(All articles cited in this section are listed in the publications section)
Our current research is multi-faceted. We are engaged in research in magneto-optic nanoparticles’ characterization to developing systems with engineered diffusers and actively controlled tunable optics. The following is a brief walk-through of our current and recent research activities.
Quasi-Random Optics
Engineered diffusers (EDs) are microlens array surfaces which scatter light in a quasi-deterministic angular behavior. EDs are very attractive mostly for incoherent optical applications such as lighting. We are investigating the properties of diffusely scattered light produced with EDs. Toward this goal, we have studied the collimation properties [2, 14] the magnification properties [1, 15], and the interference properties [9] of light produced with commercial EDs. We are currently studying the polarization scrambling by EDs and quantifying this loss of polarization when perfectly polarized coherent light beams pass through commercial EDs.
Actively Controlled Optical Metrological Systems
We are developing novel bulk motion-free measurement systems via a deployment of actively controlled optics. Some of our works have been published and presented in top OSA and IEEE journals and conferences. This includes development of motion-free interferometers [6, 7, 17, 18], tunable collimators [5, 19], and surface radius profilers [1, 15].
Diffuse Computational Imaging (Collaborative work with UW-Madison)
This is a continuation of Dr. Reza’s work as a Research Scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison before he joined RHIT as a full-time faculty member. Our latest paper [3] appears here.
Ophthalmic Testing with AI Systems (Collaboration with Innovations Foresight)
This is a collaboration with innovations foresight where we explore the use of AI-based wavefront sensing to determine the wavefront aberrations in a human eye. We are developing a proof-of-concept working testbench in phase 1 on this research. Our collaborative effort is described here.
Magneto-optic Characterization of Super-Paramagnetic Nanoparticles (RHIT Collaboration)
Cancer hyperthermia therapy widely uses intravenously injected super paramagnetic nanoparticles which are excited with a time-harmonic external magnetic field. The magneto-optic behavior of these nanoparticles can provide cues about their efficacy and use cases for this and other similar applications. We are developing different measurement schemes for the characterization of these nanoparticles – especially their nonlinear response to applied time-harmonic magnetic fields. Please click here for more details on our collaborative activities on this topic.