Kjeld Eikema

Prof. Kjeld Eikema is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Science of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, affiliated with the Quantum Metrology & Laser Applications department and the LaserLaB - Physics of Light institute. He concurrently serves as a part-time group leader at ARCNL since 2014. His research focuses on ultrafast laser physics, high-harmonic generation, quantum metrology, and precision spectroscopy. Key contributions include studies on particle charge radii in quantum-degenerate helium, extreme ultraviolet vortex beams, and ptychographic imaging techniques. He has supervised 25 PhD theses and holds the Fresnel Prize 2003 for Fundamental Aspects from the European Physical Society. His work bridges fundamental physics with applied laser technologies, including innovations in laser pulse shaping and plasma-based light sources.

Research interests span high-order harmonic generation, laser-matter interactions, and precision measurements. His group develops cutting-edge methods for extreme ultraviolet ptychography and coherent beam control. Recent advancements include structured illumination techniques and vortex beam applications. He teaches Ultrafast Laser Physics and contributes to interdisciplinary projects at the interface of quantum optics and metrology.

Notable achievements include the first observation of the 1S-2S transition in helium ions and breakthroughs in Ramsey-comb spectroscopy. His lab, LaserLaB, is a hub for advanced laser systems and ultrafast dynamics research. Future work emphasizes quantum-degenerate gases and applications of extreme ultraviolet imaging in materials science.