Frank Koppens: Topological plasmons, polaritonic metasurfaces and twist-plasmonics

ICFO-Institut de Ciencies Fotoniques, The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08860 Castelldefels (Barcelona), Spain 2ICREA – Institució Catalana de Recerça i Estudis Avancats, Barcelona, Spain. Frank.koppens@icfo.eu  Several two-dimensional materials are model systems with tunable topological electronic bands that exist only in a few exotic materials. Here, we will discuss the progress and prospects of topological nanophotonics with two-dimensional materials.  We exploit THz and infrared near-field imaging and spectroscopy techniques to directly spatially visualize the strongly compress optical modes at topological interfaces, polariton propagation and effects of disorder.   We also discuss the nanophotonic properties of twisted bilayer graphene, which has demonstrated unconventional superconductivity when twisted with specific “magic” angles.   Topological nanophotonics may enable novel future applications in miniaturized photonic isolators, diodes and logic circuits and could lead to completely new concepts for communication systems, optical transistors and optical information processing.  Prof. Frank Koppens obtained his PhD in experimental physics at Delft University, at the Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, The Netherlands.  After a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University, Since August 2010, Koppens is group leader at the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO).  The quantum nano-optoelectronics group of Prof. Koppens focuses on both science and technology of novel two-dimensional materials and quantum materials.   Prof. Koppens is vice-chairman of the executive board of the graphene flagship program, a 1000 MillionEuro project for 10 years. He is also the leader of the optoelectronics workpackage within the flagship.  Prof. Koppens holds a GSMA Chair with activities related to the Mobile World Congress.  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 2012, the national award for research in Spain, and the IUPAP young scientist prize in optics. In total, Koppens has published more than 70 refereed papers (H-index above 47), with more than 35 in Science and Nature family journals. Total citations >17.500 (google scholar).