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International Max Planck Research School for Advanced Photon Science

Scientists in protective clothing behind an optical setup.

Exploring the Frontiers of Light-Matter Interaction

The International Max Planck Research School for Advanced Photon Science (IMPRS-APS) is a graduate school dedicated to the advancement of photon science, spanning areas such as ultrafast laser science, attosecond physics, high-precision spectroscopy, biomedical applications of advanced spectroscopic methods, data science, and laser particle acceleration. Doctoral candidates benefit from extensive training opportunities, including interdisciplinary scientific knowledge, soft skills, industry exposure, and more.

Latest News

Small changes with significant effects

September 28, 2026

Meet our doctoral researcher Vipulkumar Bhaliya.

Congratulations to Manoram Agarwal!

September 18, 2026

Manoram Agarwal has successfully defended his thesis in the group of Apl. Prof. Vladislav Yakovlev.

“Diverse hobbies are everything for me as a physicist”

September 09, 2026

Meet our new doctoral candidate Benjamin Trey!

more

About IMPRS-APS

Established in 2006 at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics (MPQ) and directed by Nobel Laureate Prof. Ferenc Krausz, the IMPRS-APS provides a unique and stimulating environment for PhD students who are passionate about exploring the frontiers of light-matter interaction.

This initiative is part of a network of 68 International Max Planck Research Schools, which have become central to the Max Planck Society’s efforts to promote excellent doctoral education since 2000. Together, they provide talented German and international junior researchers with outstanding conditions to complete their doctorates.

Program Highlights

▶ Interdisciplinary collaboration
▶ Cutting-edge facilities
▶ Comprehensive training
▶ Career development

Student Experience

▶ Annual meetings
▶ Soft-skills courses
▶ Special lectures

Events

September 2026

Save the Date:

IMPRS-APS Annual Meeting 2027: March 16-17, 2027

Upcoming Events

Company Visit at Infineon

Oct 7, 2026 08:45 AM - 02:00 PM (Local Time Germany)

Infineon Technologies AG, Am Campeon 1-15, 85579 Neubiberg

Workshop: "How to sell your science"

Nov 19, 2026 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM (Local Time Germany)

Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics, Hans-Kopferman-Straße 1, 85748 Garching, Room: B0.41

Annual Meeting 2027

Mar 16, 2027 - Mar 17, 2027

Nymphenburg Palace

Upcoming Talks

IMPRS-APS Seminar: "Light, Charge, and Energy in Motion" (Prof. Emiliano Cortés)

Oct 22, 2026 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM (Local Time Germany)

Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics, Hans-Kopferman-Straße 1, 85748 Garching, Room: Herbert Walther Lecture Hall

IMPRS-APS Seminar: "Concepts and Applications of Ultrafast Multidimensional Spectroscopy (Part 1)" (Dr. Erling Thyrhaug)

Jan 13, 2027 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM (Local Time Germany)

Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics, Hans-Kopferman-Straße 1, 85748 Garching, Room: Herbert Walther Lecture Hall

IMPRS-APS Seminar: "Concepts and Applications of Ultrafast Multidimensional Spectroscopy (Part 2)" (Dr. Erling Thyrhaug)

Jan 20, 2027 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM (Local Time Germany)

Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics, Hans-Kopferman-Straße 1, 85748 Garching, Room: Herbert Walther Lecture Hall

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IMPRS-APS on Social Media

YouTube

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Image of an electron and a laser wave passing through each other

Attosecond Atomic and Solid-State Physics – Theory

Prof. Joachim Burgdörfer (TU Wien)

Graphic of an atom with two electrons spinning very fast.

Ultrafast Light Manipulating Spin- and Charge: Transient States of Matter

Prof. Martin Schultze (TU Graz)

Graphic of a microchip hit by a laser and information flowing through it.

Attosecond science (theory)

Apl. Prof. Vladislav Yakovlev (MPQ, LMU)

Attosecond physics in atoms and molecules

Prof. Abdallah Azzeer (KSU) - associated

Attosecond science (experiment)

Attosecond science (experiment)

Dr. Nicholas Karpowicz (MPQ)

a light pulse hits a molecule in the blood

Ultrafast metrology for shaping the future of healthcare

Prof. Ferenc Krausz (MPQ, LMU)

Data-driven Optimization of Laserplasma Physics & Interaction

Dr. Andreas Döpp (LMU)

Photo of an optical setup in the laboratory

Dynamic Spectroscopies

Prof. Jürgen Hauer (TUM)

Graphic showing how a laser passes through a blood cell

Broadband infrared diagnostics

Dr. Mihaela Žigman (LMU)

Graphic showing how a broadband mid-infrared femtosecond enhancement cavity is used for field-resolved spectroscopy of gases.

Field-resolved spectroscopy and cavity enhancement

Dr. Ioachim Pupeza (LMU)

Picture of the ATLAS Ti:Sapphire amplifier crystal

Generation of ultra-high intensity laser pulses, laser-based particle acceleration

Prof. Stefan Karsch (LMU)

Laser-driven ion acceleration

Prof. Jörg Schreiber (LMU)

graphic of a human head and lasers

Medical Physics

Prof. Katia Parodi (LMU)

Precision metrology for fundamental research

Prof. Thomas Udem (MPQ)

Ultrafast quantum physics and nanophotonics

Ultrafast quantum physics and nanophotonics

Prof. Peter Hommelhoff (LMU)