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Bo Zhang

Address: 3740 McClintock Ave. EEB 500, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-2565, USA

Phone: 213-740-1488(O) or 213-321-1721(C)               Email: boz@usc.edu

EDUCATION

• University of Southern California (USC)                      Fall 2003–Present

   Ph.D. candidate, Dept. of Electrical Engineering-Systems, Communication Sciences Institute

   Advisor: Professor Alan E. Willner

• University of Southern California (USC)                      Fall 2003–Present

   Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, Fiber-Optic Communications and Networks

   Advisor: Professor Alan E. Willner

   GPA: 3.7/4.0

• Zhejiang University (ZJU), Hangzhou, China               Fall 1999–June 2003

   Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation Sciences

   GPA: 3.8/4.0. Ranking: 2^nd out of 80

   Thesis: Study of Wavelet Transforms and Signal Processing in Communication Engineering

• Zhejiang University (ZJU), Hangzhou, China               Fall 2000–June 2003

   Bachelor of Eng. Chu Kechen Honors College, Advanced Class of Eng. Education

   A class for gifted students chosen from different majors (60 out of 2,000)

   GPA: 3.7/4.0

HONORS & AWARDS

• The only recipient of IEEE-LEOS 2007 Student Travel Grant Award of $2,500 for attending 33rd European Conference on Optical Communications (ECOC). This prestigious award program only provides 16 grants to graduate students worldwide annually.

• Accepted 33rd European Conference on Optical Communications (ECOC) paper “Experimental Demonstration of Slow Light on RZ-DQPSK Signals” ranked 7 out of 128 papers accepted to subcategory 4

• Accepted 33rd European Conference on Optical Communications (ECOC) paper “Variable-Bit-Rate, Continuously-Controllable Optical TDM using SBS-Based Slow Light Tunable Delay Line” ranked 18 out of 128 papers accepted to subcategory 1

• Successfully passed the Ph.D. Qualifying exam (both oral presentation and written proposal) and became a PhD candidate, April, 2007

• Honorable Mention Award, for paper entitled “Slow Light on Gbit/s Differential Phase-Shift-Keying Signals”, in Ming Hsieh Dept. of Electrical Engineering Best Student Paper Contest at USC, April, 2007

• Successfully passed the Ph.D. Screening Exam (Oral) in USC-EE-Communications Sciences Institute (offered by eight professors), ranked 1^st among all participants, 2005

• Research assistantship at the University of Southern California, 2003 to present

• Teaching assistantship at the University of Southern California, 2004 to present

• First-class (2 out of 80) Excellent Academic Scholarship of ZJU, 2002

• First-class (1 out of 80) Excellent Academic Scholarship of ZJU, 2001

• Member of Advanced Class of Engineering Education (60 out of 2,000)

• Excellent Foreign Language Learner of ZJU, 2001

• Third Prize in the National Mathematics Contest, 1998, China

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

1.        Research Projects

Optical Fiber Communications Laboratory, Dept. of EE- Systems, USC, 2003–Present

• Novel system applications of slow light technologies in optical fiber     (DARPA-funded Slow Light Program)

• Theoretical modeling and experimental demonstration of high-speed all-optical wavelength conversion using semiconductor optical amplifiers     (DARPA-funded DOD-N Program)

• System-level demonstration of a MEMS-based tunable-bandwidth optical filter (in collaboration with Prof. Ming C. Wu at UC-Berkeley)

• 40-Gb/s polarization--multiplexed transmission using novel all-optical polarization-division-demultiplexing scheme  

• Extending the transmission distance of 10/40-Gbit/s directly-modulated systems using optical filtering technique

• 3R regeneration of a 40-Gbit/s optical signal by optical parametric amplification in a highly-nonlinear fiber

2.        Teaching Assistant

• Optical Information Processing (EE566, USC)                             Professor B. Keith Jenkins, jenkins@sipi.usc.edu                          [Spring, 2007]

• Optical Fiber Communication Systems (EE558, USC)                   Professor Sabino Piazzolla, piazzoll@sipi.usc.edu                         [Fall, 2005]

• Optical Fiber Communication Systems (EE558, USC)                   Professor Sabino Piazzolla, piazzoll@sipi.usc.edu                         [Fall, 2004]

3.        Industrial Experience

• Part-time internship in General Photonics Corp., Chino, CA, USA        [Jan 2006 - Present]

        Designing and evaluating polarization-related and timing-management photonic devices for optical fiber and microwave photonics communications.

• Internship in Zhejiang Nanfang Communication Group Co. Ltd.,     [Spring, 2003]

        Learning the R&D procedure and experiencing the production line procedure of optical communication component and systems.

