About Us

Xi-Cheng Zhang

M. Parker Givens Professor and Director, Institute of Optics

Xi-Cheng Zhang joined the Institute of Optics on January 1, 2012. Prior to Rochester, he spent 20 years at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he was professor and acting head of the department of physics, applied physics, and astronomy; professor in the department of electrical, computer, and systems engineering; and founding director of the Center for THz Research. He is cofounder of Zomega Terahertz Corp. Graduating from Peking University in 1982, he earned his PhD in physics from Brown University in 1986. A prolific author and speaker, Professor Zhang holds 27 U.S. patents; has published 23 books and book chapters; authored and coauthored more than 300 reviewed scientific papers; and delivered more than 400 colloquia, seminars, and invited conference presentations. Professor Zhang is an internationally recognized scientist and leader in Terahertz science and technology. With a frequency of more than a trillion cycles per second, THz signals occupy an extremely large portion of the electromagnetic spectrum between the infrared and microwave bands. His contribution to the development of terahertz time-domain spectroscopy, together with other leading researchers, has recently altered this scientifically and technologically important but historically inaccessible spectroscopic region. Fundamental research on THz waves has the potential to trigger advances, including nondestructive testing, homeland security, and biomedical applications. Professor Zhang’s vision reflects the Meliora focus as he works with the Institute of Optics to continue and augment its reputation as a jewel in the crown of the University.