Dayton, Ohio, United States
Dr. Arash Ahmadivand possesses extensive R&D experience in optical physics, photonics, meta-optics, optoelectronics, and ray tracing principles. Currently, he is a Research Team Lead at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) located at Wright-Patterson AFB. From 2020 to 2023, he was employed as a Sr. Photonics Research Scientist at Metamaterials Technologies Inc (META Inc.). Prior to this, he was a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Rice University (2018-2020). He received his Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering in 2018 from Florida International University. His research interests are: i) Understanding of light-matter interaction principles at deep-subwavelength scales and using attained exotic physical phenomena towards the development of novel miniaturized photonic technologies, ii) conducting efficient optimization approaches to devise advanced optical and photonic architectures, iii) exploring the rich interface between the applied and analytical electromagnetics to utilize the designed platforms for engineering efficient, ultradense, and next generation optical instruments.
• Leading R&D efforts in integrated photonics, optoelectronics, infrared sensors, and quantum optics to develop next-generation technologies for detection and communication. • Driving innovation in photonic device design, fabrication, and system integration, with a focus on improving performance and scalability. • Managing multidisciplinary research teams and fostering collaboration to bridge the gap between fundamental research and DAF applications. • Pushing the boundaries of photonics by exploring new materials and architectures to enhance functionality in quantum and classical optical systems.
• Leading research in infrared detectors & sensors, encompassing photonics, integrated nanophotonics, optoelectronics, microwave, and optical systems. • Leveraging photonic platforms, dynamic linear and nonlinear materials to augment DAF sensing mission for active and passive configurations. • Planning and overseeing end-to-end and basic-to-applied research for the discovery and development of novel highs-speed, high-throughput infrared sensors and detectors. • Advancing the integration of new materials and components with DAF photonics systems across various spectral regions for different practical purposes.
• Design, development, and assessment of optical and RF structures and devices from R&D to production, * Colorimetric sensors * Notch filters * Dynamic holograms * Diffraction gratings * EMI shielding configurations (optical & RF) * Transparent near-infrared and infrared absorbers * Transparent nanopatterned RF wave steering films * Radar absorbers • Performing end-to-end product realization through direct engagement in the layout, implementation, assessment, integration, verification, validation, and transition activities.
• Design, development, characterization, troubleshooting, and prototyping of optical and photonic structures and devices through the use of various programs, tools, and setups. • Computational photonics and electromagnetics using Ansys/Lumerical FDTD, COMSOL Multiphysics, CST Microwave Studio, HFSS, and analytical computational frameworks (based on Python and MATLAB). • Assessment of the properties and spectral behavior of the devised structures using optical spectroscopy setups and vector network analyzers (VNAs). • Designing complex electronic circuits and lithographic layouts (i.e., GDS II, DXF, Gerber, STL, G-code) using SolidWorks, Autodesk Fusion 360, Layout Editor, K-Layout, and AB Viewer. • Development of Python-enabled API algorithms for creating scripts that treat conventional solvers as clients, or in high-performance computing settings to optimize and find proper device/structure geometries through the inverse design approach.
• Calculation and investigation of 1D excitons-plasmons coupling in artificially engineered media coupled to a 2DEG layer. • Investigation of the broadband light-matter interaction in hyperbolic media consisting of carbon nanotube stacks. • Demonstration of nonlocal effects in conventional plasmonic systems, as well as single-walled carbon nanotubes films based on Luttinger-Liquid plasmons.
As a postdoctoral scholar, I was responsible for managing different research topics and projects between theoretical and experimental teams. Here are some projects I participated extensively: • Design and development of high-performance and responsive plasmonic hot-carrier-based near-infrared (NIR) photodetectors using silicon-based technology. • Design and development of coherent, intense, and augmented deep-ultraviolet (DUV) light sources (262 nm) based on nonlinear effect artificially-engineered hybrid metallodielectric architectures. • Theoretical analysis of the local density of states (LDOS), electroluminescence (EL), and radiation efficiency of electrically-driven quantum tunneling plasmonic electromigrated nanojunctions. • Calculation of the photonic density of states (PDOS), quantum yield (QY), and photoluminescence (PL) response of plasmonic nanoparticles (i.e., gold nanorods, cupper nanocubes). • Design and modelling of Polydopamine stabilized aluminum nanocrystals (octahedral nanoparticle aggregates) for the detection of Benzo[a]pyrene and aqueous stability.
Research Assistant for computational electromagnetics, nanolithography, and spectroscopy. Computational electromagnetic skills: ANSYS/Lumerical (FDTD, HEAT, CHARGE), COMSOL Multiphysics, CST Microwave Studio, Zemax OpticStudio, MATLAB and Python programming, SketchUp 3D modelling, Origin, OrCAD, Multisim, SILVACO Atlas, Layout Editor, k-Layout, SOLIDWORKS, Lumion, Blender, and Photoshop. Cleanroom skills: Multistep photolithography, nanolithography Sputtering and E-beam metallization tools, SEM, EDS Analysis, TEM, EBL. Measurement skills: Terahertz Time Domain Spectroscopy (THz-TDS), Terahertz Backward Wave Oscillator (THz-BWO), Optical spectroscopy (Horiba), Raman Spectroscopy. Teaching Assistant for: Advanced Nanofabrication (EC 3914), Fields & Waves (EEL 4410) Electronics Labs I and II (EEL 3303L, EEL 4304L).
Extensively worked with leading packaging and plastic industry systems, including but not limited to Sidel, SIPA, NETSTAL, Krauss-Maffei, SACMI, and Demag Machines.