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Research Interests and Expertise

Optoelectronics and Photonics:  Design, fabrication and characterization of VCSELs, LEDs, LDs, EDFA & Raman Amplifiers, and Solar-energy harvesting devices; High-power and short-pulse lasers

Optical Communication Networks: Physical layer, architecture and simulations, and test-beds; Networks for Smart- and Micro-Grids, e-Healthcare & Cyber Physical Systems

Integrated Photonics and Optoelectronic Materials: Semiconductors III-V (GaAs/AlGaAs, GaN/AlGaN/InGaN),Waveguides (Silica and specialty fibers, doped glasses and ceramics, TGG, and ), Magnetooptic and GMR material thin films etc.

Employment Summary

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte: Professor of Physics and Optical Science, UNC Charlotte, NC, USA, 2004-present

Other Roles: Adjunct Professor, Electrical & Computer Engineering, UNC Charlotte, 2011-present
Chair Undergraduate Committee Dept. of Physics and Optical Science (Current)
Graduate Program Coordinator/Director Dept. of Physics and Optical Sc. (1999-2001)

Leadership Advisory Activities:

Co-founder and General Chair of the Annual International Conference HONET-ICT, 2004-Present

Member International Advisory Board National University of Science & Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan

Adviser Research Development at NILOP, Islamabad, PK

Previous Positions at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte:
Associate Professor, Department of Physics and Optical Science, 1996-2004
Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, 1990-1996
Electronics Division, PINSTECH, Islamabad, Pakistan:
Principal Scientific Officer, Laser Group, January 1990—July 1990

University of New Mexico, Center for High Technology:

Sr. Research Associate, Electrical Engineering Dept., University of New Mexico, Albuquerque NM., USA,1988-1989

Doctoral Research Assistant, Electrical Engineering Dept., University of New Mexico, Albuquerque NM., USA,1984-1989

(Prior to PhD) Worked at Electronics Division, PINSTECH, Islamabad, PK:
Sr. Scientific Officer, Laser Group, April 1979—December 1983
Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan. Research Fellow, M. Phil, Department of Physics, 1976-1979

Academic Activity & Leadership – University of North Carolina

o Published over 170 papers; delivered 50 invited talks in recent years and obtained/filed 8 patents/inventions; supervised 42 students including 30 graduate dissertation/theses (23 MS, 8 PhD), 5 (non-thesis) MS, and 6 BS honors projects; and served on 90+ theses/dissertation committees; chaired/served on program committees as well as several search and hiring committees; organized 12 international conferences, several workshops, symposia and panels.

o Established research in Photonic Devices, Components and Sub-systems involving Design, fabrication and characterization of  LEDs for Solid-state lighting; Design and study of Er:Yb co-doped fiber and Raman Amplifiers, ultra-broadband optical amplifiers (C-band and L-band EDFAs); Nanophotonic devices e.g., VCSELs photonic structures. Solar Energy Harvesting Materials and Devices

o Also expanded the R&D to include Optical Networks and Application to Smart- and Microgrids from the perspective of architecture, design, simulations, deployment and test-beds; Optical Access Networks based on TDM & WDM PON; Study of high-speed transmission impairments due to nonlinear phenomena; e-Healthcare and ICT-Network Applications

o Developed and Taught courses in Optical Communications, Optical Materials, and Integrated Nanophotonics, and various core courses in Physics & Optical Science; also led the committees to revise and update several courses especially during past 5 years.

o Served as graduate program director for 2 years and initiated efforts for establishing new Center for Optoelectronics and Optical Communications, and also concurrently served on committee to launch new MS and PhD programs in “optical science and engineering”.

o Also in past decade served on program committees to establish new college (College of IT- now college of computing & informatics) and new PhD program (ECE with optoelectronics, microelectronics, and computer engineering tracks).

