Lawrence R Chen
Academic Lead, ELATE (Enhancing Teaching and Learning in Engineering)
Engineer (OIQ)

BEng, MASc, PhD
Optical communications, optical signal processing, microwave photonics, silicon photonics, engineering education
I am on sabbatic leave during 2021-2022.
FACC 100 Introduction to the Engineering Profession (Fall 2015, Fall 2017, Fall 2019, Fall 2020)
FACC 400 Engineering Professional Practice (Winter 2017)
ECSE 206/306 Introduction to Signals and Systems/Fundamentals of Signals and Systems (Winter 2018, Fall 2018, Winter 2020, Winter 2021)
ECSE 430 Photonic Devices and Systems (Fall 2018)
ECSE 540 Photonic Devices and Applications (Winter 2017, Fall 2018)
Principal's Prize for Excellence in Teaching (Full Professor), McGill University, 2021
SALTISE (Supporting Active Learning and Technological Innovation in Studies of Education) Best Practices and Pedagogical Innovators Award, 2015
Fellow, Optica (formerly Optical Society of America), for contributions to optical fiber communications, in particular fiber Bragg gratings, optical code-division multiple access and pulse shaping, 2012
Invited papers
- H. Sun, M. Khalil, Z. Wang, and L. R. Chen, "Recent progress in integrated electro-optic frequency comb generation," IOP Journal of Semiconductors, Special Issue on Semiconductor Optoelectronic Circuits, vol. 42, no. 4, 041301 (2021).
- L. R. Chen, J. Wang, B. Naghdi, and I. Glesk, "Subwavelength grating waveguide devices for telecommunications applications," IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, Issue on Metamaterial Photonics and Integration, vol. 25, no. 3, 8200111 (2019).
- R. Maram, S. Kaushal, J. Azana, and L. R. Chen, "Recent trends and advances in silicon-based integrated microwave photonics," MDPI Photonics, vol. 6, no. 1, 13 (2019).
- L. R. Chen, M.-I. Comanici, P. Moslemi, J. Hu, and P. Kung, "A review of recent results on simultaneous interrogation of multiple fiber Bragg grating-based sensors using microwave photonics," MDPI Applied Sciences, Special Issue in Microwave Photonics 2018, vol. 9, no. 2, 298 (2019).
- L. R. Chen, P. Moslemi, Z. Wang, M. Ma, and R. Adams, "Integrated microwave photonics for spectral analysis, waveform generation, and filtering," IEEE Photonics Technology Letter, Special Issue on Integrated Microwave Photonics, vol. 30, no. 21, pp. 1838-1841 (2018).
- L. R. Chen, P. Moslemi, M. Ma, and R. Adams, "Simultaneous multi-channel microwave photonic signal processing," MDPI Photonics, Special Issue on Microwave Photonics, vol. 4, no. 4, 44 (2017).
- L. R. Chen, “Silicon photonics for microwave photonics applications,” IEEE/OSA Journal of Lightwave Technology, Special Issue on Selected Papers from OFC (Invited and Top Scored), vol. 35, no. 4, pp. 824-835 (2017).
- L. R. Chen, “Subwavelength grating waveguide devices in silicon-on-insulators for integrated microwave photonics,” Chinese Optics Letters, Special Issue on Microwave Photonics, vol. 15, no. 1, 010004 (2017).
- J. Wang, I. Glesk, and L. R. Chen, “Subwavelength grating devices in silicon photonics,” Science Bulletin, vol. 61, no. 11, pp. 879-888 (2016).
- L. R. Chen, “Chirped microwave and millimeter wave pulse generation based on optical spectral shaping and wavelength-to-time mapping in silicon photonics,” Optics Communications, Special Issue on Integrated Microwave Photonics, vol. 373, pp. 70-81 (2016).
- L. R. Chen, “Generating UWB and microwave waveforms using silicon photonics” IEICE Transactions on Electronics, Special Section on Microwave Photonics, vol. E98-C, no. 8, pp. 752-763 (2015).
Recent papers
- M. A. Amirabadi, M. H. Kahaei, S. A. Nezamalhosseini, and L. R. Chen, "Joint power and gain allocation in MDM-WDM optical communication networks based on enhanced Gaussian noise model," IEEE Access, in press (2022).
