Hui Cao

Hui Cao is the John C. Malone Professor of Applied Physics, Professor of Physics, and Professor of Electrical Engineering at Yale University's Department of Physics. Her research focuses on condensed matter physics, including coherent control of light transport and absorption, random lasers, spatial coherence engineering of lasers, and speckle-based spectrometers. She explores mesoscopic physics, complex photonic materials, nanophotonics, and biophotonics, with experimental studies on unconventional lasers and their applications in imaging and microscopy. Cao has developed compact spectrometers using disordered photonic chips and has contributed to structured illumination microscopy through customized laser speckle patterns.

Hui Cao is a Professor of Applied Physics at Yale University, specializing in complex lasers, nanophotonics, and biophotonics. Her research explores the behavior of light in structured and disordered media, with a focus on phenomena such as unidirectional invisibility, coherent perfect absorbers, and random lasing. She investigates the interplay between disorder and coherence in photonic systems, including the development of compact spectrometers and speckle-free imaging techniques. Her work also extends to biophotonics, examining structural coloration in natural systems and the self-assembly of amorphous nanostructures. Cao's research bridges fundamental physics and practical applications in optical technologies.