Prof. Dr. Yongguang Zhao | Physics and Astronomy | Best Researcher Award
Professor from Shandong University, China
Yongguang Zhao is a distinguished Professor and Ph.D. Supervisor at Shandong University, specializing in optics and photonics. His research primarily focuses on mid-infrared ultrafast laser technologies and vortex laser systems. Zhao has made substantial contributions to the field by advancing the generation of high-purity continuous-wave and femtosecond vortex lasers. His innovative approach involves using all-solid-state vortex laser generation techniques and employing single-crystal-fiber-based amplification architecture for ultrafast vortex laser pulses. Zhao’s work has had significant academic and technological impact, especially in ultrafast laser pulse durations within the sub-100 femtosecond regime. He has published more than 100 SCI-indexed papers, with numerous first-author and corresponding-author publications in leading journals, including Laser & Photonics Reviews and Optics Letters. Zhao has received several prestigious honors, such as the Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowship and the Qilu Young Scholar Award. His extensive international research experience, including postdoctoral research at the Max Born Institute, positions him as a global leader in his field.
Professional Profile
Education
Yongguang Zhao obtained his Ph.D. from Shandong University in 2014. During his doctoral studies, he focused on ultrafast laser technologies, laying the foundation for his future research career. After completing his Ph.D., Zhao worked at Jiangsu Normal University, where he contributed to the development of novel laser systems and photonics applications. He further honed his expertise in laser physics and ultrafast technologies during his postdoctoral research at the Max Born Institute in Germany from 2017 to 2020. His time at the institute allowed him to collaborate with leading researchers and broaden his academic horizon, enriching his work at the intersection of optics and material sciences. Since 2024, he has been a professor at the State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Shandong University, where his research continues to thrive.
Professional Experience
Zhao’s professional journey spans over a decade, during which he has held significant academic and research positions. After earning his Ph.D. in 2014, he joined Jiangsu Normal University, where he worked until 2024. At this university, he contributed to multiple high-impact research projects on optics and photonics, especially focusing on ultrafast laser systems. His postdoctoral research at the Max Born Institute in Germany from 2017 to 2020 further enhanced his expertise, allowing him to collaborate with world-renowned scientists in the field of laser technology. Currently, as a professor at Shandong University’s State Key Laboratory of Crystal Materials, Zhao leads cutting-edge research in ultrafast laser technologies. Throughout his career, he has consistently shown an ability to bridge theoretical research with practical applications, advancing the field of laser systems and photonics.
Research Interests
Yongguang Zhao’s primary research interest lies in the field of optics and photonics, specifically in mid-infrared ultrafast laser technologies and vortex laser systems. His work focuses on understanding and developing novel vortex laser systems, with an emphasis on generating high-purity continuous-wave and femtosecond vortex lasers. Zhao’s research also delves into the development of single-crystal-fiber-based amplification architectures, which have shown distinct advantages in ultrafast vortex laser amplification. His investigations into the fundamental principles of vortex laser generation aim to push the boundaries of laser performance, particularly for high-power and high-peak-power applications. Zhao’s work holds immense potential for future breakthroughs in ultrafast laser systems, with applications in scientific research, industrial technology, and medical fields.
Research Skills
Zhao has a profound expertise in optics, ultrafast laser technology, and vortex laser systems. He is skilled in advanced laser system design, particularly in generating continuous-wave and femtosecond vortex lasers in the mid-infrared spectrum. His expertise also extends to the application of single-crystal fiber amplification systems, where he has pioneered innovative approaches that enhance the efficiency of ultrafast vortex laser pulses. Zhao’s work involves experimental validation, theoretical modeling, and cutting-edge material science techniques. He has demonstrated exceptional abilities in handling complex optical experiments, data analysis, and the development of novel laser systems that exhibit enhanced power and efficiency. His research also includes the application of various types of laser sources in scientific, industrial, and medical fields, contributing to a broad range of practical applications.