- M. A. Amirabadi, M. H. Kahaei, S. A. Nezamalhosseini, and L. R. Chen, "Optimal power allocation in nonlinear MDM-WDM systems using Gaussian noise model," IET Optoelectronics, in press (2022).
- H. Sun, M. Khalil, J. Liu, Z. Lu, P. J. Poole, J. Weber, D. V. Plant, and L. R. Chen, "Reconfigurable microwave photonic filter based on a quantum dash mode-locked laser," Optics Letters, vol. 47, no. 5, pp. 1133-1136 (2022).
- S. Zargari, M. Kolivand, S. A. Nezamalhosseini, B. Abolhassani, L. R. Chen, M. H. Kahaei, "Resource allocation of hybrid VLC/RF systems with light energy harvesting," IEEE Transactions on Green Communications and Networking, vol. 6, no. 1., pp. 600-612 (2022).
- L. Liu, X. Jin, T. Ning, L. R. Chen, and J. Capmany, "Dual-frequency optoelectronic oscillator incorporating a single cavity and multiband microwave photonic filter," Optics Express, vol. 29, no. 9, pp. 14006-14015 (2021).
- H. Sun and L. R. Chen, "Polarization dependent tuning of Bragg reflection enabled through tilted subwavelength grating waveguide Bragg gratings," Optics Letters, vol. 46, no. 6, pp. 1450-1453 (2021).
- Y. Wang, H. Sun, M. Khalil, W. Dong, I. Gasulla, J. Capmany, and L. R. Chen, "On-chip optical true time delay lines based on subwavelength grating waveguides," Optics Letters, vol. 46, no. 6, pp. 1405-1408 (2021).
- S. A. Nezamalhosseini and L. R. Chen, “Optimal power allocation for MIMO underwater wireless optical communication systems using channel state information at the transmitter,” IEEE Journal of Oceanic Engineering, vol. 46, no. 1, pp. 319-325 (2021).
- H. Sun, Y. Wang, and L. R. Chen, "Integrated discretely tunable optical delay line based on step-chirped subwavelength grating waveguide Bragg gratings," IEEE/OSA Journal of Lightwave Technology, Special Issue on Microwave Photonics, vol. 38, no. 19, pp. 5551-5560 (2020).
- L. Liu, X. Jin, T. Ning, L. R. Chen, and J. Capmany, "Optical spectral slicing based reconfigurable and tunable microwave photonic filter," IEEE/OSA Journal of Lightwave Technology, Special Issue on Microwave Photonics, vol. 38, no. 19, pp. 5492-5499 (2020).
- G. Nemova, X. Jin, L. R. Chen, S. V. Firstov, and O. Sezerman, "Modeling and experimental characterization of a dual-wavelength fiber laser with cascaded cavities," Journal of the Optical Society of America B, vol. 37, no. 5, pp. 1453-1460 (2020).
- Z. Wang, M. Ma, H. Sun, M. Khalil, R. Adams, K. Yim, X. Jin, and L. R. Chen, "Optical frequency comb generation using CMOS compatible cascaded Mach-Zehnder modulators," IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics, Special Issue on European Conference on Integrated Optics, vol. 55, no. 6, pp. 8400206 (2019).
- R. Maram, D. Onori, J. Azana, and L. R. Chen, "Discretely programmable microwave photonic filter based on temporal Talbot effects," Optics Express, vol. 27, no. 10, pp. 14381-14391 (2019).
- U. A. Korai, Z. Wang, C. Lacava, L. R. Chen, I. Glesk, and M. J. Strain, "A technique for the measurement of picosecond optical pulses using a non-linear fiber loop mirror and an optical power meter," Optics Express, vol. 27, no. 5, pp. 6377-6388 (2019).
- Z. Wang, M. Ma, and L. R. Chen, "Integrated optical add-drop multiplexer in SOI based on mode selection and Bragg reflection," IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, vol. 30, no. 24, pp. 2107-2110 (2018).
