Biophotonics Laboratory
California Institute of Technology
   

 

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Jian RenZahid Yaqoob

Education

Ph.D., Optics, University of Central Florida, 2003
M.S., Optics, University of Central Florida, 2001
M.Phil., Electronics, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 1996
M.Sc., Electronics, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 1994

Previous Research

During my Ph.D., I worked on the design, analysis, and experimental verification of novel photonic systems for application in biomedicine and laser communications. Specifically, I worked on acousto-optic (AO) based variable optical attenuators and wavelength filters, AO-based optical coherence tomography, and no-moving parts laser beam scanners - a DARPA-funded project.

Current Research

1) Molecular Contrast OCT
Molecular contrast optical coherence tomography (MCOCT) combines major advantages of fluorescence microscopy (chemical or biological contrast agent's detection and imaging capability) and OCT (higher spatial resolution and depth penetration). In this project, I worked on the development of a pump-probe scheme for spectral domain molcecular contrast optical coherence tomography (MCOCT) using Indocyanine Green (ICG), an FDA-approved dye, as the contrast agent. The technique takes advantage of the ability to permanently change the absorption cross section of ICG using relatively high intensity illumination. By doing so between two consecutive OCT scans and post-processing the acquired OCT signals, one can determine depth-resolved distribution of ICG within the sample under study.

2) Homodyne En-Face OCT
En face OCT systems belong to a special class of OCT, which preferentially provides sample images in a plane normal to the optical axis. In this project, we have developed an en-face optical coherence microscope (OCT) system implemented using homodyne detection. With the use of a 3x3 optical coupler, the en-face OCM can simultaneously obtain high-accuracy amplitude and phase information of the sample without optical or electronic modulation as in conventional en-face OCT systems.

3) PARS-OCT Needle Probe
I have also been involved in the development of a narrow (1.65 mm diameter) forward-imaging needle probe, termed as PARS-OCT, for endoscopic applications. The OCT probe emits and collects light in front of the probe; hence, it can be very useful in providing tissue structural information forward of the catheter probe. The applications of PARS-OCT probe are in epidural anesthesia, image guidance during surgical procedures, and (or) medical device placement.

4) Gratings-based Quadrature Phase Imaging
Highly accurate amplitude and phase measurements of optical signals are important in many applications ranging from metrology to cell biology. This project deals with a new method for obtaining non-trivial phase difference between the output ports of a reflectance based interferometer through the use of shallow diffraction gratings. During the initial phase of this study, we show that as opposed to a single shallow diffraction grating-based interferometer (which provides only trivial phase shifts), a pair of harmonically-related shallow diffraction gratings can be used to realize a modified Michelson interferometer where the phase shifts between different output ports can be adjusted. More importantly, the phase shift can be adjusted by simply shearing one grating with respect to the other. This approach does not change the path length relationships of the different interference beams within the interferometer - an advantage for metrology and low coherence interferometry applications.

5) Nano-Hole Array-Based Optofluidic Microscopy and Optical Beam Profiling
At Caltech, we are also working on a novel scheme, which enables the creation of a virtual sensor grid, where each pixel size of the virtual sensor grid is defined by the diameter of nano-hole, on an underlying CMOS sensor. With this scheme, the resolution of the microscope/profiler is defined by the diameter of nano-hole rather than the CMOS sensor pixel size (which is typically > 5 microns). For microscopy, a fluidic channel can be integrated to flow the samples over the nano-hole array.

6) Optical Phase Conjugation
Currently, I am working on optical phase conjugation (OPC) for biomedical applications. Our study shows that the phenomena of OPC can be utilized to successfully eliminate scattering (which is typically 10x or stronger than the tissue absorption) in biological samples. This technique has numerous biomedical applications such as in photodynamic therapy, optical powering of sub-dermal implants, tissue absorption/scattering interrogation, etc.

