Speakers

PHOTONIC TERAHERTZ WAVE GENERATION WITH INTERFEROMETRIC PHASE STABILIZATION: FROM OPTICAL DOMAIN TO COHERENT THZ LINK

Photomixing on a uni-traveling-carrier photodiode (UTC-PD) is a promising approach for generating coherent terahertz (THz) waves for 6G wireless links. However, phase drift in the optical fiber path degrades the THz carrier and prevents coherent modulation. In this paper, a backward-pilot interferometric feedback system is demonstrated for a photomixing-based 300 GHz source. The feedback suppresses optical path-length drift by 51 dB at 0.59 Hz, and a corresponding 65.2 dB improvement in THz-domain phase noise at 100 Hz offset is confirmed. A research roadmap from the demonstrated phase-stable source toward BPSK and QPSK coherent THz wireless links is presented.

BIOGRAPHY

Amalina Athira Ibrahim received her B.Sc. in Physics from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Johor Bahru, in 2016, and her M.Phil. in Optical Communication from Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT), UTM Kuala Lumpur, in 2020, under the supervision of Prof. Osamu Mikami and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sumiaty Ambran, where her research focused on self-written waveguide-based exposed core fiber for optical sensing applications. She received her Ph.D. from the Graduate School of Information Science and Electrical Engineering, Kyushu University, Japan, in 2023, under the supervision of Prof. Kazutoshi Kato, specializing in photonic phase stabilization for terahertz wave generation and modulation. She received the 2023 Excellent Student Award from the IEEE Fukuoka Section. She is currently a Researcher at the Terahertz Technology Research Center, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), Koganei, Tokyo, Japan. Her research focuses on continuous-wave terahertz source development based on photomixing and interferometric phase stabilization for beyond-5G wireless communications.  

FSO LOMMEL BEAM 2-INDEXED SPATIAL MULTIPLEXING

The attained capacity gains through OAM-based spatial degrees of freedom in free space optical (FSO) systems establish a strong precedent for achieving similar spectral-efficient multiplexing with Lommel beams. While the orthogonality of OAM beams enables spatial multiplexing through distinct topological charges, their diffractive nature limit the performance over long distances. In contrast, Lommel beams--a class of non-diffractive and self-healing optical fields, extend the advantages of OAM-based multiplexing by offering improved structural stability and energy confinement under turbulent conditions. Although Lommel beams have shown theoretical potential for robust optical communications, to the best of our knowledge, this work presents the first investigation to leverage both the asymmetry parameter and topological charge of Lommel beams for spatial multiplexing. Experimental results confirm that both beam parameters can serve as independent channels for effective data multiplexing. Moreover, low-topological-order and low asymmetry Lommel beams exhibit the optimal balance between energy confinement and turbulence resilience, highlighting their suitability for high-capacity, turbulence tolerant FSO systems.

BIOGRAPHY

Professor Ts. Dr. Angela Amphawan received her PhD in optical communications from University of Oxford, UK. She then won the prestigious Fulbright Award to work on optical devices and networks at the Research Laboratory of Electronics and MIT Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. She currently leads the Photonics Laboratory at Sunway University. Before joining Sunway University, she was Deputy Vice Chancellor of University Malaysia of Computer Science & Engineering, and previously, Director of the Optical Technology Research Laboratory at Universiti Utara Malaysia. Prior to that, she lectured at Multimedia University and served as Computing Officer at University of Oxford, UK. She is currently on the National 5G Task Force for development of 5G infrastructure. She also serves on the IEEE Joint Sensor and Nanotechnology Councils. In addition, she is on the Editorial Board of the APL Photonics Journal under the American Institute of Physics and several other international journals. In addition, she has served as Co-Chair, Technical Program Committee and International Scientific Committee for numerous international conferences. She has given keynote addresses at several Fulbright and IEEE events. She has won the International Academic Award by the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, several Excellent Service Awards, Teaching Awards, Best Paper Awards and exhibition medals. She is also a recipient of the distinguished Telekom Malaysia scholarship. Her research has been funded by the Fulbright Foundation, Telekom Malaysia and Ministry of Higher Education. 

VISIBLE LIGHT LASERS AND INTEGRATED PHOTONICS FOR EMERGING APPLICATIONS

BIOGRAPHY

Prof. Dr. Chao Shen is a professor at College of Future Information Technology, Fudan University (Shanghai, China). He has authored 150+ peer-reviewed publications in the fields of semiconductor optoelectronics devices, GaN laser diodes, micro-LED, photonics integrated circuit (PIC), optical interconnect, visible light communications, and underwater wireless optical communications. Dr. Shen has served as a TPC member and invited speaker in many IEEE, Optica, and SPIE conferences. His work has been featured by over 40 global media, including Optics & Photonics News, IEEE Spectrum, Compound Semiconductor, SPIE Newsroom, EE Times Europe, Semiconductor Today, IET E&T, LaserFocusWorld, etc. He is the recipient of 2022 Okawa Foundation Research Grant. He is the co-director of Shanghai Engineering Research Center and the PI for 6G photonic device lab, which is developing next-generation photonics for high-speed communications and integrated optical systems. Dr. Shen received his PhD in Electrical Engineering from KACST-KAUST-UCSB SSLP program and his BSc in Materials Physics from Fudan. 

