About

I’m Varun Sharma, and my journey in the world of optics has been an exhilarating exploration, seeking to engineer and understand light in its most profound forms.

I completed my Ph.D. at the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad, India, delving deeply into the realm of structured beam nonlinear optics. My doctoral focus was on designing innovative optical parametric oscillators that could generate spatially engineered beams spanning from the UV to the mid-IR spectrum. During this period, I was also deeply involved in the study of single photon sources utilizing spontaneous parametric down conversion. I specifically investigated spatial correlations within the generated photon pairs using Intensified Charge-Coupled Devices (ICCD).

To expand my horizons, I ventured to the University of Graz, collaborating with the esteemed Prof. Peter Banzer. Our work together was dedicated to the development of programmable photonic integrated circuits. These circuits were instrumental in advancing the field of beam metrology, enabling precise manipulation and measurement of light beams.

Presently, I am thrilled to be part of the pioneering research team at the University of Ottawa, working under the guidance of Prof. Robert Boyd. Our focus revolves around the development of squeezed sources of light. This work holds promising implications for diverse applications, from enhancing quantum communications to pushing the boundaries of optical technologies.

Beyond the lab and research papers, I am a passionate photographer, finding solace and artistry behind the lens. My diverse photographic projects aim to capture the world’s beauty through different perspectives, from the grandeur of nature to the subtleties of human emotions.