HZB-magazine lichtblick - the new issue is out!
In the cover story we introduce Astrid Brandt. She is Head of User Coordination at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin. She and her team keep constant track of applications, measurement times and publications of the 1000 guest researchers who come to BESSY II each year.
She has always been fascinated by science. But she has also never let go of her other passion, which is music.
Click here for the online issue (English)
Topics include:
- p. 8: Modernisation of BESSY II light source
- p. 12: Evaluation of the mobility survey
- p. 14: Shaping corporate culture together
- p. 18: Artifical intelligence at HZB
- p. 22: Interview with the new Head of the People Operations department
- p. 25: New radiotherapy
- p. 26: 20 years of the School Lab
- p. 30: Behind the scenes: Tino Müller
- p. 32: Prizes and Personalia
- p. 34: Riddle
- p. 35: Recipe
We hope you enjoy reading this issue! As always, we welcome your feedback and suggestions for topics.
Your editorial team
- Confirmed figures for the first time: Investments in BESSY are worthwhile for Berlin and GermanyAn impact analysis by DIW Econ demonstrates the scientific and economic value of BESSY II. Every euro invested yields three euros for Germany and as much as ten euros for the State of Berlin. Furthermore, the study provides an economic forecast for the construction of BESSY III.
The impact analysis was presented on 3 September 2026 to Dr Henry Marx, State Secretary for Science and Research in the Berlin Senate. He supports the investment and is a strong advocate for BESSY III. - An important step towards detecting fractons in quantum spin liquidsFollowing predictions of the existence of fractons in quantum spin liquids by more general gauge field theories, researchers at HZB succeeded in detecting these quasi-particles also in a quantum solid-state model.
- Hatice Mutlu appointed to the Helmholtz Institute HIPOLE in JenaProf. Dr Hatice Mutlu is the new professor of sustainable polymer chemistry at HIPOLE Jena, the Helmholtz Institute for Polymers in Energy Applications. On 17 August 2026, she visited the HZB campus in Berlin-Adlershof including the BESSY II lightsource and discussed future collaboration with researchers and the board of directors.