A fundamental property of optical photons is their extremely weak interactions, which can be ignored for all practical purposes and applications. This phenomena forms the basis for our understanding of light and is at the heart for the rich variety of tools available to manipulate and control optical beams. On the other hand, a controlled and strong interaction between individual photons would be ideal to generate non-classical states of light, prepare correlated quantum states of photons, and harvest quantum mechanics as a new resource for future technology. Rydberg slow light polaritons have recently emerged as a promising candidate towards this goal, and first experiments have demonstrated a strong interaction between individual photons. The aim of this project is to develop and advance the research field of Rydberg slow light polaritons with the ultimate goal to generate strongly interacting quantum many-body states with photons. The theoretical analysis is based on a microscopic description of the Rydberg polaritons in an atomic ensemble, and combines well established tools from condensed matter physics for solving quantum many-body systems, as well as the inclusion of dissipation in this non-equilibrium problem. The goals of the present project addresses questions on the optimal generation of non-classical states of light such as deterministic single photon sources and Schrödinger cat states of photons, as well as assess their potential for application in quantum information and quantum technology. In addition, we will shed light on the role of dissipation in this quantum many-body system, and analyze potential problems and fundamental limitations of Rydberg polaritons, as well as address questions on equilibration and non-equilibrium dynamics. A special focus will be on the generation of quantum many-body states of photons with topological properties, and explore novel applications of photonic states with topological properties.

In ultracold gases, novel physics can be explored taking advantage of the long-range, anisotropic interaction present between atoms or molecules with a large dipole. Such systems were probed first with Chromium atoms at the 5. Physikalisches Institut in Stuttgart (host institution). Lanthanide atoms carrying a stronger dipole moment have recently lifted high hopes for ground-breaking experiments with dipole-dipole interactions (DDI), our proposal plans on using Dysprosium. We aim to explore many-body physics associated with bosonic dipolar systems, in particular the spontaneous structuring of the ground state and the possible supersolid state. To do so we will use a high-resolution in-trap imaging of quasi-two- dimensional atomic clouds, with which we can image density modulations of the ground state revealing the first signs of long-range order. To pursue in this direction, we will study dipolar gases placed in tailored potentials, indeed the ground state in particular potential landscapes should display self-ordering and in some cases self-induced Josephson oscillations. Using the fermionic isotopes of Dysprosium, we plan on extending these methods to dipolar fermionic systems which are predicted to exhibit rich physics. Many proposals require an independent control of the short-range isotropic interaction. This requirement can be met by the use of magnetic Feshbach resonances present in Dysprosium. They offer the possibility to fine-tune the contact interaction despite the complex electronic structure of Dysprosium. Furthermore broad resonances will enable us to investigate few- body bound states, whose nature is modified in the presence of DDI.

This project deals with the use of metal-based fused diporphyrins as electrocatalysts for HER/CO2 reduction. The objectives of the proposed work are as follows: i) Synthesis of metal complexes of substituted free base monoporphyrin derivatives bearing hydrophilic groups at the periphery (-SO3H, CH3PhSO3H, phenolic –OH groups). Moreover, attempts will be made to introduce functional groups positioned at the secondary coordination sphere facilitating interaction between metal with protons. ii) Synthesis of fused diporphyrins from respective monoporphyrin derivatives. Elucidation of their geometric and electronic structures through electrochemical, spectroscopic, and X-ray diffraction analyses. iii) Evaluation of the catalytic activity of the metal complexes in HER and CO2 reduction in both aqueous and non-aqueous mediums. A particular emphasis will be laid on the competitive/tandem proton and CO2 reduction, as well as on the interplay of two metal centers for efficient catalysis. iv) Quantification of electrocatalytic efficiency, and elucidation of mechanistic pathway to develop structure-activity correlations. Detailed information’s regarding implementation of objectives have been mentioned in Section 3 of the Part-B containing individual milestones for each sections and expected time period for execution. The proposed research project,if approved,is expected to bring about significant breakthroughs in the field of HER/CO2 reduction reactions. Furthermore, the study will provide new insights into the mechanistic pathway, which in turn will open up new avenues for the development of more efficient and cost-effective catalysts. Besides, the fellowship will provide an exciting opportunity to the researcher to develop new expertise, acquire knowledge, increase professional contacts and lastly a global exposure via mobility between different labs. Together all these skill sets will drastically improve the employability of the researcher in both industry or in academia.

Methods of pharmaceutical manufacturing are likely to change dramatically over the coming years. Driven by the knowledge and technology that is already available in other sectors, the processing of drugs into dosage units can be transformed into a “pharmacy-on-demand” process that allows individual dosing, based on criteria relevant for the effective use of the drug in an individual patient. One approach to achieve “pharmacy-on-demand” is the use of inkjet printing technology to deliver an exact dose of drugs on porous substrates. This proof-of-concept project is based on knowledge we acquired during my ERC AdG project on processes of printing on paper using inkjet printing. We will demonstrate the viability of "printing" highly accurate amounts of a solution containing levothyroxine, prescribed for hypothyroidism, onto a porous tablet. Modelling tools will be combined with cutting-edge characterization technologies to push the understanding of printed drug-containing inklike solutions in porous dosage unit matrices. This project will transfer pharmaceutical formulation and product design of individual dosage forms with the use of inkjet printing technique to the pharmaceutical community. They can work on clinical approval tests of the developed oral dosage forms and move these products toward clinical use. The patients will benefit directly from development of this production technique, because a much more effective and targeted medication can be provided. The next step will be the development of the inkjet printing technique for other personalized medicines such as pain killers for children, hormones, biomacromolecules, psychoactive and anticancer drugs. Individually-dosed medicines will allow for substantial decrease of drug waste and thus overall reduction of medical expenses.

Full quantum control of molecules has been an outstanding goal for decades. Cooling molecules provides a most promising answer to address this challenge. With recent progress in experimental quantum physics, such cooling is finally within reach. The aim of this project is to demonstrate the novel technique of molecular laser cooling for a gas of barium monofluoride molecules. Realizing a cold gas of these dipolar molecules will pave the way for a large number of novel and interdisciplinary applications ranging from few- and many-body physics to cold chemistry and tests of fundamental symmetries. The combination of this unique research project with the excellent environment for training, networking and research at the University of Stuttgart will ideally prepare the applicant, Dr. Tim Langen, for a future career as an independent research group leader.