Prof. Dr. Oliver Benson
The main topic of the Benson Lab’s experimental research is fundamental light-matter interaction on the nanoscale. We focus on the realization and investigation of quantum or nano optical model-systems with almost ideal parameter control. These systems can also be regarded as building blocks for a future integrated quantum technology with applications for quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum sensing.
- Single photon and entangled photon sources
- Time-resolved single photon counting
- Confocal microscopy & spectroscopy
- Atomic force microscopy
- Nano-manipulation
Current position
| 2001 - present | Full Professor of Nano Optics at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (DE) |
Positions held
| 2019 | Distinguished Guest Professor at the University of Technology Sydney (AU) |
| 2017 | Visiting Professor at Kyoto University, JSPS fellowship (JP) |
| 2014 - 2017 | Visiting Professor at the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (BR) |
| 2009 | Guest Professor at the Universität Wien (AT) |
| 2000 - 2001 | Junior Group Leader at Konstanz University (DE) |
| 1999 - 2000 | Postdoctoral Researcher at the Universität Konstanz (DE) |
| 1997 - 1999 | Postdoctoral Researcher at Stanford University (US) |
| 1995 - 1997 | Postdoctoral Researcher at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich (DE) |
Academic Education
| 1992 - 1995 | Doctoral Degree in Physics at the Max Planck Insitute for Quantum Optics, Garching and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich (DE) |
| 1986 - 1992 | Diploma in Physics at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich (DE) |
Honors/Awards/Fellowships
| 2014 | Science without Borders Program member of DPG, OSA |
| 2012 | APS Outstanding Referee Award |
| 2006 | Offer for full Professorship at the Universität Osnabrück (DE) - declined |
| 2006 | Offer for full Professorship at Leeds University (UK) - declined |
| 2001 | Offer for full Professorship at the Universität Stuttgart (DE) - declined |
| 2000 | Lynen-Postdoc-Fellowship of Alexander von Humboldt-Foundation (DE) |
| 1997 | Junior Researcher in the Emmy-Noether-Program of DFG (DE) |
| 1996 | Dissertation Prize of the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich (DE) |
DFG-funded projects
| 2021 - present | Founding PI of Einstein Research Unit “Near-term quantum computational devices and quantum processors” |
| 2019 - present | Founding PI of Berlin Graduate School on “Optical Sciences and Quantum Technology”, BOS.QT |
| 2011 - 2023 | Vice-Speaker and PI of SFB 951 - “Hybrid Inorganic/Organic Systems for Opto-Electronics (HIOS)” |
| 2012 - 2019 | GRK 1013 - “Graduate School of Analytical Sciences Adlershof (SALSA)” |
| 2008 - 2019 | SFB 787 - “Semiconductor Nanophotonics: Materials, Models, Devices” |
| 2011 - 2017 | FOR 1493 - “Diamond Materials for Quantum Application” |
| 2007 - 2009 | SFB 448 - “Mesoscopically Organized Composites” |
| 2004 - 2008 | GRK 1025 - “Fundamentals and functionality of size and interface controlled materials: spin- and otpelectronics” |
| 2004 - 2006 | SFB 296 - “Growth Correlated Properties of Low-Dimensional Semiconductor Structures” |
| 2003 - 2005 | SPP 1113 - “Photonic Crystals |
Selected activities
| 2022 - present | Deputy-President of the Physikalische Gesellschaft zu Berlin e.V. |
| 2021 - present | Person of Trust (concerning scientific misconduct) of Humboldt-University |
| 2018 - present | Associate Editor of OPTICA |
| 2017 - present | Member of the board of trustees of the Magnus-Haus, Berlin |
| 2016 - present | Member of the DFG expert council (Fachgutachterausschuss) |
| 2016 - present | Founding PI of the Integrated Research Center of the Sciences (IRIS), Adlershof |
| 2008 - present | Faculty Advisor of the OSA and SPIE Berlin Optik Student Chapter |
| 2007 - present | Member of the committee “professionalization of women in science & teaching (ProFiL) of the Berlin universities and the Universität Potsdam |
| 2020 - 2022 | President of the Physikalische Gesellschaft zu Berlin e.V. |