What does a microwave have to do with micro- and nanotechnology?

A standard microwave oven works by using electromagnetic radiation to excite water molecules in food, thereby generating heat. In micro- and nanotechnology, however, this radiation is utilised in a completely different way. Through specific arrangements and geometries, it can also generate a plasma – an extremely high-energy, ionised gas that possesses unique properties and is of central importance in nanotechnology.

Plasmas make it possible to precisely modify materials at the atomic level and to create structures on the nanometre scale, which are crucial in fields such as optics, photonics and semiconductor technology. This results in components that are used in tiny sensors, high-performance microchips or high-precision optical lenses.

Join us for interactive experiments that reveal the fascinating connection between everyday life and cutting-edge research!