Membership
Dr. Aline Nathalie Dinkelaker
Contact Information
- Telephone:
- Email:
- Website:https://innofspec.de/en/
Technical Interests
Traveling Lecturer
My technical topics include: Laser systems for cold atom physics and quantum sensors in microgravity, autonomous experiment control for laser systems, payload preparation and experiment control on sounding rockets, astrophotonics. I have also organized career events for students.
I am a postdoctoral researcher working on the field of Astrophotonics at Leibniz-institut for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP), where I develop and characterize integrated photonics for astronomy applications. I studied physics at Technische Universität Berlin (Diplom in 2010), which included an Erasmus exchange year to the University of Strathclyde in Scotland, and a research visit to the University of Glasgow to study solar flares. After switching to experimental physics, I received my Ph.D. (in 2013) from the University of Strathclyde on the topic of ultracold atoms. In the optical metrology group at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and as guest researcher at the Ferdinand-Braun-Institut, Leibniz-Institut für Höchstfrequenztechnik, I continued working with optics for atomic physics applications. My work at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin focused on developing, building, and testing laser systems for atomic physics experiments in microgravity and in space, supported by the German Aerospace Center (DLR). Such experiments have applications as quantum sensors, e.g. for future tests of general relativity. Concluded projects included contributing to a fully autonomous diode laser system onboard a TEXUS research rocket. I also worked on developing a payload design for a frequency reference for small satellites. My current work at AIP involves the characterization and subsequent on-sky testing of beam combiners for astronomy. Such integrated photonics beam combiner aim to replace bulk optics in telescope arrays for improved stability and cost reduction. But it is not ony the technical aspects that I like about working in research on the field of optics. I also appreciate that science brings together people from around the world through common interests. Since 2008, I have been active in The Optical Society (OSA), e.g. in the student chapter and as OSA ambassador, engaging in outreach activities involving schools, students and the general public. For the past years, I developed and co-organized workshops to inspire and support students and young professionals in developing their career paths.