I had the opportunity to spend a week with Prof. Igor Lesanovsky’s group at the University of Tübingen, thanks to the ASPIRE joint program between Japan and Germany focusing on cold atom physics.

During my stay, I interacted with most members of the group and had many fruitful conversations. These discussions greatly deepened my understanding of open quantum systems, Rydberg atoms, and spin systems. Igor gave me valuable advice on choosing future research directions, and Dr. Björn provided insightful guidance on methodology. Many group members, including Dr. Wilkinson, kindly supported me throughout my stay and offered helpful advice on how to make the most of my time in Tübingen.

On Wednesday, I was invited to a barbecue where we talked about popular TV dramas in Germany and shared opinions on different kinds of beer.

On Thursday, I visited the experimental laboratory and was introduced to fascinating state-of-the-art equipment.

On Friday, I attended a lab meeting where I had the chance to provide feedback to students and observe their research in detail.

Experiencing German culture—so different from that of Japan—was also invaluable. Initially, I was confused by the environmentally conscious deposit system and the unfamiliar public transport procedures, but I soon got used to them.

I was especially impressed by the historic streets and churches in the old town of Tübingen, which I explored in the evenings. Visiting the bookstore where Hermann Hesse once worked was a personal highlight. I was also intrigued by how late the sun sets due to Germany’s high latitude. I took the photo below around 8:30 p.m., just as it was beginning to get dark.

I look forward to continuing collaboration with the researchers I met through the ASPIRE program. Many thanks to Sylvain, Igor, the members of the group, and the entire ASPIRE program for this wonderful and inspiring experience!