Lasers & Optics – Yuhua Jin

More than 7 years ago, I happened to see a blog named “Shaping a laser pulse or being a Super Hero”, which was posted by Dr. Philippe Hering, a laser physicist who is working on the world’s most powerful free-electron X-ray laser Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. This blog not only describes his brilliant strategies for achieving laser pulse shaping for the LCLS injector gun UV drive laser, but also introduces a funny anecdote which relates the technology with a comic superheroine. From a very young age, I’ve always been fascinated by the superheroes in comics or anime world. Indeed this blog inspired me a lot. I just never would have thought that scientific research could be so cool!!! This is what ignited my pure and imperishable passion for laser optics. From then on, I dream one day I could be a laser scientist in the future, and it is exactly this dream that had me get into this rather difficult field which is applied laser science.

I believe the design for the manipulation of the laser beam is a kind of art. My graduate research mainly focuses on laser optical system design and the techniques for laser beam shaping, especially for the invisible ultraviolet lasers. Through more than 7 years honing, I have built up a solid background in optics, and accumulated a lot of knowledge and experience in optical engineering, laser optics, optical design, optical simulation, scientific programming, etc. By now, I have independently developed two generations

The comic superheroine mentioned in Dr. Hering’s blog—Dazzler, who is a mutant with the ability to convert sound vibrations into light and energy beams.

generations of beam shaping optical systems for the high power DUV excimer lasers in our lab. With my own design method, the beam shaping optical system could avoid the unwanted diffractive effects substantially, and then improve the beam shaping results dramatically (see more information at my Representative Work page). In recognition of my research work, I have received two Best Paper Awards and one Best Presentation Award in China, which were granted by the highest authoritative academic societies on optics and laser optics in China.

I have comprehensive experience in solving practical optical problems with novel optical design methods. My past research work covers all processes of optical engineering to meet the research demands and fulfill the project missions. From theoretical calculation to optical simulation and optimization, then to optical system fabrication and experimental validation, I can conduct all well independently. Besides, not only I have learned sufficient knowledge of optical software like Zemax OpticStudio, CODE V, VirtualLab Fusion, and Comsol, but also I have developed special program, algorithm, or optimization method to realize some complex optical simulation or design which could not be achieved by commercial software. They are all my sharp weapons to solve practical optical problems. My past optical engineering work contributes a lot to laser application technologies such as DUV optical lithography, UV 3D printing (solidifying photosensitive resin by using UV laser), fiber Bragg grating manufacturing, DUV laser beam annealing of low-temperature polycrystalline silicon thin-film transistor (LTPS-TFT), pulsed laser deposition (PLD), stimulated emission depletion (STED) nanofabrication, laser materials processing, laser interactions with matter, laser-induced surface modification, etc.

Go beyond and break through the limit. I am Yuhua Jin. I love optical design and laser optics. I was born to do this.

If define a position for my role in a team, I may not be the striker for the goal, but I’m always the best assist provider. I feel happy if my teammate could use my optical system to achieve his goal. Although this could make me act as a contributor behind the scenes, such kind of satisfaction is beyond any comparison. You know, when I see the amazed face from the user of my optical system, I know my artwork may have exceeded his or her expectation. At such a moment, I believe one’s internal monologue must be “Wow! This is so cooool!” and I would feel more like myself is a real hero in this world than ever.

In my spare time at present, I’m devoting myself to develop more advanced laser pulse shaping technology. It is not my work. It just belongs to my personal interest. I have been accustomed to forging ahead and always enjoy my challenges.

Just hope you could understand my conviction and my interests towards optical design and laser optics through this long poster. I am Yuhua Jin. I dream to be an outstanding laser scientist in this world. Now I’m still on my way of chasing this dream. I believe someday in the future, I can become a real laser superhero in this world, and could help more people who need me, by my knowledge and skills.