Prof. Frank Koppens obtained his PhD in physics at Delft University (Kavli Institute of Nanoscience), The Netherlands.  After a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University, since 2010, Koppens is group leader at the Institute of Photonic Sciences.  Koppens has received five ERC awards: the ERC starting grant, the ERC consolidator grant, and three ERC proof-of-concept grants. Other awards include the Christiaan Hugyensprijs, the national award for research in Spain, and the IUPAP young scientist prize in optics. In total, Koppens has published more than 80 refereed papers (H-index above 49), with more than 35 in Science and Nature family journals. Total citations >17.500 (google scholar). Prof. Koppens is workpackage leader and vice-chairman of the executive board of the graphene flagship program, a 1000 MillionEuro project for 10 years. 

Koppens is on the Clarivate list of highly cited researchers (ranked in top 1% by citations)

Research interests

The quantum nano-optoelectronics group, led by Prof. Koppens, studies interactions between light and matter at extreme limits. Central in these studies are the rich variety of novel materials that are only one atom thick: graphene and related 2d materials. These materials exhibit fascinating properties and In particular, by building heterostructures of these layered materials, completely new material systems can be created atom-by-atom: atomic lego!

Several unique and novel techniques are exploited to confine light to nano-meter lengths scales and study physical processes at ultra-fast timescales. One of the more recent objectives is to merge the topological properties of 2d-material heterostructures with nano-photonics. In addition to the new science and physics, the group develops new concepts for photo-detection, imaging systems, optical modulation, nano-scale light processing and switching, as well as flexible and wearable health and fitness devices.