Faculty in Photonics

Robert L. Byer
Professor of Applied Physics
Director, Hansen Experimental Physics Laboratory

Advanced laser concepts, diode pumped solid state lasers, nonlinear materials and devices, parametric oscillators. Applications include gravity wave interferometry, remote sensing, quantum optics, optical frequency synthesis.

Stephen E. Harris
Professor of Electrical Engineering and Applied Physics
Barbara and Kenneth Oshman Chair in Electrical Engineering

Our group has two projects: 1) The first is aimed at the synthesis of single-cycle optical wave forms, and more generally at the synthesis of optical waveforms of arbitrary shape. This is done by using a Raman source that has approximately four octaves of optical bandwidth. 2) We are interested in synthesizing the quantum waveforms of spontaneously emitted and entangled biphotons. As an example, one may generate entangled photons that have opposing chirps, and then use group velocity dispersion at either wavelength to make ultra-short, and in effect, high power photons.

Mark J. Schnitzer
Assistant Professor of Applied Physics and of Biological Sciences

Research in our lab focuses on the innovation and application of micro-optical and nonlinear optical imaging techniques for studying biophysical dynamics of neurons in live mammals. Recently we developed laser-scanning fluorescence micro-endoscopes, which we have used to obtain unprecedented micron-scale views of neurons in brain areas that were previously inaccessible in live animals. We are now extending our imaging approaches towards monitoring neuronal activity, in conjunction with electrophysiological methods. The aim is to connect biophysical variables, such as neuronal ion concentrations and membrane voltages, with simple sensory stimuli that may be delivered to a living animal. We are also constructing endoscopes for monitoring brain activity in freely moving animals. Such approaches are allowing us to study brain dynamics that may underlie aspects of mammalian behavior.

James S. Harris
James and Ellenor Chesebrough Professor of Engineering
Professor of Applied Physics by Courtesy
Professor of Materials Science and Engineering by Courtesy

Molecular Beam Epitaxy, Solid State Device Physics and Modeling. Dr. Harris researches molecular beam epitaxy of III-V compound semiconductor electronic and optoelectronic materials. He also creates new electronic devices utilizing heterojunctions, superlattices, and quantum wells, including three-dimensional electronic devices and circuits.

Lambertus Hesselink
Professor of Electrical Engineering
Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics by Courtesy
Professor of Applied Physics by Courtesy

Professor Hesselink's research encompasses fundamental research on optics, photonics and optical materials guided by significant applications.   We are focusing on ultra-high performance nano-photonics devices based on a new class of nano-apertures that provide more than 1,000,000 times the optical power throughput of conventional round or square apertures. These apertures form the basis of new applications in many areas of nano-photonics,  including, but not limited to, optical data storage, biophysics, and spectroscopy. In addition we are continuing to further develop digital holographic storage, which we pioneered in 1994.  Currently holographic storage is one of two premier candidates for the next generation of DVD devices.  We also carry out materials research needed to advance the performance of these devices, or to increase our understanding of biological media using a holistic system approach. Currently we are studying the interaction between ultra-fast laser beams and biological tissue.  All device and system research is supported by an extensive effort on exact modeliing of underlying fundamental physical principles.

David A.B. Miller
W.M. Keck Foundation Professor of Electrical Engineering
Professor of Applied Physics by Courtesy
Director, E.L. Ginzton Laboratory
Director, Solid State and Photonics Laboratory

Use of optics in switching, interconnection, computing and sensing systems. Dense optical interconnection to silicon electronics. Physics and applications of quantum well and nanophotonic optics and optoelectronics. Fundamental features and limits for optics in communications and information processing.

W. E. Moerner
Harry S. Mosher Professor of Chemistry
Professor of Applied Physics by Courtesy

Research in the Moerner laboratory focuses on optical detection and imaging of individual molecules, which may be regarded as nanoscale probes of complex condensed matter systems ~1 nm in size. When one molecule is selected by laser pumping, the light emitted from that molecule can be used as a reporter of local energetics, polarity, orientation, symmetry, coupling to nearby molecules, and position, with the ability to sense these variables as a function of time to explore dynamics. These ideas are applied to understand matter on the nanoscale in a range of biological, crystalline, and polymeric systems. The Moerner laboratory has also been developing nanometallic antennas to improve the interaction between molecules and light, with the goal of producing a new and highly efficient near-field optical scanning microscope with resolution near 20 nm. Finally, we have recently developed a new kind of trap for nanoscale objects in solution which overcomes the deleterious effects of Brownian motion. Because this trap does not rely on optical forces like laser tweezers, far smaller objects can be trapped for extended observation, down to individual proteins ~10 nm in size, without the requirement for surface attachment.

Stephen Quake
Professor of Bioengineering
Professor of Applied Physics by Courtesy
Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Quake's interests lie at the nexus of physics, biology and biotechnology. Over the past half decade, he has focused on understanding the basic physics and biological applications of microfluidic technology. His group pioneered the development of Microfluidic Large Scale Integration (LSI), demonstrating the first integrated microfluidic devices with thousands of mechanical valves. This technology is helping to pave the way for large scale automation of biology at the nanoliter scale, and he and his students have been exploring applications of "lab on a chip" technology in functional genomics, genetic analysis, and protein design. Throughout his career, Quake has also been active in the field of single molecule biophysics; he has focused on precision measurements on single molecules, and in 2003 his group demonstrated the first successful single molecule DNA sequencing experiments.

Thomas M. Baer
Consulting Professor of Applied Physics

Gordon S. Kino
W.M. Keck Foundation Emeritus Professor of Electrical Engineering
Emeritus Professor of Applied Physics by Courtesy

Nondestructive testing, optical, acoustic, and photo acoustic microscopy; fiber optics; fiber-optic modulators, and fiber optic sensors.

Calvin F. Quate
Leland T. Edwards Emeritus Professor (Research) of Engineering
Emeritus Professor (Research) of Electrical Engineering
Emeritus Professor (Research) of Applied Physics

The dominant theme of our research over the past decade has been the development and application of Scanning Probes Microscopes. We use MEMS technology and micromachining to fabricate various form of cantilevers with integrated sensors and actuators. These instruments are capable of resolving atomic structure when operating in a vacuum, but primarily they are used in ambient atmosphere to image nanoscale structures. In our current program we are using these instruments to fabricate nanoscale devices. In a parallel theme we are employing these tools to study properties of biological molecules.