The balance between fundamental scientific research and its societal benefits is very important to Caroline Bauer (23). As a child, she had a microscope because she was curious about how nature and technology work. "It’s fascinating how you can better understand and potentially improve the world with physics. What we discover through our research are things that already exist in nature. It’s up to us physicists to investigate and make these findings understandable."
Applying Scientific Research into practice
Caroline Bauer is motivated by the fact that the scientific experiments she conducts yield practically applicable results. She is a fifth-year Physics and Astronomy student at Radboud University and is currently doing her master’s internship at the Institute of Molecules and Materials.
"With the results of our research, we can understand how to make data storage faster and more efficient. This is important because data centres currently use around 5 percent of the world’s energy, and that number is increasing. If we do nothing, we will eventually hit a limit."
Lasers and Magnets
In a traditional hard drive, bits are stored by flipping a magnet locally. "For a zero, for example, the north pole is up, and for a one, the south pole is up", explains Caroline Bauer. "Our goal is to understand how to make this switching process much faster and simultaneously more energy-efficient".
In her experiments, magnets are ‘shot at’ with laser beams. Magnetic materials consist of many small magnets, which are effectively oscillated back and forth by the lasers. "We create oscillations with the lasers: waves with which we try to flip the small magnets."
Experiments Inspire New Technology
By experimenting with lasers and magnets, you discover properties that can improve data storage. Caroline Bauer says, "With this research, we aim to determine the fundamental limits of future data storage technologies. The goal is not to develop a new hard drive but to inspire the industry to create new technologies that push the current boundaries of data storage."
Radboud University Nijmegen
Caroline Bauer was born in Eschau, Germany, and attended high school in Aschaffenburg. At school, she developed her interest in physics. "I was looking for answers to questions like: what are the building blocks of the universe?" Her choice of Radboud University in Nijmegen felt quite obvious: "I spoke with someone from Radboud University at an open day and noticed that it is a university with a very pleasant atmosphere." After visiting the university, she felt right at home at Radboud.
Bachelor in Physics and Astronomy
The bachelor’s degree in Physics and Astronomy is a foundational programme in physics, observes Caroline Bauer. "The physical laws you learn can be applied in various fields, such as materials science, high-energy physics, astronomy, and neurophysics. The latter involves the role of physics in brain research. In high-energy physics, you learn about the smallest particles in the universe: the particles within atoms."
Theory Becomes Reality in the Lab
Caroline Bauer is also pursuing her master’s degree in Physics at Radboud University, specialising in Physics of Molecules and Materials. This programme is expected to be renamed Quantum Matter starting in 2025. "Astronomy is very interesting, but I am more involved in other subjects. I have specialised in materials science, which is a very important field, also for industry."
Seeing the theories you develop work in reality gives a physicist great satisfaction. "Formulas alone are not proof that something works. That proof only comes in when you conduct experiments in the lab and measure what happens there."
Research and Teaching
Caroline Bauer plans to apply for a PhD position in her department. "This will allow me to continue with research after graduation and see if I find it interesting in the long term over the next four years. I would also enjoy teaching at the university. I am exploring the available opportunities step by step."
This testimonial previously appeared on techgelderland.nl.