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The term quantum physics refers to the phenomena and characteristics of atomic and subatomic systems which cannot be explained by classical physics. Quantum physics has had a long tradition in Germany, going back nearly 100 years. Quantum physics is the foundation of many modern technologies. The first generation of quantum technology provides the basis for key areas such as semiconductor and laser technology. The "new" quantum technology, based on influencing individual quantum systems, has been the subject of research for about the last 20 years. Quantum technology has great economic potential due to its extensive research programs conducted in specialized quantum technology centres throughout the world. To be a viable and active participant in the economic potential of this field, the research infrastructure in Germany should be improved to facilitate more investigations in quantum technology research

The excited state dynamics of the isolated and protonated peptide H(2)N-Leu-Trp-COOH are analyzed by fs pump-probe spectroscopy. The peptides are brought into the gas phase by electrospray ionization, and fs pump-probe excitation is detected by fragment ion formation. The pump laser addressed the excited pipi* state of the indole chromophore of the amino acid tryptophan. The subsequent excited state dynamics agreed with a biexponential decay with time constants of 500 fs and 10 ps. This is considerably shorter than the lifetime of neutral tryptophan in solution and in proteins, but similar to isolated, protonated tryptophan. Several models are discussed to explain the experimental results but the detailed quenching mechanism remains unresolved.

Abstract. The first reactive differential scattering study for atomic clusters is reported. Oxidation of Nax (x < 8) with 02 is investigated in a crossed beam apparatus. Sodium oxide (Na,O, n < 4) and sodium dioxide (NanO 2, n<6) are produced with a total reactive cross section ° 2 from 50 to 80 A, depending on the cluster size. The excess energies for these reactions are estimated by an SCF type ab initio calculation and range from 0.5 to 5 eV. The large cross section may then be understood quantitatively in terms of a harpooning mechanism as a first step in the reaction path. Angular distributions have been determined for the most abundant products, showing strong forward scattering. Two different schemes are discussed for the reaction: while the dioxides Na,O2 may be formed by an evaporative cooling process from a highly excited collision complex, formation of Na~O appears to originate from a direct process. In both cases the experimental data suggest that most of the exothermicity remains in the reaction products.

Photoelectron spectra were measured for films of self-assembled azobenzene-terminated alkanethiol monolayers on gold using synchrotron radiation. The azobenzene was substituted either by CF 3 or CH 3 in the para position. As a result of the orientational order of the molecules within the films, as indicated by the pronounced angle dependence of the photoemission spectra, it is possible to identify laser-induced optical switching of the molecules using combined laser and synchrotron pulses. Molecular switching, i.e., photoisomerization, is recognized by relative intensity changes of the photoemission peaks and also by spectral shifts to higher binding energies. The latter result from a change of the molecular dipole moment associated with the transcis laser-induced photoisomerization of the azobenzene-CF 3 group.