Jonathan Suen

Photo on 5-9-14 at 12.39 PM

jsuen at ece.ucsb.edu
(805) 893-8418

Current Status

I will be starting a new position as a postdoctoral scholar at Duke in January 2015.

Education

Doctor of Philosophy, Electrical Engineering, UC Santa Barbara, 2014

Masters of Science (in Engineering), Electrical Engineering: Systems, University of Michigan, 2005

Bachelors of Science (with Honors), Electrical Engineering, UC Santa Barbara, 2004

Associate of Arts, Bard College at Simon’s Rock, 2002

Research

My research centers on development of novel systems for sensing over a wide range of applications and frequencies, from high-resolution biomedical imaging, security and environmental sensing to astrophysical observations. Though my focus is in the terahertz, I work with systems from millimeter wave, terahertz to infrared, 30 GHz-3 THz-300 THz. I have experience in developing systems across each of these areas and wavelengths.

Completed systems include two generations of a novel autofocus THz imaging system currently used at UCLA for biomedical research, a quasi-optical W-band radar with ultra low noise detectors, an all solid-state high power dual-mode THz spectrometer, RF receiver design for a multi-transceiver ultrasound system, a high-power laser materials characterization system for planetary defense and development of characterization techniques for BTO-polymer nanoparticle matrices. I have also conducted studies on large-scale systems, including use of “big data” techniques to locate locations with optimal water vapor statistics, for both THz astrophysics and satellite communications links.

In order to develop effective systems, it is necessary to be involved in the development of components which comprise a system. Unlike the microwave or infrared, the terahertz field is fundamentally bleeding-edge and exploratory. The components of a system, which can be broadly characterized into sources, propagation, phenomenology and detection, are inherently experimental.

I have conducted research into each of these areas, as well as the development of large-scale systems. Examples include a phenomenological study that was one of the first works that identified the contrast mechanism in reflective biomedical imaging as being water concentration. In the field of THz sources, I have undertaken research in ultrafast photoconductive (PC) devices, including characterization and modeling of the highest efficiency PC switch, as well as development of a comprehensive model for the two-rate photocarrier recombination observed in fast-trapping PC materials.

The THz is inherently the transition region between RF and IR. Successful research cannot approach the THz independently from as either a strictly electronic or optical domain but only as a fusion of both regimes. Particularly, the THz researcher should be familiar with the vast amounts of technology developed for long-wave IR. Further, modern science necessitates the ability to understand and develop computational algorithms, as software is an integral component of any system, simulation, or data analysis. My current research furthers this approach. By applying science and technology from across the electromagnetic spectrum, we can design new systems and find new applications in the THz.

 

Professional Experience

In 2006, I co-founded Gabbly, a Silicon Valley startup which provided an instant, contextual chat based on Web 2.0/AJAX technologies. Among the developments I was responsible for was a system which connected users based on both time and context of use. Gabbly received over 1 million monthly unique users and $1.5M of funding. I was also the president of the University of Michigan and the UCSB Amateur Radio club, and hold an Extra class license, callsign KG6K.

 

Publications

J. Y. Suen, M. T. Fang, S. P. Denny, P. M. Lubin, “Modeling of Terabit Geostationary Terahertz Satellite Links from Globally Dry Locations,” IEEE Trans. THz Science and Technology, Vol. 5, Issue 2, pp 299-313. 2015. DOI: 10.1109/TTHZ.2015.2399694 [Preprint, Supplemental Figs].

J. Y. Suen, P. R. Krogen, S. Preu, H. Lu, A. C. Gossard, D. C. Driscoll, P. M. Lubin, “Measurement and modeling of ErAs:In0.53Ga0.47As Nanocomposite Photoconductivity for THz generation at 1.55 µm pump wavelength,” Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 116, 013703. 2014 DOI: 10.1063/1.4886180

J. Y. Suen, M. T. Fang, and P. M. Lubin, “Global Distribution of Water Vapor and Cloud Cover—Sites for High-Performance THz Applications”, IEEE Trans. THz Science and Technology, Vol. 4, Issue 1, pp 86-100. 2014. DOI: 10.1109/TTHZ.2013.2294018 [Arxiv*]

J. Y. Suen, P. M. Lubin, S. L. Solomon, R. P. Ginn, “Sparse Interferometric Millimeter-wave Array for Centimeter-level 100-m Standoff Imaging,” Proceedings of the SPIE, Vol. 8715: Passive and Active Millimeter-Wave Imaging XVI, June 2013. DOI: 10.1117/12.2018738

