Linda J. Olafsen Baylor University Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering One Bear Place #97356 Waco, TX 76798   Linda_Olafsen@baylor.edu

Professional Experience

• Baylor University, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Associate Professor (2015-present)
• Baylor University, Department of Physics
  • Associate Professor (2006-2014)
• University of Kansas, Department of Physics and Astronomy
  • Associate Professor (2005-2006)
  • Assistant Professor (1999-2005)
• Naval Research Laboratory, Optical Sciences Division
  • National Research Council Postdoctoral Research Associate (1997-1999)
• Duke University, Department of Physics
  • Research Assistant (1993-1997)
  • Teaching Assistant (1991-1993)
• AT&T Bell Laboratories, Summer Research Program
  • Laboratory Assistant (1990)
• Princeton University, Department of Physics
  • Laboratory Assistant (1989)

Education

• Duke University
  • Ph.D., Physics, 1997
    • Dissertation: “Photoluminescence and Tunneling in GaAs/Al_xGa_1-xAs Single Quantum Wells”
    • Adviser: Stephen W. Teitsworth
  • M.A., Physics, 1994
    • Prospectus: “Optical Studies of Γ-X transitions in AlAs/GaAs/AlAs Heterostructures”
    • Adviser: Stephen W. Teitsworth
• Princeton University
  • A.B., Physics, 1991
    • Thesis: “High Current Breakdown of the Dissipationless Quantum Hall Effect”
    • Supervisor: Albert M. Chang

Professional Societies

• IEEE, Senior Member
  • IEEE Photonics Society
• Materials Research Society
  • Congressional Visit Day subcommittee (Chair, 2012–2016)/Policy Outreach Working Group
  • Government Affairs Committee
  • MRS Bulletin, Book Review Board, chair
  • MRS Bulletin, Editorial Board, member
• American Physical Society, Lifetime Member
  • Division of Condensed Matter Physics
  • Division of Laser Science
  • Forum on Education
  • Forum on Industrial and Applied Physics
• Optical Society of America, Lifetime Member
• SPIE, Lifetime Member
• Directed Energy Professional Society