- P. Moslemi, M. Rochette, and L. R. Chen, "Generating multi-channel chirped microwave waveforms using silicon photonic spectral shapers," IEEE/OSA Journal of Lightwave Technology, vol. 36, no. 23, pp. 5498-5504 (2018).
- M.-I. Comanici, J. Hu, P. Moslemi, and L. R. Chen, "A microwave photonic approach for simultaneous interrogation of multiple fiber Bragg grating temperature sensors," Applied Optics, vol. 57, no. 28, pp. 8338-8442 (2018).
- B. Naghdi and L. R. Chen, "Silicon photonic four-channel optical add-drop multiplexer enabled by subwavelength grating waveguides," IEEE Photonics Journal, vol. 10, no. 4, pp. 6601510 (2018).
- Z. Wang, I. Glesk, and L. R. Chen, "An integrated nonlinear optical loop mirror in silicon photonics for all-optical signal processing," APL Photonics, vol. 3, no. 2, 026102 (2018).
- M.-I. Comanici, L. R. Chen, and P. King, "Microwave photonic filter-based interrogation system for multiple fiber Bragg grating sensors," Applied Optics, vol. 56, no. 32, pp. 9074-9078 (2017).
- P. Moslemi, L. R. Chen, and M. Rochette, "Simultaneously generating multiple chirped microwave waveforms using an arrayed waveguide Sagnac interferometer," IET Electronics Letters, vol. 53, no. 23, pp. 1534-1535 (2017).
- B. Naghdi and L. R. Chen, "Spectral engineering of subwavelength-grating-based contradirectional couplers," Optics Express, vol. 25, no. 21, pp. 25310-25317 (2017).
- P. Moslemi and L. R. Chen, "“Simultaneously generating multiple chirped microwave pulses with superimposed FBGs," IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, vol. 29, no. 16, pp. 1387-1390 (2017).
- M. Rezagholipour Dizaji, C. J. Krückel, A. Fülöp, P. A. Andrekson, V. Torres-Company, and L. R. Chen, “Silicon-rich nitride waveguides for broadband nonlinear signal processing,” Optics Express, vol. 25, no. 11, pp. 12100-12108 (2017).
- M. Ma, R. Adams, and L. R. Chen, “Integrated photonic chip enabled simultaneous multi-channel ultra-wideband radio frequency spectrum analyzer,” IEEE/OSA Journal of Lightwave Technology, vol. 35, no. 13, pp. 2622-2628 (2017).
- C. Jia, B. Shastri, P. R. Prucnal, M. Saad, and L. R. Chen, “Simultaneous Q-switching of a Tm3+:ZBLAN fiber laser at 1.9 um and 2.3 um using graphene,” IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, vol. 29, no. 4, pp. 405-408 (2017).
- H. Kishikawa, N. Goto, and L. R. Chen, “All-optical wavelength preserved modulation format conversion from PDM-QPSK to PDM-BPSK using FWM and interference,” IEEE/OSA Journal of Lightwave Technology, vol. 34, no. 23, pp. 5505-5515 (2016).
- M. Ma and L. R. Chen, “Harnessing mode-selective nonlinear optics for on-chip multi-channel all-optical signal processing,” APL Photonics, vol. 1, no. 8, 086104 (2016). Editor's pick.
- C. Jia, B. Shastri, N. Abdukerim, M. Rochette, P. R. Prucnal, M. Saad, and L. R. Chen, “Passively synchronized Q-switched and mode-locked dual-band Tm3+:ZBLAN fiber lasers using a common graphene saturable absorber,” Scientific Reports, vol. 6, 36071 (2016).
- B. Naghdi and L. R. Chen, “Silicon photonic contra-directional coupler using subwavelength grating waveguides,” Optics Express, vol. 24, no. 20, pp. 23429-32438 (2016).
- R. Ashrafi, J. Wang, R. Adams, I. Glesk, I. Gasulla, J. Capmany, and L. R. Chen, “Subwavelength grating enabled on-chip ultra-compact optical true time delay line,” Scientific Reports, vol. 6, 30325 (2016).
