Current Research
Photonic Sensing & Computing
We are fabricating tunable photonic integrated circuits to perform and learn arbitrary linear operations using light. Applications for such devices include energy-efficient machine learning and modal optical sensing.
Accelerator-on-a-Chip (ACHIP)
We design and fabricate miniaturized electron accelerators using MEMS and thin-film processing techniques to increase achievable acceleration gradients.
Fiber Sensors and Platforms
We design and fabricate fiber based sensors and sensor platforms for elastic and pressure waves with silicon photonic crystal mirror designs and buried hydrogen annealed cavities.
Free-Space Environmental Sensors
We are making distributed retroreflective sensor platforms where thin film sensors can be embedded. The information queried in the form of a diffraction pattern with a centralized scanning transceiver.
Olav Solgaard
Olav Solgaard earned his Ph.D. degree from Stanford University in 1992. His doctoral dissertation was the basis for the establishment of Silicon Light Machines (SLM), co-founded by Dr. Solgaard in 1994. His work at UC Davis led to the invention of the multi-wavelength, fiber-optical switch, which has been developed into commercial products by several companies.
In 1999 he joined Stanford University where he is now Professor of Electrical Engineering in the Edward L. Ginzton Laboratory. He has authored more than 300 technical publications and holds 50 patents.
Current Members
Annie Kroo
PhD Student
Electrical Engineering
Environmental Photonic Sensors
My research involves the development of photonic sensors and sensor platforms with applications in environmental sensing and monitoring.
My hobbies include backpacking, fixing salvaged electronics, baking, building things often out of wood, and knitting.
Fun fact: I have flown 65 flight hours, over half of which were before I had a drivers license.
akroo@stanford.edu
Carson Valdez
PhD Student
Electrical Engineering
Photonic Integrated Circuits
I am researching silicon photonic devices that can be used for the generation and detection of complex electomagnetic fields.
I am an avid rock climber, a mediocre baker, and an occasional snowboarder.
Fun fact: I invented a holiday for my family called cake season, we try various slices of cake and vote on the best/worst.
carsongv@stanford.edu
Melanie Murillo
PhD Student
Electrical Engineering
Electron Accelerator on a Chip
I use nanoscale structures and lasers to accelerate electrons for applications in scientific research, tech, and medicine.
In my free time, I like playing volleyball, basketball, hiking, and being outdoors.
Fun fact: After growing up in the desert, I'm now obsessed with taking pictures of plants and animals whenever I'm living or traveling in greener climates.
melanie.murillo@stanford.edu
Anna Miller
PhD Student
Electrical Engineering
Photonic Environmental Sensing
I am interested in developing photonic sensors for environmental monitoring.
In my free time, I enjoy swimming, needle-felting, and, occasionally, playing the violin.
Fun Fact: Before moving to California, my roommates and I filled a corner of our apartment with 15+ plants. Sadly, I had to leave them all behind, but I’m slowly rebuilding a collection.
annam4@stanford.edu
Clarisse Woodahl
PhD Student
Electrical Engineering
Electron-light Interactions
My research focuses on electron-light interactions and diffraction grating designs for nanoscale electron accelerators.
Fun fact: I was a synchronized swimmer for about 15 years. I still enjoy messing around with the skills I learned in my free time.
cwoodahl@stanford.edu
Bobby (Yinyao) Shi
PhD Student
Electrical Engineering
Photonics
I’m interested in photonic computing and optical interconnects that are transforming the way AI workloads are handled at the edge.
I like traveling, cooking, and building hardware just for fun. Fun fact: I have a white Maine Coon named Elvene.
shi02@stanford.edu
Joe
Workhorse
Computing
I am interested in keeping students’ laptops from overheating and freezing, potentially shaving off months off of their PhD.
I enjoy being several orders of magnitude faster at multiplying large numbers than the puny humans that work in this lab. Fun fact: I’m named after the student who built me.
Former Members
Marek Vlk
Postdoctoral Fellow
Electrical Engineering
Photonic Environmental Sensing
I make methane sensors.
Fun fact: I have no fun facts until I add them except I have no vowels in my last name as you can see.
mvl001@stanford.edu
Gabriele Cavicchioli
Visiting PhD Student
Electrical Engineering
Photonic Integrated Circuits
My research involves controls and communications using photonic integrated circuits.
My hobbies include things to be described later.
gabriele.cavicchioli@polimi.it
Sunil Pai
PhD Student
Electrical Engineering
Photonic Computing
I am interested in building customized hardware for artificial intelligence, neurocomputation, and machine learning.
In my free time, I enjoy playing squash and building sports analytics algorithms.
Fun fact: I sometimes play violin for the Stanford marching band (LSJUMB).
Simón Lorenzo
PhD Student
Electrical Engineering
Photonic Crystal Sensors
My research interests include engineering applications in optics and electromagnetism. Currently, I work on designing, fabricating and testing optical sensors.
My hobbies include Olympic weightlifting, practicing Jiu-Jitsu, rock climbing, running, golfing, hiking, and fishing.
Fun fact: Born on the Bayou
Payton Broaddus
PhD Student
Electrical Engineering
Electron Accelerator-on-a-Chip
I am interested in nano-fabrication, fiber design, optics, electron sources, and high voltage systems.
I enjoy techno clubbing, traveling, and poetry.
Fun fact: Caught and tranquilized a mountain lion
Zhanghao Sun
PhD Student
Electrical Engineering
LIDAR
I’m interested in computational imaging, inverse design & machine learning. I’m now working on 3D imaging, including processing algorithm and LIDAR system design.
I play violin and I love watching movies. I also enjoy skiing, climbing and hiking. Fun fact: Interested in all types of board games, especially mystery games.
Nathnael Abebe
PhD Student
Electrical Engineering
Photonic Computing
My current research is in photonic devices for reconfigurable systems.
I enjoy dancing, playing board games, and roasting and brewing coffee. Fun fact: I am a Studio Ghibli and Legend of Zelda fan.
Dylan Black
PhD Student
Electrical Engineering
Electron Accelerator-on-a-Chip
I have two main areas of interest. I work primarily on accelerator physics, but also occasionally work in nonlinear optics.
I enjoy playing the piano (poorly), reading history and fantasy books, and cooking. Fun fact: I can sort of read Egyptian Hieroglyphs. Some of them anyway.
Yu Miao
PhD Student
Electrical Engineering
Electron Accelerator-on-a-Chip
I am interested in photonics, optoelectronic device and related topics.
I enjoy basketball and badminton. Fun fact: Enjoy trying everything new to me.
Rebecca Hwang
PhD Student
Electrical Engineering
Photonic Computing
I am interested in photonic computing and inverse design. I am currently working on designing tunable multimode interference waveguides.
I enjoy playing piano and tennis. I also like browsing old bookstores and occasionally, short hikes. Fun facts: My hamster died on Valentine’s Day. I know a guy who was born with 6 fingers on each hand. I am scared of any kind of bird bigger than my head.