Academic interests
My main goal is to explore novel inorganic chemistry and the atomic arrangement in each newly discovered compound. The anionic lattice in solid-state crystalline materials is often composed of only one species e.g. oxygen. Now, I am aiming to design and understand the appearance of super lattices of two or more anions. The mixture of at least two anions will, unless a solid solution results, cause the atomic arrangement to assume a dimensionality e.g. 0 D cluster, 1 D columns, 2 D layers, or a more complex 3 D distribution. Due to the different bonding character of the anions to the selected cations, this dimensionality affects the material properties and, thus, increase the chance of entering physically challenging situations, i.e. novel magnetic, electric, or optical properties might emerge. Moreover, by placing two differently sized and/or charged anions close to a cation causes the cation to assume a polar coordination, which is a prerequisite for non-linear optics and magnetic-electric coupling.
Several alternative synthesis methods have to be applied to ensure effective reaction between the thermodynamically different constituents. Reactions in ionic melts and at high pressures under predestined conditions, i.e. closed systems, are typical techniques within this project. Below you see some small single crystals of new compounds that are being investigated.
Background
After finishing my doctorate on the synthesis on high-temperature superconductors in 2001 at Stockholm University under supervision by Ingrid Bryntse, I had the opportunity to stay at Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster in Rainer Pöttgen's group during about two years to learn about intermetallics, which was funded by the Foundation Blanceflor Boncompagni-Ludovisi nèe Bildt and the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. Subsequently, Peter Lemmens at the Condensed Matter Physics Department, Carolo Wilhelmina Technische Universität Braunschweig invited me to stay for about 18 months to support with synthesis of new materials and teaching in physics. In 2006, my services as chemist for physicists brought me to II. Physics Department at the University of Cologne with the support of Sonder-Forschungs-Bereich 608 (DFG-funding). This allowed me a 6-years-stay, during which I could finish my habilitation (venia legendi) in 2010 with the support of Gerd Meyer. Early 2013, I was given the chance to join Liu Hao Tjeng at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids in Dresden for about 3 years, allowing me to take the resposibility of a lab and act as research group leader, with the supervision of many talented, young students and the support of postdocs. During this time, I also was given the permission to teach at Technische Universität Dresden after an Umhabilitation in 2015, with the support of Thomas Doert and Michael Ruck. At the end of 2016, Bernd Büchner at the Leibniz Insitute for Solid State and Materials Research (IFW e.V Dresden) gave me the chance to continue with my research, which resulted in financial supports from DFG, EU (EFRE), and the Leibniz excellence program. However, as Helmer, Anja, and Ola at UiO asked me to join them in mid 2019, I did not hesitate - and here I am.