- R. Ando, H. Kishikawa, N. Goto, S. Yanagia, and L. R. Chen, “Performance analysis of all-optical wavelength-shift-free format conversion from QPSK to two BPSK tributaries using FWM and interference,” IEICE Transactions on Electronics, Special Section on Recent Advances in Photonics Technologies and Their Applications, vol. E99-C, no. 2, pp. 219-226 (2016).
- J. Wang and L. R. Chen, “Low crosstalk Bragg grating/Mach-Zehnder interferometer optical add-drop multiplexer in silicon photonics,” Optics Express, vol. 23, no. 20, pp. 26450-26459 (2015).
- J. Wang and L. R. Chen, “Multichannel OADM based on cascaded Bragg grating/Mach-Zehnder interferometers in SOI,” IET Electronics Letters, vol. 51, no. 18, pp. 1431-1433 (2015).
- C. Jia, X. Liang, M. Rochette, and L. R. Chen, “Alternate wavelength switching in a widely tunable dual-wavelength Tm3+-doped fiber laser at 1900 nm,” IEEE Photonics Journal, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 1502907 (2015).
- R. Ashrafi, M. Rezagholipour Dizaji, L. R. Cortés, J. Zhang, J. Yao, J. Azaña, and L. R. Chen, “Time-delay to intensity mapping based on a second-order optical integrator: application to optical arbitrary waveform generation,” Optics Express, vol. 23, no. 12, pp. 16209-16223 (2015).
- J. Wang, R. Ashrafi, M. Rochette, and L. R. Chen, “Chirped microwave pulse generation using an integrated SiP Bragg grating in a Sagnac loop,” IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, vol. 27, no. 17, pp. 1876-1879 (2015).
- J. Wang, I. Glesk, and L. R. Chen, “Subwavelength grating Bragg grating filters in silicon-on-insulator,” IET Electronics Letters, vol. 51, no. 9, pp. 712-714 (2015). Highlighted in issue.
- M. Ma, M. Rochette, and L. R. Chen, “Generating chirped microwave pulses based on an integrated distributed Fabry-Pérot cavity in silicon-on-insulator,” IEEE Photonics Journal, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 5500706 (2015).
- M. Chagnon, M. Spasojevic, R. Adams, M. Malekiha, J. Li, D. V. Plant, and L. R. Chen, “Wavelength multicasting of 22 GBaud 16-QAM signals based on four-wave mixing in a silicon nanowire,” IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, vol. 27, no. 8, pp. 860-863 (2015).
- R. Adams, R. Ashrafi, J. Wang, M. Rezagholipour Dizaji, and L. R. Chen, “RF-arbitrary waveform generation based on microwave photonic filtering,” IEEE Photonics Journal, vol. 6, no. 5, pp. 5501208 (2014).
- M. Rezagholipour Dizaji, I. A. Kostko, B. Shia, C. L. Callender, P. Dumais, S. Jacob, and L. R. Chen, “Reconfigurable time slot interchange based on four wave mixing and a programmable lightwave circuit,” IEEE Photonics Journal, vol. 6, no. 5, pp. 7902907 (2014).
- N. L. P. Andrews, A. G. MacLean, J. E. Saunders, J. A. Barnes, H.-P. Loock, C. Jia, K. Ramaswamy, and L. R. Chen, “Quantification of different water species in acetone using a NIR-triple-wavelength fiber laser,” Optics Express, vol. 22, no. 16, pp. 19337-19347 (2014).
- J. Wang, I. Glesk, and L. R. Chen, “Subwavelength grating filtering devices,” Optics Express, vol. 22, no. 13, pp. 15335-15435 (2014). Among top 10 downloads in Jul 2014.
- R. Adams, M. Spasojevic, M. Chagnon, M. Malekiha, J. Li, D. V. Plant, and L. R. Chen, “Wavelength conversion of 28 GBaud 16-QAM signals based on four-wave mixing in a silicon nanowire,” Optics Express, vol. 22, no. 4, pp. 4083-4090 (2014).
Papers on pedagogy
- L. R. Chen, M. Jacques, and Z. Sobhanigavgani, "On the use of reflective exercises for improving student learning of conceptual and technical problems in engineering," Canadian Engineering Education Association Conference, 9-12 June 2019, Ottawa, ON.