Awards

  • March 2004, University of Central Florida (UCF)'s 2003 Outstanding Dissertation Award
  • April 2002, SPIE Scholarship in Optical Science and Engineering
  • April 2001, Certificate of Recognition from SPIE, for potential long range contributions to the field of Optics, Optical science and Engineering
  • 1999-2000, The School of Optics/CREOL, UCF Fellowship
  • 1999-2000, UCF Graduate Enhancement Scholarship
  • 1994-95, University Grants Commission (UGC)-INFAQ Merit Scholarship, during Master of Philosophy in Electronics, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
  • 1988-89, UGC Merit Scholarship under President's Talent Farming Scheme, during Bachelor of Science, F. G. Sir Syed College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Journal Publications

  1. E. J. McDowell, M. Sarunic, Z. Yaqoob, and C. Yang, “SNR enhancement through phase dependent signal reconstruction algorithms for phase separated interferometric signals,” Optics Express, Vol. 15, No. 16, pp. 10103, Aug 2007.
  2. J. Wu, Z. Yaqoob, X. Heng, L. M. Lee, X. Cui, and C. Yang, “Full field phase imaging using a harmonically matched diffraction grating pair based homodyne quadrature interferometer,” Applied Physics Letters, 90, 151123 (2007).
  3. E. J. McDowell, X. Cui, Z. Yaqoob, and C. Yang, “A generalized noise variance analysis model and its application to the characterization of 1/f noise,” Optics Express, Vol. 15, Issue 7, April 2006.
  4. Z. Yaqoob, J. Wu, E. McDowell, X. Heng, and C. Yang, “Methods and application areas of endoscopic optical coherence tomography,” Journal of Biomedical Optics, (November/December 2006).
  5. Z. Yaqoob, E. McDowell, J. Wu, X. Heng, J. Fingler, and C. Yang, “Molecular contrast optical coherence tomography: A pump-probe scheme using indocyanine green as a contrast agent,” Journal of Biomedical Optics, 11(5), Paper 054017, September/October 2006.
  6. X. Heng, X. Cui, D. W. Knapp, J. Wu, Z. Yaqoob, E. J. McDowell, D. Psaltis, and C. Yang, “Characterization of light collection through a subwavelength aperture from a point source,” Optics Express, Vol. 14, Issue 22, pp. 10410-10425, October 2006.
  7. Z. Yaqoob, J. Wu, X. Cui, X. Heng, and C. Yang, “Harmonically-related diffraction gratings-based interferometer for quadrature phase measurements,” Optics Express, Vol. 14, Issue 18, pp. 8127-8137, September 2006.
  8. X. Cui, X. Heng, J. Wu, Z. Yaqoob, and C. Yang, “Slanted hole array beam profiler (SHARP) - A high-resolution on-chip beam profiler based on a linear aperture array,” Optics Letters, Vol. 31, Issue 21, November 2006.
  9. X. Heng, D. Erickson, L. R. Baugh, Z. Yaqoob, P. W. Sternberg, D. Psaltis, and C. Yang, “Optofluidic microscopy: A method for implementing high resolution optical microscope on a chip,” Lab on a Chip, 2006. http://www.rsc.org/Publishing/Journals/LC/article.asp?doi=b604676b
