Title: Terahertz metasurface quantum-cascade vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting-lasers (VECSELs)Abstract: The terahertz frequency range lies at the junction of the electronic and photonic regimes, which means that it is fertile ground for exploring hybrid systems which combine laser gain with microwave electromagnetic design. The terahertz quantum-cascade (QC) laser is an excellent example, which produces gain via intersubband electronic transitions within heterostructure quantum wells, but typically uses sub-wavelength waveguides that have a strong resemblance to microstrip transmission lines and patch antennas. I will discuss the development and recent advances to do with amplifying reflectarray metasurfaces based upon sub-wavelength arrays of such antennas loaded with QC-gain material, and their use in implementing vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting-lasers (VECSELs).In the QC-VECSEL scheme, the amplifying metasurface is used as one reflector in an external cavity, which supports a well-shaped circulating THz beam. The QC-VECSEL architecture offers a solution to many problems that have plagued THz QC-lasers - namely their low emission powers and efficiencies (especially above 77 K), their limited beam quality (especially at high powers), and their limited range of continuous single-mode tunability. I will discuss several advances in the field of VECSELs in the past few years. First is the development of QC-VECSELs as stable, single-moded local oscillators for heterodyne receivers. Such lasers are in demand for future astrophysical instruments for mapping of molecular and atomic species within the interstellar medium - particularly at high frequencies above 2 THz which are difficult to access using electronic sources. We have recently shown that QC-VECSELs can provide mW to tens of mW continuous-wave power, in a near-diffraction limited beam, with large fractional tunability (up to 20% of the center wavelength). Second, is the extension of QCLs and QC-VECSELs to higher frequencies above 5 THz and approaching the lossy Reststrahlen band in GaAs. We have recently demonstrated QC-laser gain material operating up to 6.5 THz (46 μm wavelength), and tunable QC-VECSELs operating between 5.2-5.7 THz. Third is the initial demonstration of QC-VECSELs as frequency combs. Since every longitudinal mode in a QC-VECSEL interacts with the gain medium through the same metasurface resonance, there is no-spatial hole burning per se. As a result QC-VECSELs prefer to lase in single-mode, unlike waveguide QC-lasers which will spontaneously lase in multi-mode and frequency comb operation. However, we have shown that THz QC-VECSELs can be forced into a fundamental or harmonic frequency-comb regime via strong microwave modulation of the metasurface gain. About the Speaker: Benjamin Williams is Professor and Chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). He received his B.S. in Physics from Haverford College in 1996, and his M.S. in 1998 and Ph.D. in 2003 both from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Electrical Engineering. He is currently Associate Editor for IEEE Transactions in Terahertz Science and Technology. He has received the APS Apker Award (1996), the DARPA Young Faculty Award (2008), the NSF CAREER Award (2012), and the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) (2016). His research interests lie in photonic materials, devices, and applications for the terahertz and mid-infrared frequency ranges, including low-dimensional semiconductors, quantum-cascade lasers, and plasmonics and metamaterials.Virtual Location URL: https://ucf.zoom.us/j/92584023013?from=addon

If you're thinking of starting a business, it's important to take the right steps. This two-and-a-half-hour virtual webinar will give you an overview of what to know, important actions to take, and best practices on how to avoid common missteps to give your company its greatest chance of success.Learn about the journey from pre-venture to start-up to opening your business as this training covers:* Business legal entity selection * Registration and licensing * Market research and planning * Financial planning and sources of capital * And more…Register today!Virtual Location URL: https://events.blackthorn.io/en/6g3Q8Wa7/how-to-start-your-business-5a1eVO8PgVh/overview Registration Link: https://events.blackthorn.io/en/6g3Q8Wa7/how-to-start-your-business-5a1eVO8PgVh/overview

Virtual eventYour business needs a roadmap for every stage of its growth. We'll remove the mystery of how to create a business plan, the information that should be included and how to use it as a tool to keep your company on track for long term growth.Virtual Location URL: https://events.blackthorn.io/en/6g3Q8Wa7/business-plan-writing-made-easier-webinar-5a1eVO8Pi7h/overview Registration Link: https://events.blackthorn.io/en/6g3Q8Wa7/business-plan-writing-made-easier-webinar-5a1eVO8Pi7h/overview