POLARIZATION-ENGINEERED SINGLE-QUBIT PHASE S GATE USING SI3N4 RACETRACK RING RESONATORA

In this paper, a micro-ring resonator (MRR) based quantum Phase-S gate has been proposed. The energy efficient, ultra-high speed, and compact nature of MRR devices are essential for optical computing. Finite difference time domain (FDTD) approach is used to implement the Phase-S gate. The design leverages the polarization-dependent coupling characteristics of the MRR to achieve precise phase alteration between different state of polarization (SOP). By introducing a controllable polarization rotator (PR) within the ring cavity, the device imparts a fixed /2 phase shift between quantum states, effectively realizing the S gate operation within a single MRR. Simulation results demonstrate highly efficient change in quantum states utilizing different SOP.

BIOGRAPHY

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gaurav Kumar Bharti obtained his Ph.D. in Photonics from the National Institute of Technology Agartala, India, in 2020, and later served as an Institute Postdoctoral Fellow at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (2020–2021). He has authored over 50 publications with more than 600 citations (h-index 17) and was listed among the world’s top 2% scientists in 2023 (Stanford University, Scopus data). His research interests include Photonics, Optical Sensors, Quantum Computing, Cyber-Physical Systems, and Nonlinear Optics, with contributions spanning postgraduate supervision, publications, patents, and funded research and consultancy projects exceeding INR 50 Lakhs. Dr. Bharti is active in professional bodies such as IEEE, OPTICA, and SPIE, holding leadership roles including Executive Member of IEEE Madhya Pradesh Section and founding multiple award-winning IEEE student branches. He has received several recognitions, including the Transformative Researcher of the Year Award (2022), Rising Researcher of the Year Award (2026), and Best IEEE Chapter Advisor Award (2022–23), along with national fellowships and a visiting professorship in Turkey (2022–23). He previously served as an Assistant Professor at IIIT Bhopal (2023–2025), where he established advanced research laboratories, and is widely recognized as an educator, researcher, and mentor. 

AI INFRASTRUCTURE AS A DRIVER FOR PHOTONICS INTEGRATED CIRCUIT (PICS) WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure is reshaping the role of photonic integrated circuits (PICs) and accelerating demand for a skilled photonics workforce. Silicon photonics has become a critical technology for scaling AI systems, enabling high-bandwidth optical interconnects, energy-efficient data movement, and tightly integrated photonic-electronic architectures. As a result, test and measurement expertise is increasingly essential for engineers entering the photonics and semiconductor workforce.This talk presents core optical fundamentals—loss, coherence, interference, and polarization—through the lens of AI driven applications such as optical interconnects, photonic electronic integration, and emerging photonic computing architectures. Industry standard approaches for silicon photonics test and measurement are discussed, with an emphasis on characterizing on chip building blocks including grating/edge couplers, waveguides, delay lines, ring resonators, and Mach Zehnder interferometers. Hands on measurement approaches are highlighted as essential tools for PIC teaching and workforce development, bridging academic fundamentals with real world AI infrastructure challenges

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. John Dorighi is a photonics application engineer at Keysight Technologies with over two decades of experience in optical and high-speed digital communication. He earned his B.S. in Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder, followed by M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Engineering from Northwestern University, where his doctoral research advanced the development, modeling, and characterization of fiber optic sensors for materials testing.  His current position at Keysight is to collaborate with leading university laboratories to pioneer new applications in photonics.  Focus areas include photonic integrated circuits (PICs), quantum communication, and optical 6G wireless.  John is a member of IEEE, and has held engineering roles at Hewlett-Packard, Agilent Technologies, and Keysight Technologies since 1999, enabling customers to advance next generation optical networks across multiple industry transitions. 

TUNABLE LASERS AND THEIR APPLICATION IN FREQUENCY SCANNING INTERFEROMETRY

Tunable lasers play a critical role in many optical sensing and metrology applications due to their ability to provide precise and continuous wavelength control. In particular, tunable external cavity diode lasers are widely used because of their narrow linewidth and large tuning range. Achieving wide mode-hop-free (MHF) tuning is essential for interferometric measurements, since abrupt mode transitions introduce phase discontinuities that degrade measurement accuracy. To address this challenge, a grating-free external cavity laser architecture has been developed in which an etalon replaces the diffraction grating for wavelength selection. By synchronizing the cavity resonance with the etalon transmission peak through a pivot-point-free tuning mechanism, the system enables stable phase-continuous tuning over a large spectral range. Further improvements in the external cavity configuration provide enhanced wavelength stability and more controllable tuning performance. Building on this tunable laser platform, we develop a wideband swept laser source capable of large-range mode-hop-free frequency scanning. Such sources are particularly useful for Frequency Scanning Interferometry (FSI), a technique widely used for high-precision absolute distance measurements. To support this application, we also developed a cost-effective FPGA-based real-time data acquisition system optimized for FSI. The system employs a 160-MS/s, 16-bit dual-channel ADC interfaced to a Xilinx 7-series FPGA via LVDS and incorporates an external K-clock to ensure sampling at equal optical frequency intervals, significantly improving distance reconstruction accuracy. For long-distance FSI measurements, target vibrations can introduce significant phase errors during the frequency sweep. To improve measurement robustness, we further investigate dual-frequency sweeping techniques, where two optical frequencies sweep simultaneously in opposite directions. Using four-wave mixing in nonlinear waveguides, a synchronized pair of symmetric frequency sweeps can be generated from a single tunable source. The combination of wideband tunable lasers, FPGA-based real-time acquisition, and dual-frequency swept sources provides a promising approach for realizing robust and high-precision interferometric distance measurements in practical environments.

