Marius Thomas, who completed his Master’s thesis entitled “Clock Spectroscopy on the Ionic Core of Alkaline-Earth Circular Rydberg Atoms” within the Quantum Länd CiRQus team of Dr. Florian Meinert at the 5th Institute of Physics, has received the Best Talk Award at the 2026 Young Atom Opticians (YAO) conference.
The YAO is an annual conference organized by and for students, primarily targeting PhD and master’s students in atomic, molecular, optical (AMO), and quantum physics. The goal is to allow young researchers to share their research and meet fellow students and experts in the field.
This year’s conference took place from June 8–12, 2026, at the Orthodox Academy of Crete in Chania, Greece. A total of 117 early-career researchers and experts gathered to exchange ideas and discuss recent developments in atomic, molecular, and optical physics.
Presenting research on circular Rydberg atoms
Representing the 5th Institute of Physics, Marius Thomas presented his talk “Clock Spectroscopy on the Ionic Core of Alkaline-Earth Circular Rydberg Atoms,” highlighting the results of his Master’s thesis within the broader research framework of the CiRQuS group, which is developing a quantum simulator based on long-lived circular Rydberg atoms.
“YAO offers a unique opportunity to discuss research with fellow young scientists and to establish valuable international connections,” says Marius Thomas. “What I enjoyed most was the relaxed atmosphere and the many inspiring conversations with researchers from different backgrounds.”
Enthusiasm and clarity lead to Best Talk Award
The Best Talk Award recognizes not only scientific excellence but also the ability to communicate complex research effectively and inspire an audience. Marius Thomas impressed both the audience and the selection committee through the clarity of his presentation and the enthusiasm with which he communicated his research. “Marius gave a talk such that one simply could not not listen to it,” the selection committee commented.
The 5th Institute of Physics warmly congratulates Marius Thomas on this outstanding achievement.
