The QUEST Institute for Experimental Quantum Metrology is a joint institution of Leibniz Universität Hannover and PTB Braunschweig, the German National Metrology Institute. The institute was founded within the scope of the Excellence Cluster "QUEST" ("Centre for Quantum Engineering and Space-Time Research") on PTB's campus.
Our work revolves around precision spectroscopy of trapped and laser-cooled atomic and molecular ions using techniques from quantum information processing. We develop novel state preparation and spectroscopy techniques based on the coherent manipulation of the internal states of singly- and multiply-charged atomic and molecular ions. Furthermore, we develop micro-structured ion traps to allow a controlled scaling of high-precision single ion spectroscopy to multiple ions. We apply these techniques to build optical clocks with unprecedented accuracy and stability, quantum sensors for relativistic geodesy, and to answer fundamental questions in physics, such as the possibility of varying fundamental constants. More detailed information can be found on our web page.