, and students Isabell Jauch (awarded Sparkassen-Stiftung prize), Nina Thiele, and Sebastian Westrich.