PhD Candidate in Engineering | Materials and Photonic Devices
Cambridge, United Kingdom
Experimental researcher working across low-dimensional materials, nanoscale fabrication, and photonic devices, with particular depth in micro-ring resonators and precision resonance trimming, alongside Raman/PL spectroscopy and Python workflows for optical datasets. The thread through this work is rigorous processing and measurement, tied to device-level questions in optoelectronics and instrumentation that may matter for future computing and sensing stacks.
About
Hao Yu is a PhD student in Engineering at the University of Cambridge, building on an integrated master’s degree in Materials Science from the University of Oxford. His work spans low-dimensional materials, optoelectronics, photonic devices, and nanoscale fabrication—from close-space sublimation and transition metal dichalcogenide growth to micro-ring resonators and spectroscopy-intensive device studies.
He is motivated by how advanced material systems and careful device engineering can expand what is measurable and controllable in optical systems, including routes that may be relevant to emerging computing and sensing contexts where materials, photonics, and integration constraints intersect.
Experimentally, he works across fabrication-relevant processing and characterisation (including electron-beam lithography, thin-film processing, and multiple microscopy and spectroscopy modalities), complemented by modelling and scripting where it accelerates interpretation and reproducibility.
Research
Micro-ring resonators and active tuning approaches, linking nanoscale processing with resonant wavelength control and optical test-bed measurements—building experience that transfers to precision photonic integration problems.
Transition metal dichalcogenides and related nanostructures, including core–shell geometries and nanowire systems, studied with an emphasis on formation pathways, morphology, and device-relevant interfaces.
Raman and photoluminescence workflows, correlative microscopy and spectroscopy, and Python tooling for batch analysis—reducing friction from raw spectra to stable parameters and maps.
Growth and processing routes that connect materials science to optoelectronic function—including close-space sublimation and chemistry-mediated formation—evaluated with an eye toward scalable processing and interpretable optical signatures.
Publications
Nano Letters, Vol. 23, Issue 11, pp. 4800–4806, 2023.
Demonstrates a scalable route to trim photonic resonances via polymer exposure—central to precision control of resonant photonic devices.
Nanoscale, Advance Article, 2025.
Reports close-space sublimation pathways to tungsten oxide and sulfide nanostructures relevant to nanoscale materials formation and downstream device exploration.
ACS Applied Nano Materials, Vol. 8, Issue 15, pp. 7608–7615, 2025.
Describes solid-state formation of Se nanowires from a 2D precursor platform, framed for heterogeneous integration contexts.
Chemosphere, Volume 309, Part 1, 136547, 2022.
Investigates metal adsorption onto microplastics under simulated wetland conditions—an environmental materials study complementary to his nanomaterials-focused work.
Projects
Tools: Raman spectroscopy, Python
Focus: reproducible spectral analysis pipelines for 2D materials and mapping datasets.
Tools: Raman spectroscopy, SEM, TEM, EDS, COMSOL
Focus: growth science and correlative characterisation for high-quality 2D TMDs.
Tools: Raman spectroscopy, SEM, TEM, EDS
Focus: nanowire formation and optical fingerprinting with microscopy support.
Tools: Raman spectroscopy, SEM, TEM, EDS, XPS
Focus: scalable nanotube device fabrication and materials transformation pathways.
Tools: Lumerical, electron-beam lithography, mask aligner, in-house optical test-bed
Focus: precision photonic resonance control with cleanroom processing and optical verification.
Tools: Electron-beam evaporation (EBE), X-ray diffraction (XRD)
Focus: early nanowire growth and structural/optical screening.
Tools: Cadence
Focus: radiation-aware circuit robustness via simulation-led design.
Experience
BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd
Cambridge Judge Business School · Cambridge, UK
Market and application analysis for photonic PV technology, including roadmap and IP licensing support.
Education
Capabilities
Python; MATLAB; COMSOL Multiphysics. Coursework-style foundations in machine learning (LinkedIn Learning certificates, 2021 and 2025).
Chemical vapour deposition (CVD); dry exfoliation; reaction ion etching (RIE); spin-coating; electron-beam lithography; mask alignment; thin-film processing routes used across listed projects (including CSS and PVD-style growth contexts).
Raman spectroscopy; photoluminescence workflows; X-ray diffraction (XRD); scanning electron microscopy (SEM); transmission electron microscopy (TEM); energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS); X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS); optical characterisation on an in-house optical test-bed.
Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) and low-dimensional materials; optoelectronics; nanoscale fabrication and device prototyping; photonic resonators and trimming approaches.
Professional registration: Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining (IOM3) Chartered Engineer (CEng), Aug 2022.
Leadership
Cambridge Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA Cambridge)
Oxford Chinese Students and Scholars Association (OxCSSA)
Honours
CV
A PDF CV is available for committees, collaborators, and hosts.
Download CV (PDF)Contact
If you are working on photonics, advanced materials, or emerging optoelectronic systems—and want a careful experimental collaborator with fabrication and spectroscopy depth—please get in touch.