Title: Quantum Optics and Confinement Control in Engineered Photonic NanomaterialsAbstract: Naturally abundant materials--such as silicon, metals and van der Waals (vdW) materials--exhibit excellent optical properties, making them well-suited for use in both classical and quantum photonic integrated circuits. By sculpting these materials under extreme conditions, including high pressure, mechanical strain and intense light fields, one can unlock vast opportunities for on-demand engineering of their photonic properties. In the first part of the talk, we will employ thermomechanical processing under carefully controlled pressures and temperatures, allowing for record-rate manipulation of 1D and 2D vdW materials, as well as modulation of phonon-polariton dispersion by more than 10% through stoichiometric control. We will proceed to show that engineered photonic integrated circuits enable multimodal addressing of tightly spaced trapped-ion chains. Finally, we will demonstrate that bright single-photon sources can be realized through the use of tailored nanophotonic resonators and atomic-scale material design. Such extreme-engineered materials open new frontiers in nanophotonics, offering powerful modalities for creating optoelectronic devices with tunable properties for telecommunications and quantum information technologies.About the Speaker: Maxim Shcherbakov is an assistant professor at the University of California, Irvine, with joint appointments in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Materials Science and Engineering. His research is at the intersection of quantum photonics, nonlinear optics and nanostructures, with a particular focus on quantum-engineered materials for next-generation optical technologies. Before joining UCI, Shcherbakov was a postdoctoral associate at Cornell University, following his Ph.D. in Physics from Lomonosov Moscow State University. His work has been recognized with major honors, including the NSF CAREER Award, the DARPA Young Faculty Award, Director's Award and a Blavatnik Postdoctoral Finalist distinction. He has authored over 60 peer-reviewed publications and leads multiple nationally and internationally funded research efforts in quantum and nonlinear optics.Virtual Location URL: https://ucf.zoom.us/j/93442937025?from=addon

Title: Probing light-matter interactions in nano-structured layered van der Waals materials for advanced nanophotonicsAbstract: Nanophotonic devices, relying on strong interaction between light and the underlying materials, play a vital role in modern technology facilitating communication, sensing, imaging, and energy conversion across various disciplines. In my research, I examine the use of novel layered van der Waals materials in creating more advanced nanophotonic devices to meet the growing demands imposed by newly emerging technologies. Specifically, I probe the coupling between light and the intrinsic excitations living within different types of van der Waals materials, which strongly modifies materials' optical responses and thus have profound implications on the photonic nano-structures performances. By utilizing the unique properties of this novel material platform, I find that nanophotonic devices and systems with reduced footprint, stronger light-matter interactions, and potentially higher energy efficiency can be achieved. These findings can provide a guideline for designing, fabricating, and characterizing advanced optical systems made of novel van der Waals materials.About the Speaker: Dr. Haonan Ling is an assistant professor in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering department at UCF starting in Jan 2025. His research interest lies at the intersection of material science, applied physics, and optics and photonics. His PhD dissertation focuses on probing light-matter interactions in nano-structured layered van der Waals materials for advanced nanophotonic applications. He is the recipient of the Dimitris N. Chorafas Foundation Prize (2024) and Dissertation Year Fellowship at UCLA (2023).Virtual Location URL: https://ucf.zoom.us/j/93129384570?from=addon

This virtual event is sponsored by Orange County Government as part of the Florida SBDC at UCF's Orange County Strategic Series.Get Started with the Most Effective Advertising Tool for Local Businesses: Google AdsLearn how to use Google Ads to drive more revenue for your business.Whether you are considering Google Ads for your marketing or are currently managing an account, this is a can't miss session.Google Ads is a powerful, measurable advertising tool that should be in nearly every local business' marketing plan. See how to use it with less risk and more success.• Learn how Google ranks ads• Learn whether you are a candidate for the new automation in Google Ads• Learn how to reap the rewards of a properly structured Ads accountPresented by Google Partner and National Trainer Matt Weber, President, ROAR! Internet MarketingVirtual Location URL: https://events.blackthorn.io/en/6g3Q8Wa7/grow-with-google-google-ads-webinar-5a1eVO8PnSL/overview Registration Link: https://events.blackthorn.io/en/6g3Q8Wa7/grow-with-google-google-ads-webinar-5a1eVO8PnSL/overview