Spin - Light - Matter, this is the comprehensive theme of the research center OPTIMAS at the Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU). Within OPTIMAS, the cutting edge research topics optics and material sciences are studied across the borders of the traditional research fields of sciences and engineering. For advancing the research topics, the scientists contribute their expertise in quantum optics, applied optics, magnetism, surface physics, molecular and material sciences and benefit from the exchange of ideas. The manifold projects range from basic research, e.g. spin dynamics of theoretical spin chains all the way to technology-oriented research, like the development of novel data carriers.

OPTIMAS consists of research groups from the university departments of Physics, Chemistry, Electrical and Computer Engineering and Mechanical and Process Engineering. In addition, the Nano Structuring Center (NSC) of RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, the Institut für Oberflächen- und Schichtanalytik GmbH (IFOS, Institute for Surface and Thin Film Analysis), the "Center for Material Characterization and Testing" of the Fraunhofer ITWM, the Photonik-Zentrum Kaiserslautern (PZKL),and the Institut für Verbundwerkstoffe GmbH (IVW, Institute for Composite Materials) are partners of OPTIMAS.

OPTIMAS' high-ranking scientific potential becomes apparent from the many research networks OPTIMAS scientists are part of. Among those coordinated research programs are the Collaborative Research Center (Sonderforschungsbereich) "Open System Control of Atomic and Photonic Matter" (SFB/TRR 185 OSCAR), "Spin in its collective environment" (SFB/TRR 173 Spin+X), "Condensed Matter Systems with Variable Many-Body Interactions" (SFB/TRR 49) und "Kooperative Effekte in homo- und heterometallischen Komplexen" (SFB/TRR 88 3MET). Moreover, the Collaborative Research Center 926 "Bauteiloberflächen-Morphologie auf der Mikoskala (MICOS)" (SFB 926) as well as the Max Planck Graduate Center mit der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität (MPGC) are part of the network.

A particular objective of OPTIMAS is to further advance research and education at RPTU in Kaiserslautern with a particular focus on photonics, spintronics, molecular and magnetic functional materials, as well as nano structures. Thus, the research center plays an important role in the construction of the Labaratory of Advanced Spin Engineering (LASE) on campus. In this new research building, about 100 scientists from physics, chemistry and engineering will study the fundamentals and technical applications of spin.

With its funding by the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, OPTIMAS supports current research infrastructure, as well as new appointments of internationally acclaimed scientists at the RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau.