Labs

. Full professor: Edoardo CHARBON (since 2015)
. http://aqua.epfl.ch
. EPFL STI IEM AQUA in Microcity, Neuchâtel
. > 30 collaborators
x

Research: 

  • Single-Photon Avalanche Diodes (SPADs) for Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR), Quantum Microscopy and Quantum random number generation and other quantum imaging applications
  • Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detectors (SNSPD) for quantum applications

Applications: Quantum computing, Quantum imaging, Metrology, Quanta burst photography

Links to industry: STMicroelectronics (FR/GE), Spiden (CH), Fastree3D (Lausanne), PI Imaging Technology (Neuchatel), Hitachi Research (UK), Global Foundries (Singapore), TSMC (TW). Samsung, Intuitive Surgical (USA), Analog Devices (USA), Facebook, Qrypt (USA)

. Head of unit: Arne SEITZ
. http://biop.epfl.ch
. EPFL SV PTECH PTBIOP in Lausanne
. > 10 collaborators
x

Activities and Research:

The BioImaging and Optics Platform (BIOP) provides instruments and expertise to solve challenging (biological) questions with modern light-microscopy

Applications:  Health & Life Science

Links to industry: We are providing access to instruments from Leica, Nikon, Olympus and Zeiss and start-up companies like e.g. Lunaphore

. Full professor: Hatice ALTUG (since 2020)
. https://bios.epfl.ch
. EPFL STI IBI-STI BIOS in Lausanne
. ~ 20 collaborators
x

Research:

  • Nanophotonics and its application in optical devices, biosensing, bioimaging & Mid-IR spectroscopy
  • Lab-on-a-chip integration of photonics, microfluidics and data science for disease and point-of-care diagnostics
  • Novel nano/microfabrication and bionanopatterning methods

Applications: Health & Life Science, Safety, Communication, and Metrology

Links to industry: Collaborations with companies in Switzerland, Europe, and US (e.g. ThermoFisher, Bosch, BD Science, Instrumentation Laboratory, Heidenhain)

. Associate professor: Fabien SORIN (since 2020)
. https://fimap.epfl.ch
. EPFL STI IMX-FIMAP in Lausanne
. 10 to 19 collaborators
x

Research:

  • Nano-scale fabrication on unconventional substrates (large area, 1D, flexible, stretchable, etc.) via fluid flow engineering
  • Micro- and nanostructure-based photonic devices and Metasurfaces
  • Multi-material fibers for energy harvesting, sensing and actuation

Applications: Health & Life Science, Energy & Mobility, Industry & Manufacturing, Agriculture and Food, Green-tech & Sustainability

Links to industry: IP generation and transfer of technology, numerous projects with industry partners, ERC POC and other grants for Start-up launching

. Associate professor: Yves BELLOUARD (since 2015)
. https://galatea.epfl.ch
. EPFL STI IEM GALATEA in Microcity, Neuchâtel
. 10 to 19 collaborators
x

Research:

  • 3D Manufacturing
  • Systems made out of single monoliths
  • Packaging of complex optical systems
  • Transforming materials locally with lasers

Applications:

  • 3D manufacturing, 3D printing, glass structuring
  • Environmental sensing
  • Watchmakers components

Links to industry: Richemont, FEMTOprint, Amplitude Laser, Huawei

. Tenure Track Assistant Professor:
Cristina Benea (since 2022)
. https://www.epfl.ch/labs/hylab/
. EPFL STI IEM HYLAB in Lausanne
. ~ 10 collaborators
x

Research: 

  • Terahertz integrated photonics: sources and detectors
  • Free-space electro-optic transducers
  • Active photonics

Applications:

Metrology, Spectroscopy, Quantum, Integrated Photonics, Sources and Detectors.

. Associate professor: Andras Kis (since 2015)
. http://lanes.epfl.ch
. PFL STI IEM LANES in Lausanne
. 10 to 19 collaborators
x

Research:

  • Science and technology of 2D semiconductors and heterostructures for optoelectronic, electronic and spintronic device applications
  • Growth and integration of 2D materials

Applications:

  • Information and Communication
  • Quantum, Energy

Links to industry: joint projects with companies in Europe

. Full professor: Christophe Moser (since 2010, Full Prof. since 2022)
. http://lapd.epfl.ch
. EPFL STI IEM LAPD in Lausanne
. 10 to 19 collaborators
x

Research:

  • Volumetric 3D printing method based on tomography (entire solidification at once). 3D printing of functional human tissues (ENLIGHT project). 
  • High-resolution retinal imaging with new technique called trans scleral optical phase imaging.
  • Optical fiber imaging using multimode fibers and neural networks.

Applications: Health & Life Science, Manufacturing, Information and Communication.

Links to industry: Startups/Spinoffs: Composyt Light Labs (acquired by Intel), Insolight (concentrated photovoltaic), Earlysight (retinal imaging),Readily3D (3d bioprinting) and Modendo Inc (endoscopic imaging ).

