Eric C. Blow

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Hello, I am a researcher who is passionate about developing integrated photonic hardware to enable the next generation of computing.

About

Research Statement:
I believe that continuing to develop more powerful and accessible computing engines leads to a global improvement in quality of life. Historically, this trend has held true. Harmoniously, an exponential demand for computing resources has been met with equivalent improvements in computing efficiency. However, in recent years, microelectronics has approached the limits of Moore's Law, resulting in stagnation in computing efficiency. Consequently, our current efforts to meet the growing demand for computation rely on building larger data centers and dedicating more resources — primarily in the form of electricity and potable water. This approach is unsustainable and has led to negative environmental impacts. To sustain advancements in computation, we must explore alternative computational platforms that enable efficiencies and performance beyond the fundamental limits of electronics. Personally, I believe optical computing is a strong candidate.

Currently open to academic and industrial collaborations within the following integrated photonic application spaces: Neuromorphic Photonics, AI Accelerators, Analog Compute, Microwave Photonics.

About Me:
I hold positions as a Researcher within the Optical Networking and Sensing Group at NEC Laboratories America and a Research Collaborator within the Lightwave Research Laboratory at Princeton University. I am passionate about integrated photonics, analog computing, and machine learning. I received a PhD from Princeton University, Fall 2023.

Outside of work, I enjoy recreational sports: basketball, soccer, and softball. Exploring the outdoors: rock climbing, hiking, and caynoneering. The small things in life: cooking, music, and fixing cars.

Note: Website is currently under construction, most of the information is there but please bare with me as I make updates!

Experience

NEC Labs America

Researcher

Research lead in the development of Integrated Photonic Systems for AI Accelerators, RF Analog Signal Processing, and Neuromophic Hardware.
Contributed to research programs within the Fiber Sensing and Photoacoustic Sensing by integrated existing systems.
Research resulted in over 10 academic publications, presented at 4 professor conferences.
Presented research internally with NEC Open House in Tokyo, Japan to C-Suite Executives.
Platforms: Silicon Photonics, Co-Integrated Si, SiN, and InP via DARPA LUMOS

July 2023 - Present | Princeton, New Jersey

Bascom Hunter Tech

Senior Photonics Engineer

Principle Investigator
1) Navy program N203-149: High Dynamic Range Microwave Photonic Link for LightRIDR System
2) Navair program N202-099: NOHP-Neuromorphic Optoelectronic Hybrid Processor
Lead Engineer
3) Army program A20B-T004-0271: Massively Parallel Photonic Artificial Neural Network Accelerator
Photonic Engineer
4) SOCOM program S211-003: Wideband and Analog Radio Frequency Fingerprinting At a Distance
5) Navy Phase III SBIR N112-170: Future Advanced Satellite Communication (SATCOM) Technologies (FAST) SATCOM Pre-Planned Product Improvement (P3I) for Navy Multiband Terminal (NMT)
6) NASA program Z2.02-5311: HPSC-compatible Neuromorphic Photonic Coprocessor
7) Strategic Capabilities Office SCO 213-003: Photonic AI Processor
Authored 7 successful government research proposals resulting in over 10 million USD of R&D funding include Phase I, II, and III program types
Designed integrated photonic testing facilities.
Platforms: Active Silicon Photonics