Education

  • Ph.D., Optical Physics (Optoelectronics), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA
  • M. Phil., Laser Physics, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
  • M. Sc. (BS Honor), Physics, University of Islamabad, Pakistan
  • B. Sc. (BS Assoc.), Physics & Math. Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan

Recent & Sample Publications

  • B. Hussain, B. Kucukgok, M. Y. A. Raja, B. Klein, N. Lu, and I. T. Ferguson, “Is ZnO as a Universal Semiconductor material an oxymoron?”, Invited Paper, Proc. of SPIE Vol. 8987 898718-1 (2014)
  • N. Kudsieh, M. Khizar, and M. Y. A. Raja, “A novel method for the thermal analysis of GaN/AlGaN back-illuminated high power UV LEDs”, Mater. Res. Express; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/2053-1591/1/2/025004 (2014)
  • A. H. Syed, K. Kazi, and M. Y. A. Raja, “State-full Bandwidth Allocation (SBA) for High-fan-out Networks”, Proc. of 19th IEEE ISCC (Int’l. Symp. Comp. & Communications), July 23-26 (2014)
  • M. A. Ehsan, M. Khizar, M. Y. A. Raja and D. Mei, “Numerical analysis of a-Si/c-Si1-xGex/c-Si heterostructures based on Si and Ge thin film solar cells”, AJSE, Dec._2013 {Ms. No. AJSE-D-13-02157R1}
  • M. Asghar, K. Mahmood, I. T. Ferguson. M. Y. A. Raja, Y.H. Xie, R Tsu and M-A Hasan “Investigation of VO–Zni native donor complex in MBE grown bulk ZnO”, Semicond. Sci. Technol. 28 (2013) 105019 (5pp): doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0268-1242/28/10/105019
  • Z. Feng, D. Zhang, K. Zhan, X. Shao, and M. Y. A. Raja, “The influence of structural/shape anisotropy in 2-D photonic crystals”, Physica B 422 (2013), pp.6–11
  • B. Hussain, M. Nawaz, M. Ahmed and M. Y. A. Raja, “Measurement of thickness and refractive index using femtosecond and terahertz pulses”, Laser Phys. Lett. 10 (2013) 055301 (6pp); doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1612-2011/10/5/055301
  • B. Hussain, T. Muhammad, M. Rehan, H. Aman, M. Aslam, M. Ikram, and M. Y. A. Raja, “Fast Processing of Optical Fringe Movement in Displacement Sensors without Using an ADC”, Photonic Sensors, (2013) pp. 1-5, doi: 10.1007/s13320-013-0088-5
  • N. Kudsieh, M. Khizar, and M. Y. A. Raja, “Thermal Modeling of Specialty Heat-sinks for Low-cost COP Packaging for High-power LEDs”, Proc. IEEE Xplore (2013), pp. 087-091; doi: 10.1109/HONET.2012.6421441
  • A. Haider, K. Kazi, and M. Y. A. Raja, “High fan-out optical network for high performance standalone applications: HF-PON”, Proc. IEEE Xplore (2013), pp. 087-091; doi: 10.1109/HONET.2012.6421474
  • S. Ahmed, A. Abdullah, and M. Y. A. Raja, “Cyber Security: Vulnerabilities and Solutions for Telemedicine over Cloud Architectures”, ‘Communications in Computer and Information Science (CCIS)’, Springer Computer Science Ser., Vol. 0293, pp.197-207 (2012)
  • M. A. Hashmi, K. Mahmood, A. Ali, M. Hasan, M. Y. A. Raja, I Hussain, and M. Willander, “Role of Zn-Interstitial Defect in the Ultraviolet Emission from ZnO”, ECS Transactions, Vol. 35, Issue #6 pp. 149-154, (2011)
  • A. Mahmood, E. Andrade, S. Muhl, M. Khizar, and M. Y. A. Raja, “Surface analysis of GeC prepared by reactive pulsed laser deposition technique”, Current Applied Physics, 11 (2010), pp. 547-550; doi: 10.1016/j.cap.2010.09.011
  • K. Ahmad, Y. Cao, N. G. Naeini, M. Y. A. Raja, and S. Qazi, “Raman Amplification in Fiber Optic Networks using Multiwavelength Pumps”, SPIE Proc. Photonics North Vol. 5577-5579, pp-493 (Nov.
