Head of the Quantum Optical Devices Laboratory at the Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, and at the Centre for New Technologies, where he and his team translate advanced quantum physics into practical measurement technologies. His research focuses on Rydberg atoms – highly excited atoms that act as miniature antennas for microwaves, terahertz radiation and light. Using these properties, his group has developed record-breaking sensitive receivers capable of detecting extremely weak signals and converting them into light for ultra-precise measurements.

Michał is currently leading an ambitious project for the European Space Agency (RYDAR: Rydberg Detector for Advanced RF Payloads), which aims to build the first prototype of an atomic radio receiver for satellites. Such devices could revolutionise Earth observation: instead of multiple antennas, a single quantum sensor covering multiple frequency bands simultaneously would suffice, reducing the weight and cost of the satellite while increasing its capabilities.

Michał is also the leader of a research group within the QOT project of the Foundation for Polish Science as part of FENG, where his group uses atomic technologies ranging from quantum sensors to communication and computing, and their results are described in prestigious journals such as Nature Photonics, Nature Communications and Physical Review Letters.

At the intersection of basic research and the latest knowledge transfer technologies, Michał's work shows how quantum optics can leave the laboratory to solve real-world problems, from monitoring the atmosphere to designing a new generation of communication tools.