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Optics

Division 4

Division 4 which is responsible for optics is home to three base units: that of length, time and luminous intensity. On this basis, standards and measuring methods of highest accuracy are developed for various optical quantities.

 

Tasks

Division "Optics" supports industry, science and society by providing measurement services, research and development in the field of optical technology. Based on the SI units of length, time and luminous intensity different units are realized and disseminated. Further more, accurate standards and measurement techniques are developed.

The division realizes the time scale UTC (PTB), which is the legal time in the Federal Republic of Germany, performs precision measurements in different fields of optics and cooperates in international standardisation and certification.

News

A working group of the Consultative Committee for Time and Frequency (CCTF), with the participation of PTB, has drawn up a plan for a future redefinition of the second based on the progress made with optical atomic clocks. The progress achieved and the improvements still required are being discussed in order to secure in the long term and to improve the quality of frequency measurements and time scales established today with cesium atomic clocks. A possible date for a redefinition is 2030.

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PTB and NIST performed a comparison for high accuracy continuous wave optical power measurements in the kilowatt regime. The NIST carried out measurements with a power meter relying on photon momentum, while PTB performed the measurements with a modified off-the-shelf thermal power meter. The non-absorbing photon momentum measurement approach permits the two power meters to measure the same laser beam optical path simultaneously, resulting in a direct comparison of the meters supported by an optical system to accommodate differences in instrument settling times. The results show agreement within the expanded uncertainties for each instrument. NIST and PTB illustrate a degree of equivalence of 0.49% with an expanded uncertainty of 1.37% (k = 2) for an average result across all power levels.

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Single photon emitters in hexagonal boron nitride have gathered a lot of attention due
to their favourable emission properties and the manifold of possible applications. Despite
extensive scientic effort, the exact atomic origin of these emitters has remained unkown
thus far. Recently, several studies have tied the emission in the yellow spectral region
to carbon-related defects, but the exact atomic structure of the defects remains elusive.
In this study, photoluminescence emission and excitation spectroscopy is performed on a
large number of emitters within this region. By comparison of the experimental data with
theoretical predictions, the origin of yellow single photon emission in hexagonal boron nitride is determined. Knowledge of this atomic structure and its optical properties is crucial for the reliable implementation of these emitters in quantum technologies.

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Offers for Students

As is the case at PTB in general, in Division Optics there is the possibility to write a student thesis, to complete an internship or to participate in research as a working student. If you are interested in the topics and projects of the working group, you can first contact the Opens external link in new windowcentral contact persons and mention the working group as a request.
 
Offers for Doctoral Candidates

As at PTB in general, Division Optics is active in many collaborations (with link to new Div. collaboration page) with universities, research institutions, industry and other metrology institutes worldwide. These collaborations support many exciting third-party funding opportunities for PhD students to become involved in PTB research. If you are interested in the topics and projects of the working groups, you can first inquire at the Opens external link in new windowjob postings.