Albert Polman receives ERC Advanced Research Grant

AMOLF program leader Albert Polman receives an Advanced Research Grant of 2.5 million euros from the European Research Council (ERC). He will use the ERC Advanced Grant to develop a new type of quantum electron microscope. He will use intense laser pulses to tailor the energy spectrum of high-energy electrons in a scanning electron microscope. This provides a unique way to control the quantum-mechanical electron wave packet in space and time. By combining materials excitation using these wavepackets and the detection of light that is emitted (cathodoluminescence) this creates an entirely new way of analytical electron microscopy. The new instrument will play a key role in AMOLF’s nanophotonics and nanophotovoltaics research program.

The European Research Council uses the ERC Advanced grants to allow outstanding research leaders to pursue ground-breaking, high-risk projects in Europe. Read the ERC press release here.