PhotonLab
The pupils lab at MPQ
ca. 2 hours, free of charge
The PhotonLab is a collaborative institution of MPQ, LMU, MCQST, MQV sowie FOR 2783 and since 2011 has been the go-to place for anyone who wants to learn about light. Over 24,000 people have already taken advantage of our offerings and learned something new here. In the current year of 2025, we have already had over 2,000 schoolchildren visit us.
If you are interested in any of the following offers, please contact Dr. Silke Stähler-Schöpf.
School visits
We offer visits to our student laboratory for all classes from Year 9 onwards (and in exceptional cases for younger pupils too). Here, pupils learn lots of interesting facts about the topic of "light and lasers":
— Since the coronavirus pandemic, the introductory lecture is no longer held live. Instead, you can access it here (talk is in german): Die Grundlagen des Lichts.
Here we explain what light actually is, how it is produced and what the difference between a light bulb and a laser is.
— To help you prepare for your visit and for those who want to know more, we have developed digital books on special experiments and related topics, which you can find here.
— The highlight of the visit is, of course, the independent experimentation in the student laboratory! After a brief introduction, approximately 15 students can try out some basic techniques of laser physics or discover physical phenomena of light using lasers. Naturally, there is a briefing on laser safety beforehand. A list of available experiments can be found here.
— Larger groups will be split up. The group that is not currently conducting experiments in the student laboratory can take part in our specially designed campus quiz, explore everyday student life on the research campus and gain an insight into the hustle and bustle of one of the largest research centres in Germany.
— Depending on the availability of our scientists, it is also possible for students to be given a tour of a laboratory by a physicist, giving them an insight into the latest research and laboratory work! However, as our scientists are naturally busy conducting research, this is only available on request.
Quantum mechanics course
For upper secondary school courses that wish to explore quantum physics in greater depth, we recommend our advanced course.
Six hours should be planned for the entire programme (maximum 15 people), and 2½ hours for a shorter version (modules by arrangement).
Possible additional modules:
— Introductory lecture on quantum physics
— Own experimentation in the laboratory (analogy experiments)
— Discussion on quantum technologies
— single-photon experiment
— "Chatting about quanta" - a first introduction to phenomena in quantum physics
— Workshop "From qubit to quantum computer in 30 minutes"
— Preparation with interaktive books is recommended
Teacher training
Teachers of all subjects can take part in special training courses with us. Here, you can talk to our laboratory manager Silke Stähler-Schöpf, who has been working with school groups for many years, and her team about light and lasers and exchange experiences on how to teach this subject to pupils. There are also helpful tips for experiments that can be carried out in physics lessons.
Supervision of W-seminar papers
We provide assistance with W-seminar projects by giving students access to our PhotonLab infrastructure. Here, they can use and measure or improve existing experiments, or even design and set up new ones.
Pupil internships
What does the everyday work of a laser physicist actually involve? During a one-week internship, students are integrated into the PhotonLab's workflow and also have the opportunity to visit the research laboratories and groups, giving them a taste of the current research atmosphere.
Help with competitions (IYPT, GYPT)
Would you like to take part in physics competitions such as GYPT, the Physics Olympiad, Jugend forscht or others, but don't have the equipment and lasers to carry out your experiment?
We are happy to help and support you in designing and carrying out your experiment!
Contact:
Dr. Silke Stähler-Schöpf
Fon +49 (0)89 32905-197
E-mail: staehler-schoepf@mpq.mpg.de
From December 2023 to November 2026, the Quanten(t)räume project, in collaboration with the Deutsches Museum and other partners, will focus on the exciting challenges of communicating the potential applications of quantum technologies. The aim is to bring science, business and society into a constructive dialogue. Particular focus will be placed on the Quantum Tuesdays at the Deutsches Museum and the Quantum Fridays at PhotonLab, which serve to highlight long-term perspectives for the use of quantum technologies. In addition, an interactive and freely programmable demonstrator is being developed at PhotonLab to promote a better understanding of quantum computer technology. The project is funded by the BMFTR.
Visit PhotonLab on Facebook
Welcome to Photonworld – a platform for knowledge, interesting facts and science on the topic of light. Photonworld aims to provide a basic understanding of the physics of light and its countless phenomena. From medicine, to art and physics: all topics are covered.
Photonworld originated as an initiative of the excellence cluster the Munich-Centre for Advanced Photonics (MAP) and the Laboratory for Attosecond Physics (LAP) at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics (MPQ).
The initiator of the project is Prof. Dr. Ferenc Krausz, Chair of Experimental Physics at the LMU and Director of the MPQ.
Photonworld’s Student Zone reports directly out of the PhotonLab, which is supported by the Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology (MCQST) and the DFG Research Unit FOR 2783. At the PhotonLab, schoolteachers and students can find up-to-date information about experiments and goings-on at the lab, and plan their own visit to the laboratory.
