Robert Fickler was appointed as Professor of Photonics at Tampere University in January 2025. Fickler is driven by a deep-seated curiosity to understand the fundamentals of the quantum world. He describes himself as an experimental physicist, striving to observe phenomena that have never been seen before.
Robert Fickler’s research focuses on the fundamental studies of structured light and its applications in advanced light-matter interactions, quantum information, sensing tasks, and light-based technologies. Recently, his research group has also started to explore structured matter waves.
Fickler enjoys the freedom to work on topics that deeply interest him, although it can be exhausting as his team tackles challenges that they do not yet fully understand.
Fickler believes the real-world benefit of his research lies in the methods and technologies developed, which can be utilised by others to create better, faster and more efficient applications. He praises the photonics research at Tampere University as world-class.
One of the best parts of his role as a professor is helping young researchers advance in their careers.
“One day you just realise they know the stuff better than you do! It is gratifying to help them and see them grow and develop.”
Robert Fickler
Career choice inspired by curiosity
Even as a child, Robert Fickler was fascinated by how the world worked. According to his parents, his determination and ability to concentrate were exceptional. At school, Fickler’s favourite subject was physics – and he later developed an equal interest in philosophy.
In his youth, Fickler trained as an electrician but soon discovered it was not the right fit for him.
“I am a hands-on person, an experimentalist who learns best by doing. Vocational studies greatly aided my further education. However, I wanted to delve deeper and understand the fundamental workings of the world.”
Fickler’s love of physics and philosophy has guided his career choices. For him, research was a smart career choice, but he went about it in an experimental way, simply to see what would happen. He admits to never having had a long-term plan.
I just wanted to enjoy what I do. When I got the chance, I thought, ‘Let’s jump in!’
Robert Fickler
Fickler still enjoys discussing philosophy with friends and colleagues but is too busy to really put it into practice.
Unveiling the mysteries of the quantum realm
Research into the complex shapes of light and other wave phenomena is a burgeoning field in physics. Fickler’s research group, consisting of approximately 10 researchers, is working to shed light on the fundamental principles of quantum physics. Through innovative experiments, they aim to explore and observe the sometimes mind-boggling features of the quantum world.
“Our primary focus is on structuring photons and matter waves. This involves exploring the wave properties of single particles of light (photons), and recently also electrons and charged atoms, by shaping their spatial and temporal structures in innovative and intricate ways.”
The group is nearing the conclusion of Fickler’s Academy Research Fellowship project, Boosting Integrated Quantum Optics with Structured Photons (BIQOS), during which they developed a novel, integrated method for the complex shaping of light. Fickler says they already have a list of topics to explore in the coming years using this new method.
“In the BIQOS project, we created an integrated version of a modulation scheme that could greatly benefit companies developing advanced optical communication technologies, for example, by increasing data rates,” he explains.
A couple of years ago, the group embarked on a new research direction funded by an ERC Starting Grant. In this project, titled TWISTION, the group is branching out from their usual optics experiments to explore the wave properties of electrons and charged atoms (ions). The first results are expected this summer.
Supervised by a Nobel Prize winner
In Germany, where Fickler was born and raised, students can choose between general studies and vocational training at around the age of 16. After completing a three-year apprenticeship as an electrician, he returned to school, completed his A-levels, and went on to earn his diploma in physics (MSc) and a bachelor’s degree in philosophy at Ulm University.
After graduating, Fickler struck gold when he was offered a doctoral position in quantum optics at the University of Vienna. There, his PhD was supervised by a major figure in the field, Anton Zeilinger, who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2022. Fickler cherishes the time he spent with this inspiring yet busy man. Thanks to Zeilinger, he gained access to important conferences in the field and met influential people.
Sure, I was thrown in at the deep end many times, but I was exposed to many good things and given numerous opportunities.
Robert Fickler
The two remain in touch. Fickler even invited Zeilinger to give a public lecture in Tampere, meet students and visit labs on the Hervanta campus in 2024.
After working for three years with the groups of Robert W. Boyd and Ebrahim Karimi on Nonlinear and Quantum Optics in Ottawa, Canada, Fickler returned to Vienna, Austria, to join a theory group led by Marcus Huber. In 2019, he was offered an Assistant Professor position at Tampere University.
Relaxing and getting new ideas on the road
Robert Fickler’s first visit to Finland was for a job interview in 2019. Six years later, he is still here. He enjoys the peace and quiet of nature as well as the atmosphere at Tampere University. What he misses most about Germany is his family, friends and hiking in the Alps.
He now spends most of his free time combining his two favourite hobbies, nature and motorcycling. Sometimes he rides alone, sometimes with friends.
“I roam through Finland and the surrounding countries with just a motorbike and tent. Sometimes, I build a bonfire and grill a sausage. And that’s good.”
Focusing on driving, exploring and simply taking a break from the hectic daily life gives him great pleasure and energy. And sometimes, new ideas for physics.
Welcome to the inaugural lectures of the new professors on 15 May 2025