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Exploring ultrafast dynamic matter with coherent X-rays

We study the structure and dynamics of complex materials and biological systems using advanced coherent X-ray scattering, ultrafast experiments, and data-driven analysis across multiple time and length scales at leading facilities, including DESY, the European XFEL, the ESRF, and beyond.

Here are a few examples of our research topics: 

  • Sow dynamics in protein condensates
  • Ultrafast dynamics in magnetic materials with complex chiral spin structures 
  • Ultrafast dynamics of solids excited by high-intensity lasers
  • Big data analytics in X-ray science  
  • AI-based workflows for optimization and automation
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General Public

SNIB2026

SNIB2026 will unite Germany’s synchrotron, neutron, ion, and accelerator communities to exchange ideas, share expertise, and shape the future of large-scale research infrastructures.

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General Public

DESY User Meeting

Last week, the X-RAY SCIENCE GROUP - University of Siegen
took part in the DESY Photon Science & European XFEL Users' Meeting. Christian Gutt
presented an update from the Komitee Forschung mit Synchrotronstrahlung - KFS, sharing news and perspectives from the synchrotron radiation user community. NIMMI DAS A
gave a talk titled "Protein Dynamics with XPCS: From PETRA III to PETRA IV", highlighting recent advances and future perspectives for XPCS at next-generation light sources. In addition, five posters from our group showcased a broad range of ongoing research and sparked many stimulating discussions throughout the meeting. Many thanks to the organizers and the user community for a great meeting and lively scientific exchange.

About Our Group

Combining advanced X-ray scattering and data science

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We are an interdisciplinary research group dedicated to understanding the structure and dynamics of complex materials and biological systems using advanced X-ray scattering techniques. By combining cutting-edge experiments and data science, we investigate how matter evolves from ultrafast femtosecond processes to slow collective dynamics.

We use state-of-the-art coherent X-ray methods to study structural correlations, non-equilibrium phenomena, and dynamic processes that are inaccessible using conventional techniques.

Our experiments are conducted at some of the world’s leading X-ray research facilities, including: DESY (Germany), European XFEL (Germany), ESRF (France), FERMI (Italy), SACLA (Japan), and LCLS (USA).

We welcome motivated students, doctoral researchers, and collaborators interested in X-ray science, ultrafast phenomena, data-driven research, and advanced scattering methods. Discover our research, publications, facilities, and opportunities to become part of our scientific community.

Our Research Profile

Discover the expertise, facilities, and research areas that define our scientific profile

Our research combines coherent X-ray scattering, ultrafast spectroscopy, and data-driven science to investigate how complex materials and biological systems evolve across multiple time and length scales. We study non-equilibrium dynamics in soft matter, proteins, magnetic materials, and extreme states of matter using synchrotron and free-electron laser facilities. A central focus of our work is the development of next-generation experimental methods, including low-dose XPCS, autonomous AI-driven beamline experiments, and advanced analysis approaches for large-scale photon science.

By integrating advanced experimental techniques with autonomous workflows, artificial intelligence, and large-scale data analysis, we aim to uncover processes that were previously inaccessible. Our interdisciplinary approach brings together physics, materials science, biology, and computation to develop new methods and generate insights relevant to both fundamental and applied research.

 

From molecular motion to ultrafast transformations, we make complex dynamics visible.

 

 

Research Focus Areas

  • Ultrafast Dynamics and Coherent X-ray Science
  • Dynamics of Biological and Soft Matter Systems
  • Autonomous Experiments and AI-Driven Beamline Science
  • XFEL Studies of Ultra-Intense Laser–Matter Interaction
  • Ultrafast Surface Dynamics in Magnetic Materials

     

 

Journal article
2025

FAIR data – the photon and neutron communities move together towards open science

Journal article
2025

Ultrafast dynamics of chiral spin structures in synthetic antiferromagnets

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DAPHNE4NFDI

DAPHNE4NFDI is part of the German National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI), which aims to make scientific research data sustainably accessible, reusable, and FAIR — Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable.

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Agha Mohammad Raza

Research Associate
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Dr. Özgül Kurtuluş Öztürk

Research Associate
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Dr. Lisa Randolph

Research Associate
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Minnu Rajan

Research Assistant with a Bachelor's Degree
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Dr. Aliaksandr Leonau

Research Associate (XFEL Schenefeld)
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Randeer Pratap Gautam

Research Associate (DESY Hamburg)
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Jenny Schrage

Research Associate
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Adrian Maximilian Roda Lentz

Wissenschaftliche*r Mitarbeiter*in TU Dortmund (Delta)

The primary goal of my research is to enable autonomous XPCS experiments to study how proteins move and interact within complex, gel-like environments. Specifically, I focus on biopolymer proteins like ferritin navigating through a hydrogel network, like hyaluronic acid.

Contact Us

Opening hours

Monday 09:00-16:00 Tuesday 09:00-16:00 Wednesday 12:00-14:00 Thursday 09:00-14:00

Postal address

University of Siegen
Department of Physics
Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology
University of Siegen
Walter-Flex Street 3 
57072 Siegen

Visitor address

University of Siegen
Department of Physics

Faculty of Natural Sciences and Technology
University of Siegen
Walter-Flex Street 3 
57072 Siegen

Secretariat

Sharon Harvey

School IV - Department of Physics 
Solid-State Physics Office, AR-NL 306
University of Siegen
Adolf-Reichwein-Str. 2
57076 Siegen
Tel: +49 (0) 271 740 3760