Tomasz Smolenski

Prof. Dr. Tomasz Smolenski is a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Basel, Switzerland, leading the FG Smolenski research group within the Faculty of Science. His research focuses on quantum materials and condensed matter physics with particular emphasis on 2D materials and their quantum optical properties.

Dr. Smolenski's educational background includes:

• Bachelor's degree in Physics from University of Warsaw, Poland (2010)
• Master's degree in Physics from University of Warsaw, Poland (2012)
• PhD in Condensed Matter Physics from University of Warsaw (2018) with summa cum laude

His research investigates collective electronic, excitonic, and spin phenomena in tunable atomically-thin quantum materials using low-temperature magneto-optical and quantum-optical spectroscopy. His group designs and assembles van der Waals heterostructures and probes them with various opto-electronic techniques including linear/non-linear spectroscopy, ultra-fast time-resolved experiments, and super-resolution imaging. This enables exploration of novel strongly correlated phases of matter such as electronic crystals, topological liquids, and unconventional magnets.

Analysis of Dr. Smolenski's recent publications reveals a strong focus on quantum phenomena in 2D materials, particularly concerning excitons, topological phases, and quantum confinement effects. His work bridges fundamental condensed matter physics with potential applications in quantum technologies and quantum computing.

Dr. Smolenski has received notable recognition for his work:

• Polish Prime Minister Prize—the most prestigious award for a PhD thesis in Poland
• Fellowship from the Polish National Science Centre

Before joining the University of Basel in 2025, Dr. Smolenski worked as a postdoctoral researcher at ETH Zürich under Atac Imamoglu. During his PhD studies, he collaborated with LNCMI-CNRS in Grenoble, France. His research group is part of the Basel Quantum Center, which focuses on quantum science and technology applications in quantum computing, sensing, communication, and simulation.