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Kang Li is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of South Wales, specializing in photonics and optical engineering. He holds a PhD in Optics from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (2007) and a BSc in Optoelectronics from Changchun University of Science and Technology (2002). With over 20 years of research experience, his expertise includes integrated photonics, optical communications, semiconductor waveguides, wavelength conversion, and laser technologies. He has contributed to UK and EU-funded projects exceeding £2 million, supported by EPSRC, ERDF, Innovate UK, and industry partners such as Airbus and Renishaw. Dr. Li has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers in leading journals and actively collaborates with academia and industry. His work focuses on advancing integrated photonic systems for telecommunications and sensing. He is a member of OPTICA and the Institute of Physics (MInstP).

LIGHT–MATTER INTERACTIONS IN POLAR QUANTUM SYSTEMS

Polar quantum systems, including molecules, asymmetric nanostructures, and engineered quantum emitters, offer light–matter interaction mechanisms that are absent in the inversion-symmetric systems most often considered in quantum and nonlinear optics. Their permanent electric dipole moments are usually regarded as producing only static energy shifts. In strong optical fields, however, these moments can actively reshape coherent dynamics, optical response, and radiative emission. In this talk, I will discuss how broken inversion symmetry can be used as a resource for photonic functionality. A central example is Rabi population transfer between quantum states carrying different permanent dipoles. In such systems, coherent population oscillations generate an additional time-dependent dipole moment that radiates at the Rabi frequency. Since this frequency is controlled by the driving field, polar quantum systems provide a route toward all-optically tunable coherent radiation, potentially spanning spectral ranges that are difficult to access with conventional photonic sources. Permanent dipoles also modify the scaling of light–matter coupling itself. While the interaction strength in non-polar systems is typically proportional to the electric-field amplitude, strongly driven polar systems may enter regimes governed by field-dependent effective parameters and non-standard coupling laws. These effects suggest new strategies for controlling emission spectra, suppressing or enhancing radiative transitions, and achieving robust coherent dynamics even under spatially inhomogeneous excitation. The talk will connect these concepts to possible photonic applications, including tunable low-frequency emitters and quantum optical control in polar materials, optical lattices, or superconducting circuits.

BIOGRAPHY

Karolina Słowik is a professor at the Institute of Physics, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland, and head of the Quantum Nano-Optics Theory Group. Her research lies at the interface of  quantum optics, nanophotonics, and light–matter interactions in engineered environments. She develops theoretical approaches to  describe and control quantum emitters, atomic and molecular systems, and low-dimensional materials coupled to structured photonic fields. Her work addresses fundamental aspects of quantum electrodynamics as well as emerging photonic platforms for quantum technologies. She previously held postdoctoral positions at Friedrich Schiller University Jena and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany..

SEVERAL PERSPECTIVES ON OPTICAL TRANSFER TECHNOLOGIES IN SHORT REACH APPLICATIONS

Generally, optical fiber technologies have largely replaced metallic cables in several areas to reduce network costs and improve network performance. This is due to the superior attributes of optical fibers such as lower loss, wider capacity, smaller cross section, lighter weight, EMI immunity, greater flexibility, and enhanced security. Consequently, longer span networks e.g. nationwide, submarine, and mid-span one, e.g. metro and access networks have already been penetrated by optical fiber technologies. In addition to those application, shorter span areas have also been adopting optical solutions - in building, home, DC, inside of equipment, in-vehicle applications, even though they use wired (optical fiber) or wireless (FSO: free space optics) connections. This article first outlines current trends of short reach areas focusing on optical technology related several standardization activities. It also discusses the star coupler, a key optical device to create 1 x n networks, and the FSO by introducing recent research activities of authors.

BIOGRAPHY

Prof. Dr. Kimio Oguchi received his B.E. and M.E. in Applied Physics (1978, 1980) and a Doctor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering (1995) from Nagoya University, Japan. He joined NTT in 1980, where he led R&D in fiber-optic systems, including pioneering passive optical LAN, early PON prototypes, and multi-band WDM systems, while contributing to ITU-T standardization (SG13, SG15). In 2004, he moved to academia as a Full Professor at Seikei University, focusing on photonic and sensor-based networks. Since 2019, he has been a Project Professor at NTUST, Taiwan. He has also held industry roles, including Director at SAXA Holdings (2015–2019), and currently serves as an outside director at TAMA-TLO Ltd. He has played key roles in international conferences, notably as a founding member of OECC, and remains active in FOAN and IEICE collaborations. His research interests include photonic networks, cyber-physical systems, sensor networks, and content distribution.

ORGANIC PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR CELLS: FROM THEORY TO LAB TESTING AND MANUFACTURING

To quickly eliminate the major problems caused by fossil-fuel energy consumption, solutions are being sought in green energy, especially fully green options. Given that solar energy is the largest source of energy reaching Earth (1000 W/m²), there is a desire to develop solar panels that achieve higher solar energy conversion efficiency while also being environmentally friendly, meaning they are fully green energy sources. Within this category of photovoltaic panels, there are panels based on organic solar cells (OSC), dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC), and perovskite cells. Advances in research on these photovoltaic alternatives make it possible to soon overcome the limitations of classic silicon solar cells. Among these alternative technologies, organic solar cells have the significant advantage of being able to be deposited on large and thin surfaces (such as PET films) using the roll-to-roll printing method, environmentally friendly organic compounds with simple syntheses and reduced costs, easy and quick recycling, easy installation and maintenance, as well as the deposition of thin layers that allow them to be mounted on windows with the property of letting some sunlight into the room. This presentation will outline the essential points of the manufacturing, testing, and improvement processes for these photovoltaic panels. This presentation is built on my 8 years of experience in this field, since the commissioning of the first and only research laboratory in this field in Romania. 