Publications

1. D. R. DeVries, L. J. Olafsen, J. S. Olafsen, H. H. Nguyen, K. E. Schubert, S. Dayawansa, and J. H. Huang, “Ultrasound Localization of Nitinol Wire of Sub-Wavelength Dimension,” IEEE Open Journal of Engineering in Medicine and Biology 3, 18-24 (2022).
2. L. J. Olafsen, K. A. Stephens, and D. R. DeVries, “Optical Pumping and Electrical Injection of a 3.6 µm Interband Cascade Laser,” IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics, 58(2), 2000408 (2022).
3. L. J. Olafsen, K. A. Stephens, and D. R. Sugijanto, “Optically Pumped Interband Cascade Laser with Graphene Contact,” Universal Journal of Lasers, Optics, Photonics, and Sensors, 1(3), 72–79 (2021).
4. L. J. Olafsen and N. Rumman, “Optically-Pumped Mid-Infrared Interband Cascade Lasers,” 2020 IEEE Texas Symposium on Wireless and Microwave Circuits and Systems (WMCS), Waco, TX, USA, pp. 1-4 (2020).
5. L. J. Olafsen and J. S. Olafsen, “Multi-wavelength beam profile measurement of near-infrared pulses for optical pumping,” Infrared Physics and Technology 105, 103228 (2020).
6. L. J. Olafsen, B. Jones, L. Sparks, H. H. Nguyen, A. Tanner, K. E. Schubert, J. S. Olafsen, S. Dayawansa, E. Fonkem, and J. H. Huang, “Current-controlled Nitinol wire for improved arterial navigation,” Proceedings of the SPIE 10868, 108681E (2019).
7. L. J. Olafsen, J. S. Olafsen, and I. K. Eaves, “Time-dependent spatial intensity profiles of near-infrared idler pulses from nanosecond optical parametric oscillators,” Applied Physics B 124, 110 (2018).
8. John Miller and Linda Olafsen, “Miniature Wind Turbine Student Design Project,” Proceedings of the 2016 ASEE Gulf-Southwest Annual Conference, 165 (2016).
9. L. J. Olafsen, “Tunable Optical Pumping Technique for the Development of Mid-Infrared Semiconductor Lasers,” Chapter 11,  New Developments in Photon and Materials Research, edited by J. I. Jang, Nova Science Publishers (2013). [BOOK CHAPTER]
10. L. J. Olafsen, J. Kunz, A. P. Ongstad, and R. Kaspi, “Tunable excitation of mid-infrared optically pumped semiconductor lasers,” Proceedings of the SPIE 8631, 86312N (2013).
11. L. J. Olafsen, L. D. Ice, and B. Ball, “Nonlinear Temperature Dependence of Resonant Pump Wavelengths in Optical Pumping Injection Cavity Lasers,” IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics 17, 1453–1459 (2011).
12. L. J. Olafsen, I. K. Eaves, and J. S. Olafsen, “Synchronized Mid-infrared Beam Characterization of Narrow Gap Semiconductors,” AIP Conference Proceedings 1416, 88–90 (2011).
13. L. J. Olafsen, L. E. Bain, W. W. Bewley, I. Vurgaftman, J. R. Meyer, H. Lee, and R. U. Martinelli, “Room-temperature 4.0-µm broadened optical pumping injection cavity lasers,” Proceedings of the SPIE 7953, 795314 (2011).
14. L. J. Olafsen and T. C. McAlpine, “Transparency pump intensity and differential gain in resonantly pumped W optical pumping injection cavity lasers,” Journal of Applied Physics 108, 053106 (2010).
15. J. T. Olesberg, C. Cao, J. R. Yager, J. P. Prineas, C. Coretsopoulos, M. A. Arnold, L. J. Olafsen, and M. Santilli, “Optical microsensor for continuous glucose measurements in interstitial fluid,” Proceedings of the SPIE, 6094, 609403 (2006).
16. J. P. Prineas, J. R. Yager, J. T. Olesberg, S. Seydmohamadi, C. Cao, M. Reddy, C. Coresopoulos, J. L. Hicks, T. F. Boggess, M. Santilli, and L. J. Olafsen, “PIN versus PN homojunctions in GaInAsSb 2.0–2.5 micron mesa photodiodes,” Proceedings of the SPIE, 6119, 611903 (2006).
17. Progress in Semiconductor Materials V -- Novel Materials and Electronic and Optoelectronic Applications, edited by Linda J. Olafsen, Robert M. Biefeld, Michael C. Wanke, Adam W. Saxler (Mater. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. 891, Warrendale, PA, 2006).
18. J. P. Prineas, M. Reddy, J. T. Olesberg, C. Cao, S. Veerasamy, M. E. Flatté, E. Koerperick, T. F. Boggess, M. R. Santilli, and L. J. Olafsen, “Quaternary GaInAsSb 2.0-2.5 micron back-illuminated focal plane array for blood glucose monitoring,” Proceedings of the SPIE, Semiconductor Photodetectors II 5726, 113 (2005).
