On May 13, 2013, Prof. Xi-Cheng Zhang, Director and Parker Givens Chair at the Institute of Optics, University of Rochester,the Director of the Center for THz Research at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, paid a visit to SIOM. Prof. Ruxin li, Director of SIOM, presided over Prof. Zhang’s seminar at SIOM.

During the seminar, Prof. Zhang delivered a presentation entitled: THz photonics: bridging the “gap” and beyond. He reviewed THz wave generation and detection techniques using air as emitter and sensor; explored the remaining challenges and future opportunities for this rapidly evolving area of research that transcends the "gap" once existing between optics and electronics and also highlighted their potentials, including for the national security applications.

Prof. Zhang is a Lifetime Fellow of IEEE, the Optical Society of America, and the American Physics Society. His recent awards include 2012 OSA William F. Meggers Award; 2011 IEEE Photonics Society William Streifer Scientific Achievement Award; and 2009 Rensselaer William H. Wiley Award.