The MBI is an institute for nonlinear optics and short-time spectroscopy. The focus lies on the study of the interaction of laser-light with matter. Ultrashort lasers are needed to bring the ultrafast dynamics of the smallest parts (atoms, molecules) to a “standstill” and to observe them.
Historically, the first major milestone in the field of ultrafast physics was based on a simple bet, which led to the first motion pictures of fast processes: the galloping horse. Since then, the field of ultrafast physics has continued to evolve, from the use of sunlight to the development of laser radiation. Today, laser pulses can be generated that are as short as attoseconds (10-18 s) and extend into the spectral range of X-rays. With a wide range of laser systems developed at the MBI and the resulting diverse radiation properties, the MBI has the possibility to study the dynamics in a variety of complex systems such as magnetic materials, biomolecules, clusters, molecules or atoms.
The scientific performance at MBI is made possible by a large number of experts from different disciplines and 24 countries working together towards a common goal. At our institute we not only have the possibility to build optics via our in-house workshop, but we can also produce our own samples, have teams dedicated to pushing laser development to its boundaries and an excellent theory group coming up with new ideas all the time.
To capture this richness on camera, the whole institute worked together and made it possible to shoot scenes in the labs, in the sample preparation, in the chemistry lab, in the workshop, in our computer-cluster room and in the receiving department. With the help of some animations at the beginning of the film to give the viewers a better feeling for the extreme speed of some e.g. biological processes, a real Hollywood flick has been created with the great participation of all employees. Take a look for yourself!
Text: Lisa-Marie Koll
The article was published in Verbundjournal 119 | 2022 with the focus on "30 years of FVB."
