Prof. Frank Koppens obtained his PhD in physics at Delft University, 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, the IUPAP young scientist prize in optics and the ACS young investigator award. In total, Koppens has published more than 80 refereed papers (H-index above 52), with more than 40 in Science and Nature family journals. Total citations >20.000 (google scholar). Koppens is workpackage leader and vice-chairman of the executive board of the graphene flagship program, a 1000 MillionEuro project for 10 years.  He 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. Several unique and novel techniques are exploited to confine light to nano-meter lengths scales and study physical processes at ultra-fast timescales. For example, we use unique low-temperature near-field imaging techniques to probe the electronic response to infrared and THz light with nanometer-scale spatial resolution.

Central in these studies are the rich variety of novel materials that are only one atom thick: graphene and 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!

One of the more recent objectives is to marry the topological properties of 2d-material heterostructures with nano-photonics. For example, we aim to generate non-reciprocal nanoscale optical fields (plasmons) and implement topologically protected plasmons such that they move around defects and corners. At the same time, visualizing and controlling electromagnetic excitations with nearfield imaging will be used as a tool to unravel extraordinary phenomena in exotic quantum materials. Topological nano-photonics is a new paradigm for novel quantum materials and will enable novel future applications in miniaturized photonic isolators, diodes and logic circuits and could lead to completely new concepts for communication systems, optical transistors and optical information processing

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. We aim to build prototypes of these disruptive technologies, in collaboration with industry. The group works closely with the Graphene Flagship program and large industries worldwide.