Daniel Blumenthal

Daniel Blumenthal is a Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). His research focuses on advanced photonic systems, including optical communications, integrated photonics, and quantum sensing technologies. He leads efforts in developing ultra-low-loss waveguides, Brillouin lasers, and laser stabilization techniques for applications in atomic clocks, quantum computing, and optical networking.

Education:

• PhD in Engineering, University of Colorado
• MSEE, Columbia University
• BSEE, University of Rochester

Research interests include optical packet switching, ultrafast signal processing, and photonic integration in silicon nitride (SiN) platforms. His work bridges fundamental photonics with practical applications, such as low-noise lasers for atomic cooling and high-capacity photonic interconnects for data centers.

Awards and Fellowships:

• 2020 C. E. K. Mees Medal (OSA)
• Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE)
• Fellowships from NAI, IEEE, and OSA

Grants and Advising: His research has been supported by NSF, ONR, and other agencies. He collaborates on trapped-ion quantum computers and compact atomic sensors.

Labs and Teams: Active in UCSB’s integrated photonics research groups, focusing on wafer-scale fabrication and quantum photonics integration.