“These are very exciting times for me. Currently, the parts for the final detector of the MAGIX experiment, which I co-developed during my doctorate, are being manufactured. With MAGIX, we want to answer many important physics questions at the new MESA accelerator – the entire setup allows measurements to be more precise than ever before.

The key here is: As little material as possible is ‘installed’ in the entire experiment that could interfere with our measurement. This applies both to the target, where the high-intensity electron beam from MESA is scattered, and to the detector, with which we analyze the scattering products.

I have designed more than 10 prototypes in recent years to test various aspects of a novel detector concept. In a gas mixture, scattered electrons leave three-dimensional traces, which are amplified and made visible by special foils – no thicker than a hair and with many holes. The manual and precision mechanical work in the development of these detectors is one aspect of my work – another is the theoretical simulation of the physics program that we want to carry out with MAGIX. My interest lies in dark photons and the question of whether we can search for them in a previously inaccessible area with our experiment. The simulations are very promising, so we are eagerly awaiting the experiment.

It is precisely this combination of theory and experiment that is special. But another aspect is added: In order to really understand a topic, it is very good to teach it to others. I have therefore not missed any opportunity to supervise students during their internship, bachelor’s or master’s thesis.

I really enjoy working and researching at the Institute for Nuclear Physics and appreciate the existing special expertise as well as the good working atmosphere. And the opportunity to assemble a detector myself in the PRISMA detector laboratory and test it directly on campus in the MAMI accelerator – that is very special.”

Pepe Gülker is about to complete his doctorate in the group of Prof. Dr. Achim Denig. The large spectrum and range of tasks are particularly important to him. He has already completed his physics studies in Mainz and wrote his Diplom here.