Doctorate of Lisa Künstler

Lisa Künstler was awarded a Doctor of Natural Sciences degree on May 5, 2023, at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Cologne. The examination committee consisted of Prof. Matthias Sperl (supervisor), Prof. Barbara Milow (second examiner), and Prof. Stephan Schlemmer (chairman). Dr. Philip Born provided additional academic supervision at the institute.

In her dissertation work within the Granular Group at the Institute of Material Physics in Space, Ms. Künstler conducted experiments on the optical properties of granular particles. The focus was on deepening the understanding of intensity fluctuations that occur when macroscopic particles move in laser light. Ms. Künstler developed a measurement setup that allows for the separate observation and analysis of fluctuations caused by the spatial and rotational motion of the particles. From these observations, she derived analytical relationships between particle motion and scattered light, thus formulating fundamental connections for optical metrology of granular particle dynamics.

Additionally, Ms. Künstler contributed to the development of an experimental module that enables the investigation of the optical properties of excited granular media in microgravity conditions using the Drop Tower and the Mapheus sounding rocket.