. Full professor: Nicolas Grandjean (since 2004)
. http://laspe.epfl.ch
. EPFL SB IPHYS LASPE in Lausanne
. 20 to 29 collaborators
x

Research:

Wide bandgap semiconductors (group-III nitrides) for:

  • Quantum Dots and Nanostructures
  • 2D and 1D Photonic Crystals
  • Short-Wavelength Optoelectronics

Applications: LED lighting; UV and visible sources and compact devices; Energy sector

Links to industry:

  • Spin-offs/Startups: Nanoga, Novagan, Hexisense
  • Projects with Swiss and US companies
. Full Professor: Aleksandra Radenovic (since 2021)
. http://lben.epfl.ch
. EPFL STI IBI-STI-LBEN in Lausanne
. 10 to 19 collaborators
x

Research:

  • Single-molecule manipulation using optical tweezers and optical wrench.
  • New modalities in super-resolution microscopies capable of molecular-scale resolution (SMLM, SIM and SOFI)*

Applications: Health & Life Science, Materials Science,

* Single-molecule localization (SMLM), Structured light illumination microscopy (SIM), Super-resolution optical fluctuation imaging (SOFI)

. Full professor: Sylvie Roke (since 2020)
. http://lbp.epfl.ch
. EPFL STI IBI-STI-LBP in Lausanne
. 10 to 19 collaborators
x

Research:

  • Develop nonlinear optical technology such as second harmonic scattering, sum frequency scattering, wide-field multiphoton microscopy, ultrafast spectroscopy
  • Generating molecular level understanding of aqueous systems & interfaces driven by new technology

Applications:

  • Energy, Health & Life Science
  • Materials Science

Links to industry: Startups/spinoffs: ORYL Photonics, MATIS

. Full professor: Suliana Manley (Prof. since 2009, Full Prof since 2022)
. http://leb.epfl.ch
. EPFL SB IPHYS LEB in Lausanne
. 10 to 19 collaborators
x

Research:

  • Super-resolution fluorescence microscopy (PALM, STORM, PAINT, SIM).
  • High-throughput, automated, and intelligent microscopy.

Applications:

  • Health & Life Science
  • Agriculture & Food
. Full professor: Michaël Unser (since 2000)
. http://bigwww.epfl.ch
. EPFL STI IEM LIB in Lausanne
. 10 to 19 collaborators
x

Research:

  • Development of new algorithms and mathematical tools for biomedical imaging
  • Advanced image reconstruction
  • Super-resolution microscopy
  • Phase imaging (diffraction tomography, unwrapping)
  • Deep learning for inverse problems

Applications:  Health & Life Science.

Links to industry: Mirrakoi

. Senior Scientist (MER): Georges Wagnières (since 2001)
. https://www.epfl.ch/labs/lifmet/wagnieres/
. EPFL STI IEM LIFMET in Lausanne
. ~ 10 collaborators
x

Research:

  • Cancer detection and characterization by fluorescence spectroscopy and imaging.
  • Light dosimetry and tissue optical spectroscopy.
  • Photobiomodulation and Photodynamic therapy.
  • Study of the metabolism by time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy.

Applications:  Health & Life Science.

Links to industry: Spin off, Medlight SA. Most projects of this group are based on collaborations established with pharmaceutical and medtech partners.

. Full Professor: Anna Foncuberta i Morral (since 2019)
. https://lmsc.epfl.ch
. EPFL STI IMX LMSC in Lausanne
. 20 to 29 collaborators
x

Research: Synthesis and characterization of novel materials and structures (nanowires) for semiconductor technologies for e.g. solar energy harvesting, photodetection and next generation computing. 

Applications:  Energy, Information and Communication, Quantum.

Links to industry: IRIS

. Assistant Professor: Ardemis Boghossian (since 2015)
. http://lnb.epfl.ch
. EPFL SB ISIC LNB in Lausanne
. 10 to 19 collaborators
x

Research:

  • Synthetic biology and protein engineering to engineer light-harvesting bioenergy
  • Laser-excited fluorescence of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) used for optical biosensing and bioimaging for near-IR in-vivo applications

Applications: Energy,  Health & Life Science, Agriculture & Food

Links to industry: Future Food (Bühler, Givaudan and Nestlé)

. Assistant Professor: Giulia Tagliabue (since 2019)
. http://lnet.epfl.ch
. EPFL STI IGM LNET in Lausanne
. ~ 10 collaborators
x

Research: Nanophotonic engineering of energy conversion devices and nanophotonic design of tunable “flat optics”:

  • Perfect light absorbers for photothermal and photochemical energy conversion devices
  • Fundamental understanding of plasmonic hot carrier photodetectors and photocatalysts
  • Design of tunable metalenses

Applications: Energy sector, photodetection, miniaturized light-harnessing and sensing devices, flat optics

. Full Professor: Michael Graetzel (since 1981)
. http://lpi.epfl.ch
. EPFL SB ISIC LPI in Lausanne
. 30 to 39 collaborators
y

Research:

  • Graetzel cells: Dye-sensitized solar cells with adjustable transparency (installed on the Swiss Tech Convention Center)
  • Metal halide perovskite solar cells: ultra-thin active layers, high efficiencies, low cost, stability issues to be solved
  • Generation of chemical fuels from sunlight.

