Ursula Keller facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ursula Keller
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| Born | 21 June 1959 (age 66) |
| Nationality | Swiss |
| Known for | Inventing the Semiconductor saturable-absorber mirror technology used in mode locking ultra-fast solid-state laser systems |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Physics, Laser Technology |
| Doctoral students | Clara Saraceno |
Ursula Keller, born on June 21, 1959, is a brilliant Swiss physicist. She has been a professor of physics at ETH Zurich in Switzerland since 1993. She is a leader in the field of ultrafast science and technology.
Professor Keller is famous for inventing the semiconductor saturable absorber mirror (SESAM). This invention changed how ultrafast lasers work. These lasers are used in many areas, from science to industry. She also led a big research program in ultrafast science. Ursula Keller has started several companies and written an important textbook. She has won many awards for her amazing work.
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Her Journey in Science
Ursula Keller grew up in a family where her parents worked hard. She earned her first degree in physics from ETH Zurich in 1984. Then, she went to Stanford University in the United States. There, she earned a master's degree in 1987 and a doctorate in 1989. Her studies focused on new ways to measure electricity in computer chips.
From 1989 to 1993, she worked at AT&T Bell's research center. She explored new ways to use light for communication. She also worked on super-fast laser technology. During this time, she developed a method to create ultra-short light pulses.
In 1993, Ursula Keller made history. She became the first female professor of physics at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich). In 1997, she became a full professor.
What She Researches
Professor Keller's research focuses on very fast lasers. These include lasers made from solids and semiconductors. She also works on creating reliable tools that produce special X-rays. These X-rays are used to study things at an incredibly small and fast scale.
She invented the SESAM, which helps create ultra-fast light pulses. This technology is now used worldwide. It helps with cutting and welding in many industries. These include electronics, cars, and communication. It is also used in medical tools and surgery.
Her early work on carrier envelope phase stabilization and frequency comb technology was very important. This research helped other scientists, Theodor W. Hänsch and John L. Hall, win the 2005 Nobel Prize in Physics. Their work improved how we study light with lasers.
Ursula Keller has written over 500 scientific papers. Her work has been cited by other scientists many times. She also holds several patents for her inventions. These inventions are used in industrial and medical lasers.
She also created the Attoclock. This is one of the most accurate time-measuring devices in the world. It can measure time in attoseconds. An attosecond is a billionth of a billionth of a second!
From 2010 to 2022, she directed a Swiss research center. This center focused on ultrafast molecular sciences and technologies. Since 2014, she has been a member of the Swiss National Science Foundation's Research Council.
Awards and Recognition
Ursula Keller has received many top awards. In 2018, she won the European Inventor Award for her lifetime achievements. She also won the IEEE Photonics Award in 2018 and the IEEE Edison Medal in 2019. In 2020, she received the Gold Medal from the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. She also won the Frederic Ives Medal / Jarus Quinn Prize from the Optical Society.
Ursula Keller strongly supports equal opportunities for women in science and technology. She was the founding president of the ETH Women Professors Forum. This group helps women professors at ETH Zurich. She works to make sure more women have successful careers in these fields.
Awards and Honors
Ursula Keller has been recognized with many important awards:
- 2003: Fellow of OSA
- 1998: Zeiss Research Award, for her work on creating powerful, ultra-short laser pulses.
- 2004: Berthold Leibinger Innovation Prize, for her SESAM invention.
- 2008: Joseph Fraunhofer Award / Robert M. Burley Prize, for her contributions to ultrafast lasers.
- 2013: Arthur L. Schawlow Award, the highest award from the Laser Institute of America.
- 2014: Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), for her work in ultrafast laser physics.
- 2015: Charles Hard Townes Award, for her work on lasers and frequency comb technology.
- 2017: Weizmann Women and Science Award, for her pioneering work in ultrafast lasers and attosecond science.
- 2018: European Inventor Award in the "Lifetime achievement" category.
- 2018: IEEE Photonics Award
- 2019: IEEE Edison Medal
- 2020: SPIE Gold Medal, the highest honor from the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.
- 2020: Frederic Ives Medal/Quinn Prize, for her contributions to ultrafast laser technology.
- 2021: Elected as an international member of the National Academy of Sciences, USA.
- 2022: Marcel Benoist Prize, sometimes called the "Swiss Nobel Prize."
See also
In Spanish: Ursula Keller para niños
