ERC Consolidator Grant · 2025–2030 · University of Kiel

UltraSpecT
Phase-Locked Photon–Electron Interactions

Ultrafast Spectroscopy beyond T₂

Characterising decoherence dynamics with unprecedented temporal resolution. Leveraging electron wave packet shaping with light, 3D electron-driven photon sources, and correlative measurements in solid-state photonic systems and quantum networks.

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ProjectUltraSpecT
Grant ID101170341
FunderERC / EU
Start2025.06.01
End2030.05.31
Budget€ 2 000 000
HostCAU Kiel, DE
PROJECT ACTIVE
UltraSpecT Research Group – University of Kiel
Nano Optics Group · University of Kiel
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5
+
Team Members
5
Years of Research
2
Million € Funded
3
Research Themes
About the Project

Phase-Locked
Spectroscopy
Beyond T₂

Quantum coherence — the ability of quantum systems to maintain a stable relationship between different quantum states — is essential for quantum computing. Decoherence results in a statistical ensemble of states rather than a coherent combination of pure ones, moving from the quantum mechanics realm to the classical one.

The UltraSpecT ERC Consolidator Grant is led by Prof. Dr. Nahid Talebi at Kiel University, building on her ERC Starting Grant awarded in 2025.

"Advancing solid-state–based quantum computing and sensing requires understanding decoherence dynamics with temporal resolutions much shorter than T2 — the dephasing time that characterizes the loss of quantum coherence in quantum systems."
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European Research Council
ERC Consolidator Grant 2025
Grant Agreement ID: 101170341
↗ View on European Commission CORDIS

Wavepacket Shaping

Sculpting electron wave packets with phase-locked light fields for attosecond control

Photon Sources

3D electron-driven photon sources with coherent emission from nanostructures

Quantum Networks

Correlative measurements in solid-state photonic systems and quantum networks

AI & Simulation

Machine learning inverse design and FDTD simulations for nanostructure optimisation

Project Facts
DOI
10.3030/101170341
Signed
7 February 2025
Duration
60 months
Budget
€ 2,000,000
Research Themes

Research Areas

Three interconnected themes driving the UltraSpecT scientific programme

THEME 01

Electron Wavepacket Shaping

We use structured light and near-field plasmonic excitations to shape electron beams longitudinally and transversely, tailoring quantum-coherence dynamics of quasiparticles and quantum emitters in solid-state systems — combining our Maxwell-Schrödinger toolbox with an ultrafast scanning electron microscope.

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THEME 02

3D Electron-Driven Photon Sources

We design and fabricate EDPHS as internal radiation sources inside electron microscopes, enabling Ramsey-type interferometry and pump-probe spectroscopy with sub-2-fs temporal and sub-1-nm spatial resolution — using ML inverse design, holography, and 3D nanofabrication.

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THEME 03

Decoherence & Quantum Networks

We develop correlative measurement schemes to map quasiparticle interactions in solid-state photonic systems and quantum networks, characterising decoherence dynamics with high temporal resolution — and tailoring coherent control mechanisms beyond the T₂ time scale.

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Selected Publications

Highlighted Papers

Recent contributions from the Nano Optics Group

All Publications →
Journal 2025
Ultrafast phonon-mediated dephasing of color centers in hexagonal boron nitride probed by electron beams
M. Taleb, P. H. Bittorf, M. Black, M. Hentschel, W. Sigle, B. Haas, C. Koch, P. A. van Aken, H. Giessen, and N. Talebi
Nat. Commun. 16, 2326 (2025)
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Journal 2025
2D Borophene: In-Plane Hyperbolic Polaritons in the Visible Spectral Range
Y. Abdi, M. Taleb, M. Black, S. Hajibaba, M. Moayedi, and N. Talebi
Adv. Funct. Mater. 35 (39), e13016 (2025)
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Journal 2025
Phase-matched electron–photon interactions enabled by 3D-printed helical waveguides
M. Taleb, M. Samadi, and N. Talebi
Nanophotonics, 14(20), 3279–3286 (2025)
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The Team

Meet the Group

Nano Optics Group · CAU Kiel

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Prof. Dr. Nahid Talebi
Prof. Dr. Nahid Talebi
Group Leader
MAINDr. Masoud Taleb
Dr. Masoud Taleb
Postdoc
MAINDr. Fatemeh Chahshouri
Dr. Fatemeh Chahshouri
Postdoc
MAINBharti Garg
Bharti Garg
PhD Student
MAINMitja Funk
Mitja Funk
PhD Student
MAINAmirreza Ahmadnejad
Amirreza Ahmadnejad
PhD Student
MAIN
Latest

News & Highlights

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Award
2026

Wiley Top Viewed Article 2024

Our article in Advanced Optical Materials on plasmonic and photonic modes in colloidal CuS nanocrystals has been recognized by Wiley as a Top Viewed Article of 2024.

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Talk
19 November 2025

Talk by Dr. Kenan Elibol

Dr. Kenan Elibol from Stuttgart Center for Electron Microscopy visited as a guest researcher and gave a seminar talk about 2D materials probed by high-resolution analytical electron microscopy techniques.

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Talk
9 October 2025

Talk by Prof. Kurt Busch

Prof. Kurt Busch from Humboldt University of Berlin visited our group and gave an exciting talk about the Discontinuous Galerkin Method and nonlocal models for plasmons.

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Defense
10 October 2025

PhD Defense - Dr. Fatemeh Chahshouri

Congratulations to Dr. Fatemeh Chahshouri who defended her PhD dissertation with distinction - Summa Cum Laude. We wish her all the best!

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