Albert Polman, professor of nanophotonics and photovoltaics at UvA and AMOLF group leader, has received an Advanced Research Grant of 2.5 million euros from the European Research Council. Polman will use the grant to develop a new type of quantum electron microscope.
In the awarded project, Polman 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.
ERC Advanced Research Grant
ERC Advanced Grants support excellent researchers at the career stage at which they are already established research leaders with a recognised track-record of research achievements. Candidates have to demonstrate the ground-breaking nature, ambition and feasibility of their scientific proposal. The projects must be hosted at institutions in the EU or associated countries.
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.
