Small changes with significant effects
Meet our doctoral researcher Vipulkumar Bhaliya.
Typically, the research of a single PhD student is highly specialized. What our doctoral researcher Vipulkumar Bhaliya appreciates about our graduate school is that it allows open this view a little bit and connect to a broader research community within photon science. Vipulkumar is part of Prof. Ferenc Krausz’ group, working on the development of advanced mirrors for ultrafast laser applications under the supervision of Dr. Volodymyr Pervak. Get to know him and his research in this interview!
What’s your main research focus for your PhD?
Ultrafast lasers generate extremely short and intense pulses of light, which are essential for many scientific and technological applications. However, when these pulses pass through optical components, different wavelengths can experience different time delays, causing the pulse to stretch and lose intensity.
My research focuses on developing advanced laser mirrors, known as dispersive mirrors, to overcome this challenge. These mirrors control the dispersion of light over a broad wavelength range, allowing ultrashort laser pulses to regain their short duration and high peak intensity for ultrafast laser applications.
What excites you most about this field?
How the behaviour of light can be shaped by carefully selecting the materials and thicknesses of thin-film coatings is something that fascinates me. Even small changes in these layers can significantly affect the performance of an optical system. Being able to design and experimentally realize such coatings is what makes this field especially exciting to me.
What and where did you study?
I completed my bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering in India and then moved to Germany to pursue my master’s in Optical Technologies at Leibniz University Hannover. During my master’s, I became particularly interested in optical coatings and worked on developing frequency-tripling mirrors for an infrared laser source. This experience strengthened my interest in optics and inspired me to continue in this field with a PhD.
What attracted you to the IMPRS-APS program?
Since my work focuses on developing optics for ultrafast lasers, I am particularly interested in understanding how these technologies are used in different scientific applications. IMPRS-APS gives me the opportunity to connect my specialized research with the broader field of photon science. Being part of such a diverse research community allows me to exchange ideas, gain new perspectives, and build connections with researchers from different areas.
What skills do you want to develop during your PhD?
For me, a PhD is not only about gaining deeper technical knowledge but also about learning how to work independently as a researcher. I want to become better at planning and organizing my work, communicating scientific ideas clearly, and collaborating with people from different research areas.
What’s something that you enjoy outside of research?
Outside of research, I really enjoy hiking in the mountains. One of my favorite ways to relax is to reach a nice viewpoint, listen to slow music, and enjoy the scenery.
Thank you for the interview!
