Niclas Mandaric
Werner Aeschbach

Argon Trap Trace Analysis

  • Age dating of environmental systems via 39Ar
  • Applied Quantum Technology
  • Ultrasensitive detection method using quantum optics

The goal of Argon Trap Trace Analysis, ArTTA, is to measure the 39Ar concentration of ice and water samples to gain information about the dynamics of environmental systems. Due to 39Ar having an extremly low abundance, an ulta-high selectivity is required which is achieved by counting single atoms in a magneto-optical trap. Using these quantum optical methods for environmental research is a unique example of applied quantum technology. In the next years the understanding of the generation of metastable atoms and further improvements of the laser cooling efficiency will be part of our research as well as expanding our capabilities to the radiokrypton isotope 85Kr.

The ArTTA project at the Heidelberg University is a cooperation of the group of Markus Oberthaler from the Kirchhoff Institute for Physics and Werner Aeschbach from the Institute for Environmental Physics.

Are you interested in joining?

Your new passion could start with:

  • Development of applied quantum technology
  • Working on optics, electronics, and vacuum systems
  • Data evaluation and programming
  • Dating environmental water and ice samples in collaboration with experts in environmental sciences

We are always looking for motivated bachelors, masters, PhD students, and PostDocs! If you are interested in applying, please send your CV, a transcript, and topics of interest to application@matterwave.de.

Current Projects and Collaborations

The ArTTA project is a joint project with the research group HydroTraP of Werner Aeschbach at the Institute of Environmental Physics in Heidelberg. 

Projects and their specific collaborations

An overview with all current and past projects can be found on our project specific Database DABATTA.

  • Novel Dating of Alpine Glaciers by 39Ar-ATTA (ArTTA-ICE)
    • Pascal Bohleber [AWI, Bremerhaven, Deutschland]
    • Andrea Fischer [Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften, Istitut für Interdisziplinäre Gebirgsforschung]
    • Martin Stocker-Waldhuber [Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften, Istitut für Interdisziplinäre Gebirgsforschung]
  • Survey of the arctic ocean (VACAO)
  • Oman groundwater study: Investigation of low temperature peridotite alteration

The Team

Inigo Arnedo
Phone: +49 6221 54 5174
Room: 02.317 
inigo.arnedo@kip.uni-heidelberg.de


Dr Thomas Chambers
Phone: +49 6221 54 5174
Room: 02.317 
thomas.chambers@kip.uni-heidelberg.de


Emmy Hieronimus
Phone: +49 6221 54 5174
Room: 02.317 
emmy.hieronimus@kip.uni-heidelberg.de


Petra Hübler
Phone: +49 6221 54 5171
Room: 02.104 
petra.huebler@kip.uni-heidelberg.de


Alexander Junkermann
Phone: +49 6221 54 5174 (office)
Room: 02.317 Office 
alexander.junkermann@kip.uni-heidelberg.de


David Wachs
Phone: +49 6221 54 5174
Room: 02.317 
dwachs@iup.uni-heidelberg.de


Publications

Papers

Theses