Tobias Kippenberg wins Klung-Wilhelmy Science Award

The Klung-Wilhelmy Science Award is given annually to German scientists under the age of 40 that have made outstanding contributions to Science. Each year, the Award alternates between chemistry and physics, and numbers five Nobel laureates among its list of previous winners. The awardees are selected by committees from the Institutes of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Department of Physics at the Free University of Berlin, with additional input from other universities.

The prize, which is endowed with €75,000, is one of the most recognized scientific distinctions in Germany for scientists under the age of 40. Kippenberg will receive the award in November in Berlin for his research on the interaction of Laser light with micro- and nanomechanical systems.

Tobias J. Kippenberg is a professor at the Laboratory of Photonics and Quantum Measurements at EPFL. His research aims to discover and study quantum laws using macroscopic systems such as mechanical resonators, a field known as cavity quantum optomechanics.

More specifically, Kippenberg’s research focuses on optical micro-resonators and their properties at low temperatures – micron and nanoscale devices which his laboratory fabricates in the CMi (Centre for Micro-Nanotechnology). These are tiny, highly reflective devices that designed to store photons and phonons in a small volume for a prolonged period of time. As a result, optical microresonators produce observable radiation pressure – the pressure exerted upon any physical surface exposed to electromagnetic radiation – an effect that can be used to control, measure and cool mechanical vibrations.

For his research, Kippenberg has received numerous recognitions, including the 2014 National Latsis Award – one of the most prestigious scientific awards in Switzerland and the 2013 ICO award by the International Commission for Optics.