Compound Semiconductor Seminar - Mingxiao Li

Robert Mehrabian College of Engineering

Compound Semiconductors: Electronics, Photonics & Quantum Seminar

Mingxiao Li, Postdoctoral Researcher

Bowers Group

Heterogeneously-Integrated Lasers on Thin Film Lithium Niobate

Abstract: The quest for a fully integrated photonic system including optical gain, low-loss waveguides, and active control, has been a long-standing challenge in photonics. In this talk, I will present a breakthrough in heterogeneous platform that seamlessly unites III-V semiconductor gain with the superior electro-optic properties of thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN). This integration enables the creation of high-performance lasers with unprecedented functionality directly on a chip, opening a direct path to intracavity modulation, a function typically requiring bulky external components. This inherent capability is a foundational advancement, paving the way for compact, robust, and multifunctional systems for applications in coherent communications, quantum photonics, and ultrafast metrology. Our work marks a significant leap toward the ultimate goal of complete photonic system integration.

Bio: Mingxiao Li received his Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering from University of Rochester in 2022. His current research focuses on integrated photonics applications utilizing III-V, lithium niobate-on-insulator, and silicon/silicon nitride platforms. Over the past six years, he has published more than twenty peer-reviewed journal articles, garnering over 2,500 citations.