Areas of Specialization

Optical communication devices and modules (EDFA/RFA/VCSELs/OADM/PMDC), Optical networks architecture and simulations, Design and characterization of GMR mem-modules, Design and test of VCSELs, High-power (solid state/fiber) lasers 

Education

Ph.D., Optical Physics (Optoelectronics), University of New Mexico, Albuquerque (1988)  

M. Phil., Laser Physics, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad (1979)  

M. Sc. (BS Honor), Physics, University of Islamabad (1976)  

B. Sc. (BS Assoc.), Physics & Math. Punjab University, Lahore (1974) 

Professional Experience

Professor, Physics & Optical Science, UNC Charlotte (2004-present)  

Assoc. Professor, Physics & Optical Sc. , UNC Charlotte (1996-2003)

Assistant Professor, Physics Department, UNC Charlotte (1990-96)

Principal Scientific Officer, Electronics Div PINSTECH, Pakistan (1989-90)

Senior Research Associate, CHTM, UNM, Albuquerque (1988-89)  

Research Associate, CHTM, UNM, Albuquerque (1984-88)

Senior Scientific Officer, Electronics Div PINSTECH, Pakistan (1982-84)

Selected Publications

Refereed Publications:

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. xx (2004)

N. Ghani, A. Shami, C. Assi, M. Y. A. Raja, “Intra-ONU Bandwidth Scheduling in Ethernet Passive  Optical Networks”, accepted in IEEE Comm. Lett. 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 43

N. Ghani, A. Shami, C. Assi, and M. Y. A. Raja, “Quality of Service in Ethernet Passive Optical Networks” Proc. IEEESarnoff Symposium April 25-26, 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. xxxx (2004)

Y. Cao and M. Y. A. Raja, “Design and Simulation of a Gain-Flattened Ultra-Wideband Fiber Amplifiers”  J. Optical Engineering, (Dec. 2003).

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     

M. Y. A. Raja and S. Qazi, “Optical Communication Networks and Enabling Photonic Technologies”, Proc. of INMIC’2002 IEEE (SE-Asia/ KIIT), Karachi, Pakistan, (10 pages) (Dec. 27-28, 2002).

M. Y. A. Raja, A. Al-Dwayyan, Y. Cao, and C. X. Wang, "Polarization and Spatial-Mode Behavior of Short-Wavelength VCSELs", J. Optics and Laser Technology, Vol. 34, pp. 129-134 (2002)

M. Y. A. Raja, A. Al-Dwayyan, Y. Cao, G. H. Cooper, and C.X. Wang, "Polarization and Spectral Properties of Ion-implanted and Oxide-confined VCSELs", J. Optical Engineering, Vol. 41, pp. 704-710 (2002)

R. Splinter, M. Y. A. Raja, and R. H. Svenson, “Anomalous Behavior of Biological Media: Modifying  the Optical Properties of Optical Window of Myocardial Tissue”, Lasers in Surgery: Advanced Characterization, Therapeutics, and Systems VI, SPIE Proc. Vol. 2671, 125 (1996).

R. Splinter, F. Farahi, M. Y. A. Raja, and R. H. Svenson, “Tissue Diagnostics by Depth Profiling of Optical Characteristics using Broadband Fiber-optic Interferometry”, Coherence Domain Methods Methods in Biomedical Optics’, Valerie V. Tuchin, Editor, Proc. SPIE Vol. 2732, 242(1996).

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).

S. Shukes, R. Splinter, M. Y. A. Raja, J. Y. Liu and G. P. Tatsis, “A High Power Dual Pump CW Ti:Sapphire Laser: Setting New Records”, ‘Solid State Lasers and Nonlinear Crystals’, SPIE Proc. Vol. 2379, 62 (1995).

M. Y. A. Raja, S.T. Srinivasan, R.R. Gauthier, S.D. Hersee, and S.Z. Sun, “Flip-Chip Bondable Low-Threshold Edge-Emitting Laser Arrays”, Micro-Phase (mf) News, Vol III, No.1 Jan (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 and Y. Aktas,“Directionality in photoluminescence from periodic quantum wells”, J. Appl. Phys. Vol. 74,1434,(1993).  

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:
N. Ghani, Z. Zhang, and M. Y. A. Raja, “Passive Optical Networks: Next-Generation Ultra-Broadband Access”, invited book Chapter in "Optical Communication Annual Reviews" Published by IEC (International Engineering Consortium, 2004)

M. Y. A. Raja, “Evolution of Optical Networks Architecture”, a book Chapter in “The Handbook of Optical Networks”, Electrical Engineering Handbook Series Vol. 30., Published by CRC, (April 14, 2003)  

M. Y. A. Raja and M. Ilyas, “Optical Transport Networks-A physical layer perspective”, a book Chapter in “ The Handbook of Optical Networks”, Electrical Engineering Handbook Series Vol. 30.,Published by CRC, (April 14, 2003).

S. Shukes, R. Splinter, F. Farahi, and M. Y. A. Raja, “White Light Fiber Optic Interferometery- A Technique for Monitoring Tissue Properties”, ‘Trends in Optical Fiber Metrology and Standards’ Ed. Oliverio D. D. Soares; Kluwer Academic Publishers, (1995).

Review and Referee Experience

Electronics Letters, Optical Engineering, Applied Physics Letters, Journal of Quantum Electronics, Optics Communications, Photonics Technol. Letters, Solid State Electronics, Journal of Applied Physics, Ann. of Biomed Engineering, National Science Foundation (NSF),  DARPA,  US Civilian Research Foundation, Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Education (DOE)

Patents

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) (Approved provisionally)

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 Awards

Authored and Co-authored over 90 Research Articles

Merit Scholarship Holder (Pakistan)

Professional Memberships

The Optical Society of America (OSA) 1986 - present

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) since 1988, Elected to SM-2003, COMSOC 1996 - present

The International Society for Optical Engineering (SPIE) 1996 - present Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES); 1993-97

The National Physics Honor Society (Sigma Pi Sigma) since 1990-to-date