Ulrich Höfer

Ulrich Höfer is Professor of Experimental Physics at Philipps University of Marburg since 1999 and Adjunct Professor at University of Regensburg since 2022. His research pioneers ultrafast surface dynamics using advanced laser spectroscopy techniques to investigate electron behavior at semiconductor interfaces and topological materials on femtosecond timescales.

His academic foundation includes a Diploma (1985), Doctorate (1989), and Habilitation (1996) in Physics from Technical University of Munich. Key mentors included Dietrich Menzel and Eberhard Umbach during his formative research on photoelectron spectroscopy and silicon surface science.

Höfer's work centers on laser spectroscopy of surfaces and interfaces, with groundbreaking contributions to ultrafast electron dynamics in topological insulators and semiconductor heterostructures. His group specializes in time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy and two-photon photoemission to track subcycle electron motion, revealing phenomena like lightwave-driven Dirac currents and Floquet-Bloch band formation. This research bridges fundamental quantum mechanics with potential applications in ultrafast optoelectronics.

Analysis of his 15 most recent publications shows dominant focus on topological materials (38%), ultrafast interface dynamics (32%), and lightwave-controlled quantum phenomena (30%). His 2023-2025 work increasingly explores subcycle band-structure videography in 2D materials and coherent phonon excitation at buried heterointerfaces.

Major recognitions include:

• ERC Synergy Grant (2022) for lightwave electronics research
• Fellow of Japanese Society for Promotion of Science (2015)
• Ikerbasque Research Professorship at DIPC San Sebastián (2011)
• American Physical Society Fellowship (2006)
• Arnold-Sommerfeld-Prize from Bavarian Academy (1995)

Höfer secured over €15M in research funding including leadership of Collaborative Research Center SFB 1083 (2013-2021) and the 2022 ERC Synergy Grant. His mentoring has produced numerous PhD students and postdocs, though specific names aren't documented. Administrative roles include Physics Department Dean (2007-2009) and Material Sciences Center Director (2003-2007) at Marburg.

He leads an active Marburg research group focused on ultrafast surface science, collaborating with Max Planck Institutes and international networks like DIPC. Current projects involve attosecond control of electron orbits in quantum materials and subcycle imaging of Floquet-engineered band structures using terahertz lightwave fields.