Optica (formerly the Optical Society of America), has named Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor Minjoo Larry Lee as a 2025 Optica Fellow in recognition of “outstanding contributions to molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) growth of III-V optoelectronic devices on silicon.” This honor highlights his significant impact on advancing semiconductor growth technology and photonic integration.
Lee’s research has been instrumental in overcoming fundamental challenges in integrating III-V materials with silicon, paving the way for high-performance optoelectronic devices for next-generation communication, computing, and sensing technologies. A key focus of Lee’s work has been the development of visible-wavelength lasers on silicon, crucial for applications in quantum photonics, sensing, and on-chip optical interconnects. By refining MBE growth methods and addressing crystalline defects, his research has enabled the integration of III-V laser materials directly onto silicon, paving the way for compact, high-performance light sources.
In addition to his contributions to silicon photonics, Lee has played a major role in advancing tandem solar cells on silicon, a technology with the potential to dramatically enhance solar energy conversion efficiency. His expertise in III-V material growth has led to high-performance multijunction solar cells that leverage silicon as a foundation, offering a scalable and reliable pathway to next-generation photovoltaic systems.
“I am deeply honored to be elected as an Optica Fellow,” Lee said. “This recognition is a testament to my students, postdocs, collaborators, and colleagues who have contributed to advancing III-V-on-silicon technology. I am excited to continue pushing the boundaries of the field and exploring new possibilities for photonic integration.”
Optica Fellows are selected through a rigorous evaluation process, recognizing exceptional contributions to the field of optics and photonics. Election to Fellow status is limited to no more than 0.5% of the society’s total membership each year.
Lee currently serves as the director of the Holonyak Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, where his group continues to perform innovative research on the growth of high-performance photonic and electronic devices.
About Optica
Optica, founded in 1916, is a leading global society dedicated to advancing optics and photonics through research, education, and innovation. Learn more at www.optica.org