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Lorant Andras Szolga is an Associate Professor at the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Romania, serving in the Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications, and Information Technology. After earning his PhD from the same institution in 2012, he dedicated his career to advancing engineering education and cutting-edge research. His primary expertise spans optoelectronic sensors for biomedical and industrial applications, electronic circuit design, and photovoltaic energy. An accomplished researcher, Dr. Szolga has managed multiple national projects focused on green energy platforms and advanced optical technologies. He also plays a vital role in international academic mobility, coordinating prestigious Erasmus Mundus programs such as EMIMEO and EMIMEP. With an impressive publication record including numerous high-impact Q1 and Q2 journal articles, he frequently serves the global scientific community as an invited speaker, reviewer, and technical committee member.

BACTERIAL IDENTIFICATION VIA ORAL SALIVA USING COMBINED ANALYSIS THROUGH PHOTON COUNTING SPECTROSCOPY

This research presents a method for detecting caries-causing bacteria and classifying dental caries stages with ultra-sensitive, highly specific detection of Streptococcus mutans. The approach integrates Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET), photon counting spectroscopy, and chemometric analysis within a single optical system, enabling non-invasive, saliva-based detection and quantification of bacteria via optical fingerprinting. The method involves preparing a saliva sample containing single-stranded bacterial DNA, then mixing it with a carbon quantum dot and a gold nanoparticle, each conjugated with a single-stranded DNA probe derived from a conserved gene sequence of caries-causing bacteria. Hybridization with complementary bacterial DNA forms double-stranded DNA, producing a measurable FRET emission that is converted into a spectral graph and analyzed to detect and quantify the target bacteria.

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DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERISATION OF A MULTIFUNCTIONAL FIBRE-OPTIC DAYLIGHTING SYSTEM FOR MICROALGAE CULTIVATION AND BIFACIAL PHOTOVOLTAIC ENHANCEMENT 

Conventional Fibre Optic Daylighting Systems (FODS) are primarily confined to indoor daylighting applications, with limited exploration in other sustainable industries where efficient light distribution remains a major challenge. In microalgae cultivation, conventional systems commonly suffer from self-shading effects and poor light penetration, while rear-side photovoltaic enhancement remains largely dependent on passive illumination approaches with limited irradiance control. Therefore, this study developed and characterised a solar-tracking multifunctional Fibre Optic Daylighting System (FODS) for daylighting, open-pond microalgae cultivation, and rear-side photovoltaic enhancement applications The study further demonstrates the novel application of FODS in multiscale open-pond microalgae cultivation and rear-facing photovoltaic enhancement through systematic investigations on cultivation scale, fibre transmitter quantity, and solar irradiance using a low-cost experimental framework. Overall, the findings establish the practical potential of fibre-guided solar illumination systems for future sustainable daylight harvesting, biological cultivation, and photovoltaic enhancement applications, contributing toward more energy-efficient, land-efficient, and sustainable renewable energy industries.

BIOGRAPHY

Dr Mohd Zamani Zulkifli is an Associate Professor at the  Department of Physics, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), specializing in fiber laser, fiber optic sensors technologies, photonics systems,  optical instrumentation, and smart sensing applications. He was once awarded the European Union Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship at Aston Institute of Photonics Technologies, Aston University. He has been publishing more than 130 ISI cited journals, having an H-index of  22. His expertise includes the development of embedded  photonic sensing systems, optical monitoring technologies, vibration sensing, and machine learning-assisted photonics measurements. He has extensive experience in leading national and international research projects related to fiber optic sensing technologies and real-world photonics applications. 

HIGH-POWER LASER AND ITS ROLE IN REVOLUTIONARY ADDITIVE MATERIAL PROCESSING

High-power laser technology has become a key driver in advancing additive manufacturing (AM), enabling precise, efficient, and flexible material processing. Unlike conventional manufacturing, laser-based AM techniques build components layer by layer, allowing the fabrication of complex geometries with controlled microstructures and enhanced material properties. Processes such as Directed Energy Deposition (DED) and Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) rely on high ऊर्ज density lasers to melt and solidify materials rapidly. This results in improved mechanical strength, reduced porosity, and refined grain structures. The interplay between laser parameters-such as power, scanning speed, and beam quality-and material characteristics is critical in determining the performance of the final component. High-power laser systems are compatible with a wide range of engineering materials, including titanium alloys, stainless steel, and nickel-based superalloys, making them highly relevant for aerospace, biomedical, and energy applications. In addition, the integration of real-time monitoring systems, such as optical and spectroscopic sensors, enhances process stability and supports defect detection, moving towards intelligent manufacturing. Hybrid manufacturing approaches, combining additive and subtractive techniques, further improve dimensional accuracy and surface quality. Moreover, the development of compact and field-deployable laser systems enables on-site repair and maintenance, expanding industrial applications.

