Amirhossein Ghods, vice president of photonics at Mesa Quantum Systems and an SPIE Early Career Professional Member, has made transformative contributions to VCSEL technology across classical and quantum sensing domains. His career spans high-impact innovations in VCSELs for lidar, 3D imaging, and biomedical sensing, as well as the emerging field of quantum-optimized VCSELs for chip-scale atomic sensors and quantum-computing systems. In a previous role at ams OSRAM, Ghods led the design and epitaxial development of the first fully qualified multijunction VCSELs. He introduced new architectures for high-power, single-mode operation, including advanced tunnel junctions and transverse mode filters, culminating in the world’s highest single-mode VCSEL output power. He also co-developed the first-ever 1130 nm multijunction VCSEL for outdoor 3D imaging and industrial applications. At Mesa Quantum, Ghods directs a vertically integrated photonics team developing manufacturable VCSEL platforms tailored to quantum timing and magnetometry. His designs incorporate linewidth-narrowing cavity structures, polarization-stable emission, and temperature-hardened packaging, innovations that have enabled collaborations across multiple industry partners.
Ghods has been an active contributor to the SPIE community in roles that include publishing and conference leadership. He has authored or co-authored 10 SPIE conference papers since 2017, spanning topics from VCSEL-based systems, III-V optoelectronic devices, and optical wireless power transmission to compound semiconductors. In 2025, he was invited to author an article for SPIE’s Photonics Focus magazine on the role of VCSELs for quantum sensing devices. His SPIE Spotlight book, entitled VCSELs for Industrial Sensing Applications: Architectures, Challenges, and Opportunities, is forthcoming from SPIE Press. In 2025, Ghods served as the lead organizer for the invited industry panel “Quantum Sensors: Revolutionizing PNT and Biomedicine” at SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing, bringing together leaders from Northrop Grumman, iThera Medical, and the Center for New American Security. He was also an invited panelist at SPIE Photonics West 2025, where he discussed VCSELs for chip-scale quantum sensors. That same year, he served as a program committee member for the session “Quantum Technologies for Defense and Security” at SPIE Sensors + Imaging.
“Dr. Ghods has contributed significantly to advancing manufacturable, narrow-linewidth VCSEL technology for chip-scale atomic sensors,” said Paul Carey, Director of SEMI’s MEMS & Sensors Industry Group (MSIG). “His work supports photonic innovations for positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) sensor development, as well as quantum sensing, while promoting trusted domestic supply chains. He is an active member of the SEMI MSIG community and engages broadly with optics and photonics initiatives, including SPIE.”
Meet the other 2026 SPIE Society Award winners.
Read more about the SPIE Early Career Achievement Award – Industry-Government Focus.
