News & updates
Latest developments from our institute
Stay informed about new research results, awards, events, and collaborations across our scientific community.
Albert Polman elected as OSA Fellow
The Optical Society (OSA) has elected AMOLF group leader Albert Polman as Fellow of the OSA. The OSA elected Polman for “novel fundamental insights in the behavior of light at the nanoscale, leading to improved light management strategies in solar cells and the development of deep-subwavelength cathodoluminescence microscopy.” OSA Fellowships are awarded to “recognize members who have served with distinction in the advancement of optics and photonics”. Candidates for Fellow Membership are nominated by current OSA Fellow members.
AMOLF opens new ultrafast cathodoluminescence microscope
During a festive celebration on June 22, AMOLF has officially opened a new cathodoluminescence microscope in Albert Polman’s group that enables ultrafast optical measurements with a spatial resolution of 10 nanometer.
Demonstration of a flat lens for ultraviolet light
AMOLF researchers have created a new optical lens that is flat, rather than curved like a traditional glass lens. The lens operates by the mechanism of negative refraction, that was first predicted by Veselago in 1968 and focuses ultraviolet light to a diffraction-limited spot. It can find applications in ultracompact optical storage devices and ultrasmall microscopy instruments.
AMOLF group leaders publish review article in Science on challenges in photovoltaic energy conversion
Analyzing 16 record-efficiency solar cell materials, the paper presents opportunities to improve photovoltaic efficiency using nanoscale light management and to enhance carrier collection with innovative materials science and engineering strategies.
ERC Advanced Research Grants for Huib Bakker and Albert Polman
AMOLF director Huib Bakker and program leader Albert Polman both received an Advanced Research Grant of 2.5 million euros from the European Research Council (ERC). The European Research Council uses the ERC Advanced grants to allow outstanding research leaders to pursue ground-breaking, high-risk projects in Europe.
The biological clock in dividing cells: a robust design
Researchers from FOM institute AMOLF and the University of Michigan have discovered how the biological clock of an organism remains stable, even when the cells of that organism grow and divide. Today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) USA they provide a mathematical model that explains the undisrupted functioning of the biological clock.
Cum Laude for Jorik van de Groep
On December 15th Jorik van de Groep defended his PhD thesis Resonant Nanophotonic Structures for Photovoltaics at the University of Amsterdam.
Royal Decoration for Wim Sinke
AMOLF’s visiting scientist Wim Sinke was awarded a royal decoration last Friday, November 13 at the symposium Our solar energy future that was organized at the occasion of Sinke’s 60th birthday. Six (inter-)national speakers gave presentations on state-of-the art photovoltaic energy conversion, honoring the many contributions of Sinke in this field.