  10. Z. Yaqoob, J. Fingler, X. Heng, and C. Yang, “Homodyne en face optical coherence tomography,” Optics Letters, Vol 31, Issue 12, pp. 1815-1817, June 2006.
  11. J. Wu, M. Conry, C. Gu, F. Wang, Z. Yaqoob, and C. Yang, "Paired angle rotation scanning optical coherence tomography (PARS-OCT) forward-imaging probe," Optics Letters, Vol. 31, Issue 9, pp. 1265-1267, May 2006.
  12. Z. Yaqoob and N. A. Riza, "Bulk acousto-optic wavelength agile filter module for wavelength-multiplexed optical scanner," Applied Optics-IP, 44(13), pp. 2592-2599, (May 2005). N. A. Riza and Z. Yaqoob, "Agile interferometry: a non-traditional approach," Optics Communications, Vol. 241, pp. 419-428, 2004.
  13. N. A. Riza and Z. Yaqoob, "Agile interferometry: a non-traditional approach," Optics Communications, Vol. 241, pp. 419-428, 2004.
  14. Z. Yaqoob and N. A. Riza, "Low loss wavelength-multiplexed optical scanners using volume Bragg gratings for transmit-receive lasercom systems," Journal of Optical Engineering, Vol. 43, No. 5, May 2004.
  15. Z. Yaqoob and N. A. Riza, "Passive-optics no-moving-parts barcode scanners," IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, Vol. 16, No. 3, pp. 954-956, March 2004.
  16. Z. Yaqoob, M. A. Arain, and N. A. Riza, "High-speed two-dimensional laser scanner based on Bragg gratings stored in photothermorefractive glass," Applied Optics-IP, 42(26), pp. 5251-5262, (September 2003).
  17. N. A. Riza and Z. Yaqoob, "Space-multiplexed optical scanner," Applied Optics-IP, 43, 2703-2708 (2004).
  18. N. A. Riza and Z. Yaqoob, "Sub-microsecond speed optical coherence tomography system design and analysis using acousto-optics," Applied Optics-OT, Vol. 42, Issue 16, pp. 3018-3026, (June 2003).
  19. Z. Yaqoob and N. A. Riza, "Free-space Wavelength-Multiplexed Optical Scanner Demonstration," Applied Optics-IP, Vol. 41, Issue 26, pp. 5568 (September 2002).
  20. Z. Yaqoob, Azhar A. Rizvi and N. A. Riza, "Free-space wavelength multiplexed optical scanner," Applied Optics, 40(35), 6425-6438, Dec. 10 (2001).
  21. N. A. Riza and Z. Yaqoob, "Sub-Microsecond Speed variable Optical Attenuator using Acousto-optics," IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, Vol. 13, No. 7, pp. 693-695, July 2001.
  22. Q. A. Naqvi, A. A. Rizvi, and Z. Yaqoob, "Corrections to asymptotic solutions for the scattered fields of plane wave by a cylindrical obstacle buried in a dielectric half-space," IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, Vol. 48, No. 5, pp. 846-849, May 2000.
  23. Q. A. Naqvi, A. A. Rizvi, and Z. Yaqoob, "Scattering of electromagnetic waves from a deeply buried circular cylinder," Progress in Electromagnetic Research, PIER 27, 37-59, 2000.
  24. Q. A. Naqvi, A. A. Rizvi and Z. Yaqoob, "Scattering of electromagnetic waves from a deeply buried circular cylinder," Abstract, J. Elect. Wave and Appl., Vol. 14, 521-522, 2000.