- L. R. Chen and M. Jacques, "On the use of reflective writing in an introductory photonics course," 15th Conference on Education and Training in Optics and Photonics: ETOP, 21-24 May 2019, Quebec City, QC. [INVITED]
- L. R. Chen and M. Orjuela-Laverde, "Implementing reflective writing in large non-technical engineering courses," Canadian Engineering Education Association Conference, 3-6 June 2018, Vancouver, BC.
- R. Adams and L. R. Chen, "Engaging college physics students with photonics research," Proc. SPIE 10452, 14th Conference on Education and Training in Optics and Photonics: ETOP, 29-31 May 2017, Hangzhou, China.
- M. Orjuela-Laverde and L. R. Chen, "Peer review as an active learning strategy in a large first year course," Canadian Engineering Education Association Conference, 8-11 June 2014, Calgary, AB.
- R. Adams and L. R. Chen, “Photonics research in the college physics classroom – a college and university collaboration,” Physics in Canada, Issue on Physics Education, vol. 2 (2014).
Fiber and integrated optics (silicon photonics for optical and microwave signal processing, optical communications, fiber lasers); engineering education (learning mechanisms and learning systems)
Current trainees
- Dr. Nitika Vaish (PDF, starting June 2022)
- Bruno Taglietti (PhD)
- Hao Sun (PhD)
- Mostafa Khalil (PhD)
- Yuxuan Xie (PhD)
- Xi Wang (PhD)
- Joel Dodoo (PhD)
- Sai Gubbala (MSc)
Recent trainees
- Adrian Chan, MSc, 2021, Quantropi (Ottawa, ON)
- Daniel Hutama, 2021, PhD student, University of Ottawa (Ottawa, ON)
- Dr. Maria-Iulia Comanici, PDF, 2021, O/E Land Inc. (Montreal, QC)
- Dr. Xian Jin, PDF, 2020
- Yue Wang, visiting PhD student, 2020, PhD student, Jilin University (China)
- Ling Liu, visiting PhD student, 2020, PhD student, Beijing Jiaotong University (China)
- Mostafa Khalil, MSc, 2020, PhD student, McGill University (Montreal, QC)
- Dr. Reza Maram, PDF, 2019, Technical staff, FONEX data systems inc. (Montreal, QC)
- Zifei Wang, PhD, 2019, Engineer, MPB Communications (Montreal, QC)
- Maria-Iulia Comanici, PhD, 2019, Industrial postdoctoral researcher, O/E Land, Inc. (Montreal, QC)
- Behnam Naghdi, PhD, 2019, Technical staff, Huawei (Quebec City, QC)
- Parisa Moslemi, PhD, 2019, Senior test development engineer, Infinera (Sunnyvale, CA)
- Jinghao Qiao, MEng, 2018, Developer, Bytedance (Shanghai, China)
- Mohammad Rezagholipour Dizaji, PhD 2017, Technical staff, Ciena (Ottawa, ON)
- Ming Ma, PhD 2017, Technical staff, Ericsson (Montreal, QC)
- Chenglai Jia, PhD and PDF 2017, Engineer, MPB Communications (Montreal, QC)
- Paul Morin, MEng 2016, Project manager, Excel Group (Toronto, ON)
- Dr. Reza Ashrafi, 2016, Technical staff, Infinera (Ottawa, ON)
- Junjia Wang, PhD 2015, Postdoctoral researcher, University of Cambridge (Cambridge, UK)
- Yibo Li, MEng 2015, Software developer, Solace (Ottawa, ON)
- Jia Li, PhD 2014, Technical staff, Infinera (Ottawa, ON)
- Kishor Ramaswamy, MEng 2014, Application engineer, Optis (Troy, MI)
- Guanhui (Ivy) Wang, MEng 2014, Application engineer, Lumerical (Vancouver, BC)
Principal Guest Editor, IEEE Journal on Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, Issue on Photonic Signal Processing (to be published in 2023)
Principal Guest Editor, IEEE Journal on Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, Issue on Optical Signal Processing (published in 2021)
Guest Co-Editor, IEEE/OSA Journal of Lightwave Technology, Special Issue on Microwave Photonics (published in 2020)
Subject Editor, IET Electronics Letters
Engineer, Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec
Recent invited presentations
- L. R. Chen, "Integrated microwave photonics," International Topics Meeting on Microwave Photonics, 15-17 November 2021, Pisa, Italy.
