The physicist Dr. Tom S. Seifert from Freie Universität Berlin (Reseach Group "Terahertz Physics of Quantum Materials") receives the prestigious Karl Scheel Prize for his outstanding and pioneering research contributions to the investigation of the dynamics of magnetic phenomena on atomic length scales and in the terahertz frequency range.

The scientific work of Dr. Tom S. Seifert focuses on the dynamics of the magnetic degrees of freedom of electrons (spins and orbitals) and their interaction with electromagnetic fields at gigahertz and terahertz frequencies. As a senior scientist at Freie Universität Berlin, the talented physicist has developed  innovative experimental methods to, on the one hand, control and detect new transport channels of electron angular momentum in magnetic heterostructures on ultrafast timescales, and on the other hand, uncover the driving forces for the manipulation of atomic quantum magnets.

For this outstanding scientific achievement, Dr. Tom S. Seifert was awarded the Karl-Scheel Prize 2024. The Physical Society of Berlin has been awarding this prize, which is endowed with 5,000 euros, for outstanding achievements in the field of physics annually since 1958. The Karl-Scheel Medal was ceremoniously presented to Dr. Tom S. Seifert at a festive event on June 20, 2024, at the Magnus-Haus.

His scientific work is characterized by particular application relevance: part of the results of the ultrafast spin-orbitronic work has already been successfully developed into a market-ready product. The product is marketed through the start-up TeraSpinTec GmbH, a spin-off from the research of the working group. Dr. Tom S. Seifert leads the company as managing director as a sideline.

"In the future, I hope to combine the ultrafast and ultrasmall aspects of my award-winning work in a joint approach to investigate spin-orbitronics on femtosecond and nanometer scales," Dr. Tom S. Seifert describes his scientific vision.