Our research is focused on developing optoelectronic and integrated photonics solutions in the mid-infrared (mid-IR, λ ≈ 2.5-30 µm) and terahertz (THz, λ ≈ 30-300 µm) spectral regions. These spectral regions host numerous well-established applications, such as vibrational spectroscopy and microscopy, chemical and biomedical imaging and sensing, free-space communications, terahertz imaging and many others. However, most of the present-day mid-IR and THz instrumentation relies on thermal sources or bulky nonlinear optics systems, mechanical devices for beam modulation and control, and free-space optical setups. We work to facilitate the transition of these bulky systems to compact solid-state systems based on widely-tunable electrically-pumped semiconductor light sources, fiber-optics, and integrated photonics platforms. We also exploit opportunities offered by the new mid-IR and THz photonics technologies for applications.

Many of the devices that we create are based on the concepts of engineered electron quantum states in semiconductors, plasmonics, nonlinear optics, metamaterials, and 2D materials. These concepts are particularly useful in the mid-IR and THz spectral range owing to relaxed fabrication tolerances, low loss of metals, controllable plasmonic and nonlinear optical properties of semiconductors and 2D materials, and our ability to engineer intersubband transitions in semiconductor heterostructures. A combination of novel science, important applications, and the current rudimental state of mid-IR and THz photonics technology (compared to that in near-infrared and visible) provides a fruitful environment for high-impact research.

Please refer to the Research section for the list of current research projects in the Chair.