    16, 2004); doi:10.1117/12.567603) (2005)
  • N. Ghani, A. Shami, C. Assi, M. Y. A. Raja, “Intra-ONU Bandwidth Scheduling in Ethernet Passive  Optical Networks”, IEEE Comm. Lett. Vol. 8, No 11, 633-635 (2004)
  • A. S. Aldwayyan, H. Al-qahtani, M. Alsalhi and M. Y. A. Raja, “Characteristics of GaAs/AlGaAs Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers Irradiated with Gamma-rays”, Opt. Eng.  Vol., no.9, pp.  2004
  • K. Croussore, M. Y. A.  Raja, and D. C. Kilper, “Polarization Resolved Intensity Noise in Erbium-Ytterbium Co-doped Fiber Lasers”, J. Opt. Soc. Am. B Vol. 21, no. 5 pp. 865 ( 2004)
  • S. K. Arabasi and M. Y. A. Raja, “Design and simulations of a dynamic polarization mode dispersion compensator for long-haul optical networks”, Optics Express, Vol. 11, no. 10, pp.1166-1174 (2003), http://www.opticsexpress.org
  • P. I. Woody, M. Y. A. Raja, and M. F. Shone, “Lasing Properties of Nd:YVO4 Crystals Based on Growth-Axes”, SPIE  Proc. Photonics North (2002)
  • M. Y. A. Raja, M. Yousaf, and D. Allen, “In Search of Photon’s Elementary Axial Magnetostatic Field”, Appl. Phys. B, Vol.64, 79(1997)
  • W. N. Sisk, K-S Kang, M. Y. A. Raja, and F. Farahi, “Matrix and Donor/Acceptor Dependence of Polymer dispersed Pyrromethene Dye Photoconductivity” Int. J. Optoelectronics Vol.10, 95(1995).
  • M. Y. A. Raja, D. Allen, and W. Sisk, Room-Temperature Inverse Faraday Effect in Terbium Gallium Garnet”, Appl. Phys. Lett. Vol.  67, 2123 (1995).
  • M. R. Feldman, J.E. Morris, I. Turlik, G. Adema,  M. Y. A. Raja, “Holographic Optical Interconnect for VLSI Multichip Modules”, IEEE Trans. Components, Packaging, and Manufacturing Technol. pt. B Vol. 17, 223,(1994).
  • M. Y. A. Raja, S. R. J. Brueck, M. O. Scully, and C. Lee, “Resonant Periodic Gain Surface-Emitting Semiconductor Lasers and Correlated-Emission in a Ring-Cavity”, Phys. Rev. A, Vol. 44, 4599(1991)
  • D. L. McDaniel Jr., J. G. McInerney, M. Y. A. Raja, C.F. Schaus, and S. R. J. Brueck, “Vertical Cavity Surface-Emitting Semiconductor Laser with CW Injection Laser Pumping” IEEE Photon. Technol. Lett. Vol.  2, 156, (1990)
  • M. Y. A. Raja, D. W. Reicher, S. R. J. Brueck, J. R.  McNeil, and D. E.  Oates, “High-Sensitivity Surface-Phototacoustic Spectroscopy”, Opt. Lett., Vol. 15, 66 (1990).
  • C.F. Schaus, M. Y. A. Raja, J. G. McInerney, H. E. Schaus, S. Sun, M. Mahbobzadeh, and S.R.J. Brueck, “High Efficiency CW Operation of MOCVD-Grown GaAs/AlGaAs Vertical-Cavity Lasers with Resonant Periodic Gain,”, Electron. Lett., Vol. 25, 637 (1989).
  • M. Y. A. Raja, S.R.J. Brueck, M. Osinski, C.F. Schaus, J.G. McInerney, T. M. Brennan, and B. E. Hammons, “Resonant Periodic Gain Surface-Emitting Semiconductor Laser”, IEEE J. Quantum Electron. Vol. QE-25, 1500 (1989).
  • M. Y. A. Raja, S. R. J. Brueck, M. Osinski, C.F. Schaus, J.G. McInerney, T. M. Brennan, and  B. E. Hammons, “Surface-Emitting, Multiple Quantum Well GaAs/AlGaAs Laser with Wavelength-Resonant Periodic Gain Medium”,  Appl. Phys. Lett., Vol. 53, 1678 (1988).
  • M. Y. A. Raja,  S. R. J. Brueck, M. Osinski, C.F. Schaus, J. G. McInerney, T. M. Brennan, and B. E. Hammons, “Novel Wavelength-Resonant Optoelectronic Structure and its Application to Surface-Emitting Semiconductor Laser”, Electron. Lett., Vol. 24, 1140 (1988).

