---

Modern physics describes matter and their interactions on the fundamental level as quantum fields. Already their ground state - the quantum vacuum - exhibits properties analogous to complex media: fluctuations of quantum fields can induce nonlocal and nonlinear phenomena. This talk gives an overview on present experiments using strong fields for probing the quantum vacuum. Illustrative theory methods will be discussed that help to understand quantum fluctuations and quantum vacua intuitively. Recent ideas will be highlighted that aim at searches for "New Physics" with strong fields.

---

Holger Gies, Jena
seminar room TP 0.03
Contact: Philipp Strack