Into the nano-cosmos

Tiny towers, a hundred times thinner than a human hair with which specific individual photons can be fired off: Physicists at the University of Würzburg are world leaders in the production of sophisticated nanostructures such as these.

“Here, you are at the cutting edge of research,” says Arash Rahimi-Iman. He had a look at several universities in Germany which offered his preferred course of study, Nanostructure Technology, and settled on Würzburg because he liked the student environment here best.

Microstructure lab on the Hubland campus

“If I was to do Nanostructure Technology at all, it had to be in Würzburg”, Arash, who was born in Gießen, says. One of the reasons why he is so convinced is on the Hubland campus – the microstructure lab which is where the experts produce the tiny photon cannons. “Here, they do not simply do research into nanostructures, they actually produce them,” Arash describes one of the advantages of Würzburg.

Wide range of nanotechnology applications

Students are confronted with these technologies early on in their studies. Physics, Chemistry and Maths form the basis for the course, too. What Arash particularly appreciates is that “Würzburg offers a wide range of nanotechnology applications and you can be fairly flexible in choosing what you want to specialise in.”

In the area of energy technology, for example, the researchers here work with nano crystals to make solar cells even more efficient. Nanotechnology also plays an important role in making better computers and in new applications for medicine and biology.

Doctorate in nano-optics

Arash himself has started on his doctorate – in nano-optics. “We are analysing the properties of new kinds of lasers and light sources which are made in the microstructure lab.”

The doctoral student thinks the practical relevance of the course beats everything: “Whatever you do here, you notice that it is important for industry and for business.” This is certainly true of the little Würzburg nano-towers: elements which can shoot off individual photons are essential in making the transfer of data bug-proof.