Controlling Ultrafast Laser–Matter Interactions for Precision Optics and Integrated Photonics
Jie QiaoRochester Institute of Technology
Abstract
Ultrafast lasers enable highly localized energy deposition through nonlinear absorption. I will present advances in understanding and control of ultrafast laser–matter interactions through numerical modeling and experimental investigation. Models describing pulse propagation, free-electron-density evolution, and temperature accumulation are validated through laser ablation, waveguide inscription, and laser welding. These insights guide the deterministic fabrication of freeform optics, sub-nanometer optical surface finishing, correction of mid-spatial-frequency surface errors, and monolithic fabrication and integration of waveguide lasers and frequency converters. These studies demonstrate how controlling ultrafast laser–matter interactions enables precision fabrication of next-generation optical and photonic systems.
Jie Qiao is an Associate Professor at the Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). Her experience in optics, lasers, and laser applications spans industry and academia. Before joining RIT in 2013, she was a scientist at the University of Rochester’s Laboratory for Laser Energetics. There, she led the demonstration and implementation of an interferometric grating-phasing technique for a coherently phased 1.5-meter tiled diffraction grating compressor. This work overcame a key aperture-scaling barrier in high-energy chirped-pulse amplification and enabled the kilojoule, petawatt OMEGA EP laser capability.
At RIT, her research focuses on ultrafast-laser-enabled optical fabrication and integrated photonics. Her research has pioneered advances in nanometer-precision femtosecond-laser figuring, sub-nanometer optical polishing, deterministic freeform optics fabrication, and frequency-converted monolithic waveguide laser systems in dissimilar optical materials. She also leads intelligent ultrafast laser processing for precision optical fabrication and integrated photonics at RIT as part of the NSF Regional Innovation Engine STELLAR. She is a Fellow of Optica and a Fellow of the Laser Institute
Parking and locationThe talk will be held at UR River Campus, Goergen 101. Parking is available in the lot across the street in Intercampus Drive Lot, and is free for talk attendees (no pass needed).
