Shamsul Arafin

Dr. Shamsul Arafin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at The Ohio State University, where he leads the Optics and Photonics Research Lab (OPREL). His research focuses on photonic integrated circuits, semiconductor lasers, and quantum materials for applications in communications, sensing, and biomedical technologies.

Dr. Arafin received his B.Sc. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (2005), M.Sc. in Communication Technology from Universität Ulm, Germany (2008), and Ph.D. from Technische Universität München, Walter Schottky Institut, Germany (2012). He completed postdoctoral research at McGill University and UCLA before joining UCSB as a Project Scientist.

His research spans multiple areas of photonics and optoelectronics, with particular expertise in photonic integrated circuits operating across various wavelengths from visible to mid-infrared. He investigates novel materials systems including III-V semiconductors, hexagonal boron nitride, and hybrid material platforms for next-generation photonic devices. His work has significant applications in optical communications, sensing, biomedical imaging, and quantum information processing.

Analysis of Dr. Arafin's recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong focus on advancing photonic integrated circuit technologies, particularly in three key areas: quantum photonics with 2D materials, heterogeneous integration of III-V semiconductors with silicon, and nonlinear optical processes for visible light generation. His research increasingly bridges fundamental material science with practical device applications, demonstrating a clear trajectory toward real-world implementation of advanced photonic technologies.

• Literaturpreis der ITG 2014 Award from im VDE, Germany
• Nominee for the UCLA Chancellor's Award for Postdoctoral Research
• Extreme Science and Engineering Discovery Environment (XSEDE) Computational Allocation Award
• IEEE Photonic Society Graduate Fellowship
• Best Student Paper Award

Dr. Arafin actively mentors graduate students through research theses (ECE 6999, ECE 8999) and undergraduate researchers (ECE 4998.01). His research has been supported by various grants including an NSF CAREER award "GaSb-based Photonic Integrated Circuits for Short- and Mid-Wave Infrared Applications" (2022) and EAGER funding for "Monolithic Optically-Pumped Single-Photon Sources Based on Deterministic InGaN Quantum Dots in GaN Nanowires" (2020). His collaborative work spans multiple institutions and industry partners, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of modern photonics research.

As Principal Investigator of the Optics and Photonics Research Lab (OPREL) at OSU, Dr. Arafin leads a multidisciplinary team focused on advancing photonic integrated circuit technologies. The lab maintains state-of-the-art facilities for semiconductor device fabrication, optical characterization, and materials analysis, enabling comprehensive research from materials growth through device testing and system integration.