• Patents

• Book Chapters

1.       A. E. Willner, B. Zhang, and L. Zhang, "Reconfigurable Signal Processing Using Slow-Light-based Tunable Optical Delay Lines," Slow Light: Science and Applications, Jacob B. Khurgin, editor, Optical Science and Engineering Series, CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Publishers, 2008, ISBN: 978-1420061512.

1.   A. E. Willner, B. Zhang, L. Zhang, L.-S. Yan, and I. Fazal, "Optical Signal Processing using Tunable Delay Elements Based on Slow Light," Invited Paper, IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics, Special Issue on Nonlinear Optical Signal Processing, vol. 14, 2008.

2.      A.E. Willner and B. Zhang, "Tunable Delay Lines using Slow Light for Gbit/s Data Signals," Invited Paper, Society of Photo-Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE) Photonics West, Conference on Advances in Slow and Fast Light (OE21), Jan. 2008, San Jose, CA (SPIE, Bellingham, Wash., 2008).

3.       A. E. Willner, S. Kumar, B. Zhang, and E. Pakbaznia, "Physical Impairments and Network Limitations When Interconnecting Multiple DOD-N Routers," Invited Paper, IEEE Lasers and Electro-Optics Society Annual Meeting 2004, Special Symposium on DARPA’s DOD-N Program, paper MI5, Puerto Rico, Nov. (IEEE, Piscataway, NJ, 2004).

• Journal Papers

1.       B. Zhang, L.-S. Yan, L. Zhang, S. Nuccio, L. Christen, T. Wu and A. E. Willner, “Spectrally efficient slow light using multilevel phase-modulated formats”, Optics Letters, vol. 33, no. 1, pp. 55-57, 2008.

3.       B. Zhang, L. Yan, I. Fazal, L. Zhang, A. E. Willner, Z. Zhu, and D. J. Gauthier, "Slow light on Gbit/s differential-phase-shift-keying signals," Optics Express, vol. 15, 1878-1883, 2007.

5.       B. Zhang, L. Zhang, L.-S. Yan, I. Fazal, J.-Y. Yang and A. E. Willner, “Continuously-tunable, bit-rate variable OTDM using broadband SBS slow light delay line”, Optics Express, vol. 15, 8317-8322, 2007.

6.   B. Zhang, S. Kumar, L.-S. Yan, and A. E. Willner, "Extinction Ratio Enhancement of SOA-based Delayed-Interference Signal Converter using Detuned Filtering," Optics Communications, vol. 280, pp. 202-205, 2007.

7.       S. Kumar, B. Zhang, A. E. Willner, “Impact of operational parameters on optimum performance of SOA-based differential-mode wavelength converters”, IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, vol. 19, pp. 1538-1540, 2007.

8.       X. S. Yao, L.-S. Yan, B. Zhang, A. E. Willner and J. Jiang, “All-optic scheme for automatic polarization division demultiplexing”, Optics Express, vol. 15, 7407-7414, 2007.

9.   J.-Y. Yang, L. Zhang, L. C. Christen, B. Zhang, S. Nuccio, X. Wu, L.-S. Yan, S. Yao, and A. E. Willner, "Polarization Mode Dispersion Monitoring for Phase-Modulated Signals Using DGD-Generated Interferometric Filter," IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, vol. 20, no. 2, 2008.

10. L. Zhang, J.-Y. Yang, M. Song, Y. Li, B. Zhang, R. G. Beausoleil, and A. E. Willner, "Microring-Based Modulation and Demodulation of DPSK Signals," Optics Express, vol. 15, pp. 11564-11569, 2007.

11. I. Fazal, O. Yilmaz, S. Nuccio, B. Zhang, A. E. Willner, C. Langrock, and M. M. Fejer, "Optical Data Packet Synchronization and Multiplexing Using a Tunable Optical Delay Based on Wavelength Conversion and Inter-Channel Chromatic Dispersion" Optics Express, vol. 15, pp. 10492-10497, 2007.

12. C. Yu, T. Luo, B. Zhang, Z. Pan, M. Adler, Y. Wang, J. E. McGeehan, and A. E. Willner, "Wavelength-Shift-Free 3R Regenerator for 40-Gbit/s RZ System by Optical Parametric Amplification in Fiber," IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, vol. 18, no. 24, pp. 2569-2571, 2006.

13. L.-S. Yan, Y. Wang, B. Zhang, C. Yu, J. McGeehan, L. Paraschis, and A. E. Willner, "Reach Extension in 10-Gb/s Directly Modulated Transmission Systems Using Asymmetric and Narrowband Optical Filtering," Optics Express, vol. 13, pp. 5106-5115, 2005.

