Munich mayor congratulates Nobel laureate Theodor Hänsch on his 85th birthday

Munich's Lord Mayor, Dominik Krause, has congratulated the physicist Professor Theodor Hänsch on his upcoming 85th birthday, sending his good wishes on behalf of the city council of the state capital and personally.

In his message, Krause said the value of Hänsch's scientific work and research findings to society 'can hardly be overstated'. He said the professor's achievements in quantum optics and laser physics enrich experimental physics around the world and form the basis for the technologies of tomorrow.

The mayor noted that Hänsch received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2005 for his research, as well as the Frederic Ives Medal, the highest award of the Optical Society. Krause said the many international honours Hänsch has received show how highly his work is regarded across national borders, and described him as one of the defining scientists of our time.

Krause added that he admired Hänsch's life's work 'not only as a fellow physicist', saying it was driven by the professor's passion for his field. He said he hoped Hänsch would be able to spend his birthday with those close to him, and wished him health, joy in life and well-being.