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History

FOM Laboratory for Mass Spectrography

The history of AMOLF starts on September 15th, 1949 when the institute was launched by the Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter (FOM). At the time the institute was called the FOM Laboratory for Mass Spectrography and its first director was Jaap Kistemaker. Due to the war the Netherlands had lost their leading position in physics and they wanted to get the upper hand again. To this end Kistemaker was sent to Copenhagen in 1945 right after the end of the Second World War, to collect knowledge about nuclear physics from the eminent scientist Niels Bohr.

Initially, the Laboratory for Mass Spectrography focuses on the separation of uranium isotopes. In 1953 the Dutch researchers managed to produce 10 milligrams of enriched uranium, which led to the declassification of isotope separation in the United States and opened up new possibilities for the production of radio isotopes for scientific and medical purposes.  Together with Joop Los, Kistemaker started a new project: the enrichment of uranium using gas centrifuges. Many years later the company Urenco became quite successful with this technique.

Ion source operation (1960)

FOM Institute for Atomic and Molecular Physics (AMOLF)

At this point, the institute decides to change course, looking for new research opportunities to uncover and develop into successful research fields. Their choice is fundamental research into the physics involved in the isotope separation processes. The next step is to build the equipment necessary to carry out experiments that measure the interaction between electrons, atoms, molecules and surfaces.

A new research field also means a new name and in 1966 the institute takes the name FOM Institute for Atomic and Molecular Physics (AMOLF). A few years before the name change the institute had moved to a new building at the outskirts of Amsterdam, where the scientists were surrounded by community gardens and livestock. Many years later this area became the Amsterdam Science Park.

In the nineteen eighties AMOLF is internationally well-known for its surface physics research. The scientists manage to map out the atomic structure of surfaces. One of the main themes in surface physics is the difference between the way atoms are ordered on the surface of a solid material and the structure deeper in the material. Another new topic at the time is new materials for solar cells (1987).

Physics of biomolecular systems and nanophotonics

At the beginning of the 21st century AMOLF again changes course. The institute decides to focus on two main themes that had been developing in the late nineties: physics of biomolecular systems and nanophotonics. Research in quantum gasses, atomic and molecular physics move to Dutch universities and the physics research field that studies ageing processes in paintings ends. The mass spectrometry research continues focusing on imaging for biomedical purposes.

Since then, AMOLF has continued being a pioneer in physics research. Opportunities opened up in the brand new field of Designer Matter that involves the design and fabrication of new materials with extraordinary properties due to shape and form. Another research field that grows rapidly is the research of photovoltaic materials that can lead to the design and production of cheaper and more efficient solar cells.

At present, AMOLF’s research focus on three strongly connected research themes: Sustainable Energy Materials, Information in Matter, and Autonomous Matter. The research in these themes is strongly interdisciplinary in character and organized in 18 research groups.

History timeline

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Foundation 

AMOLF was founded on September 15, 1949 by the Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter (FOM) as the FOM Laboratory for Mass Spectrography, with physicist Jaap Kistemaker as its first director.

Physicist Jaap Kistemaker the first AMOLF director
Kistemaker (left) hands over 10 mg of uranium-235 to J.M.W. Milatz.
Two researchers wearing protective suits operate an ion source installation in an AMOLF laboratory, circa 1960.
1949
1953
1960
2000

Former directors and scientific group leaders

In the sections below, you will find an overview of former AMOLF directors and research group leaders.

Here’s an overview of all AMOLF directors since the institute’s foundation in 1949, from its first director, Jaap Kistemaker, to our current director, Bruno Ehrler.

1949-1982
Jaap Kistemaker
1982-1986
Joop Los
1986-1996
Frans Saris
1996-2002
Jook Walraven
2002-2005
Bart Noordam
2006-2013
Albert Polman
2013-2015
Vinod Subramaniam
2015-2025
Huib Bakker
2026-present
Bruno Ehrler

Below, former AMOLF group leaders are listed in alphabetical order, with the names of their previous research groups. Clicking on their names refer you to their current workplace or website.

Interdisciplinary research themes

At present, AMOLF’s research focus on three strongly connected research themes: Sustainable Energy Materials, Information in Matter, and Autonomous Matter. The research in these themes is strongly interdisciplinary in character and organized in 18 research groups.

Learn more about AMOLF’s research groups
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