Announcing the 2026 ACS Photonics Young Investigator Lectureship Award Winner

Abstract

The landscape of photonics, where light and matter intertwine to shape technological innovation, continues to be illuminated by the groundbreaking contributions of exceptional researchers. Today, ACS Photonics is thrilled to announce the recipient of the prestigious 2026 ACS Photonics Lectureship: Professor Mikhail Kats from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (USA). Within the first decade of his independent researcher career, Professor Kats has already etched an indelible mark on the field photonics. His trajectory, beginning with transformative doctoral work on optical metasurfaces, ultrathin film absorbers, and plasmonics, has blossomed into an independent research program characterized by profound insights and innovative device concepts. His current explorations into thermal-radiation engineering, tunable optics with phase-transition materials, anisotropic optical materials, and photonic components for quantum technologies perfectly embody the interdisciplinary spirit that lies at the heart of ACS Photonics. Professor Kats seamlessly bridges the fundamental principles of physics, the ingenuity of materials science, and the practicalities of engineering to not only unveil novel optical phenomena, but also forge new functional devices. Professor Kats’s contributions have challenged conventional wisdom and opened new avenues of exploration. His group’s demonstration of the first temperature-independent thermal radiator – a seemingly paradoxical achievement with profound implications for infrared camouflage – stands as a testament to his innovative thinking. Furthermore, the development of “Planck spectroscopy”, a minimalist yet powerful spectroscopic technique, showcases his ability to derive elegant solutions to complex problems. His pioneering work on the nanosecond-scale modulation of thermal emission has unlocked exciting possibilities for ultrafast mid-infrared sources, while his elucidation of super-Planckian emission has clarified fundamental concepts in thermodynamics and defined the inherent limits of heat-powered radiation. These contributions have fundamentally reshaped our understanding of thermal emission and its potential applications. In the realm of nanophotonics and metasurfaces, Professor Kats built a strong foundation during his Ph.D., notably in the development of optical metasurfaces based on plasmonic antennas under the guidance of Professor Federico Capasso. Building on this, his independent contributions, particularly in the integration of phase-transition materials into active thin-film and metasurface devices, have been truly significant. His publications in ACS Photonics on wavelength-by-wavelength temperature-independent thermal radiation utilizing insulator–metal transitions (2022) (1) and the inverse design of metasurfaces (2021) (2) exemplify his group’s inventive strategies for manipulating light–matter interactions at the nanoscale. Moreover, his group’s pioneering development of optical limiters and isolators based on vanadium dioxide offers novel approaches to safeguarding sensitive optical sensors. (3) Professor Kats’ impact extends beyond nanophotonics into the fascinating world of optical materials. His breakthroughs include setting a world record for optical anisotropy in chalcogenide materials, culminating most recently in the demonstration of an infrared-transparent crystal exhibiting a remarkable refractive index of 4.5 along one axis and 2.5 along another – a testament to his mastery in crafting materials with unprecedented optical properties. Beyond his scientific achievements, Professor Kats cofounded the Photonics Online Meetup (https://photonicsonlinemeetup.org/), enhancing the accessibility of scientific discourse. He has also generously contributed to the professional development of his peers by creating valuable resources and hosting workshops on essential skills such as conference preparation, media interaction, and career mentoring. Professor Mikhail Kats’ exceptional contributions, spanning fundamental discoveries to innovative technological advancements and community leadership, make him a truly deserving recipient of the 2026 ACS Photonics Young Investigator Lectureship. ACS Photonics congratulates Professor Kats on this well-earned recognition and eagerly anticipates his future contributions to the ever-evolving field of photonics. Lastly, do not miss my earlier Editorial announcing the three finalists, Professors Dan Congreve (Stanford University), Francesco Monticone (Cornell University), and Lina Quan (Virginia Tech). (4) Please join me in congratulating these four inspiring young researchers for their dedication, innovation, intellectual curiosity and significant contributions to the field. Their exemplary work, I hope, will inspire future generations of scholars. Thank you for celebrating with us and supporting the advancement of knowledge in photonics! This article references 4 other publications. 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