Chiara Trovatello

Recognized for:
Development of new nano-engineered material platforms for optical computing, a critical step on the path towards innovative imaging and information processing methods in quantum technologies.

Areas of Research Interest and Expertise:
Nonlinear optics, photonics, quantum optics, two-dimensional materials

Previous Positions:

Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Columbia University
Postdoctoral Fellow, Politecnico di Milano, Italy
Ph.D., Politecnico di Milano (Advisor: Giulio Cerullo)

Research Summary:

Light has a powerful influence in every sector of our daily lives, and the continued development of optical technologies has transformed the ways in which we are able to carry out modern science. This holds true even today, where work by Chiara Trovatello, Ph.D. continues to refine how much control we have over light and its characteristics. Trovatello’s work gives scientists access to efficient nonlinear photonics at microscopic scales, pushing the boundaries of next-generation micro-optics. These foundational advances make possible the design of compact processing platforms based on light rather than electricity, potentially paving new pathways for quantum microprocessor development.

“When I began working on two-dimensional materials, making entangled photon sources at the nanoscale was a dream. Now, it’s reality. I’m excited to see how these highly nonlinear crystals will impact the future of quantum technologies!”

Key Publications:

1. C. Trovatello et al. Tunable optical nonlinearity in layered materials. ACS Photonics, 2024.
2. X. Xu, C. Trovatello et al. Towards compact phase-matched and waveguided nonlinear optics in atomically layered semiconductors. Nature Photonics, 2022.
3. C. Trovatello et al. Optical parametric amplification by monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides. Nature Photonics, 2021.
4. C. Trovatello et al. The ultrafast onset of exciton formation in 2D semiconductors. Nature Communications, 2020.