J. Y. Suen, W. Li, Z. D. Taylor, and E. R. Brown, “Characterization and Modeling of a Terahertz Photoconductive Switch,” Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 96, Issue 14, pp. 141103- 141105. 2010. DOI: 10.1063/1.3374404

J. Y. Suen, R.S. Singh, Z.D. Taylor, P. Tewari, W.S. Grundfest, M.O. Culjat, and E.R. Brown, “Medical Terahertz Sensing of Skin Hydration,” Studies in Health Technology and Informatics, Volume 142: Medicine Meets Virtual Reality 17, 2009. DOI: 10.3233/978-1-58603-964-6-364

J. Y. Suen, R.S. Singh, Z.D. Taylor, and E.R. Brown, “A W-Band Quasi-Optical Homodyne Doppler Radar for Detection of Very Slow-Moving Targets,” Microwave Symposium Digest, 2008. IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium, June 2008. DOI: 10.1109/MWSYM.2008.4633078

 

J. Riley, P. Lubin, G. B. Hughes, H. O’Neill, P. Meinhold, J. Suen, J. Bible, I. E. Johansson, J. Griswold, B. Cook, “Directed energy active illumination for near-Earth object detection.” In revision for Journal of Astronomical Telescopes, Instruments, and Systems

K. Kosmo, M. Pryor, P. Lubin, G. B. Hughes, H. O’Neill, P. Meinhold, J. Suen, J. Riley, J. Griswold, B. V. Cook, I. E. Johansson, Q. Zhang, K. Walsh, C. Melis, M. Kangas, J. Bible, C. Motta, T. Brashears, S. Mathew, J. Bollag,  “DE-STARLITE: A directed energy planetary defense mission.” Proceedings of the SPIE, Vol. 9226: Nanophotonics and Macrophotonics for Space Environments VIII, 2014. DOI: 10.1117/12.2059959

G. B. Hughes, P. Lubin, J. Griswold, B. Cook, D. Bozzini, H. O’Neill, P. Meinhold, J. Suen, J. Bible, J. Riley, I. Johansson, M. Pryor, M. Kangas, “Optical modeling for a laser phased-array directed energy system.” Proceedings of the SPIE, Vol. 9226: Nanophotonics and Macrophotonics for Space Environments VIII, 2014. DOI: 10.1117/12.2059948

J. Riley, P. Lubin, G. B. Hughes, H. O’Neill, P. Meinhold, J. Suen, J. Bible, I. E. Johansson, J. Griswold, B. Cook, “Directed energy active illumination for near-Earth object detection.” Proceedings of the SPIE, Vol. 9226: Nanophotonics and Macrophotonics for Space Environments VIII, 2014. DOI: 10.1117/12.2061355

I. E. Johansson, T. Tsareva, J. Griwold, P. Lubin, G. B. Hughes, H. O’Neill, P. Meinhold, J. Suen, Q. Zhang, J. Riley, C. Melis, K. Walsh, T. Brashears, J. Bollag, S. Mathew, J. Bible, “Effects of asteroid rotation on directed energy deflection.” Proceedings of the SPIE, Vol. 9226: Nanophotonics and Macrophotonics for Space Environments VIII, 2014. DOI: 10.1117/12.2061368

P. M. Lubin, et al. “Toward directed energy planetary defense.” Optical Engineering, Vol. 53, Issue 2, 025103, February 2014. DOI: 10.1117/1.OE.53.2.025103

P. M. Lubin, et al., “Directed Energy Planetary Defense.” Proceedings of the SPIE, Vol. 8876: Nanophotonics and Macrophotonics for Space Environments VII, 2013. DOI: 10.1117/12.2030228 [Open Access]

G. B. Hughes, et al., “DE-STAR: Phased-array laser technology for planetary defense and other scientific purposes.” Proceedings of the SPIE, Vol. 8876: Nanophotonics and Macrophotonics for Space Environments VII, 2013. DOI: 10.1117/12.2026401 [Open Access]

S. P. Denny, J. Y. Suen, P. M. Lubin, “Fundamental Limits of Detection in the Far Infrared.” New Astronomy, Vol. 25, pp. 114-129, 2013. DOI: 10.1016/j.newast.2013.04.008 [Arxiv*]

Z. D. Taylor, W. Li, J. Suen, P. Tewari, D. Bennett, N. Bajwa, E. Brown, M. Culjat, W. Grundfest, R. Singh, “A scanned beam THz imaging system for medical applications.” Proceedings of the SPIE, Vol. 8119: Terahertz Emitters, Receivers, and Applications II, 2011. DOI: 10.1117/12.894362

