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Nanfang Yu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics at Columbia University. His research specializes in the interaction of light with structured active materials at the nanometer scale, focusing on building novel devices such as lasers and detectors that control light effectively. He has made significant contributions to the understanding of nanostructured materials that facilitate generation and detection of infrared waves, exemplified by his work on quantum cascade lasers. Yu’s lab is pioneering new classes of flat optical components using two-dimensional arrays of nano-scatterers capable of dynamically molding optical wavefronts at ultra-high speeds. His interdisciplinary research extends into biophysics, exploring the highly sensitive infrared detection capabilities of certain insects, aiming to develop novel heat-sensing devices for chemical detection systems. He earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Peking University in 2004 and his Ph.D. in Engineering Sciences from Harvard University in 2009. He has held various positions at Harvard and Columbia, engaging in extensive research in plasmonics and metamaterials as well as leading numerous collaborative projects in advanced optics.
Harvard University • Cambridge, MA
Conducted research in plasmonics and metamaterials.
Columbia University • New York, NY
Leading research in applied physics and optical technologies.
Department of Anthropology (GSAS)