Applications:  Renewable Energy, Green-tech & Sustainability, Ambient light harvesting for powering the IoT, Manufacturing

Links to industry: Spinoffs: Solaronix, Glass 2 Energy H.Glass, Other startups linked to Graetzel cells: Exeger, Dyenamo, G24I, Saul, Ambient Photonics, Oxford PV

. Full Professor: Tobias J. Kippenberg (since 2012)
. http://k-lab.epfl.ch
. EPFL SB IPHYS LPQM in Lausanne
. 30 to 39 collaborators
x

Research achievements:

  • Discovery of chip-based frequency combs (‘Microcombs’) in different photonic platforms i.e. Si3N4 and GaP
  • Developed cavity quantum optomechanics, techniques to manipulate mechanical oscillators in the quantum regime
  • Superconducting circuit electro-mechanics

Applications: Information & Communication, Metrology, Mobility, Quantum, Space

Links to industry: IBM Research Europe (Zurich), Menlo Systems (Munich). Lab Spinoffs: LiGenTec SA, MicroR, DEEPLight SA

. Assistant Professor: Jean-Philippe Brantut (since 2016)
. https://www.epfl.ch/labs/lqg/
. EPFL SB IPHYS LQG in Lausanne
. ~ 10 collaborators
x

Research:

  • Cavity quantum electrodynamics
  • Ultra-cold and strongly correlated quantum matter
  • Quantum simulation with neutral atoms

Applications:

  • Quantum information processing
  • Metrology
. Associate Professor: Christophe Galland (since 2017)
. http://lqno.epfl.ch
. EPFL SB IPHYS GR-GA in Lausanne
. 10 to 19 collaborators
x

Research:

  • Quantum optics, spectroscopy of nanoscale hybrid systems
  • Frequency conversion
  • Quantum sensing

Applications:

  • Metrology
  • Communication
  • Safety & Security
  • Life Science

Links to industry: Wainvam-E (precision sensing), SICPA (anti-counterfeiting), Lytid (THz spectroscopy)

. Associate Professor: Vincenzo Savona (since 2010)
. http://ltpn.epfl.ch
. EPFL SB IPHYS LTPN in Lausanne
. ~ 10 collaborators
x

Research:

  • Study and modeling of open quantum systems, i.e. influenced by the surrounding environment in the form of driving, losses, and phase noise
  • Modelling and optimization of artificial photonic nanostructures (e.g. with machine learning)

Applications:

  • Information and Communication
  • Metrology
  • Quantum
. Associate Professor: Fabrizio Carbone (since 2018)
. http://lumes.epfl.ch
. EPFL SB IPHYS LUMES in Lausanne
. 10 to 19 collaborators
x

Research (linked to photonics): Manipulation of free electrons via laser pulses to establish new experimental tools for ultra-fast electron microscopy

Applications:

  • Energy
  • Health & Life Science
  • Industry

Links to industry: Google Inc., Lockheed Martin, ADAM (CERN startup on radiotherapy)

. Associate Professor: Camille-Sophie Brès (since 2011)
. http://phosl.epfl.ch
. EPFL STI IEM PHOSL in Lausanne
. 10 to 19 collaborators
x

Research:

  • Optical waveguide engineering for enhancing nonlinear optical processes and light generation
  • Integrated nonlinear optics for frequency conversion
  • All-optical signal processing
  • Versatile fiber lasers
  • Supercontinuum, optical frequency combs

Applications: Information & Communication Technologies, Metrology, Health (sensing)

Links to Industry: Research Collaborations with companies in Switzerland & Europe

. Full Professor: Christophe Ballif (since 2004)
. http://pvlab.epfl.ch
. EPFL STI IEM PV-LAB in Neuchâtel
. ~ 60 collaborators
x

Research:

  • Thin-film technology, semiconductors, TCOs, light management
  • Manufacturing processes, production technologies for PV and small-scale production for solar cells and modules
  • Specialty filters, colored photovoltaic cells and panels, packaging polymers and reliability

Applications: Energy & Mobility, Green-tech & Sustainability

Links to industry: Many connections to industry via CSEM (Prof. Ballif is VP Photovoltaic). Startups/spinoffs: INDEOtec, Meyer Burger, Bluebird Photovoltaics, Luminesys, 3S solar plus

. Adjunct Professor: Romuald Houdré (since 2011)
. http://sci-sb-rh.epfl.ch
. EPFL STI IEM NAM in Lausanne
. 10 to 19 collaborators
x

Research:

  • Optical trapping in photonic crystal structures
  • Non-linear optics in photonic crystal structures

Applications:

  • Health & Life Science
  • Information & Communication