BIOGRAPHY

Muhammad Safwan Abd Aziz is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), and currently serves as the Director of the Ibnu Sina Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research (ISI-SIR). He obtained his PhD in Physics from UTM and has established an active research career in laser and material physics, photonics, optical sensing, nanomaterials, and advanced manufacturing. He was also a Visiting Research Fellow at Loughborough University, United Kingdom, where he strengthened international research collaboration in advanced laser processing and manufacturing. Dr. Safwan has led numerous nationally and internationally funded research projects while fostering strategic collaborations with universities, research institutions, and industry partners across the region. His research has resulted in high-impact scientific publications, invited keynote lectures, editorial appointments, and international recognition in the fields of photonics and laser technology. He is also actively involved in professional bodies, including OPTICA, IEEE, the IEEE Photonics Society, and the Malaysian Optical and Laser Technology Society. Beyond research, Dr. Safwan is committed to nurturing future researchers through postgraduate supervision, curriculum development, and interdisciplinary education. As Director of ISI-SIR, he champions scientific excellence, innovation, and industrial collaboration by strengthening multidisciplinary research ecosystems, advancing translational research, and promoting impactful partnerships that contribute to sustainable technological development and societal well-being in Malaysia and beyond.

FROM RING TO HYBRID STAR-RING: ENHANCING RESILIENCE IN WDM-PON ACCESS NETWORKS

Optical access networks are expected to provide high service availability while supporting increasing traffic demands. However, maintaining network performance during fibre cuts and equipment failures remains a challenge. This talk discusses the design of a hybrid star-ring WDM-PON architecture aimed at improving network resilience without excessive infrastructure redundancy. The proposed approach combines topology-level protection with wavelength scheduling and network selection mechanisms to support service continuity under failure conditions. Selected simulation results will be presented to illustrate the impact of different failure scenarios on throughput, delay, jitter and recovery performance. The talk concludes with observations on the trade-offs between resilience, QoS and implementation complexity, as well as future research directions for optical access networks. 

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Nadiatulhuda Zulkifli is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Engineering at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), where she leads the Lightwave Communication Research Group. She received her PhD in Engineering from the University of Essex, UK, with a focus on dispersion-optimized resource allocation in all-optical networks. Her research expertise lies in optical communication and networking, particularly passive optical networks (PON), including GPON and TWDM-PON, dynamic bandwidth allocation, and performance optimization of next-generation optical access networks. Her work also encompasses optical network security, fault monitoring and localization, and the integration of optical and wireless access networks, with emphasis on energy efficiency and network resiliency. More recently, she has explored the use of machine learning techniques for anomaly detection and intelligent network management in optical systems. Dr. Nadiatulhuda has authored over 45 ISI/Scopus-indexed journal papers and more than 30 conference publications, and has been actively involved in various research projects. She is a Professional Engineer registered with the Board of Engineers Malaysia and has supervised numerous PhD and Master’s students in optical communication and networking. 

OPTOFLUIDIC SENSOR FOR IRON DETECTION BASED ON INLINE FABRY–PEROT INTERFEROMETER

An inline Fabry–Perot interferometer (FPI)-based optofluidic sensor is demonstrated for iron detection in aqueous solution. The fiber structure consists of two fluidic channels across the fiber core, manufactured by using laser ablation with a femtosecond laser followed by chemical etching with buffered oxide etch (BOE) etchant. Following that, the FPI structure is functionalized with deferoxamine (DFO) that has strong affinity with iron ions. In the investigation, the FPI structure shows a linear sensitivity of 10.176 nm/ppm to the test analytes with different iron ion concentrations (0.1–0.5 ppm) and a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.0485 ppm. The proposed sensor is a potential candidate for in situ water testing and real-time monitoring of water quality, particularly for ground water applications. 

BIOGRAPHY

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Noran Azizan Cholan is currently an Associate Professor with the Faculty of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia. He received the bachelor’s degree from Universiti Tenaga Nasional in 2002, the master’s degree from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in 2004, and the Ph.D. degree from Universiti Putra Malaysia in 2014. Prior to his current role, he completed visiting research attachments at the Swansea University, U.K. and the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, collaborating with international experts to advance research in fiber laser and optical communication. He also held a visiting research appointment at the Telekom Malaysia for conducting applied research in Malaysia’s industry sector. He has authored over 87 ISI/Scopus-indexed journal papers and conference publications. He has been reviewers for many impact factor journals. His research interests include lasers, amplifiers, optics modelling, microwave optics, optical sensors and water quality parameters. 

TRITTER-BASED MULTIPARTITE W-STATE QUANTUM COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

The design and implementation of a multipartite quantum system that utilizes a 3D integrated optical tritter (3×3) directional coupler) as a foundational hardware element to analyze, filter, and distribute multipartite 𝑊-states. Traditional multiport systems rely on complex cascades of conventional 2×2 beam splitters and phase shifters, which compromise scalability and phase stability. By exploiting the intrinsic Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) properties and Cyclic Shift Symmetry (CSS) of a symmetrical tritter, we propose an elegant, ultra-stable architecture for a three-party 𝑊-state analyzer and an associated Multi-Party Measurement-Device-Independent Quantum Key Distribution (MDI-QKD) network

EVATEC SOLUTIONS IN PHOTONICS AND CO-PACKAGED OPTICS

Evatec AG, a global leader in thin-film technology with over 80 years of heritage, delivers comprehensive production solutions for the semiconductor and photonics markets. As the demand for high-bandwidth, energy-efficient data communication drives the convergence of electronics and photonics, Evatec provides the critical process technologies required for next-generation devices, including co-packaged optics (CPO). Evatec's portfolio of evaporation, sputtering, etch, PECVD, and PEALD platforms, equipped with advanced process control, enables the precise deposition of functional thin films for applications ranging from precision optical filters to advanced wafer-level packaging. This expertise is essential for manufacturing the complex optical interfaces that define CPO performance, where low-loss waveguides, high-reflectivity mirrors, and anti-reflective coatings are key enablers.For universities and R&D institutions focused on rapid innovation, the Evatec Competence Lab (ECL) offers an ideal entry point. The ECL is a state-of-the-art ISO4-capable facility equipped with over 30 deposition tools and advanced characterization methods. It provides collaborative coating services, enabling partners to engage in new process development, material testing, and small-volume sampling. This service bridges the gap from early-stage R&D to pilot production, accelerating the path from concept to prototype in photonics and co-packaged optics. By offering flexible access to industrial-grade deposition capabilities, the ECL empowers academic and research groups to validate novel designs without the need for large capital investment.

