Mario KHOURY
FeaturedAbout Candidate
Education
Project Title: Silicon-Based Light Emitters Towards Quantum Devices At Telecom Frequency As a PhD student at IM2NP, my research focused on the fabrication and optical enhancement of silicon-based quantum emitters, particularly G-centers and W-centers, for photonic applications. I designed and fabricated various nanophotonic structures—including silicon islands, nanowires, ring resonators, and suspended membranes—using advanced lithographic and etching techniques. To activate and localize the quantum emitters within these structures, I employed carbon ion implantation followed by annealing, enabling the formation of G- and W-centers precisely within the optical mode regions. This approach allowed us to achieve highly directional emission and significantly boost photoluminescence efficiency—by more than 30 times—compared to unstructured regions. In parallel, I gained hands-on experience with a wide range of tools and techniques, including Focused Ion Beam (FIB) milling, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD), Molecular Beam Epitaxy (MBE), femtosecond laser writing, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. This work combined materials science, nanofabrication, and quantum optics, contributing to the advancement of scalable quantum photonic platforms in silicon.
Work & Experience
Project Title: Active Mid-Wave Infrared Frequency Combs Based On Interbrand Cascade (ICL) Lasers During my postdoctoral research at LAAS/CNRS, I was involved in a cutting-edge project focused on the development of active mid-wave infrared frequency combs based on interband cascade lasers (ICLs). My primary responsibility was to optimize and implement advanced nano- and microfabrication processes for the realization of MIR laser diodes on GaSb substrates. This involved improving the reliability and precision of cleanroom processes, including photolithography, etching, and metallization, to enable the generation of ultrashort pulses required for frequency comb operation. In parallel, I contributed to the design, prototyping, and characterization of the fabricated laser structures, ensuring alignment between experimental performance and theoretical models. My work played a key role in advancing the integration of ICL technology for next-generation mid-infrared photonic systems.
My teaching experience began during my PhD at Aix-Marseille University, where I served as a teaching assistant in physics for undergraduate students. I led tutorial and lab sessions in classical mechanics, electromagnetism, and thermodynamics, helping students build a strong conceptual foundation while developing their practical skills. Following my PhD, I continued to expand my academic involvement through teaching roles at two Lebanese universities: the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK) and Notre Dame University (NDU). At both institutions, I taught a variety of undergraduate physics and mathematics courses, including general physics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, and calculus. I was responsible for delivering lectures, conducting laboratory experiments, preparing assessments, and mentoring students. My approach emphasizes clarity, interaction, and linking theoretical principles to real-world applications, which has been consistently appreciated by students and colleagues alike. These teaching experiences have strengthened my pedagogical skills and reinforced my commitment to high-quality physics education.