19. T. C. McAlpine, K. R. Greene, M. R. Santilli, L. J. Olafsen, W. W. Bewley, C. L. Felix, I. Vurgaftman, J. R. Meyer, M. J. Yang, H. Lee, and R. U. Martinelli, “Resonantly pumped optical pumping injection cavity lasers,” Journal of Applied Physics 96, 4751 (2004).
20. L. J. Olafsen, I. Vurgaftman, and J. R. Meyer, “Antimonide Mid-IR Lasers,” for Long-wavelength Infrared Semiconductor Lasers, ed. H. K. Choi (John Wiley, New York, 2004).
[BOOK CHAPTER]
21. T. C. McAlpine, K. R. Greene, M. R. Santilli, L. J. Olafsen, W. W. Bewley, C. L. Felix, I. Vurgaftman, J. R. Meyer, M. J. Yang, H. Lee, and R. U. Martinelli, “Pump Wavelength Tuning of Optical Pumping Injection Cavity Lasers for Enhancing Mid-Infrared Operation,” Materials Research Society Symposia Proceedings, 799, 211 (2004).
22. S. Cho, Y. Kim, L. J. Olafsen, I. Vurgaftman, A. J. Freeman, G. K. L. Wong, J. R. Meyer, C. A. Hoffman, and J. B. Ketterson, “Large magnetoresistance in post-annealed polycrystalline and epitaxial Bi thin films,” Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials 239, 201 (2002).
23. S. Cho, Y. Kim, S. J. Youn, A. DiVenere, G. K. L. Wong, A. J. Freeman, J. B. Ketterson, L. J. Olafsen, I. Vurgaftman, J. R. Meyer, and C. A. Hoffman, “Artificially ordered Bi/Sb superlattice alloys: Fabrication and transport properties,” Physical Review B 64, 235330 (2001).
24. S. Cho, Y. Kim, A. J. Freeman, G. K. L.  Wong, J. B. Ketterson, L. J. Olafsen, I. Vurgaftman, J. R. Meyer, and C. A. Hoffman, “Large magnetoresistance in postannealed Bi thin films,” Applied Physics Letters 79, 3651–3653 (2001).
25. S. Cho, Y. Kim, A. DiVenere, G. K. L. Wong, A. J. Freeman, J. B. Ketterson, L. J. Olafsen, I. Vurgaftman, J. R. Meyer C. A. Hoffman, and G. Chen, “Artificially Atomic-scale Ordered Superlattice Alloys for Thermoelectric Applications,” Materials Research Society Symposia Proceedings 626, Z2.4.1–Z2.4.6 (2000).
26. L. J. Olafsen, W. W. Bewley, I. Vurgaftman, C. L. Felix, E. H. Aifer, D. W. Stokes, J. R. Meyer, H. Lee, R. J. Menna, R. U. Martinelli, D. Z. Garbuzov, M. Maiorov, J. C. Connolly, A. R. Sugg, and G. H. Olsen, “High Temperature W Diode Lasers Emitting at 3.3 µm,” Materials Research Society Symposia Proceedings 607, 95–100 (2000).
27. L. J. Olafsen, T. Daniels-Race, R. E. Kendall, and S. W. Teitsworth, “Photoluminescence of n-i-n single quantum well structures under electric field bias,” Superlattices and Microstructures 27(1), 39–51 (2000).
28. J. R. Meyer, W. W. Bewley, I. Vurgaftman, C. L. Felix, L. J. Olafsen, E. H. Aifer, D. W. Stokes, M. J. Yang, H. Lee, R. J. Menna, R. U. Martinelli, D. Z. Garbuzov, J. C. Connolly, M. Maiorov, A. R. Sugg, and G. H. Olsen, “Type-II Mid-Infrared Lasers,” Proceedings of the SPIE 3947, 100–109 (2000).
29. C. L. Felix, W. W. Bewley, I. Vurgaftman, L. J. Olafsen, D. W. Stokes, J. R. Meyer, and M. J. Yang, “High-efficiency midinfrared 'W' laser with optical pumping injection cavity,” Applied Physics Letters 75, 2876–2878 (1999).
30. D. W. Stokes, L. J. Olafsen, W. W. Bewley, I. Vurgaftman, C. L. Felix, E. H. Aifer, J. R. Meyer, and M. J. Yang, “Type-II quantum-well 'W' lasers emitting at λ = 5.4–7.3 µm,” Journal of Applied Physics 86, 4729–4733 (1999).
31. C. L. Felix, W. W. Bewley, L. J. Olafsen, D. W. Stokes, E. H. Aifer, I. Vurgaftman, J. R. Meyer, and M. J. Yang, “Continuous-Wave Type-II 'W' Lasers Emitting at λ = 5.4–7.1 µm,” IEEE Photonics Technology Letters 11, 964–966 (1999).
32. W. W. Bewley, C. L. Felix, E. H. Aifer, D. W. Stokes, I. Vurgaftman, L. J. Olafsen, J. R. Meyer, M. J. Yang, and H. Lee, “Thermal Characterization of Diamond-Pressure-Bond Heat Sinking for Optically Pumped Mid-Infrared Lasers,” IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics 35, 1597–1601 (1999).
33. H. Lee, L. J. Olafsen, R. J. Menna, W. W. Bewley, R. U. Martinelli, I. Vurgaftman, D. Z. Garbuzov, C. L. Felix, M. Maiorov, J. R. Meyer, J. C. Connolly, A. R. Sugg, and G. H. Olsen, “Room-temperature type-II W quantum well diode laser with broadened waveguide emitting at λ= 3.30 µm,” Electronics Letters 35, 1743–1744 (1999).
34. W. W. Bewley, C. L. Felix, I. Vurgaftman, D. W. Stokes, E. H. Aifer, L. J. Olafsen, J. R. Meyer, M. J. Yang, B. V. Shanabrook, H. Lee, R. U. Martinelli, and A. R. Sugg, “High-temperature continuous-wave 3–6.1 µm 'W' lasers with diamond-pressure-bond heat sinking,” Applied Physics Letters 74(8), 1075–1077 (1999).
