November 14, 2022
A schematic of a new type of integrated Pockels laser, developed by a team of researchers led by Qiang Lin, which has the “potential to reshape the landscape of integrated photonics.” (Drawing by Mingxiao Li)
Dear members of the Hajim School community,
How do you integrate the advantages of a benchtop laser that fills a room onto a semiconductor chip the size of a fingernail?
A research team co-led by Qiang Lin, a professor of electrical and computer engineering, has set new milestones in addressing this challenge, with the first multi-color integrated Pockels laser that:
- Emits high-coherence light at telecommunication wavelengths.
- Allows laser-frequency tuning at record speeds.
- Is the first narrow linewidth laser with fast configurability at the visible band.
The technology, described in Nature Communications, “has the potential to reshape the landscape of integrated photonics,” write co-lead authors Mingxiao Li, a former PhD student in Lin’s Laboratory for Nanophotonics, and Lin Chang, a former postdoctoral student at University of California/Santa Barbara.
The discovery will pave the way for new applications of integrated semiconductor lasers in LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) remote sensing that is used, for example, in self-driving cars. The technology could also lead to advances in microwave photonics, atomic physics, and AR/VR. Learn more.
BEST PAPER NOMINATIONS
Papers by Hajim computer science students addressing timely topics received best paper nominations at major conferences recently, reports Ehsan Hoque, associate professor of computer science.
Congratulations to PhD student Kurtis Haut, lead author on both papers—Assistive Video Filters for People with Parkinson’s Disease to Remove Tremors and Adjust Voice, presented at the 10th International Conference on Affective Computing and Intelligent Interaction (ACII), and Systematic Feature Isolation for Bias Research Using Deepfakes, presented at the 30th ACM International Conference on Multimedia (ACM MM).
More than half of the coauthors on these papers are current or former undergraduates. They are Adira Blumenthal, Sarah Atterbury, and Emanuela Natali on the first paper, and Victor Antony, Aidan Goldfarb, Dillanie Sumanthiran, Melissa Welsh, and Caleb Wohn on the second.
“I have been very impressed with the quality of undergraduate students and the commitment of our graduate students to mentor them,” Ehsan says. Congratulations as well to coauthors M. Rafayet Ali, Wasifur Rahman, and Xiaofei Zhou, all current or former graduate students.
OUTSTANDING STUDENT
Sameer Jain ’23 is a Rochester Early Medical Scholar who enjoys competing with the University of Rochester Club Ultimate Frisbee team and performing with the University’s Chamber Orchestra.
Sameer Jain ’23 was recognized this year as the “Outstanding Junior” in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. He is also a Rochester Early Medical Scholar, one of a select few chosen for the most competitive combined degree program at Rochester.
Sameer has enjoyed undergraduate research experiences with top researchers at both the River Campus and Medical Center. Despite the rigors of pursuing an engineering degree, he has also managed to find time to attend twice weekly recitals and perform in concerts as a trumpeter for the University’s Chamber Orchestra. He has also played on the Club Ultimate Frisbee team all four years.
What motivates Sameer to not only excel as a student, but dedicate himself to serving others? And by doing so, to exemplify the Meliora (ever better) values of our University? Find the answers here.
WOMEN IN GAMES
Students interested in video games, storytelling, art, and music are invited to meet women leaders in the video game industry at a small-group, private luncheon from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Thursday, Nov. 17 at the Strong National Museum of Play in downtown Rochester. The luncheon, presented by the museum and RIT, is part of a Women in Games event that also includes a separate panel discussion and micro presentations that evening. Tickets are $35 for the luncheon and $16 for the evening presentation.
AR/VR/XR ON DISPLAY
Twenty Hajim School faculty members and students will demonstrate augmented, virtual, and extended reality (AR/VR/XR) projects at RIT’s 7th annual Frameless XR Symposium from 1-5 p.m. this Friday, Nov.18 at the MAGIC Spell Studios SoundStage.
The projects include:
- A BachDuet interactive web program that enables users to jam with a deep learning model trained on Bach chorales.
- A VR alchemical laboratory based on real 17th century text from the Rossell Hope Robbins Library.
- An AR system to boost participation and productivity in group meetings.
- Even a virtual craft shop using a VR headset that allows users to create their own shoe designs.
This is a great opportunity to sample the exciting work being done at our University and RIT in this growing field. Participation is free. Find descriptions and members of each of the projects here.
WHICH MAJOR IS BEST FOR YOU?
Are you a current or prospective student considering an academic path in engineering or computer science? Check out the Full Spectrum series of online lectures from faculty members describing each of our programs, the kinds of research and challenges members of the field engage in, and the paths they took to become an engineer or computer scientist. Join host Nick Valentino, assistant director of undergraduate studies, for our first installment, a conversation with Paul Funkenbusch, associate dean and professor, about mechanical engineering on Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram.
MEET A GRAND CHALLENGES SCHOLAR
Our Grand Challenges Scholars (GCS) program invites undergraduates to pick one of 14 “grand challenges” of the 21st century, identified by the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). Students then tailor their academic experiences to address the challenge they’ve chosen, engaging in five key competencies: research, entrepreneurship, interdisciplinary studies, global experience, and service.
You can talk in person with three of our Grand Challenges Scholars at the iZone this week. Hesham Elshafey of electrical and computer engineering will describe his experiences from 1 to 3 p.m. today, again this Thursday, and next Monday as well. You can talk with Abbey Kampel of biomedical engineering from 3 to 4:30 p.m. tomorrow and with Danielle Getz of chemical engineering from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday.
Have great week!
Your dean,
Wendi Heinzelman
