about

I'm Varun Sharma, and my journey in the world of optics has been an exhilarating exploration into the intricacies of light and its boundless possibilities.

I completed my Ph.D. at the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad, India, where I specialized in the research of Nonlinear and Structured Beam Optics. My thesis work centered around the optical parametric oscillator (OPO), a versatile tool of nonlinear optics that allows tunable wavelength generation through the interaction of intense laser light with nonlinear crystal. During this period, I took an innovative approach to engineer the cavity of the OPO to generate spatially structured beams of light — including optical vortices, vector vortex beams, and Airy beams — from the OPO itself across a broad spectral range.

To expand my horizons, I ventured to the University of Graz, collaborating with the esteemed Prof. Peter Banzer. Under his guidance, I explored the frontier of spin-orbit interaction of light, coupling between the spin and angular momentum of light within unique media, such as epsilon-near-zero thin film.

Building on these experiences, I am now part of the pioneering research at Cornell University, working on the development of programmable photonic integrated circuits for structured light generation and analysis, as well as quantum sensing using Hong-Ou-Mandel interferometry.

Beyond the lab and research papers, I am a passionate photographer, finding solace and artistry behind the lens. Whether it's capturing the serene beauty of the Himalayas or the stark grandeur of desert landscapes, photography allows me to see the world through a different kind of optic.