Conference Publications

  1. Z. Yaqoob, J. Wu, Xiquan Cui, X. Heng, and C. Yang, Paper 6488-18, “Gratings-based modified Michelson interferometer for quadrature phase measurements,” Accepted for an oral presentation in conference on Practical Holography XXI: Materials and Applications (OE27), SPIE symposium on Optoelectronics, Photonics West 2007, San Jose, USA, January 20-25, 2007.
  2. J. Wu, Z. Yaqoob, Xiquan Cui, X. Heng, and C. Yang, “Three-dimensional imaging using grating-based quadrature phase interferometer,” Paper 6443-17, Accepted for an oral presentation in conference on Three-Dimensional and Multidimensional Microscopy: Image Acquisition and Processing XIV (BO126), SPIE symposium on Biomedical Optics, Photonics West 2007, San Jose, USA, January 20-25, 2007.
  3. E. J. McDowell, Z. Yaqoob, M. V. Sarunic, and C. Yang, “Choice of image reconstruction algorithm impacts signal to noise ratio in 3x3 fiber coupler based homodyne optical coherence tomography,” Accepted for an oral presentation in conference on Coherence Domain Optical Methods and Optical Coherence Tomography in Biomedicine XI (BO112), SPIE symposium on Biomedical Optics, Photonics West 2007, San Jose, USA, January 20-25, 2007.
  4. E. J. McDowell, Z. Yaqoob, and C. Yang, “Fourier domain spectral triangulation for the molecule-specific detection of both scattering- and absorption-based contrast in biological samples,” Accepted for an oral presentation in conference on Molecular Probes for Biomedical Applications (BO132), SPIE symposium on Biomedical Optics, Photonics West 2007, San Jose, USA, January 20-25, 2007.
  5. Z. Yaqoob, J. Fingler, X. Heng, and C. Yang, "3x3 coupler-based homodyne optical coherence microscopy," Paper WC6, OSA Biomedical Optics Topical Meeting (BIOMED), Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, March 19-22, 2006.
  6. E. McDowell, Z. Yaqoob, and C. Yang, "Pump probe molecular contrast optical coherence tomography utilizing the photodegradation of SDC5712," Paper WC4, OSA Biomedical Optics Topical Meeting (BIOMED), Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, March 19-22, 2006.
  7. J. Wu, M. Conry, C. Gu, F. Wang, Z. Yaqoob, and C. Yang, “Paired angle rotation scanning (PARS) needle for optical coherence tomography,” Paper WC9, OSA Biomedical Optics Topical Meeting (BIOMED), Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, March 2006.
  8. Z. Yaqoob, E. McDowell, J. Wu, and C. Yang, "Pump-probe optical coherence tomography using indocyanine green as a contrast agent," Paper # 6079-4, Coherence Domain Optical Methods and Optical Coherence Tomography in Biomedicine X, BIOS 2006, San Jose, CA, 21-26 January, 2006.
  9. J. Wu, C. Gu, F. Wang, Z. Yaqoob, and C. Yang, "Forward-cone-imaging OCT needle probe, "Paper # 6079-39, Coherence Domain Optical Methods and Optical Coherence Tomography in Biomedicine X, BIOS 2006, San Jose, CA, 21-26 January, 2006.
  10. J. Fingler, J. Williams, Z. Yaqoob, C. Yang, R. Haskell, and S. Fraser, "En face phase sensitive optical coherence tomography," Paper # 6079-70, Coherence Domain Optical Methods and Optical Coherence Tomography in Biomedicine X, BIOS 2006, San Jose, CA, 21-26 January, 2006.
  11. Z. Yaqoob, J. Fingler, S. Lintner, B. E. Applegate, and C. Yang, "Pump-probe scheme for optical coherence tomography using Indocyanine Green mixed with albumin or human plasma," Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO 2005), Session: Medical and Biological Applications, Paper # CFA3, May 22-27 (2005), Baltimore, MD.
  12. J. Fingler, J. Williams, Z. Yaqoob, C. Yang, and S. Fraser, "En Face Phase Sensitive Optical Coherence Tomography," Poster paper presented at 2nd International Graduate Summer School on Biophotonics, 18-25 June, 2005, Ven, Sweden.
  13. N. A. Riza, M. A. Arain, and Z. Yaqoob," Ultrafast optical tomography systems using coherence agility," in Coherence Domain Optical Methods and Optical Coherence Tomography in Biomedicine VIII, BIOS 2004 Biomedical Optics, Photonics West, Proc. SPIE Vol. 5316, Paper No. 59, 24-29 January 2004, San Jose, California, USA.
  14. Z. Yaqoob and N. A. Riza, "Eye-safe passive-optics no-moving parts barcode scanner," in Photonics, Communications, and Devices, Optics in the Southeast, Orlando, FL, USA, November 12-13 (2003).
  15. N. A. Riza and Z. Yaqoob, "Potential of near-infrared band optical techniques for lung imaging," in Biophotonics, Optics in the Southeast, Orlando, FL, USA, November 12-13 (2003).
