Faculty

Shun Lien Chuang

Shun Lien Chuang

Robert C. MacClinchie Distinguished Professorship in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Professor
374B Everitt Lab, MC-702
1406 W. Green
Urbana, Illinois 61801
(217) 333-3359
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Ph.D. Electrical Engineering Massachusetts Institute of Technology February 1983

Research Statement:
Our current research activities include quantum-dot and quantum-well semiconductor devices for slow light or wavelength conversion, nanolasers using surface plasmonics, suplerlattice photodetectors, and terahertz quantum-cascade lasers.


  1. Nanoplasmonic lasers:  We explore the concept of nanolasers using surface plasmonic mode, optical field enhancement, and mode coupling to active materials such as semiconductor quantum wells and quantuim dots.

  2. Semiconductor optoelectronic device physics: The devices include (a) semiconductor quantum-well and quantum-dot devices using strained semiconductor materials in integrated modulator-lasers, (b) new semiconductor materials such as antimony-based type-II quantum-well structures for mid-infrared photodetectors, and (c) GaAs- and GaN-based quantum-cascade lasers.

  3. Slow and fast light using quantum-well and quantum-dot semiconductor optical amplifiers: We have demonstrated slow and fast light at room temperature using coherent population oscillation and four-wave-mixing effects. The slow light devices have potential applications as optical buffers, dispersion compensation devices, as well as microwave photonics.

  4. High-speed modulation of lasers and Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) research: High-speed microwave modulation of semiconductor lasers and wavelength conversion using quantum-well and quantum-dot devices are investigated. Wavelength conversion for WDM applications using four-wave mixing, cross-gain and cross-absorption modulation are studied.

  5. Fiber-optic sensors for civil structure applications: The project goal is to design fiber optic sensors for transportation safety such as railroad and highway bridge applications. We have designed new fiber optic sensors for weigh-in-motion applications and the detection of railbreak and buckling.

Teaching Statement:
My teaching activities include ECE452 Electromagnetics and Electro-Optics and ECE536 Integrated Optics and Optoelectronics most frequently.  I also taught other courses in electromagnetics, physical or quantum electronics such as ECE520 and 440.

Research Interests:

  • Photonics, Optoelectronics, Nanophotonics, Semiconductor Device Physics, Semiconductor Lasers, NanoLasers, Surface plasmonics, Modulators, and Photodetectors.
  • Quantum Electronics, Electromagnetics, and Fiber Optical Sensors

Undergraduate Research Opportunities:
There are research opportunities on projects such as the characterization of semiconductor lasers, high speed modulation,  optoelectronics, and nanophotonics.
A strong motivation in research with background courses in physical electronics, quantum electronics, and electromagnetics will be desirable.

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Honors, Recognition, and Outstanding Achievements for Teaching

  • Was cited many times in the "Incomplete List for Excellence in Teaching" for teaching EE 229, ECE 352, ECE 420, and ECE 436/536. Most recent citations: ECE352 Fall 1994, ECE 420 Spring 1995, ECE352 Fall 1996, ECE352 Fall 1997, ECE436 Spring 1999, ECE352 Fall 1999, ECE420 Spring 2001, ECE436 Spring 2002. ECE 436 Spring 2004; ECE 536, Spring 2005; ECE452, Fall 2006.
  • Honorable Mention, Graduate and Professional Teaching, UIUC, 2004.
  • Andersen Consulting Award for Excellence in Advising, UIUC, 1994.

Honors, Recognition, and Outstanding Achievements for Research

  • William Streifer Scientific Achievement Award, IEEE Lasers and Electro-Optics Society (LEOS), 2007.
  • Distinguished Lecturer Award, IEEE Lasers and Electro-Optics Society (LEOS), 2005-2006.
  • Distinguished Lecturer Award, IEEE Lasers and Electro-Optics Society (LEOS), 2004-2005.
  • Engineering Excellence Award, Optical Society of America, 2004.
  • Fellow, American Physical Society, "For his development of the fundamental theories for strained quantum-well lasers and terahertz generation from semiconductors," 2003.
  • Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC) Fellow/Visiting Professor, Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, U.K., Fall 2002.
  • Fellow, IEEE, Citation: "For his contributions to theory of strained quantum-well lasers and physics of optoelectronic devices," 1997.
  • Fellow, Optical Society of America, Citation: "For contributions to the theories of strained quantum-well lasers and terahertz generation from semiconductors," 1997.
  • Fellow, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, 1996 (Host Institution: University of Tokyo).
  • Associate, Center for Advanced Study, UIUC, 1995-96.

Honors, Recognition, and Outstanding Achievements for Public Service

  • Chuang's research on fiber optical sensors was reported in many news papers: Inside Illinois (Feb. 2001), News Gazette (March 18, 2001), ScienceDaily (Feb. 7, 2001), ANANOVA (Feb. 5, 2001), Photonics Spectra (March 2001); Design News-Wiley (Feb. 2001).