July 2019 - Jan 2023 | Princeton NJ - Baton Rouge, LA - St. Louis, MO

Princeton University

UGrad Researcher
Doctoral Student
Research Scholar

Member of Lightwave Communication Research Lab - Advisor: Professor Paul R. Prucnal
Developed novel integrated photonic analog processers to mitigate interference within wireless systems. Critical for more efficient commericial communications and maintaining communication within defense enviroments.
Developed novel optical architectures for improved RF performance: Balanced Cancellers and Hybrid Cancellers. Resulting in 1000x noise performance improvement.
Designed, Simulated, Fabricated, and Tested Passive Silicon, Active Silicon, Silicon Nitride, and Indium Phosphide PICs.
Trained in Lithography and packaging specfic to integrated photonics (see thesis for recipes).
Contributing developer of lab automation software, lightlab..
Authored 6+ sucessful research grants resulting in over 1 million USD in funding.
Authored 2 book chapters and 30+ journal papers within the field of microwave and neuromorphic photonics.
Reviewer for IEEE, JLT, PTL
Teaching Assistant and Guest Lecturer: Photonic Systems, Silicon Photonics, Photonics and Light Wave Communication, and Intro to Engineering
Tape Outs: Indium Phosphide (HHI/JePPIX), Passive Silicon (ANT), Silicon Nitride (LioniX), Active Silicon (AMF), Co-Integrated InP/Si/SiN (Tower)
PhD Thesis:Microwave Photonic Interference Cancellation: RF Analysis, III-V and Silicon Integration, Development of Balanced and Hybrid Architectures

July 2014 - Present | Princeton, NJ

TCNJ Physics

UGrad Researcher

Member of Nonlinear Photonics Laboratory - Advisor: Professor David McGee
Research focused on linear and nonlinear optical techniques to probe and characterize novel optoelectrical materials.
Studied optical and electrical properties of Chromophore-Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes.
Responsible for conducting experiments involving optical switching, birefringence, and surface relief gratings.
Conducted second harmonic generation experiments to determine orientational order of organic dimolecule.
Developer of lab automation, control and data acquisition, using LabVIEW software.
Relevant Skills: LabVIEW and Free Space Optics

September 2012 - May 2015 | Ewing, NJ

Education

                  Princeton University
                
Princeton, NJ, USA

                  Degree: Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical and Computer Engineering
                  
                  Awarded 2023
                
                    Relevant Materials:

PhD Thesis: Microwave Photonic Interference Cancellation: RF Analysis, III-V and Silicon Integration, Development of Balanced and Hybrid Architectures
PhD Defense:  Presentation

                  Princeton University 
                
Princeton, NJ, USA

                  Degree: Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering
                  
                  Focus:   Photonic and Electronic Devices
                  
                  Awarded 2017
                
                    Relevant Courseworks:
                  
Photonic Systems
Silicon Photonics
Fundamentals of Nanophotonics
Microelectronics

                The College of New Jersey
              
Ewing, NJ, USA

                Degree: Bachelor's of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering
                
                Study Focus: Wireless communications, RF electronics, and Nonlinear photonics
                
                Awarded 2015
              
                  Relevant Achievements:
                
Graduated with High Honors (magna cum laude).
1st Place in 2014 Mayo Business Plan Competition
Senior Thesis: Advanced Capability of Underwater Locator Beacon (ULB) for Accident Data Recorder (ADR). Designed, simulated, and constructed underwater acoustic phased array.
Conrad Johnson Award – Senior Thesis Award 
Armstrong Scholar Award – Awarded to electrical engineering student with highest GPA

Publications

RF Analysis of Silicon Photonic Neural Networks

❮ ❯

Highlighted Publications:

