Research

Our group is interested in exploring the forefront of science through a fundamental understanding of novel phenomena centered around light-matter interactions. Leveraging our understanding of the underlying physics, we have been collaborating with researchers from different fields, from medicine to computer science, to translate our scientific discoveries into technologies that could make a difference in the world. Fundamental science and technology development could foster each other. Our research could be driven by either curiosity for science or needs for solving a important problem with societal impacts. Either way, we can learn a lot in this process.

Ultra-high-quality (Q) whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) optical resonators are an ideal platform for exploring light-matter interactions. They play an important role in our research and have led to multiple exciting projects in our group. We have utilized high-Q WGM to explore various interesting phenomena associated with non-Hermitian physics and develop novel devices/systems with advanced functionalities and superior performances for different applications, including lasing, nonlinear optics, optomechanics, sensing, and spectroscopy, just to name a few.

Our interests in light-matter interactions in nano/microscale structures also inspire us to explore other relevant directions, including integrated photonics s, AI in photonics, and quantum photonics. Recent advancements in the field of integrated photonics have boosted the development of various chip-scale photonic devices, enabling advanced system integration to implement complex tasks. Leveraging the advantages of integrated photonics, we are exploring opportunities for novel light sources, quantum computing, quantum sensing, and advanced spectroscopy. The intricate nature of light signals from advanced photonic systems motivates our collaboration with experts in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). Together we aim to develop advanced photonic devices co-designed with machine-learning models for specific applications, enhancing overall performance. Below are examples of projects explored in our group.