  16. Z. Yaqoob and N. A. Riza, "Low loss wavelength-multiplexed optical scanners using volume Bragg gratings for transmit-receive lasercom systems," in Free-Space Laser Communication and Active Laser Illumination III, SPIE 48th Annual Meeting, Proc. SPIE Vol. 5160, Paper No. 47, 3-8 August 2003, San Diego, California, USA.
  17. Z. Yaqoob and N. A. Riza, "Microseconds Domain Switching-Speed Wavelength-Multiplexed Optical Scanner," in IEEE LEOS 15th Annual Meeting, Glasgow, Scotland, Vol. 2, pp. 457-458, 10-14 Nov. 2002.
  18. Z. Yaqoob and N. A. Riza, "Two-dimensional Beam Scanning using Wavelength Diversity," in 2002 Optical Society of America Annual Meeting/LS-XVIII, Paper No. MY5, 29 September - 03 October 2002, Orlando, FL, USA.
  19. Z. Yaqoob and N. A. Riza, "2p Steradian Coverage Transmit-Receive Lasercom System using Smart Multiplexing of Multiplexed Optical Scanners," in Free-Space Laser Communication and Laser Imaging II, SPIE 47th Annual Meeting, Proc. SPIE Vol. 4821, pp. 50-61, 7-11 July 2002, Seattle, Washington, USA.
  20. Z. Yaqoob and N. A. Riza, "High-speed scanning wavelength-multiplexed fiber-optic sensors for biomedicine," The 1st IEEE International Conference on Sensors, IEEE Sensors 2002, Poster paper No. P1.36, June 12-14, 2002, Hyatt Orlando, Florida USA.
  21. Z. Yaqoob and N. A. Riza, "High-Speed Scanning Probes for Internal and External Cavity Biomedical Optics," OSA Biomedical Topical Meetings, pp. 381-383, Miami, Florida, USA, April 7-10 (2002).
  22. N. A. Riza and Z. Yaqoob, "Sub-microsecond Speed Optical Coherence Tomography System Design and Analysis Using Acousto-Optics," Coherence Domain Optical Methods in Biomedical Science and Clinical Applications VI, BiOS 2002, Photonics West, SPIE Proc. Vol. 4619, paper 07, 19-25 January 2002, San Jose, California, USA.
  23. Z. Yaqoob, J. Steedle, and N. A. Riza, "Wide Angle High Speed Large Aperture Optical Scanner," in IEEE LEOS 14th Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, Vol. 2, pp. 616-617, Nov. 2001.
  24. N. A. Riza and Z. Yaqoob, "Intelligent Multi-Fiber Interface Module for High Bit-Rate Inter-Processor Data Transfer," 27th European Conference on Optical Communication, ECOC ’01, Vol. 3, pp. 252-253, Sep-Oct, 2001.
  25. Z. Yaqoob and N. A. Riza, "Agile Optical Beam Scanner using Wavelength and Space Manipulations," in Algorithms and Systems for Optical Information Processing V, SPIE 46th Annual Meeting, SPIE Proc. 4471, pp. 262-271, San Diego, California USA, 2001.
  26. Z. Yaqoob and N. A. Riza, "Smart free-space optical interconnects and communication links using agile WDM transmitters," Advanced Semiconductor Lasers and Applications/Ultraviolet and Blue Lasers and Their Applications/Ultra long Haul DWDM Transmission and Networking/WDM Components, Digest of the LEOS Summer Topical Meetings , pp. 5-6, July 2001.
  27. Z. Yaqoob, S. A. Khan and N. A. Riza, "Microwave and Optical Beam Control Using JOP Devices," US-Japan Joint Optoelectronics Project (JOP) Participants Workshop, Hawaii, April 19-20, 2001.
  28. N. A. Riza and Z. Yaqoob, "Ultra High Speed Scanner for Optical Data Handling," IEEE-LEOS 13th Annual Meeting, Puerto Rico, Vol. 2, pp. 822-823, Nov. 2000.
  29. N. A. Riza and Z. Yaqoob, "High Speed Fiber-Optic Probe for Dynamic Blood Analysis Measurements," European Biomedical Optics Week - EBiOS 2000, SPIE Vol. 4163, pp. 18-23, July 2000.
  30. N. A. Riza and Z. Yaqoob, "High Speed No Moving Parts Optical Coherence Tomography system," European Biomedical Optics Week - EBiOS 2000, SPIE Vol. 4160, pp. 37-42, July 2000.
  31. N. A. Riza and Z. Yaqoob, "High-speed programmable optical attenuator," SPIE's 14th Annual International Symp. Aerospace, SPIE Vol. 4046, pp. 96-100, April 26, 2000.
  32. Z. Yaqoob and A. A. Rizvi, "Polarization of fields reflected from a buried circular cylinder," IEEE Inc. Multi Topic Conference, INMIC '97, pp. 164-167, Islamabad, 1997.
  33. M. A. Ashraf, M. J. Mughal, Z. Yaqoob, and A. A. Rizvi, "Antenna simulation and analysis," IEEE Inc. Multi Topic Conference, INMIC '97, pp. 208-211, Islamabad, 1997.

Professional Activities

  • Reviewer, Applied Optics, Optical Society of America
  • Reviewer, Optics Express, Optical Society of America
  • Reviewer, Optics Letters, Optical Society of America
  • Reviewer, Journal of Biomedical Optics, SPIE
  • Reviewer, IEEE Photonics Technology Letters
  • Reviewer, Journal of Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing
  • Reviewer, Optics Communications, Elsevier

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