Andreas Jechow

Background

About Andreas Jechow

I am an experimental physicist with a broad expertise in the physics of light: from quantum optics and lasers to ecological light pollution and light in nature. At the moment I lead the Quantum and Environmental Photonics Group at TH Brandenburg. My position is focused on teaching Optics and Physics to Bachelor students in "Ophthalmic Optics and Optical Device Technology" and Master students in "Photonics". I also teach Metrology and Physics to other Bachelor students in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical etc.) in our Department. My research is focused on light in nature:"Environmental Optics" this includes artificial and natural light in the atmosphere, in water (rivers, lakes, the ocean) and also adresses impact of artificial light on species as light pollution. Some steps of my career: I started as a laser physicist working on diode lasers, frequency conversion and photon entanglement. Then I moved on to work on laser cooled trapped ions for quantum computing at the Centre for Quantum Dynamics at Griffith University in Brisbane, Australia. There we succeeded in imaging the shadow of a single atom for the first time. Probably the coolest physics thing I did in my career: Streed et al.(2012). Absorption imaging of a single atom. Nature communications (2012), 3(1), 933. Back in Germany, I worked towards quantum microscopy within a BMBF funded collaborative project. There we showed that thermal light can be advantageous for two photon absorption: Jechow et al.(2013). Enhanced two-photon excited fluorescence from imaging agents using true thermal light. Nature Photonics, 7(12), 973-976. Afterwards I wanted to dedicate my knowledge about light in an environmental context. I started at Leibniz IGB, Berlin and worked on light pollution and ecology as well as remote sensing of lakes. I collaboratively investigated impact of artificial light at night on many species from insects over zooplankton and fish to birds. Night-time measurement expeditions brought me to dark and remote places all over the world (Namibia, Kasachstan, the Arctic Circle in Lappland). I further participated in many water quality campaigns on different lakes and had the pleasure to work at IGBs iconic LakeLab on lake Stechlin for several thrilling experiments.