Titels | Prof. dr. |
Initials | M.A.G.J. |
Main position | Hoogleraar UL |
Disciplines | Science and technology |
Physics | |
Atomic physics and molecular physics | |
Physical chemistry | |
Chemistry | |
Chair | Moleculaire fysica |
Domain | Natural Sciences and Engineering |
Membership | Member |
Since | 2018 |
Member of Council for Natural Sciences and Engineering | |
Member of Natural Sciences and Engineering | |
Employed by |
Universiteit Leiden
Huygens Laboratorium Postbus 9504 2333 CA Leiden tel. 071 527 1720 orrit@physics.leidenuniv.nl |
Personal website | |
Research/publications |
Michel Orrit has laid the foundation for single-molecule optics. He developed a sensitive technique that uses laser light at specific wavelengths to illuminate individual molecules. At first, he was only able to study fluorescent molecules, but he later broadened the technique so that it also worked for ‘dark’ molecules. One of his most recent achievements is the use of gold nanoparticles to scan the conditions in a cell. Orrit’s methods enable scientists to unravel many different physical and chemical processes in living matter. In 2017 he was awarded NWO’s Spinoza Prize, the Netherlands’ most prestigious science award.