Thomas Udem

Prof. Thomas Udem is a Professor at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) and leads research at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics (MPQ), specializing in ultra-precise atomic spectroscopy for fundamental physics tests.

His core research spans Atomic Physics, Quantum Optics, and Quantum Electrodynamics, focusing on measuring transition frequencies in hydrogen and helium ions to determine fundamental constants like the Rydberg constant and proton charge radius. Key methodologies include XUV frequency combs generated via high-harmonic generation and ion-trap spectroscopy with sympathetic cooling using Be⁺ ions.

At MPQ, he directs the 'Precision metrology for fundamental research' group, tackling experimental challenges such as 60.8nm photon excitation in He⁺ and leveraging He⁺'s nuclear properties to access higher-order QED corrections inaccessible in neutral atoms.