IRTG Meta-Active and CRC NOA at the Long Night of Sciences
Concluding a successful evening where the world of light and nanotechnology was brought to life through hands-on exploration.
colorful picture with science symbols
- Light
- Life
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Our students helping with the RGB Challenge
Image: Marijn RikersOn November 22, 2024, IRTG Meta-Active, in collaboration with the CRC NOA, participated in this year’s Long Night of Science in Jena. This event offered a fantastic opportunity for the public to explore the world of light and nanotechnology through hands-on, interactive activities for all ages.
Under the theme "Light Games in the Nano Realm," visitors experienced how light can be manipulated and controlled in creative ways. In addition to offering several games of Laser Maze and Laser Chess, we presented our own game RGB Laser Challenge. In this challenge, visitors used dichromatic mirrors to direct multiple lasers onto a single point. Our PhD students Marijn, Saniya, Anna, and Carlo, along with our Master student Paulina, invested quite some time, supported generously by the Lichtwerkstatt Jena, to build this interactive setup. The five young scientists also guided visitors through this challenge, sharing their expertise and offering a glimpse into the science behind these technologies.
Self-made holographic Chocolate
Image: Anna SpätheTo make the night even sweeter, we distributed 2.4 kg of tasty holographic chocolate, visualizing the interplay of light and matter on a grooved surface. Holographic stickers of a chocolate bar designed by beetlebum made this delicious lesson even more memorable.
A highlight for the young visitors was the offer to build meta surfaces from bricks. Based on SEM pictures of structures from our Meta-Active scientists, the kids could build these structures and learn about their use or function. During the night numerous examples of our structures and imaginative re-interpretations thereof were created.
Throughout the evening, IRTG Meta-Active and CRC NOA scientists shared insights into optics and nano-optics.
Thank you to everyone who helped organize the event, and to all the visitors who enthusiastically participated!