Prof. Sanjay Krishna’s academic journey began with a strong foundation in physics, earning a B.Sc (Hons) from S.S.I.H.L Bangalore in 1994. His passion for scientific discovery led him to obtain an M.Sc in Physics from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras in 1996. Expanding his expertise, he pursued graduate studies in Electrical Engineering and Applied Physics at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, earning an M.S. in 1999 and a Ph.D. in 2001. These formative years provided him with a deep understanding of physics, semiconductor technology, and optoelectronics, setting the stage for his groundbreaking work in Semiconductor Infrared Detectors.

💼 Professional Endeavors

Prof. Krishna has established himself as a leader in the field of Semiconductor Infrared Detectors, holding prestigious academic and industry positions. Since 2017, he has served as the George R. Smith Chair Professor at Ohio State University’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. His role as Graduate Chair of the ECE Department (2023-Present) further highlights his influence in shaping the next generation of engineers. Additionally, he has played a crucial role in technology commercialization, co-founding SK Infrared and serving as CTO to develop infrared detector applications for defense and commercial markets. His extensive collaborations with universities, industry leaders, and the U.S. Department of Defense have positioned him as a key figure in infrared technology innovation.

🔬 Contributions and Research Focus

A central focus of Prof. Krishna’s research has been Semiconductor Infrared Detectors, particularly in advancing Type-II Superlattice (T2SL) detectors. His pioneering work includes the development of SLS nBn detectors (Rodriquez et al, APL, 2007) and dual-band SLS nBn detectors (Khoshakhlagh et al, APL, 2007). His expertise spans low-noise avalanche photodetectors, LIDAR technologies, and bandstructure-engineered photodiodes for space applications. His groundbreaking contributions have led to major funded projects, including the Low Excess-Noise Avalanche Photodetectors (LEAPS) project ($3M) and the NASA BETA-APD for space LIDAR ($1.2M). His research has revolutionized the efficiency and performance of Semiconductor Infrared Detectors, making them more reliable and applicable across various fields.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Prof. Krishna’s impact extends far beyond academia. He has received over $14M in research funding since joining Ohio State in 2017, reflecting the significance of his contributions. His leadership in setting up Ohio State’s Nanotech West user facility and his role as Director of the University of New Mexico’s Center for High Tech Materials (2013-2016) have been instrumental in advancing semiconductor research. His collaborations with NASA, the Office of Naval Research, and major defense contractors have positioned him at the forefront of infrared sensing technology. His innovations have influenced industry standards, shaping the future of Semiconductor Infrared Detectors for military, space, and commercial applications.

🏆Academic Cites

With over 400 publications, more than 16,000 citations, and an H-index of 62, Prof. Krishna’s research is widely recognized in the scientific community. His highly cited papers in journals like Nature Photonics and Applied Physics Letters underscore the lasting impact of his work. Notably, his paper on Terahertz Compressive Imaging (Watts et al., Nature Photonics, 2014) has over 920 citations, demonstrating its influence on imaging technology. His extensive contributions to Semiconductor Infrared Detectors are foundational for future advancements in this rapidly evolving field.

🌟 Legacy and Future Contributions

Prof. Krishna’s legacy is deeply rooted in innovation, mentorship, and commercialization. As a Fellow of SPIE, IEEE, and the Optical Society of America, his leadership is widely acknowledged. His accolades, including the IEEE Photonics Society Aron Kressel Award (2020) and SPIE Technology Achievement Award (2020), highlight his contributions to optoelectronics and sensor technology. Looking ahead, he aims to further integrate machine learning with infrared imaging, enhance detector performance, and develop next-generation quantum dot photodetectors. His efforts in entrepreneurship and academia will continue to drive advancements in Semiconductor Infrared Detectors, ensuring his contributions remain a cornerstone of infrared sensing technology.

📝Semiconductor Infrared Detectors

Prof. Krishna’s groundbreaking research in semiconductor infrared detectors has led to key advancements in quantum dot infrared photodetectors and superlattice-based sensing technologies. His future work will continue to revolutionize the field of semiconductor infrared detectors, paving the way for next-generation sensing and imaging solutions.

Notable Publication


📝Enhanced UV–Vis Rejection Ratio in Metal/BaTiO3/β-Ga2O3 Solar-Blind Photodetectors

Authors: Wriedt, N., Meng, L., Yu, D., McGlone, J.F., Rajan, S.

Journal: Advanced Electronic Materials

Year: 2025

Citations: 1


📝Low Excess Noise and High Quantum Efficiency Avalanche Photodiodes for Beyond 2 µm Wavelength Detection

Authors: Jung, H., Lee, S., Jin, X., David, J.P., Krishna, S.S.R.

Journal: Communications Materials

Year: 2024

Citations: 1


📝Electroabsorption in InGaAs and GaAsSb p-i-n Photodiodes

Authors: Liu, Y., Jin, X., Jung, H., Krishna, S.S.R., David, J.P.

Journal: Applied Physics Letters

Year: 2024

Citations: 0


📝Active Interface Characteristics of Heterogeneously Integrated GaAsSb/Si Photodiodes

Authors: Muduli, M., Xia, Y., Lee, S., Arafin, S., Krishna, S.S.R.

Journal: Applied Physics Letters

Year: 2024

Citations: 0


📝Structural and Electrical Properties of Grafted Si/GaAsSb Heterojunction

Authors: Abbasi, H.N., Lee, S., Jung, H., Ma, Z., Krishna, S.S.R.

Journal: Applied Physics Letters

Year: 2024

Citations: 4


📝Infrared Barrier Detectors with Metamorphic InAsSb Absorbers on GaAs Substrates

Authors: Gawron, W., Madejczyk, P., Martyniuk, P.M., Krishna, S.S.R.

Journal: IEEE Sensors Journal

Year: 2024

Citations: 1


📝Digital Alloy-Grown InAs/GaAs Short-Period Superlattices with Tunable Band Gaps for Short-Wavelength Infrared Photodetection

Authors: Guo, B., Liang, B., Zheng, J., Ghosh, A.W., Campbell, J.C.

Journal: ACS Photonics

Year: 2024

Citations: 3

Sanjay Krishna – Semiconductor Infrared Detectors – Best Researcher Award 

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