Research

Wolfgang Peter Schleich is well-known for his work on theoretical quantum optics. His research interests are located at the interface of quantum optics and general relativity and range from establishing connections between number theory and quantum mechanics via fundamental questions of quantum theory to statistical physics. In particular, the physics of cold atoms and quantum information processing is at the center of his attention. The description of quantum optics with the help of the Wigner distribution function is intimately connected with his name. Since 1991 he is director of the Institute of Quantum Physics at the University of Ulm.

Career

• since 1991 Chair-Professor of Theoretical Physics (W3) and Director of the Institute of Quantum Physics, Ulm University, Germany
• 1989 Habilitation in Theoretical Physics, University Munich, Germany
• 1986-1991 Research Scientist, Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Garching, Germany
• 1984-1986 Postdoctoral Research, Center for Theoretical Physics, Austin, TX, USA
• 1982-1983 Ph.D. student, Institute of Modern Optics, Albuquerque, USA, (leave of absence from the Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Garching)
• 1980-1984 Master and Ph.D. student, Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Garching
• 1984 Ph.D., University Munich, Germany
• 1976-1981 Study of Mathematics and Physics, University Munich, Germany

Projects

• 2011-2013 Group Project QK_QuOReP (Quanten-Repeater-Plattform mit Methoden der Quantenoptik)
• 2011-2013 QUANTUS III: Ultra cold macroscopic quantum systems in microgravity
• 2008-2010 QUANTUS I und II: Bose Einstein condensates in microgravity
• 2005-2013 Collaborative Research Centre SFB/TRR21 CO.CO.MAT Control of quantum correlations in tailored matter (Stuttgart-Ulm-Tübingen)
• 2005-2009 ATOMICS – Applied Atom Optics (Baden-Württemberg Stiftung gGmbH)
• 2004-2008 EU-Project CONQUEST Controlled Quantum Coherence and Entanglement in Sets or Trapped Particles
• 2003-2006 Quantum Information Highway A8 (Baden-Württemberg Stiftung gGmbH)

Functions

• since 2011 Member of the Scientific Board of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
• since 2009 Member of the Selection Committee of the Wigner Medal (Chair of the Selection Committee, 2011-2012)
• since 2009 Member of the Advisory Board of the Helmholtz Center Jena , Germany
• since 2009 Member of the Advisory Board of the Heraeus Foundation
• 2009-2012 Member of the DFG Selection Committee for the Leibniz Prize
• 2009-2012 Vice President of the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Germany
• since 2008 Member of the Editorial Board of Progress in Optics
• 2007-2011 Member of the Selection Committee of the Herbert Walther Prize of the OSA and DPG
• 2007-2009 Member of the Fundamental Physics Advisory Group (FPAG) of the European Space Agency (ESA)
• 2002-2005 Member of the DFG Senate Subcommittee on Special Research Fields
• 2000-2006 Divisional Associate Editor for Physical Review Letters
• 2000-2003 Vice-Chairman of the Hochschulrat of Ulm University
• 1999-2009 Member of the Advisory Board of New Journal of Physics
• 1999-2008 Member and Vice-Chairman of the Selection Committee of the Alexander von Humboldt-Foundation, Germany
• 1996-2011 Editor of the Journal Optics Communications
• 1996-1998 Chairman of the Quantum Optics Division of the German Physical Society

Honours and Memberships

• since 2019 Honorary Member, Hungarian Academy of Sciences
• 2008 Election to Academia Europaea
• 2008 Election to "Outstanding Referee" by the American Physical Society
• 2008 Election to the Austrian Academy of Sciences (corresponding member)
• 2008 Willis E. Lamb Award 2008 for Laser Science and Quantum Optics
• 2007 Fellow of the European Optical Society
• 2007 Medal of Czech Technical University in Prague, First Class
• 2006 Election to Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters (corresponding member)
• 2005 Silver Medal of the Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering of the Czech Technical University in Prague
• 2005 Election to Heidelberger Akademie der Wissenschaften
• 2002 Max Planck Research Award
• 2002 Election to German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina
• 2000 Fellow of the American Physical Society
• 1999 Fellow of the Institute of Physics
• 1997 Fellow of the Optical Society of America
• 1995 Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Award (German Research Foundation)
• 1992 Ernst Abbe Medal (International Commission for Optics)
• 1991 Award of the German Physician Society
• 1983 Otto Hahn Medal (Max Planck  Society)