35. L. J. Olafsen, I. Vurgaftman, W. W. Bewley, C. L. Felix, E. H. Aifer, J. R. Meyer, J. R. Waterman, and W. Mason, “Negative luminescence from type-II InAs/GaSb superlattice photodiodes,” Applied Physics Letters 74, 2681–2683 (1999).
36. W. W. Bewley, C. L. Felix, I. Vurgaftman, E. H. Aifer, L. J. Olafsen, J. R. Meyer, L. Goldberg, and D. H. Chow, “Mid-IR Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers for Chemical Sensing,” Applied Optics–Lasers, Photonics, and Environmental Optics 38, 1502–1505 (1999).
37. W. W. Bewley, C. L. Felix, I. Vurgaftman, L. J. Olafsen, E. H. Aifer, and J. R. Meyer, “Addendum: 'Midinfrared vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser' [Appl. Phys. Lett. 71, 3483 (1997)],” Applied Physics Letters 74, 625–627 (1999).
38. C. L. Felix, W. W. Bewley, E. H. Aifer, I. Vurgaftman, L. J. Olafsen, D. W. Stokes, J. R. Meyer, M. J. Yang, H. Lee, R. U. Martinelli, J. C. Connolly, A. R. Sugg, and G. H. Olsen, “Optically-Pumped Mid-Infrared Type-II Lasers: Advances in High Temperature Performance,” Proceedings of the SPIE, In-Plane Semiconductor Lasers III, 3628, 130–139 (1999).
39. W. W. Bewley, C. L. Felix, E. H. Aifer, I. Vurgaftman, L. J. Olafsen, J. R. Meyer, H. Lee, R. U. Martinelli, J. C. Connolly, A. R. Sugg, G. H. Olsen, M. J. Yang, B. R. Bennett, and B. V. Shanabrook, “Above-room-temperature optically pumped midinfrared W lasers,” Applied Physics Letters 73, 3833–3835 (1998).
40. J. R. Meyer, C. L. Felix, W. W. Bewley, I. Vurgaftman, E. H. Aifer, L. J. Olafsen, J. R. Lindle, C. A. Hoffman, M. J. Yang, B. R. Bennett, B. V. Shanabrook, H. Lee, C.-H. Lin, S. S. Pei, and R. H. Miles, “Auger coefficients in type-II InAs/Ga_1–xIn_xSb quantum wells,” Applied Physics Letters 73, 2857–2859 (1998).
41. J. R. Meyer, L. J. Olafsen, E. H. Aifer, W. W. Bewley, C. L. Felix, I. Vurgaftman, M. J. Yang, L. Goldberg, D. Zhang, C.-H. Lin, S. S. Pei, and D. H. Chow, “Type-II W, Interband Cascade, and Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Mid-IR Lasers,” IEE Proceedings–Optoelectronics 145, 275–280 (1998).
42. E. H. Aifer, W. W. Bewley, C. L. Felix, I. Vurgaftman, L. J. Olafsen, J. R. Meyer, H. Lee, R. U. Martinelli, J. C. Connolly, A. R. Sugg, and G. Olsen, “CW operation of 3.4 µm optically-pumped W laser to 220 K,” Electronics Letters 34, 1587–1588 (1998).
43. L. J. Olafsen, E. H. Aifer, I. Vurgaftman, W. W. Bewley, C. L. Felix, J. R. Meyer, D. Zhang, C.-H. Lin, and S. S. Pei, “Near-room-temperature mid-infrared interband cascade laser,” Applied Physics Letters 72, 2370–2372 (1998).
44. R. Q. Yang, C.-H. Lin, B. H. Yang, D. Zhang, S. J. Murry, S.-S. Pei, W. W. Bewley, L. J. Olafsen, E. H. Aifer, C. L. Felix, I. Vurgaftman, and J. R. Meyer, “Type-II Quantum Cascade Lasers,” Proceedings of the SPIE 3284, 308–317 (1998).
45. J. R. Meyer, I. Vurgaftman, L. J. Olafsen, E. H. Aifer, W. W. Bewley, C. L. Felix, C.-H. Lin, D. Zhang, R. Q. Yang, S.-S. Pei, K. Vodopyanov, K. O'Neill, C. C. Phillips, and M. Hopkinson, “Phase-Matched Second-Harmonic and Cascade Laser Mid-IR Sources,” in Intersubband Transitions in Quantum Wells:  Physics and Devices, ed. S. S. Li and Y.-K. Su (Kluwer, Boston, 1998).
46. L. J. Blue, T. Daniels-Race, R. Kendall, C. R. Schmid, and S. W. Teitsworth, “Dependence of I-V Characteristics on Al Mole Fraction in GaAs/Al_xGa_1-xAs Asymmetric Double Barrier Structures,” Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology B15, 696–701 (1997).
47. L. J. Blue, T. Daniels-Race, C. N. Yeh, and L. E. McNeil, “Effect of well width variation on type-I/type-II photoluminescence in GaAs/AlAs single quantum wells,” Superlattices and Microstructures 21, 187–193 (1997).
48. C. N. Yeh, L. E. McNeil, T. Daniels-Race, and L. J. Blue, “Photoluminescence measurements of tensile strained GaAs/In_0.07Al_0.93As quantum wells,” Journal of Applied Physics 79, 3192-3195 (1996).
49. C. N. Yeh, L. E. McNeil, L. J. Blue, and T. Daniels-Race, “Measurement of the GaAs/AlAs valence-band offset from a single quantum well near the Γ-X crossover,” Journal of Applied Physics, 77, 4541–4543 (1995).