14. T. Lu, D.O. Yevick, L.-S. Yan, B. Zhang, and A.E. Willner, "An Experimental Approach to Multicanonical Sampling," IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, vol. 16, pp. 1978-1980, 2004.

1.   B. Zhang, X. Zhao, L. Christen, D. Parekh, W. Hoffman, M. C. Wu, M. C. Amann, C. J. Chang-Hasnain, and A. E. Willner, “Tunable Chirp Injection-Locked 1.55-mm VCSELs for Enhanced Chromatic Dispersion Compensation at 10-Gbit/s”, accepted to IEEE/OSA Conference on Optical Fiber Communications (OFC) '08, San Diego, CA, February 2008 (Optical Society of America, Washington, D.C., 2008).

2.   L. Zhang, J.-Y. Yang, M. Song, Y. Li, B. Zhang, R. G. Beausoleil, and A. E. Willner, "Ultra Small Modulator and Demodulator for Differential Phase-Shift-Keying Data Format Based on Silicon Microrings," IEEE Lasers and Electro-Optics Society Annual Meeting 2007, paper ThU5, Orlando, Oct. (IEEE, Piscataway, NJ, 2007)

3.       B. Zhang, L.-S. Yan, L. Zhang, S. Nuccio, L. Christen, T. Wu and A. E. Willner, “Experimental Demonstration of Slow Light on RZ-DQPSK Signals”, European Conference on Optical Communications (ECOC), paper Th9.4.4, Berlin, Germany, Sept. 2007

4.       B. Zhang, L. Zhang, L.-S. Yan, I. Fazal, J.-Y. Yang and A. E. Willner, “Variable-Bit-Rate, Continuously-Controllable Optical TDM using SBS-Based Slow Light Tunable Delay Line”, European Conference on Optical Communications (ECOC), paper We8.2.4, Berlin, Germany, Sept. 2007

5.       B. Zhang, L.-S. Yan, L. Zhang and A. E. Willner, “Broadband SBS Slow Light using Simple Spectrally-Sliced Pumping”, European Conference on Optical Communications (ECOC), paper P025, Berlin, Germany, Sept. 2007

6.       X. Wu, L. Christen, B. Zhang, J.-Y. Yang, L. Zhang, S. Nuccio, A. E. Willner and L. Paraschis, "Experimental Synchronization Monitoring of I/Q Misalignment and Pulse Carving Misalignment in 20-Gbit/s RZ-DQPSK Data Generation," European Conference on Optical Communications (ECOC), paper Tu3.5.5, Berlin, Germany, Sept. 2007

7.       J.-Y. Yang, L. Zhang, L. C. Christen, B. Zhang, S. Nuccio, X. Wu, L.-S. Yan, S. Yao and A. E. Willner, “Chromatic-Dispersion-Insensitive PMD Monitoring of 20-Gb/s DQPSK and 10-Gb/s DPSK Using DGD-Generated Polarization-Based Interferometer Filter”, European Conference on Optical Communications (ECOC), paper 3.5.3, Berlin, Germany, Sept. 2007

8.       I. Fazal, O. Yilmaz, S. Nuccio, B. Zhang, C. Langrock, M. M. Fejer and A. E. Willner, “Experimental Time-Slot-Interchange Data Packet Switching using a Continuously-Tunable 44-ns Optical Delay Based on Wavelength Conversion and Inter-channel Chromatic Dispersion”, European Conference on Optical Communications (ECOC), paper P066, Berlin, Germany, Sept. 2007

9.       B. Zhang, L. Yan, J.-Y. Yang, I. Fazal, A. E. Willner, "Independent Delay Control and Synchronization of Multiple 2.5-Gb/s Channels within a Single SBS Slow-Light Medium," Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO), paper CTuB4, Baltimore, MD, May 2007 (Optical Society of America, Wash., D.C., 2007).

10.       L.-S. Yan, B. Zhang, A. Belisle, A. E. Willner, X. S. Yao, “Automatic All-Optical Detection in Polarization-Division-Multiplexing System Using Power Unbalanced Transmission”, Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO), paper CMJJ5, Baltimore, MD, May 2007 (Optical Society of America, Wash., D.C., 2007).

11.       B. Zhang, I. Fazal, L. Yan, L. Zhang, A. E. Willner, Z. Zhu, and D. J. Gauthier, "System Performance of DPSK Signals Transmitted Through Broadband SBS-Based Slow Light Element and Reduction of Slow-Light-Induced Data-Pattern Dependence," IEEE/OSA Conference on Optical Fiber Communications (OFC) '07, paper OThD2, Anaheim, CA, March 2007 (Optical Society of America, Washington, D.C., 2007).

