Sebastian F. Maehrlein

Professor Sebastian F. Maehrlein is a physicist specializing in high-field terahertz physics who assumed his professorship at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) on June 1, 2024. This position represents a joint appointment with TU Dresden, where he heads the High-Field THz-Driven Phenomena Department within the Institute of Radiation Physics.

Maehrlein's research focuses on using high-intensity terahertz radiation to push the boundaries of basic research on quantum materials. His work is closely aligned with the DALI (Dresden Advanced Light Infrastructure) project at HZDR, which aims to provide precise insights into elementary quantum processes in matter by triggering microscopic processes with light to create excited or hidden states of matter with novel properties. He views quantum technologies as foundational for future applications across multiple domains.

Before joining HZDR, Maehrlein led the 'THz Structural Dynamics' research group at the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society in Berlin. In 2022, he successfully secured an Emmy Noether Junior Research Group from the German Research Foundation (DFG), part of which he transferred to HZDR.

• Emmy Noether Junior Research Group (DFG, 2022)

Maehrlein actively participates in the DRESDEN-concept scientific network, which he describes as 'an extremely fruitful collaboration' among Dresden's research institutions. His motivation for joining HZDR includes the opportunity to pioneer new research fields in high-field terahertz physics and contribute to the development of next-generation materials and breakthroughs in quantum technology.