Books and Book Chapters

Book(S):

  • “Nanotechnology for Telecommunications”, co-edited, Published in June. 2010 (Nanotechnology and Energy Series, Taylor & Francis Group/CRC Press)

Book Chapters:

  • A. H. Syed, M. Y. A. Raja, and K. Kazi,“Communication Infrastructures in Access Networks”-35pages, Book Chapter IGI Global Book, Communication Infrastructures for Cloud Computing: Design and
    Applications, September (2013)
  • M. Khizar and M. Y. A. Raja, “Nanostructured Optoelectronic Materials for Short Lambda Devices”, CRC Handbook (Nanotechnology for Telecommunications) ISBN: 9781420053258, (June 2010)
  • K. Acharya and M. Y. A. Raja, “Nanophotonics for Emerging Optical Networks”, CRC Handbook (Nanotechnology for Telecommunications) ISBN: 9781420053258, (June 2010)
  • M. Y. A. Raja and M. Khizar, “Physics of Nanophotonics: Principles, Materials and Fabrication Processes, and Emerging Applications” Proc. Phys in Developing Countries (Int’l Seminar on Physics in Developing Countries: Past, Present and Future, Jul 27-28, 2005),  (2006)
  • N. Ghani, Z. Zhang, and M. Y. A. Raja, “Passive Optical Networks: Next-Generation Ultra-Broadband Access”, chapter in “Optical Communication Annual Reviews” Published by IEC (International Engineering Consortium, 2004)
  • M. Y. A. Raja, “Evolution of Optical Networks Architecture”, book Chapter in “The Handbook of Optical Networks”, Electrical Engineering Handbook Series Vol. 30.,  (CRC,  April 14, 2003)
  • M. Y. A. Raja and M. Ilyas, “Optical Transport Networks-A physical layer perspective”, book Chapter in “ The Handbook of Optical Networks”, Electrical Engineering Handbook Series Vol. 30.,(CRC, April 14, 2003).

Patents:

  • Invention Disclosure UNC Charlotte: “High Fan-out 100GB/S Coherent PON for High Performance Standalone Applications”, Provisional No. 61,658,027 (June 2012)
  • Invention Disclosure UNC Charlotte: “High-Power Interconnected Micro-Emitter Array Flip-Chip Light Emitting Devices (LEDs & Lasers)” (Techniques, Devices and Process Design) ”, IR# 08-030 (Oct. 2007)
  • Invention Disclosure UNC Charlotte: “A Novel Method and Process of FWM Suppression for DWDM and WDM Optical Transmission Links of Arbitrary Length and Type (Technique and Apparatus Design) ”, (Sept. 2006)
  • Invention Disclosure UNC Charlotte: “Dynamic Polarization Mode Dispersion Compensator (Technique and Apparatus Design) ”, (Nov. 2001)
  • US. Patent No. 5,920,390: “Fiber-optic Interferometer and Associated Method for analyzing Tissue”, Joint with Drs. R. Splinter & F.   Farahi; (July 1999).
  • Invention Disclosure UNC Charlotte: “Novel Design for Ultra-Short Pulse VCSELs”, (1998) ( provisional)
  • Invention Disclosure UNC Charlotte:, “Ultra-short Laser Pulse Generator”, (July 28, 1995)
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,881,236: “Wavelength Resonant Surface-Emitting Semiconductor Laser (VCSEL)”, Joint with Brueck et. al. (Nov. 1989)

Honors and Achievements

  • Invented Surface-Emitting RPG Lasers (now known as VCSELs)
  • Authored/Co-authored over 170 Research Articles and Book Chapters
  • Founded and Established International Conference HONET-ICT.ORG
  • Merit Scholarship Holder (Pakistan) and 4.0 Graduate GPA, UNM

Quick Links to:

  • Academic Curriculum Vitae
  • Short Biography
  • Recent Courses  (Graduate and Undergraduate)
  • Int’l Conference Series HONET Site: http://honet-ict.org
  • List of Current and Former Graduate Students
  • Visiting Scholars and Senior Research Associates