Can we guide light by making tiny tunnels? Creating optical light highways using ultrafast lasers.
Abdullah Tamim Abdul Maleque
Electronics and Electrical Engineering
5th
5th
Abstract
Cleanroom fabrication has allowed the creation of a wide range of nanoscale devices and has driven advancements in material science. However, the high operational costs and extensive training required for these facilities present challenges. What if we could fabricate optical devices using lasers instead? Ultrafast laser inscription (ULI) is a technique that uses femtosecond lasers which are extremely powerful laser that has bursts of light so short they make a blink seem like an eternity. These laser pulses can modify transparent materials and like glass without the need for masks or cleanroom environments. By precisely controlling laser parameters, it is possible to inscribe optical waveguides —think of these as highways for light—inside glass, enabling applications in telecommunications and integrated photonic circuits.
Bio
I am Abdullah Tamim, and I am a final-year integrated Master’s student in Electronics and Electrical Engineering. My curiosity has always been shaped by three fundamental questions: How and why do things work the way they do? And once I understand them, what can I do to improve them? This mindset has guided my academic journey, from studying sciences in high school—where I first became fascinated by how computers work—to my current passion for Quantum Technologies. I believe advancements in this field will be transformative, shaping the future of computing, communication, and beyond.
I thrive in hands-on laboratory environments and enjoy working collaboratively, constantly seeking opportunities to learn from others. Outside of my studies, I engage with my university community through my roles at the IT Helpdesk and Peer Career Support Team, where I enjoy meeting and helping people. Whether in research or everyday interactions, I am driven by a desire to innovate, solve problems, and make a meaningful impact through technology.