Professor Lukas Novotny stands as a distinguished leader in the field of photonics and nanoscale optics, currently serving as Professor of Photonics at the Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering at ETH Zurich since 2012. Born in Opocno, Czech Republic in 1966, he established his academic foundation at ETH Zurich, earning a diploma in electrical engineering in 1992 followed by a Doctor of Technical Sciences degree in 1996. His doctoral research on Light Propagation and Light Confinement in Near-field Optics, conducted in collaboration with IBM Research Division in Rüschlikon, laid the groundwork for his pioneering contributions to nano-optics. Prior to his appointment at ETH Zurich, Professor Novotny built a distinguished academic career at the University of Rochester, where he progressed from Assistant to Associate Professor and ultimately became Professor of Optics, Physics, and Biomedical Engineering. His sabbatical year at ICFO, the Institute de Cienciès Fotòniques in Barcelona, further solidified his international standing, leading to his continued role as a Distinguished Invited Professor there.
Professor Novotny's groundbreaking research has fundamentally transformed our understanding of light-matter interactions at the nanometer scale, establishing critical frameworks for controlling electromagnetic fields beyond the diffraction limit. His seminal work in near-field optics and nanoscale spectroscopy has provided indispensable theoretical and experimental approaches that have become standard methodologies in the field, enabling unprecedented precision in optical manipulation at the smallest scales. These discoveries have catalyzed transformative applications across multiple domains, including ultrasensitive detection systems, advanced metrology techniques, and highly efficient directional photon emission technologies with significant implications for biomedical imaging and quantum information processing. His publications have garnered substantial citations and influence, with his theoretical frameworks forming the foundation for next-generation optical devices and measurement systems that continue to push the boundaries of what is scientifically possible in nanophotonics.
Beyond his individual research achievements, Professor Novotny has significantly shaped the global photonics community through his mentorship of numerous doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers who have established successful careers across academia and industry worldwide. His recognition as an OSA Fellow in 2007 for contributions to nanoscale spectroscopy and as an AAAS Fellow in 2010 for distinguished contributions to nano-optics and electromagnetic theory underscores the profound respect he commands within the scientific community. The ETH Medal awarded for his doctoral thesis in 1997 foreshadowed a career marked by exceptional scientific rigor and innovation, with his continued work exploring quantum aspects of light-matter interactions and levitodynamics at the forefront of contemporary research. Currently leading cutting-edge investigations at ETH Zurich, Professor Novotny's ongoing contributions ensure his enduring influence on the trajectory of photonics research and its applications in sensing technologies, quantum information processing, and advanced materials characterization for years to come.