Awards and Honors
Yongguang Zhao has earned numerous prestigious awards and honors throughout his academic career. He was the recipient of the Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowship, a highly esteemed recognition for international researchers. Zhao was also named a Qilu Young Scholar, an honor that recognizes outstanding young researchers in China. In addition, he was awarded the Jiangsu Provincial “333 High-Level Talent” award, which recognizes individuals with exceptional contributions to scientific research and innovation in Jiangsu Province. These accolades reflect Zhao’s significant contributions to the field of optics and photonics, especially in the development of ultrafast laser technologies and vortex laser systems. His recognition by these prestigious institutions further solidifies his standing as a leading researcher in his field.
Conclusion
Yongguang Zhao is an accomplished and innovative researcher who has significantly contributed to the fields of optics and photonics. His groundbreaking work on mid-infrared ultrafast laser technologies and vortex laser systems has not only advanced fundamental laser science but also introduced new possibilities for industrial and scientific applications. Zhao’s consistent publication record, coupled with his leadership in both academia and international collaborations, showcases his capacity for groundbreaking research. His honors, such as the Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellowship and the Qilu Young Scholar award, underscore his global recognition. Zhao’s work continues to push the boundaries of laser technologies, establishing him as a leader in the optics and photonics research community.
Publications Top Notes
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6 W 320 nm ultraviolet pulse laser based on intracavity frequency doubling of Pr:YLF crystal
Authors: Guofeng Xu, Shuxian Wang, Fei Liang, Pingzhang Yu, Zhengping Wang
Journal: Optics Express
Year: 2025 -
Amplification of high-purity scalar orbital angular momentum states in single-crystal fibers
Authors: Changsheng Zheng, Zihao Tong, Yinyin Wang, Haohai Yu, Huaijin Zhang
Journal: APL Photonics
Year: 2025 -
100 W orbital angular momentum laser at 2 µm
Authors: Heng Ding, Zihao Tong, Changsheng Zheng, Haohai Yu, Huaijin Zhang
Journal: Optics Letters
Year: 2025 -
Mode-locking of anisotropic Tm,Ho:GdScO3 laser delivering 57-fs pulses at 2078 nm
Authors: Ning Zhang, Heng Ding, Yinyin Wang, Huanijin Zhang, Jun Xu
Journal: Optics Express
Year: 2024
Citations: 2 -
Room-temperature high-power laser emission of erbium-doped fluorite crystals at 2.8 µm
Authors: Lei Zhu, Zhen Zhang, Yunfei Wang, Jun Xu, Liangbi Su
Journal: Optics Letters
Year: 2024
Citations: 5 -
Controlled Generation of High-Purity Scalar Orbital Angular Momentum States from a High-Power Single-Crystal Fiber Laser
Authors: Yongguang Zhao, Bin Chen, Changsheng Zheng, Haohai Yu, Huaijin Zhang
Journal: Laser and Photonics Reviews
Year: 2024
Citations: 3 -
High-efficiency tandem Ho:YAG single-crystal fiber laser delivering more than 100 W output power
Authors: Jianlei Wang, Zihao Tong, Changsheng Zheng, Yongguang Zhao, Chun Wang
Journal: High Power Laser Science and Engineering
Year: 2024
Citations: 2 -
Tunable and mode-locked Tm,Ho:GdScO3 laser
Authors: Jian Liu, Ning Zhang, Qingsong Song, Kheirreddine Lebbou, Jun Xu
Year: 2024
Citations: 3 -
Femtosecond pulse generation from a SESAM mode-locked Tm,Ho:SrF2 laser at 2.08 µm
Authors: Ning Zhang, Zhen Zhang, Yinyin Wang, Liangbi Su, Jun Xu
Journal: Optics Express
Year: 2024
Citations: 2 -
Sub-60-fs mode-locked Tm,Ho:CaYLuAlO4 laser at 2.05 µm
Authors: Shande Liu, Peifu Wang, Kuan Li, Junting Liu, Yongguang Zhao
Journal: Optics Express
Year: 2024
Citations: 5