We explore the novel physics and applications emerging from the interaction of light with nanoscale matter.

Mastering light at the nanoscale

The emission and absorption of light is the physical basis of lasers, LEDs, solar cells and photodetectors, which have become crucial parts of our daily life. By controlling these processes at a subwavelength scale, we can significantly improve the performance of these photonic devices and develop completely new ones. The Photonics and Semiconductor Nanophysics group investigates the physics of (nano-)photonic structures and materials in five distinct but related research lines, mostly centered around semiconductors, for applications ranging from optical communications to sensing and energy conversion.

Some of the hot topics we are working on:

• New states of light and matter. We study quantum light emitters coupled to nanophotonic structures. Light-matter coupling can lead to radically new ways of controlling intrinsic material properties. Controlling this coupling leads to fascinating new physics, such as quantum light states and unconventional transport properties. 
• Exquisite sensing with light. Light provides rich spectral information about the material that interacted with it. A novel generation of sensors and instruments exploiting (nano-)photonic concepts may enable unprecedented resolution and accuracy in applications ranging from material analysis to food security and gas sensing.
• Matter, atom by atom. New, optically active, semiconductor materials and devices often need precise control of matter down to the atomic scale. To understand the growth processes at this scale and to relate the functionality of the material to the atomic details, we visualize and analyze materials literally atom by atom. New physical effects that occur at this length scale can be highly surprising.