BIOGRAPHY

Patrick Liu graduated from National University of Singapore and holds a Master’s Degree in Material Science and Engineering. He joined Evatec Singapore as Application Specialist and later as Customer Service Manager for Evatec China. He is now the Technical Marketing Manager responsible for sales and marketing activities in South-East Asia region for PVD/PECVD/ALD/Etch based in Singapore. 

EVALUATING THE TEMPERATURE PROFILE AND PLASMA STABILITY OF INTEGRATED CATALYST-DIELECTRIC BEADS USING FBG SENSING

Non-thermal plasma (NTP) coupled with catalysts is an effective method for enhancing gas conversion processes, such as dry reforming of methane (DRM). However, traditional physical mixing of catalyst beads with  dielectrics reduces the  packed bed’s dielectric constant, limiting plasma power and stability. This study investigates the plasma stability and thermal behavior of integrated catalyst-dielectric beads in a packed-bed reactor to preserve dielectric integrity while  providing active catalytic sites. The materials were prepared using magnetron sputtering to deposit Nickel (Ni) and Silicon Carbide (SiC) onto beads. To expose the underlying Ni for gas conversion, Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) was employed to create cavities within the outer SiC layer. Real-time temperature monitoring of pure , -Ni, -Ni-SiC, and the cavity-patterned -Ni-SiC configurations was conducted using Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG-OSA). Results demonstrated that both the coated and cavity-patterned beads successfully maintained plasma stability within the operational range. Maximum temperatures reached  for ,  for -Ni,  for -Ni-SiC, and  for the cavity-patterned -Ni-SiC. This integrated coating approach, combined with laser-patterned cavities to expose active catalytic sites, offers a viable alternative for improving conversion efficiency and stability in plasma-catalytic reactors by overcoming the electrical limitations of physical mixing.

BIOGRAPHY

Associate Professor Dr. Raja Kamarulzaman Raja Ibrahim is a physicist based at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). He holds a BSc from UTM, an MSc in Optoelectronics from the University of Southampton, and a PhD from The University of Manchester, where he specialized in mid-infrared diagnostic analysis in plasma processes. His current research bridges non-thermal plasma technology and spectroscopy. Specifically, his work targets real-time plasma monitoring, the development of new catalysts for efficient hydrogen production through methane dry reforming while mitigating coke and NOx emissions, and the advancement of low-temperature laser-induced breakdown spectrometers for liquid and organic elemental analysis. 

LOW-FREQUENCY VIBRATION SENSING USING POLYDIMETHYLSILOXANE-COATED FIBER BRAGG GRATING

This research investigates the performance of bare and PDMS-coated Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors for vibration sensing applications, focusing on their sensitivity, stability and frequency response ranging from 1 Hz to 5 Hz. The bare FBG sensor, demonstrating stable and linear wavelength shifts at lower frequencies while the PDMS-coated FBG sensor showed improved stability and reduced optical power loss across the same frequency range, with minimal wavelength shifts. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the PDMS-coated sensor had a higher sensitivity (0.01 nm/Hz) compared to the bare FBG sensor (0.002 nm/Hz), making it more reliable for high-frequency applications.

BIOGRAPHY

Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Sumiaty Ambran is currently a fixed-term Associate Professor at Tokyo City University, Japan. She began her academic journey with a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics Telecommunication Engineering in 2005 from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, followed by a Master’s degree from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) in 2008. Her deep interest in optoelectronics led her to pursue and complete a Ph.D. at the renowned Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC), University of Southampton, United Kingdom, in 2013. She is a registered Professional Engineer (PEng) with the Board of Engineers Malaysia and a Chartered Engineer (CEng) with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), United Kingdom. With over 20 years of experience in academia and professional practice, she actively contributes to teaching, research, and consultancy. Her research interests include planar integrated optical devices, optical sensors, optical interconnects, rare-earth-doped devices, and optical amplifiers. Dr. Sumiaty has published widely in peer-reviewed journals and presented her work at various national and international platforms. She has led and contributed to numerous national research projects and consultation activities. Notably, she serves as a senior consultant and subject matter expert for strategic initiatives with agencies such as the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Malaysian Technical Standards Forum Bhd (MTSFB), particularly in developing technology roadmaps and certification frameworks for the communications sector.

TEMPORAL AND POLARIZATION MODULATION USING TITANIUM CARBIDE MXENE COATED SIDE POLISHED FIBER

The saturable absorption and thermo-optic effect in Titanium Carbide MXene, Ti3C2Tx coated on a side-polished fiber (SPF), enabled by evanescent field interaction, are responsible for temporal and polarization modulation, respectively. The temporal modulator exhibits a repetition rate ranging from 53.19 kHz to 133.40 kHz, while polarization modulation achieves azimuth rotation of 74.62°.

