Statement of Purpose

I am applying to The University of Arizona for a PhD in College of Optical Sciences. I am a senior,
majoring in Electrical Engineering with a focus on optics and photonics, from Lahore University of
Management Sciences (LUMS), which is one of the finest engineering institutions in Pakistan. Throughout my
undergraduate studies, I have performed very well academically and remained on the Deans Honor List.
Moreover, I have been actively involved in many interdepartmental research projects i.e. I have worked on;
two projects in the area of Optics, one project on novel nano electronic devices and one in the area of Power
Systems. I have published a research paper in an international conference [2] and another research paper is
in submission [1]. My research work, especially the Senior Year Project, has induced in me passion for optics
and photonics and prompted me to apply for a PhD in this research area.
My Senior Year Project is titled Measuring the orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) of Light by Phase
Flattening. Aim of the project is to make a universal detector, for the measurement of OAM of light with no
moving parts. It has been shown that computer generated spatial light modulators (SLMs) can be used for
detection of Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) beams by phase flattening of the incoming beam. But in making of a
universal detector, the beam formed in the far field, after the phase SLM, is not perfectly Gaussian; it
contains higher radial modes and the width of the central bright spot is highly dependent on the L and p
value of the incoming LG beam. Commonly SMF (single mode fiber) is used for the detection of a Gaussian
beam, and the detection efficiency depends on the spot size of the beam before the SMF. Therefore the
position of SLM has to be changed for different values of L and p to get maximum coupling efficiency. We
at LUMS are now in a position to detect OAM of light by adjusting the equipment for different L values of
the incoming Laguerre Gaussian beam, and are trying to implement this concept with no moving parts. This
project was the first of its type in LUMS, so the work had to be started from scratch. This was a great learning
experience for me because apart from learning the theory behind the vortices and the orbital angular
momentum of light from different research papers and books, I learnt to think independently and critically,
as the responsibility of the whole project was on me. Moreover, during the project we stayed in touch with
other research groups working in this area (especially Prof Robert Boyds Group, University of Ottawa), which
not only me gave exposure to the research of other people but also developed in me confidence about the
effectiveness of my own work and abilities.
To enhance my concepts of optics and to have hands on experience with the laboratory equipment, I
decided to work in Optics Lab at LUMS on a project titled Super Resolution Microscopy through Wave front
Control in Complex Media, in the summer of 2013. The aim was to overcome the diffraction limit of a lens by
introducing spatial frequencies in the system with the help of a scattering media. My contribution in the
project was to phase modulate laser beam in such a way that after passing through the scattering media,
light is focused to form a spot smaller than a lens. The project was multi disciplinary and involved concepts
from optics, image processing and Biology. The project familiarized me with the latest techniques used to
overcome the diffraction limit, different types of microscopes and the rigorous mathematics behind the
modeling of the stochastic complex media and the interaction of phase modulated laser beam with it. This
lab experience will help me a lot in my graduate studies at University of Arizona.
In the spring of 2013, to gain understanding about the mathematical modeling and Physics of the
semi conductor materials, I worked on nano-biosensors in the electrical engineering department, LUMS,
under supervision of Dr Nauman Zafar Butt and Dr Sohail A. Quereshi (Dean School of Science and
Engineering, LUMS). The goal was to study the effect of different types of noise sources on the sensitivity of
nano-biosensors, made from silicon nano wires. My contribution in the project was to make a simulation of
the proposed biosensor, and then do the noise calculations. Through this project I gained a deep
understanding of the modeling and simulations of the semi conducting materials. I studied different types of
bio sensors like photo biosensors, chemical biosensors and nano-electronic biosensors. As I was one of the
pioneering members of the group so I had to face a lot of challenge both academically and logistically, which
taught me to learn from set-backs and to keep working to unravel new approaches to solve problems. The
research in still underway and the bio sensor group at LUMS has developed a lot over the past few months.
After my sophomore year, I grabbed a chance to work on the electrical and photo characteristics of
LED lights, in the Power Laboratory at LUMS. Goal was to design an experimental setup to compare the
electrical and photo characteristics of LED lights available in Pakistan. As an extension to the project, we
looked at the effect of harmonics, produced by these lights, on the power distribution systems. My part in
the project was to study the International standards (like IEC) about the photo-characteristics of LED lights,
measure these characteristics and classify the lights in the groups of good, average and bad on the basis of
these characteristics. I also worked on the measurement of harmonics and mathematical modeling of LED
lights, for this I had to explore the areas of non linear modeling of systems and signal and image processing.
This project helped me to learn about the research methodology and to independently explore the research
papers, as it involved a lot of literature survey and independent thinking. Our work in the project was well
recognized and we gave a presentation about our findings to industries from all over Pakistan. We also
published our findings about electrical and photo characteristics of LED lights in an International Conference
[2]; another research paper about the effect of harmonics on power distribution systems is under submission
[1].
At LUMS, my coursework has been focused on Optics and Photonics. I have taken a senior level
course in Optics, Principles of Optics, which covered all the fundamental concepts like interference,
diffraction, isotropic and anisotropic materials, holography etc. I have also taken a graduate course on nano
electronic devices which covered physics behind different optical characteristics of materials e.g. refractive
index, band gaps etc, and use of these in applications like photo detectors and solar cells. My educational
period at LUMS, along with the knowledge and skills that I have gained during this period, have prepared me
for independent thinking and good research. I think I know enough to appreciate the depth and rigor
required in cutting edge research in optics and photonics. I have shared what I have learnt by working as a
teaching assistant in the Electromagnetic Field and Waves and Principles of Optics courses and by taking
regular tutorials. This revealed to me my own enthusiasm for teaching and my passion to get involved with
students.
I believe that University of Arizona will be an excellent opportunity for me to fulfill my passion for
research. The work of Dr Ewan M.Wright, on detection OAM of light using the method of principal
component analysis [3] and interaction of such beams with matter fascinates me a lot. As I myself, in my
senior year project, am working on detection OAM of LG beams so I can appreciate the quality of work done.
Moreover, the work of Dr Ivan B. Djordjevic, on secure quantum communication using both Spin and OAM of
light has captured my interest [4]. I believe that my work on OAM of light and knowledge of mathematical
modeling and simulations of optical characteristics of materials will contribute to the work being done at
University of Arizona. Moreover, College of Optical Sciences has broad coursework options and distinguished
professors in my field of interest, enabling me to strengthen my background in the relevant areas. Through
my graduate studies at University of Arizona, I see myself as a productive researcher and an active
community contributor.
References:
[1] H. Shabbir, M. Muneeb Ur Rehman, S. Abdul Rehman, S. K. Sheikh, N.Zaffar, "Assessment of Harmonics Pollution by LED Lamps in Power
Systems" on IEEE PSC14 conference, Clemson University. (In Submission)
[2] M. Muneeb Ur Rehman, H. Shabbir, S. Abdul Rehman, S. K. Sheikh, N.Zaffar, "A Comparative Analysis of Electrical and Photo Characteristics
of LED Lights," on Frontiers of Information Technology, 10th IEEE International Conference, 2012.
[3] Simultaneous determination of the constituent azimuthal and radial mode indices for light fields possessing orbital angular momentum
Mazilu, Michael and Mourka, Areti and Vettenburg, Tom and Wright, Ewan M. and Dholakia, Kishan, Applied Physics Letters, 100, 231115
(2012)
[4] Djordjevic, I.B., "Multidimensional QKD Based on Combined Orbital and Spin Angular Momenta of Photon," Photonics Journal, IEEE , vol.5,
no.6, pp.7600112,7600112, Dec. 2013