Theo Scholtes

Dr. Theo Scholtes is a researcher in the Quantum Systems department at the Leibniz Institute for Photonics (Leibniz-IPHT), specializing in quantum magnetometry and dark matter detection. He leads the Quantum Magnetometry working group and has developed advanced optically pumped magnetometer (OPM) systems for ultrasensitive magnetic field measurements.

• Key research areas: Quantum magnetometry, dark matter detection, sensor technology
• Notable collaborations: Global Network of Optical Magnetometers for Exotic physics searches (GNOME)

His work focuses on overcoming technical limitations in OPMs, including dead zones, heading errors, and transient phase responses. He has pioneered innovations like the light-shift dispersed Mz mode, omnidirectional magnetic field sensitivity, and passivated gold mirror integration in alkali vapor cells.

Recent publications (2023-2025) address vector magnetometry in Earth's magnetic field, dead-zone-free sensors, and domain wall detection for dark matter. Earlier work (2016-2020) includes laser stabilization techniques and magnetorelaxometry in biomedical contexts.