BIOGRAPHY

AP. Ir. Dr. Tan Sin Jin is currently serving as Programme Leader of Bachelor of Electrical and Electronics Engineering in School of Engineering, University of Wollongong Malaysia. She began her career in the semiconductor industry, where she gained hands-on engineering experience. Motivated by a passion for education and research, she later transitioned into academia to contribute to engineering education, research, and innovation. She is a Professional Engineer registered with Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) and Member of the Institution of Engineers Malaysia (MIEM). Her research interest focuses on photonics, optical sensing and signal processing. She also serves as journal editor and reviewer, upholding the quality and integrity of scholarly publication. She is also passionate about mentoring and student development, promoting critical thinking, sustainable engineering practices, and lifelong learning.

REAL-TIME SEISMIC MONITORING SYSTEM USING FIBRE BRAGG GRATING (FBG) BASED GEOPHONE

Seismic monitoring is widely applied to detect and interpret ground motion. Conventional electrical geophones are prone to electromagnetic interference (EMI), have limited multiplexing capability and may be unsafe in explosive environments. This paper presents a real-time monitoring system using an FBG-based geophone with a simple rectangular cantilever. The resonant frequency of the FBG-based geophone is 25 Hz and the sensitivity is 169.75 pm/g. Frequency spectra closely matched a conventional geophone, confirming low-frequency signal capture. The sensor was integrated into a real-time interface with raw seismic signal with its corresponding FFT display, GPS and video logging. 

BIOGRAPHY

Vorathin Epin is a Lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (UTP), Malaysia. He holds a Ph.D. in Instrumentation and Control Engineering and a Bachelor of Engineering (Hons.) in Mechanical Engineering from Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP). He was the recipient of the UMP Postgraduate Research Award at the 16th UMP Convocation Ceremony. He is a registered Professional Engineer with the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) and serves as a Youth Editorial Board Member of the Journal of Pipeline Science and Engineering. He has also been invited as a speaker at several international conferences and industry events. His research expertise focuses on fibre optic sensing technologies particularly fibre Bragg grating (FBG) sensors. He has published over 20 WoS-indexed journal papers, holds three granted patents with one additional patent filed and has secured more than RM 2 million in research funding. His notable projects include structural monitoring of the Penang Second Bridge and multiple oil and gas projects in collaboration with TotalEnergies and PETRONAS.

ANALYSIS OF INPUT TAPER BETWEEN WAVEGUIDE AND 2D PHOTONIC INTEGRATED CIRCUIT

In this work, a taper coupler is designed to improve mode coupling into a photonic integrated circuit (PIC). The proposed 2D PIC structure consists of an input bus waveguide, a two-channel demultiplexer, a back reflector, a drop filter and an output drop waveguide. The taper coupler is integrated with the input bus waveguide to reduce the mode mismatch and coupling loss between the strip waveguide and the 2D PC structure. Three different geometrical cross-sections of the taper coupler are designed to assess their effect on coupling performance. A taperless 2D PIC structure, used as a reference, has high insertion loss, low transmission efficiency, and mode mismatch. The proposed 2D PIC structure with an input taper coupler was proven to enhance mode confinement and transmission efficiency.

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. V. R. Balaji is an Associate Professor in the School of Electronics Engineering at VIT Chennai and is affiliated with the Centre for Healthcare Advancement, Innovation and Research (CHAIR). He received his Ph.D. in Optical Communication from Anna University, Chennai, in 2018. He completed his M.E. in Optical Communication from Alagappa Chettiar Government College of Engineering and Technology in 2010 and his B.E. in Electronics and Communication Engineering from MNSK College of Engineering in 2008. His research focuses on photonic integrated circuits, Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors, photonic crystal devices, optical communication systems, and healthcare sensing technologies. His work aims at developing advanced photonic solutions for next-generation communication networks, environmental monitoring, and physiological health monitoring. Dr. Balaji has received research funding from the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Government of India, and VIT SEED for projects in silicon photonics and optical sensing. He has published more than 57 research papers, conference articles, and book chapters in the areas of integrated photonics, optical communications, and sensor technologies. An active researcher and mentor, Dr. Balaji continues to contribute to the advancement of photonic technologies through interdisciplinary research, funded projects, and collaborations with academic and research institutions.

DEVELOPING SEMICONDUCTOR RANDOM LASERS FOR EMBEDMENT IN OPTICAL FIBER TECHNOLOGY

Random lasing or an open cavity laser system utilises nanostructures to sustain the light long enough for amplification and lasing to occur by manipulating the refractive index of the structures. Engineering these structures to confine the light has led to achieving lasing without the need of conventional mirrors. Fabricating the gain medium at reduced dimensionality (sub-micron scale) makes it appealing for small scale devices. Ideally, low-cost illumination sources with high brightness and low spatial coherence are preferred for imaging of biological tissues, hence, random lasers are good candidates due to its low spatial coherence. However, current random lasers for this application by utilising optical fibres utilise dyes as a gain medium. The major drawback is dye degradation and photobleaching which means that the dye gain medium can only be used once and must be replaced at each excitation. In addition, existing fibre based random lasers commonly operate in the spectral range of ~1-2 microns that cannot provide a resolution good enough for bio-imaging. To overcome this technological limitation, a stable and sustainable gain medium emitting in the UV wavelength is key. Since 2017, we have identified a promising candidate as a UV random laser gain medium by utilising zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures. The lasing threshold as low as 0.07 W/cm2 which was two orders of magnitude less than for laser dyes. The main challenge is its high threshold since it is an open cavity system. One proven method of reducing the lasing threshold was achieved by designing the ZnO random laser with specific dimensions and doping with Aluminium. To utilize the random lasing emission in current bio-imaging systems, it is also crucial to develop fibre based random lasers. A fibre based random laser designed within the UV range is most beneficial as biosensors. This talk will highlight ZnO random laser characteristics with and without doping, its capability as a nanosensor and the experiments recently carried out towards implementing a fibre based random laser using ZnO as the gain medium. Observation of stable emission and differences on threshold behaviour that is dependent on ZnO morphology will be discussed. In addition, investigation on tuneable random lasers will also be included.

