Alaa Hamdoh
University of Arizona
Tucson,AZ
3
Languages
1
Certification
12
years of professional experience
Graduate PhD Researcher in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Optical Sciences, designing DoFP polarimetry experiments, SWIR sensing setups, and full-Stokes imaging workflows. Calibrates custom optical systems to convert high-dimensional polarization data into measurable metrology signals for surface topography, defect visualization, and stress birefringence analysis. Bridges hardware co-design with physics-informed analysis across visible and short-wave infrared research.
Work History
Graduate PhD Researcher
5 Years- Designed and implemented experimental configurations for transmission, reflection, and side-view full-Stokes imaging using Division-of-Focal-Plane (DoFP) polarimeters.
- Developed and calibrated a custom compact SWIR polarimeter by packaging a pixelated wire-grid micro-polarizer array on an InGaAs sensor for multi-wavelength surface topography and defect visualization.
- Pioneered non-destructive gemstone metrology metrics by analyzing structural dichotomy, spatial variations in stress birefringence, and geometric peak anomalies in polarization frequency distributions.
- Quantified the inverse relationship between material albedo and Degree of Linear Polarization (DoLP) under complex indoor/outdoor lighting profiles, validating the Umov effect for organic and dielectric fibers.
- Graduate PhD Researcher | University of Arizona | 2021 – 2026
Graduate MS Researcher
3 Years- Conducted research on the epitaxial growth of crystalline silicon-germanium thin films on silicon substrates via solid phase crystallization.
- Synthesized crystalline silicon-germanium (c-SiGe) narrow-bandgap thin films via Solid Phase Crystallization (SPC) for multi-junction solar cells.
- Characterized mosaic film microstructures, atomic inter-diffusion mechanics, and crystalline plane alignment across annealing temperatures from 500C to 950C using high-resolution XRD rocking curves and Raman spectroscopy.
- Graduate MS Researcher | Tokai University | 2014 – 2017
Education
Ph.D. - Electrical Engineering & Optical Sciences
- Dissertation: “Polarization Imaging Using Division-of-Focal-Plane Imaging Polarimeter in Visible and SWIR Ranges”
- Committee Chair: Dr. Stanley Pau
- Honors: Recipient of the King Abdullah Scholarship, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Overseas Scholarship Program (2019)
MS - Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Thesis: “Epitaxial Growth of Crystalline Silicon-Germanium Thin Films on Silicon Substrates by Solid Phase Crystallization”
- Advisor: Dr. Masao Isomura
- Honors: Recipient of the King Abdullah Scholarship, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' Overseas Scholarship Program (2011)
BS in Sciences - Natural Sciences
Skills
MATLAB
Python (PyTorch for Image Processing & Deep Learning)
Mathematica (Polaris-M)
SolidWorks
Optical system alignment
Polarization measurement
Spectral analysis
Calibration procedures
X-ray diffraction analysis
Experimental design
Scientific writing
Data interpretation
Technical documentation
Cross-functional collaboration
Publications and Patents
Patents
- Hamdoh, A., Gao, Y., Jiang, L., & Pau, S. Identification and Metrology of Gemstones Based on Polarization Imaging. United States Provisional Patent Application No. 63/813,363 (2025).
- Y. Gao, A. Hamdoh, S. Pau. "Broadband achromatic waveplate and polarization camera." U.S. Patent Application #63/979,602 (2026).
Peer Review Journal Publications
- Hamdoh, A., Gao, Y., Jiang, L. et al. Polarization imaging for gemstone identification and metrology. Scientific Reports (2026).
- Hamdoh, A., Gao, Y., Spires, O. et al. Short-wave infrared (SWIR) polarization imaging using a division-of-focal-plane imaging polarimeter. Scientific Reports, 15, 22577 (2025).
- Gao, Y., Hamdoh, A., Jiang, L., Anderson, N., & Pau, S. Snapshot division-of-aperture spectropolarimeter and polarization radiometer. Applied Optics, 64, 6610-6617 (2025).
- Hamdoh, A., Miller, S., Gao, Y. et al. Polarization properties and Umov effect of human hair. Scientific Reports, 14, 412 (2024).
- Hamdoh, A., Kaneko, T., & Isomura, M. Formation of crystalline silicon-germanium thin films on silicon substrates by solid-phase crystallization. Thin Solid Films, vol. 645, pp. 203-208 (2017).
Oral Presentations
- Hamdoh, A., Miller, S., Gao, Y. (February 2024). Polarization Properties and Umov Effect of Human Hair. Presented at the Industrial Affiliates Workshop, Wyant College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
- Hamdoh, A., Kaneko, T., & Isomura, M. (March 2017). Epitaxial Growth of Crystalline Silicon-Germanium Thin Films on Silicon Substrates by Solid-Phase Crystallization. Paper presented at the 64th Japan Society of Applied Physics, Yokohama, Japan.
- Hamdoh, A., Kaneko, T., & Isomura, M. (March 2016). Epitaxial Growth of Crystalline Silicon-Germanium Thin Films on Silicon Substrates by Solid-Phase Crystallization. Paper presented at the 63rd Japan Society of Applied Physics, Tokyo, Japan.
Poster Presentations
- Hamdoh, A., Gao, Y., Spires, O. (October 2025). Short-wave Infrared Polarization Imaging. Poster session at the Industrial Affiliates Workshop, Wyant College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
- Hamdoh, A., Kaneko, T., & Isomura, M. (October 2016). Epitaxial Growth of Crystalline Silicon-Germanium Thin Films on Silicon Substrates by Solid-Phase Crystallization. Poster session at the 26th International Photovoltaic Science and Engineering Conference, Singapore.
Certification
2015: Surface Science Engineer License, The Surface Science Society of Japan (Certification No. SSE-10-013).
LANGUAGES
Arabic: Native
English: Advanced
Japanese: Intermediate
Timeline
Graduate PhD Researcher
University of Arizona
01.2021 - 01.2026Read More
Graduate MS Researcher
Tokai University
01.2014 - 01.2017Read More
Umm Al-Qura University
BS in Sciences from Natural Sciences
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University of Arizona
Ph.D. from Electrical Engineering & Optical Sciences
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Tokai University
MS from Electrical and Electronic Engineering
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