Clare Hall, University of Cambridge Summer Visiting Student Program Report

2025 Academic Year
 Yanhua Sha: PhD candidate, Department of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo

Report on Clare Hall Summer Visiting Students Program

The Clare Hall Summer Visiting Students Program is a collaborative initiative between Clare Hall at the University of Cambridge and RCAST, providing graduate students with opportunities for academic exchange and international networking. I am honored and grateful to RCAST for selecting me. I spent a very fulfilling July at the University of Cambridge, participating in the Ignite program at Judge Business School and visiting several research laboratories.

Ignite program

This program is an intensive entrepreneurship training program organized by Cambridge Judge Business School. During the one-week training (from July 6 to July 11), I had the opportunity to learn practical knowledge about how to further promote and commercialize business ideas. The program gathered delegates from diverse academic and industrial backgrounds, including engineering, medicine, finance, and business. Each morning, lectures were delivered on topics such as disruptive business models, financing ventures, building an entrepreneurial team, and entrepreneurial growth and challenges. In the afternoon, we participated in small group mentoring sessions, where experienced mentors provided feedback and guidance on our business models, marketing strategies, and funding plans. On Friday, the program concluded with a pitch session, in which each delegate presented their business idea to a panel of three to four investment experts, followed by detailed and constructive feedback.

From my perspective, this one-week program was an intensive but rewarding journey. I had the chance to interact with delegates from different countries and professional backgrounds, whose enthusiasm and diverse perspectives broadened my understanding of entrepreneurship. As a researcher in the engineering field, I used this opportunity to go beyond the laboratory and think about the real commercialization pathway of my research. Through close discussions with my mentor, reviewing industry reports, and analyzing the major players in the laser industry—their technical strengths, existing market gaps, and potential opportunities—I was able to reflect on how my own research direction could address real-world needs. After a week of focused study and dialogue, I presented my business idea at the pitch session and received positive feedback from the panel of experts.
 

Visit to the Graphene Center

At the Cambridge Graphene Centre, I learned a great deal. The Cambridge Graphene Centre is a world-leading research institute focusing on graphene and other two-dimensional (2D) materials. Its research spans from fundamental materials science to applied device engineering. During my visit, I observed their fabrication cleanrooms, characterization tools (such as Raman spectroscopy, electron microscopy, etc.), and prototyping platforms, partially shown in fig. 2 I also had discussions with researchers there about their recent work in scalable printing of graphene inks, hybrid 2D devices, and the challenges of commercialization. All these experiences gave me a more concrete understanding of how research in 2D materials can transition into real-world applications.

Since my research focuses on fiber lasers, and Professor Andrea Ferrari’s group has rich experience and unique perspectives in this field, I had valuable discussions with them, especially with Dr. Boyang Mao and Dr. Jing He. We specifically talked about my topic on carbon nanotube (CNT)-based mode-locked fiber lasers. Currently, CNT mode-locked fiber lasers often suffer from low thresholds in the 1 µm wavelength range, which limits their potential for high-energy applications. This group has already made progress in overcoming this bottleneck by improving the fabrication process. During my visit, I was shown how graphene and CNTs are produced and integrated into devices, which helped me gain a deeper understanding of the material synthesis process. Beyond CNT and graphene lasers, the group explores Raman spectroscopy, photodetectors, modulators, and conductive films, offering me new insights into nanomaterials’ role in future photonics.

 

Visit to the Nanoscience Center

The Nanoscience Centre is located very close to the Graphene Centre, only about a two-minute walk. During my visit, I had the opportunity to meet Professor Daping Chu, who is the Director of the Cambridge Centre for Photonic Devices and Sensors (CPDS) and also serves as Academic Director of Cambridge University – Nanjing Centre (CUNJC). Prof. Chu’s group is internationally recognized in the field of Spatial Light Modulators (SLMs), especially for display applications, and is considered one of the world’s leading laboratories in this area. Their research also extends to metasurfaces and advanced photonic devices. 

Prof. Chu is a scholar with profound knowledge and a very approachable personality. In our discussion, we exchanged ideas on the application of Spatial Light Modulators (SLMs) in fiber lasers, such as strategies to enhance the damage threshold of SLMs and their potential role in mode-locked laser systems. Beyond technical topics, he also shared with me valuable advice on how young researchers can grow and improve in their academic careers. I am sincerely grateful to Prof. Chu for his valuable time and insightful suggestions, and I truly hope to have opportunities in the future to establish academic collaboration and further discussions in the field of photonics.
 

Visit with Toshiba Engineer Robert I. Woodward

In Cambridge town, there are many creative and active companies, such as Toshiba Europe, ARM, AstraZeneca, and Microsoft Research Cambridge, which play an important role in high-tech innovation. Toshiba Europe focuses particularly on quantum technologies and secure communication systems, being one of the pioneers in quantum key distribution (QKD) and photonic integrated solutions.
Fortunately, I had the chance to talk with Dr. Robert I. Woodward, an engineer at Toshiba. He used to work on fiber lasers in academia and is now focusing on quantum communication in Toshiba’s quantum group. I am very grateful for this Clare Hall visit. Dr. Robert I. Woodward has extensive experience in fiber lasers, especially in infrared and mid-infrared fiber lasers and AI-assisted mode-locked lasers during his time in academia. I was able to discuss detailed technical questions with him, and he kindly provided clear answers. Currently, his research at Toshiba focuses on quantum communication on fiber platforms and photonic integrated quantum secure communication, which are also closely related to my research interests. Beyond the academic exchange, learning how he balances scientific research with engineering practice at Toshiba gave me valuable inspiration for my own career planning.

Life at Clare Hall

Life in Clare Hall was colorful and enriching. The shared kitchen and living room provided a welcoming space where students from various countries cooked together and exchanged ideas. The beautiful garden and peaceful surroundings offered a relaxing environment after study. One highlight was punting on the River Cam with friends, a traditional Cambridge experience. Overall, it was a perfect summer school experience, combining research exchange and daily life in a truly balanced way.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank my Tutor, Dr. Holly, for her support and discussions during my stay at Clare Hall. I am also grateful to Professor Sze Yun Set for organizing this program and building the platform, to Okawa-san for her kind help from visa application to my return to the University of Tokyo, and to Professor Yamashita for his guidance on my research. I also thank Ricky, a senior participant of this program, for his generous help with my visa application. Finally, I acknowledge RCAST for providing the platform and financial support that made this experience possible.