12.   L.-S. Yan, B. Zhang, X. Yao and A.E. Willner, "All-Fiber PMD Emulator with Reduced Number of Polarization Controllers between Sections," IEEE/OSA Conference on Optical Fiber Communications (OFC) '07, paper OTuN4, Anaheim, CA, March 2007 (Optical Society of America, Washington, D.C., 2007).

13.   L. Zhang, Y. Li, J.-Y. Yang, B. Zhang, R. Beausoleil, and A.E. Willner, "Performance and Design Guidelines for 10-Gbit/s Systems Using Silicon-Based Ring-Resonator Modulators," IEEE/OSA Conference on Optical Fiber Communications (OFC) '07, paper JWA39, Anaheim, CA, March 2007 (Optical Society of America, Washington, D.C., 2007).

14.   B. Zhang, D. Leuenberger, M.C-M Lee, S. Hu, M. Haghi, A. E. Willner and Ming C. Wu, " Error-Free Data Transmission Through a Tunable-Bandwidth Filter Based on a MEMS-actuated Microdisk Resonator," Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO), paper CFC3, Long Beach, CA, May 2006 (Optical Society of America, Wash., D.C., 2006).

15.   S. Kumar, B. Zhang, E. Pakbaznia, J. E. McGeehan, and A. E. Willner, "Effect of operational parameters on differential cross phase modulation wavelength converters," Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO), paper CMT5, Long Beach, CA, May 2006 (Optical Society of America, Wash., D.C., 2006).

16.   S. Kumar, B. Zhang, and A.E. Willner, "Elimination of Data Patten Dependence in SOA-based Differential-Mode Wavelength Converters using Optically-Induced Birefringence," IEEE/OSA Conference on Optical Fiber Communications (OFC) '06, paper OThB3, Anaheim, CA, March 2006 (Optical Society of America, Washington, D.C., 2006).

17.   C. Yu, T. Luo, B. Zhang, Z. Pan, M. Adler, Y. Wang, J. McGeehan, and A.E. Willner, "3R Regeneration of a 40-Gbit/s Optical Signal by Optical Parametric Amplification in a Highly-Nonlinear Fiber," IEEE/OSA Conference on Optical Fiber Communications (OFC) '05, paper OTuO1, Anaheim, CA, March 2005 (Optical Society of America, Washington, D.C., 2005).

18.   C. Yu, Z. Pan, T. Luo, S. Kumar, L.-S. Yan, B. Zhang, L. Zhang, Y. Wang, M. Adler, and A.E. Willner, "160-GHz Pulse Generator Using a 40-GHz Phase Modulator and PM Fiber," IEEE/OSA Conference on Optical Fiber Communications (OFC) '05, paper OThR5, Anaheim, CA, March 2005 (Optical Society of America, Washington, D.C., 2005).

19.   L.-S. Yan, T. Lu, B. Zhang, C. Yu, D.O. Yevick, and A.E. Willner, "Fiber Transmission System Application and Limitation of Multicanonical Sampling in PMD Emulation," IEEE/OSA Conference on Optical Fiber Communications (OFC) '05, paper OThT4, Anaheim, CA, March 2005 (Optical Society of America, Washington, D.C., 2005).

20.   T. Luo, Z. Pan, C. Yu, L.-S. Yan, S. Kumar, B. Zhang, M. Adler, A.E. Willner, and S. Yao, "Optical-Fiber-Based Autocorrelation Technique Using a Tunable DGD Element and Highly-Nonlinear Fiber," IEEE/OSA Conference on Optical Fiber Communications (OFC) '05, paper OFH6, Anaheim, CA, March 2005

21.   L.-S. Yan, Y. Wang, B. Zhang, C. Yu, J. McGeehan, L. Paraschis, and A.E. Willner, "1,400 km Transmission Using a Directly Modulated DFB Laser and Optical Sideband Filtering in an 8x10 Gb/s WDM System," European Conference on Optical Communications (ECOC), paper Mo4.5.7, Stockholm, Sweden, Sept. 2004.

22.   L.-S. Yan, Y. Wang, B. Zhang, C. Yu, J. McGeehan, L. Paraschis, and A.E. Willner, "Reach Extension in 10-Gb/s Directly Modulated Systems using Narrow-Band Partial Optical Filtering," Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO), paper CWA18, San Francisco, CA, May 2004 (Optical Society of America, Wash., D.C., 2004).