Book Reviews

1. L. J. Olafsen, “Review of Quantum Mechanics for Nanostructures,” MRS Bulletin, 37(5), 531 (2012).
2. L. J. Olafsen, “Review of Introduction to the Electronic Properties of Materials, 2nd Ed.,” MRS Bulletin, 28(11), 867 (2003).
3. L. J. Olafsen, “Review of Mesoscopic Systems: Fundamentals and Applications,” MRS Bulletin, 28(4), 323 (2003).

Essay

1. L. J. Olafsen, “The Dual-Career ‘Problem’,” Blazing the Trail: Essays by Leading Women in Science, edited by Emma Ideal (Yale University) and Rhiannon Meharchand (Los Alamos National Laboratory).

Curriculum Vita

Research Opportunities: Semiconductor Optoelectronics Laboratory

Postdoctoral research opportunity

Graduate and undergraduate students are welcome to contact Professor Olafsen to discuss interest in working on any of these projects.

• Mid-infrared semiconductor laser development
• Optical, electronic, thermal, and spectroscopic measurements
• Analysis to determine physical loss mechanisms, improve epitaxial structures and device engineering, increase efficiency
• Device fabrication

• Graphene-semiconductor optoelectronic devices
• Integration of 2D graphene with 3D semiconductors, including electrical, optical, and thermal characterization of graphene-semiconductor and graphene-metal interfaces

• Endovascular navigation
• Programming and characterizing shape-memory-alloy wire
• Navigation in phantoms
• Electrical properties/conduction/connections for powering emitters and detectors

• In vivo infrared sensing

And other projects involving

• Infrared imaging
• Ultrasonic imaging
• LabVIEW programming
• Beam profiling