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 100 refereed papers (H-index above 57), with more than 40 in Science and Nature family journals. Total citations >25.000 (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 the basic science and applications of two-dimensional materials, and in particular the interactions with light at extreme limits. 

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 stacks of these layered materials, completely new material systems can be created atom-by-atom: atomic lego! By stacking and twisting these materials, completely new optical, electronic and optoelectronic properties can be realized.

We apply several unique and novel techniques study physical processes with nano-optoelectronic imaging techniques, operating with infrared and terahertz light. This includes unique low-temperature near-field imaging techniques to probe the electronic response to light with nanometer-scale spatial resolution. One of the more recent objectives is to marry the topological and many-body phenomena of 2d-material heterostructures with nano-photonics. 

To confine and control light at the nanoscale and to enhance light-matter interactions, we are exploring the vast library of polaritonic modes in 2D materials. Confinement of light down to the atomic scale has been demonstrated and paves the way to strong interactions between light and quantum materials, with potential to unveil new states of matter not accessible before.

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.