Welcome to COMB.AT – a Special Research Area funded by the FWF, DFG and co-financed by the participating research institutions that aims to improve precision measurements of physical constants in optical metrology! COMB.AT is short for “Coherent Optical Metrology Beyond Electric-Dipole-Allowed Transitions”.

We bring scientists from four different academic institutions together to establish a systematic theoretical and experimental approach to study the advantages and limitations of the interaction of light that carries topological charges with matter. In particular, we are going to look at transitions in carbon-monosulfide (CS) molecules and the 229Th nucleus. These formally dipole-forbidden transitions have not yet been excited by lasers and are therefore an especially fascinating topic for research! Our collaborative approach at COMB.AT ensures that diverse perspectives and expertise come together to achieve remarkable advancements.

Join us in this journey towards metrological excellence. By working with light that carries orbital angular momentum we will lay the groundwork for new applications in spectroscopy and for the manipulation of molecules.

A decorative abstract picture that shows different colored lines spiraling together.

If you would like to learn more about the physics behind our research, about Special Research Programs in general, or why this topic is of such big interest to scientists, we invite you to browse in our “About” section. Keep your eyes peeled for news about upcoming events for the public as well, where we love to share our passion for physics!

Interested academics, industry partners, and other experts can find out more details about our consortium and projects under “Research Groups” or take a look at our publications, conferences, or press releases in the “Impact” section.

For members of our Special Research Program, we have additional information on programs or workshops that might be of interest to you, as well as extra benefits or support from your institution, like sports activities or childcare possibilities. Find out more under “Information for SFB members”.

You are interested in joining our team of researchers in this trailblazing project? Take a look at our “Career” section, where we post any open positions in our research groups. We are looking forward to having your bright mind on our team!

 News

02.06.2025 17:00
 

As part of the SFB Colloquium Brigitta Schultze-Bernhardt from TU Graz is giving a talk on “Electronic Fingerprint Spectroscopy with Frequency Combs”.

26.05.2025 13:00
 

As part of the SFB Colloquium Tim Langen from TU Wien is giving a talk on “Ultracold molecules for Quantum Science and Technology”.

30.04.2025
 

The transformation is complete: after months of construction, planning, and careful coordination, the newly renovated laboratory for the P2 research...

24.04.2025
 

On April 24th, our research group P2 proudly participated in the Wiener Töchtertag (Vienna Daughters' Day), a city-wide initiative aimed at...

03.04.2025
 

Our research group P6, led by our colleague Prof. Adriana Pálffy-Buß, participated in Girls' Day on 3rd of April 2025.

27.03.2025
 

In a special edition of Ö1’s radio show Punkt eins titled "Der Quantensprung oder: Was ist Zeit?", listeners were taken deep into the fascinating...