Mikko Partanen

Mikko Partanen is a Postdoctoral Researcher at Aalto University’s Department of Electronics and Nanoengineering, affiliated with the Centre of Excellence in Quantum Technology and the Zhipei Sun Group. His work bridges quantum optics, electromagnetism, and theoretical physics.

• Education:
  • Doctoral Degree, Engineering and Technology, Aalto University (2017)
  • Master’s Degree, Engineering and Technology, Aalto University (2013)
  • Bachelor’s Degree, Engineering and Technology, Aalto University (2011)

Research Interests:

• Unified theories of light and gravity
• Optical forces in dielectrics and metamaterials
• Spin and torque dynamics of light
• Nonlinear optical responses in 2D materials
• Photon-number quantization and optomechanics
• Quantum-classical boundary phenomena

Scientific Contributions:

• Awards:
  • Best doctoral thesis in 2017 award by Photonics Finland
• Projects:
  • OptiForce (2022–2025): Developing a unified theory of optical force fields
• Media Impact:
  • Co-author on studies generating global media coverage (e.g., “Scientists shrinking water with light”)
• Datasets:
  • Creator of open datasets on optical force measurements (Zenodo)