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In solidarity against racism and oppression, PDI has joined over 500 German organizations in supporting the #Zusammenland campaign. This initiative, spearheaded by prominent media outlets and companies, aims to combat the rise of right-wing extremism in Germany and promote diversity, democracy, and inclusivity.

PDI is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr. Jeremy Levy to its Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Levy is a Distinguished Professor of Condensed Matter Physics at the University of Pittsburgh and the Founding Director of the Pittsburgh Quantum Institute. Dr. Levy joins an esteemed board of outstanding national and international researchers who provide guidance to PDI on scientific matters.

PDI is building an application laboratory for time-resolved cathodoluminescence spectroscopy where detectors will be optimized for ultraviolet wavelengths down to ~180 nm. The Application Laboratory Time-resolved Cathodoluminescence Spectroscopy, or ZALKAL, is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Berlin Senate and is scheduled to be operational in summer 2024.

Dr. Alejandro Fainstein is a senior researcher and Professor at Centro Atómico Bariloche and Instituto Balseiro in Bariloche, Argentina. In this online seminar, Dr. Fainstein will discuss the concept of time crystals (TCs), which involve the spontaneous breaking of time translation symmetry in quantum systems, similar to the spatial symmetry breaking observed in crystalline matter.

Dr. Vladimir Kaganer is a senior scientist working on the theory of X-ray diffraction at PDI. In this online seminar, Dr. Kaganer will introduce the X-ray diffraction technique, which is used to analyze physical properties such as phase composition, crystal structure and orientation of powder, solid, and liquid samples. The talk is suitable for students and will cover the basics of the technique.

This year the Deutsche Hochschulverband (DHV) (German University Association) is presenting their President of the Year award to Prof. Manfred Bayer, President of TU Dortmund since 2020. Prof. Bayer also served as chairman of PDI’s Scientific Advisory Board until his term ended last year.

A recent paper published in Advanced Science and featuring contributions from PDI researchers demonstrated that molecular beam epitaxy allows fabricating lamellar GeTe-rich (GeTe)m(Sb2Te3)n alloys which show ferroelectric properties. The material was developed at PDI within the European project BeforeHand (GA 824957, Horizon2020) – a collaboration between PDI and six other European partners.

Today, the Paul-Drude-Institut für Festkörperelektronik (PDI) in Berlin launched its inaugural Artist-in-Residency Program, aimed at inspiring unique perspectives on science and presenting new opportunities for engaging with the community. The residency is open to Berlin-based artists from all disciplines. The deadline for applications is May 17th, 2024.

Berlin is host to the 87th Annual Meeting of DPG and DPG Spring Meetings (DPG-Frühjahrstagung) of the Condensed Matter Section, taking place from 17th to 22nd March 2024 at Technische Universität Berlin. Scientists from PDI are contributing to 36 events this year. Here you can find the full schedule of PDI's contributions.

John W. Freeland, a senior physicist and staff scientist at Argonne National Laboratory, is a specialist in soft X-ray spectroscopy and supports scientists using the Advanced Photon Source (APS). As the APS is currently undergoing an intensive upgrade, John seized the opportunity to take a sabbatical and join us at PDI. Here he shares his thoughts about the experience.