Research

Major research interests: Neutron optics, quantum physics, neutron interferometry and reactor physics

Helmut Rauch is known for research in the field of neutron physics, especially in the field of neutron optics. Most well-known is the development of the perfect crystal neutron interferometer done in cooperation with Professor Ulrich Bonse from the University of Dortmund and Professor Wolfgang Treimer from the Hahn-Meitner Institute in Berlin. This new method has been used for the realization of many fundamental experiments of quantum mechanics and created the basis for advanced neutron quantum optics methods.

Several other papers deal with basic questions of quantum mechanics like topological phases, decoherence, contextuality and the transition from a quantum behaviour to classical systems. He was 32 years director of the Atomic Institute of the Austrian Universities and responsible for the operation of the TRIGA reactor and in this connection involved in the discussion about nuclear energy.

Career

• since 1972 Full Professorship for Experimental nuclear physics, Vienna University of Technology, Austria
• 1972-2007 Head of the Atominstitute of the Austrian Universities, Vienna, Austria
• 1970 Habilitation, Neutron- and reactor physics at the Vienna University of Technology, Austria
• 1965 Ph.D., Vienna University of Technology, Austria
• 1957-1962 Studies, Technical Physics at the Vienna University of Technology, Austria

Functions

• 2005-2009 Member General Assembly of IUPAP
• 2005-2006 President of the Austrian Physical Society
• 1996-1999 Member Executive Committee of the European Science Foundation
• 1995-1996 President of the Austrian Physical Society
• 1991-1994 President of the Austrian Science Fund

Honours and Memberships

• 2010 Dr. h.c. of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences
• 2007 Ludwig Wittgenstein Award of the Austrian Research Association
• 2000 Ernst Mach Honorary Medal of the Czech Academy of Sciences
• 1995 German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina
• 1990 Academia Europaea
• 1990 Austrian Academy of Sciences