Vector Photonics has appointed Dr. Joao Valente as Process Engineer, bringing extensive knowledge of the micro and nano-fabrication of optoelectronic devices to the company.

Dr. David Childs, Director of Product Development at Vector Photonics, said, “Dr. Valente is both a Material Scientist and Engineer, with outstanding experience and expertise in semiconductor device fabrication and characterization. This unique skill set has led to his involvement in the development of many innovative, epitaxial growth and silicon substrate nanofabrication concepts, at the cutting edge of semiconductor device manufacture. He will help Vector Photonics develop high-yield processes and high-performance devices, as we continue to commercialise our PCSEL technology during 2022. We welcome Joao to the team.”

Joao most recently held Research Assistant roles at the University of Glasgow, James Watt Nanofabrication Center; University College London, Electronic and Electric Department; and the University of Southampton, Optoelectronics Research Centre; advancing photonic nano-fabrication and characterisation performance.

Joao’s PhD, from the University of Southampton, entitled “Controlling Light with Plasmonic Metasurfaces”, led to several breakthroughs in the coherent control of light and demonstrated a new magneto-electro-optical effect in reconfigurable plasmonic metamaterials. His European Masters in Material Science and Engineering, improved understanding of production techniques in high dielectric thin films and his degree from the Universidade Nova de Lisboa, focused on the optimization of TCO films for microelectronic devices.

Joao speaks Portuguese, English, French and Italian; plays football for fitness; and enjoys photography, cooking, music and motorcycling.