Gaurav Bahl

Gaurav Bahl is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with affiliations in Physics, Electrical & Computer Engineering, and the Illinois Quantum Information Science and Technology Center (IQUIST). He holds a PhD (2010) and MS (2008) in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University and a B.Eng (2005) from McMaster University.

• George B. Grim Professor (2023)
• Kritzer Faculty Scholar
• Fellow of Optica (2022)

Research Interests focus on optomechanical systems, topological photonics, and non-reciprocal devices. His work explores light-matter interactions in photonic microsystems, leveraging radiation pressure, gradient forces, and photothermal effects for inertial sensors, biochemical detection, and quantum technologies. Recent projects include topological frequency combs, chiral cooling, and chip-scale optical isolators.

Publications highlight advancements in non-Hermitian physics, microwave topological insulators, and Brillouin scattering. His group's work on electro-optic isolation set records for efficiency, while acoustic pumping enabled time-reversal symmetry breaking. Topological temporal pumping and fractional charge trapping demonstrate novel approaches to robust quantum systems.

Awards & Honors include the Presidential Early Career Award (PECASE), Dean's Excellence in Research Award, and ONR Early Career Grant. He has secured patents for non-reciprocal devices and optical sensing systems.

• Teaching: Developed course ME 498 PM4 "Photonic MEMS" and teaches ME 360 (Signal Processing), ME 370 (Mechanical Design), ME 487 (MEMS-NEMS), and ME 598 (Emergent Photonic Phenomena)
• Outreach: Created hands-on K-12 activities on optomechanical sensors, light-mills, and paper-based accelerometers through programs like G-BAM and I-STEM