--- title: Ekmel Özbay slug: ekmel-ozbay-457fa url: /detay/ekmel-ozbay-457fa type: biography language: English entity: primary: Ekmel Özbay type: biography categories: - name: Electricity and Electronics slug: elektrik-ve-elektronik url: /kategori/elektrik-ve-elektronik - name: Nano Technology slug: nano-teknoloji url: /kategori/nano-teknoloji tags: - Metamaterials - Photonics - Ekmel Özbay - Research - Nanotechnology author: Seviye Nur Gönülölmez created_at: 2025-12-02T08:45:00.082685+03:00 updated_at: 2025-12-02T08:45:00.082700+03:00 image: https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/05/15/10Wb4n4SQbYYgjfhfxwi2isG8ZGIm8sC.jpg --- # Ekmel Özbay > A Turkish scientist who has conducted academic research in the fields of nanotechnology, photonics, and metamaterials and has made scientific contributions in these areas. ## KURE Information Cards ### KURE Information Card: Prof. Dr. Ekmel Özbay - Academician ![image (2).jpg](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/05/15/5YYLCasHhoiJudS7u3BYDJ75yM7yhxGT.jpg) | Field | Value | |-------|-------| | Research Areas | Quantum Optics,GaN-based Semiconductor Devices,Optoelectronics,Metamaterials,Photonics,Nanotechnology | | Place of Birth | Ankara, Türkiye | ## Article Content Prof. Dr. [Ekmel Özbay](/en/detay/ekmel-ozbay-cf84d/llms.txt) is an academic who conducts research in the fields of [physics](/en/detay/engineering-b8177/llms.txt) and [electrical and electronics engineering](/en/detay/electrical-and-electronics-engineering-5cf6a/llms.txt). His research areas include nanophotonics, metamaterials, photonic crystals, semiconductor lasers, and optoelectronic systems operating in the terahertz frequency range. Özbay continues his academic work at the Departments of Physics and Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Bilkent University. Additionally, he carries out experimental and applied research under the umbrella of the **Nanotechnology Research Center (NANOTAM)** established within the university. #### **Education and Academic Career** Ekmel Özbay, born in Ankara in 1966, graduated from the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at **Middle East Technical University** in 1987. He earned his master’s degree (1989) and doctorate (1992) from **Stanford University**. He continued his postdoctoral research at the same university and conducted research activities between 1993 and 1995 at the **Ames National Laboratory**, affiliated with the U.S. Department of Energy. In 1995, he joined **Bilkent University** as a faculty member and currently serves as a professor in both the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering and the Department of Physics. In addition, he: - is the founder and director of **NANOTAM (Bilkent National Nanotechnology Research Center)**. - directs **BİLUZAY (Bilkent Space Technologies and Research Center)**. These centers aim to strengthen the infrastructure for advanced technology research in Türkiye. ![Image](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/05/15/umKUZgNKmh1gKrlTMnQ6lgrDEm67QrF8.jpg) *Photo of Ekmel Özbay (TUBA)* #### **Research Areas** Prof. Dr. Özbay’s research encompasses the following areas: - **Nanophotonics and Metamaterials:** Development of artificial materials with properties not found in nature, designed to control electromagnetic waves. - **GaN-based electronic and optoelectronic devices:** Light-emitting diodes, lasers, and high-frequency electronic components. - **Photonic crystals, MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems), ultrafast optical phenomena, and quantum optics.** Throughout his career, he has published over 400 papers indexed in the **SCI**, which have received more than 15,000 citations. He has also delivered over 150 invited talks at international conferences. #### **Awards and Memberships** Prof. Dr. Özbay has received numerous national and international awards: - 1997 – TÜBİTAK Science Award - 1997 – Adolf Lomb Medal, Optical Society of America - 1998 – Sedat Simavi Science Award - 2005 – European Union Descartes Science Award - 2006 – TÜBİTAK Science Award (Basic Sciences) - 2024 – ODTÜ Parlar Foundation Science Award In 2001, he was elected a full member of the **Türkiye Bilimler Akademisi (TÜBA)**. ![Image](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/05/04/K26s9WMZrvAYc4QwZDKUbAzvsGyZdcU0.jpg) *Ekmel Özbay receiving the EU Descartes Science Award (TUBA)* #### **Personal Life** Prof. Dr. Ekmel Özbay is married and the father of six children. In addition to his scientific work, he is actively engaged in promoting the dissemination of scientific knowledge to the public and involving young researchers in the research process. Özbay is a prominent figure in Türkiye’s academic community through his research in [nanotechnology](/en/detay/nanoteknoloji-b9afd/llms.txt), photonics, and metamaterials. His contributions are regarded as exemplary in advancing both fundamental science and the development of Türkiye’s research infrastructure. ## Academic Sources and References 5. Cubukcu, Ekmel Ozbay, et al. “Subwavelength Resolution in the Visible Spectrum Using a Metal–Dielectric Multilayer.” \*Physical Review Letters\* 91, no. 20 (2003): 207401. https://cubukcu.ucsd.edu/Cubukcu\_Lab-UCSD/Publications\_files/prl2003.pdf. 6. Ozbay, Ekmel, et al. “Extraordinary Optical Transmission through Subwavelength Hole Arrays.” \*Science\* 310, no. 5756 (2005): 1914–1916. https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.1114849. 7. Ozbay, Ekmel, et al. “Split Ring Resonator Structures: Negative Permeability and Left-Handed Materials.” \*New Journal of Physics\* 7 (2005): 168. https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1367-2630/7/1/168/pdf. 8. Türkiye Bilimler of Sciences (TÜBA). "Prof. Dr. Ekmel Özbay." Accessed May 14, 2025. https://www.tuba.gov.tr/tr/uyeler/tum-uyeler/asli-uyeler/ekmel-ozbay. 9. Türkiye Bilimsel and Technological Research Council (TÜBİTAK). "Fotonik ve Nanoteknoloji: Işığın Sınırlarını Zorlayan Bilim." \*Bilim ve Teknik Dergisi\*, no. 558 (January 2020): 31–37. https://services.tubitak.gov.tr/edergi/yazi.pdf?dergiKodu=4&cilt=40&sayi=558&sayfa=31&yaziid=23027.