K. K. Williams, Z. D. Taylor, J. Y. Suen, H. Lu, R. S. Singh, A. C. Gossard, E. R. Brown, “Toward a 1550 nm InGaAs Photoconductive Switch for Terahertz Generation,” Optics Letters, Vol. 34 Issue 20, pp. 3068-3070. 2009. DOI: 10.1364/OL.34.003068

P. Tewari, M. O. Culjat, Z. D. Taylor, J. Y. Suen, B. O. Burt, H. Lee, E. R. Brown, W. S. Grundfest, “Role of collagen in Terahertz Absorption in Skin,” Proceedings of the SPIE, Vol. 7169: Advanced Biomedical and Clinical Diagnostic Systems VII, 2009. DOI: 10.1117/12.816433

E.R. Brown, K. K. Williams, W-D. Zhang, J. Suen, H. Lu, J. Zide, and A. C. Gossard, “Electrical Transport in an Insulating Semimetal-Semiconductor Nanocomposite,” IEEE Trans. Nanotechnology, Vol. 8, Issue 3, pp. 402-407, 2008. DOI: 10.1109/TNANO.2008.2011764

Z.D. Taylor, R.S. Singh, M.O. Culjat, J.Y. Suen, W.S. Grundfest, and E. R. Brown, “Reflective THz imaging of porcine skin burns,” Optics Letters, Vol. 33, Issue 11, pp. 1258-1260. 2008. DOI: 10.1364/OL.33.001258

Z.D. Taylor, R.S. Singh RS, M.O. Culjat, J.Y. Suen, W.S. Grundfest, and E.R. Brown, “THz imaging based on water-concentration contrast,” Proceedings of the SPIE, Vol. 6949: Defense and Security, Paper# 6949-12, 16-20 March 2008. DOI: 10.1117/12.785337

 

*Please note the Arxiv versions are post peer-review preprints. The final versions do contain changes and corrections, so only they should be considered authoritative.

Presentations

J. Y. Suen, M. N. Lemaster, M. Kangas, P. M. Lubin, “On-demand Fabrication of High-Performance Metal Mesh Terahertz Filters,” International Workshop on Optical Terahertz Science and Technology, 2011.

J. Y. Suen, R. S. Singh, W. Li, Z. D. Taylor, M. O. Culjat, W. S. Grundfest, E. R. Brown, and H. Lee, “Sensing with Terahertz Radiation: Applications and Challenges,” Proceedings of the International Telemetering Conference. International Foundation for Telemetering, October 2009.

J. Y. Suen, Z. D. Taylor, W. Li, P. Tewari, R. S. Singh, M. O. Culjat, W. S. Grundfest, H. Lee, E. R. Brown, “Reflective, Pulsed THz System for Biomedical Imaging,” International Workshop on Optical Terahertz Science and Technology, 7-11 March 2009.

 

S. Denny, J. Y. Suen, P. M. Lubin, “Fundamental Limitations on Observing Terahertz Galaxies,” International Workshop on Optical Terahertz Science and Technology, 2011.

E. R. Brown, Z. D. Taylor, P. Tewari, R. S. Singh, M. O. Culjat, D. B. Bennett, W. S. Grundfest, J. Y. Suen, and H. Lee, “ THz Sensing and Imaging of Skin Tissue – Exploiting the Strong Reflectivity of Liqud Water,” International Symposium on Spectral Sensing Research (Invited Talk), June 21-24 2010.

W. Li, R. S. Singh, J. Y. Suen, Z. D. Taylor, M. O. Culjat, W. S. Grundfest, E. R. Brown, and H. Lee, “Terahertz Spectroscopy for Medical Instrument Development,” Proceedings of the International Telemetering Conference. International Foundation for Telemetering, October 2009.

K. K. Williams, J. Y. Suen, Z. D. Taylor, H. Lu, R. S. Singh, A. C. Gossard, and E. R. Brown, “Toward a 1550 nm InGaAs Photoconductive Switch,” International Workshop on Optical Terahertz Science and Technology, 7-11 March 2009.

Talks

“Water, Water, Everywhere: Global Distribution of Water Vapor for THz Applications,” UCSB ITST Seminar, April 2013.

“A weather balloon platform for observation of THz solar flares,” 5th Santa Barbara Astrophysics Meeting, 5 March 2012.

Patents

Submitted Patent Application: Long-range Standoff Imaging For Weapon Detection, 2013.