BIOGRAPHY

Wan Maryam Wan Ahmad Kamil is the Director at the Industry Network Office, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) tasks with managing networks and engagement between USM and the industry. Specifically for the next 5 years, a special focus is set on strengthening USM’s position within the semiconductor industry and preparing future ready talents in line with the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS) under the National Industry Master Plan (NIMP 2030). Dr Wan Maryam is also an Associate Professor at the School of Physics, USM and prior to this was the head of Applied and Engineering Research Group. This group focus on the application of fundamental physics to explain and solve problems of applied physics and engineering physics for the development of new technologies. The main research includes semiconductor fabrication, sensors and actuators, thermal processes in device and packaging, digital image processing, optical and remote sensing technology and photonic devices, system and applications. Dr Wan Maryam obtained her PhD in Physics at The University of Nottingham, United Kingdom and continues to teach semiconductor physics and semiconductor devices at the School of Physics, USM. She is a professional Technologist (Ts.) in Nanotechnology awarded by Malaysian Board of Technologies (MBOT). She is also a certified trainer under HRD Corporation and has provide training related to laser interferometry to more than 50 managers and engineers at Keysight Technologies in 2023 and 2024. Dr Wan Maryam is currently focusing on sustainable semiconductor nano lasers from wide bandgap materials (ZnO, GaN, hBN) through nanotechnology.

ELECTRON-BEAM EXCITATION ASSISTED MICROSCOPY FOR HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGING AND CELL STIMULATIONS

Advanced nanoimaging methods that can capture dynamic biological samples in aqueous environments are increasingly important in the life sciences, as they provide a means to analyze molecular interactions and cellular functions in living systems with high detail. To meet this demand, we have developed a Direct Electron-Beam eXcitation Assisted Optical (D-EXA) microscope, capable of achieving lateral spatial resolution on the scale of several tens of nanometers even in liquid conditions. The D-EXA system combines a scanning electron microscope with an optical fluorescence microscope, enabling high-resolution observations across a wide range of environments, including air and liquid media. In addition, we propose a new approach for selective stimulation of living cells by utilizing a focused electron beam to investigate subcellular activity. Our experiments show that electron beam irradiation triggers an increase in intracellular Ca²⁺ levels in neuronal cells, indicating its potential for precise control of cellular functions.

BIOGRAPHY

Prof. Dr. Yoshimasa Kawata is a Trustee, Executive Director, and Vice President of Shizuoka University, Japan. He received his Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Osaka University in 1992. After serving as an Assistant Professor at Osaka University and a researcher at AT&T (Lucent Technologies) Bell Laboratories in the United States, he joined Shizuoka University in 1997. A former Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Professor Kawata currently leads advanced research at the Research Institute of Electronics. His pioneering work focuses on nonlinear optics, three-dimensional optical memory, and electron beam-excitation assisted microscopy. Throughout his career, he has been a key figure in the development of next-generation optical storage and nano-imaging technologies. 

RECENT ADVANCES IN DISTRIBUTED BRILLOUIN SENSING BASED ON VIRTUAL SPECTRAL SYNTHESIS USING MULTI-FREQUENCY LIGHT

Prof. Dr. Yosuke Tanaka is a faculty member at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT), Japan. His research focuses on optical fiber sensing technologies, particularly Brillouin scattering and fiber Bragg grating (FBG)-based distributed and multi-core sensing. He has contributed to the development of advanced Brillouin-based sensing techniques, including approaches that reduce acquisition time and enable high-spatial-resolution measurements, while maintaining the inherent long-range capability of distributed sensing systems, through tailored optical frequency components. His work aims to enable high-resolution and efficient distributed sensing of strain, temperature, and structural deformation. He is actively engaged in international research collaborations across Asia, particularly in Malaysia, and has supervised students in international research exchange programs, with an interest in expanding collaborative activities in the region.

Prof. Dr. Tiu Zian Cheak obtained his PhD in Engineering from the University of Malaya. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and is professionally certified by both the Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM) and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), UK, holding the titles of Professional Engineer (Ir.) and Chartered Engineer (CEng). As an IET Fellow Advisor and IET Professional Registration Advisor, he actively contributes to international academic and professional communities, promoting professional development and global collaboration in the field of engineering. With over 17 years of experience in higher education, Prof. Tiu has extensive expertise in both teaching and research. His research focuses on ultrafast pulse lasers and the application of two-dimensional materials in optics and photonics, with over 100 papers published in international SCI-indexed journals. Currently, Prof. Tiu serves as a Professor at MILA University, Malaysia, He holds several key positions in the international academic community, including Associate Editor of Optics & Laser Technology (Elsevier), Academic Editor of IET Circuit, Devices & System (Wiley), Editorial Board Member of Scientific Reports (Springer Nature), etc. Through these roles, he continues to make significant contributions to the advancement of photonics engineering and sustainable technologies.