- L. R. Chen, "Subwavelength grating waveguide devices for integrated microwave photonics," Optics Frontier: the 12th International Conference on Information Optics and Photonics, 23-26 July 2021, Xi'an, China. Keynote
- L. R. Chen, "Photonic integrated devices for microwave photonic signal processing," Optoelectronics and Communications Conference, Workshop on Microwave Photonics - Broadband Cognitive Radio Enable by Microwave Photonics, 3-7 July 2021, Hong Kong.
- L. R. Chen, "Subwavelength grating waveguide devices in silicon photonics for microwave photonic signal processing," Asia Communications and Photonics Conference, 24-27 October 2020, Beijing, China.
- L. R. Chen, "Silicon photonics for optical communications and microwave photonics," Asia Communications and Photonics Conference, 2-5 November 2019, Chengdu, China.
- L. R. Chen, "Integrated microwave photonics for waveform generation and filtering," International Conference on Microwave Photonics Technology and Application, 8-10 December 2019, Hangzhou, China.
- L. R. Chen, "On-chip devices in silicon photonics for optical and microwave signal processing," Asia Communications and Photonics Conference, 26-29 October 2018, Hangzhou, China.
- L. R. Chen, "Advanced integrated devices in silicon photonics for all-optical signal processing," Microoptics Conference, 15-18 Oct 2018, Taipei, Taiwan.
- I. Glesk, Z. Wang, and L. R. Chen, "Towards integrated devices for all-optical signal processing in optical networks," SPIE Photonics West, 27 Jan-1 Feb 2018, San Francisco, CA.
- L. R. Chen, "Subwavelength grating waveguide filters in silicon photonics," SPIE Photonics West, 27 Jan-1 Feb 2018, San Francisco, CA.
- L. R. Chen, Z. Wang, J. Wang, R. Adams, and I. Glesk, “Recent advances in optical signal processing in silicon photonics,” Asia Communications and Photonics Conference, 10-13 November 2017, Guangzhou, China.
- L. R. Chen, “Simultaneous multi-channel microwave photonic signal processing,” 32nd International Union of Radio Science General Assembly & Scientific Symposium, 19-26 August 2017, Montreal, QC.
- L. R. Chen, M. Ma, and R. Adams, “Harnessing mode-selective nonlinear optics for all-optical and microwave signal processing,” Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Pacific Rim/Opto-Electronics and Communications Conference/Photonics Global Conference, 31 July – 4 August 2017, Singapore.
- L. R. Chen, “Silicon photonics for microwave photonics applications,” Conference on Optical Fiber Communications (OFC’16), 20-24 March 2016, Anaheim, CA.
- L. R. Chen, “Subwavelength grating filters in silicon photonics,” Progress in Electromagnetics Research Symposium (PIERS’15), 6-9 July 2015, Prague, Czech Republic.
- L. R. Chen, “Integrated spectral shapers in silicon photonics for generating chirped microwave pulses based on optical spectral shaping and wavelength-to-time mapping,” Progress in Electromagnetics Research Symposium (PIERS’15), 6-9 July 2015, Prague, Czech Republic.
- L. R. Chen, "Silicon photonics: enabling microwave photonic systems and applications," CMOS Emerging Technologies Research, 20-22 May 2015, Vancouver, BC.
- L. R. Chen, R. Adams, R. Ashrafi, J. Wang, M. Rezagholipour Dizaji, M. S. Hai, and O. Liboiron-Ladouceur, “Photonic integrated circuits for microwave photonics applications,” International Topical Meeting on Microwave Photonics/Asia Pacific Microwave Photonics Conference, 20-23 October 2014, Sapporo, Japan.
- L. R. Chen, H.-P. Loock, X. Gu, P. Kung, and M. Saad, “Fiber optic sensing with fiber lasers,” Photonics North, 28-30 May 2014, Montreal, QC.