M. P. Chang, E. C. Blow, P. R. Prucnal, et al., Integrated Microwave Photonic Circuit for Self-interference Cancellation, IEEE 2017
Blow, E. C., P. Kaul, P. R. Prucnal, Integrated Balanced Microwave Photonic Canceller, IEEE 2018
Tait, A. N., E. C. Blow, et al., Demonstration of multivariate photonics: blind dimensionality reduction with integrated photonics JLT 2019
Huang, C., E. C. Blow, et al., Demonstration of Multi-Channel Feedback Control for On-Chip Microring Weight Banks OFC Post-deadline 2020
E. C. Blow, et al Silicon Photonic Weights for Microwave Photonic Canceller CLEO 2020
T. Ferreira de Lima, E. C. Blow, B. J. Shastri, et al., Real-time Operation of Silicon Photonic Neurons OFC 2020
C. Huang, S. Fujisawa, E. C. Blow, S. Bilodeau, et al., A silicon photonic–electronic neural network for fibre nonlinearity compensation Nature Electronics 4, no. 11 2021
T. Ferreira de Lima, E. C. Blow, E. A. Doris, S. Bilodeau, P. R. Prucnal, Design Automation of Photonic Resonator Weights De Gruyter Journal 2022
E. C. Blow, M. P. Chang, and P. R. Prucnal Microwave Photonic Canceller: Noise Reduction Via Balanced Architecture IEEE 2022
W. Zhang, A. N. Tait, C. Huang, T. Ferreira de Lima, S. Bilodeau, E. C. Blow, A. Jha, B. J. Shastri and P. R. Prucnal, Broadband physical layer cognitive radio with an integrated photonic processor for blind source separation Nature Communications 2023
E. C. Blow, Y. Jimoh, L. Xu, W. Zhang, et al., Hybrid Microwave Photonic Canceller for self-interference cancellation IEEE MT&T, submitted 2023
J. C. Lederman, W. Zhang, E. C. Blow, et al., Real-Time Blind Photonic Interference Cancellation for mmWave MIMO Nature Communication, 2023
E. C Blow, S. Bilodeau, W. Zhang, et al., Radio-Frequency Linear Analysis And Optimization Of Silicon Photonic Neural Networks ARP (Invited) 2024
J. C. Lederman, E. C. Blow, et al., Low-latency passive thermal desensitization of a silicon micro-ring resonator with self-heating APL Photonics 2024

Additional Publications:

A. Tait, M. Nahmias, B. Shastri, M. Chang, A. Wu, E. Zhou, E. C. Blow, T. Ferreira de Lima, B. Wu, and P. R. Prucnal. Balanced WDM weight banks for analog optical processing and networking in silicon, IEEE Summer Topicals(Invited), 2015.
M. P. Chang, J. Sun, E. C. Blow, and P. R. Prucnal, A Microwave Photonic Canceller for Improved Interference Rejection in Full Duplex Radio, IPC, 2016
E. C. Blow, M. P. Chang, P. R. Prucnal, Microwave Photonic Interference Canceller: Noise Figure Reduction via Balanced Architecture, MPC, Oct. 2016
P. Y. Ma, Y. Huang, M. P. Chang, E. C. Blow, S. Zhang, P. R. Pruncal, Microwave Photonic Chaos Based Device Fingerprinting, OFC, 2016
M. P. Chang, E. C. Blow, J. Sun, M. Lu, P. R. Prucnal, RF Characterization of an Integrated Microwave Photonic Circuit for Self-Interference Cancellation, IEEE MT&T, 2017
C. Huang, E. C. Blow, et al. Accelerated secure key distribution based on localized and asymmetric fiber interferometers, Optics express 27.22 (2019): 32096-32110.
C. Huang, E. C. Blow, et al., Demonstration of scalable microring weight bank control for large-scale photonic integrated circuits, APL Photonics 5.4 (2020): 040803.
C. Huang, E. C. Blow, et al Demonstration of photonic neural network for fiber nonlinearity compensation in long-haul transmission systems, in OFC (Post deadline)
W. Zhang, C. Huang, S. Bilodeau, A. Jha, E. C. Blow, T. Ferreira De Lima, B. J. Shastri, and P. R. Prucnal. Microring Weight Banks Control beyond 8.5-bits Accuracy arXiv preprint arXiv:2104.01164 2021
T. Ferreira de Lima, C. Huang, S. Bilodeau, A. N. Tait, H-T Peng, P. Y. Ma, Eric C. Blow, Bhavin J. Shastri, and Paul Prucnal. Real-time Operation of Silicon Photonic Neurons, OFC 2020.
E. C. Blow, T. Ferreira de Lima, H-T Peng, W. Zhang, C. Huang, B. J. Shastri, and P. R. Prucnal Broadband Radio-Frequency Signal Processing with Neuromorphic Photonics, SPIE Photonic West (invited) 2022.
H-T Peng, T. Ferreira de Lima, E. C. Blow, S. Bilodeau, A. Jha, C. Huang, B. Shastri, and P. R. Prucnal Time Series Prediction and Classification using Silicon Photonic Neuron with a Self-Connection, CLEO 2022
J. C. Lederman, Y. Jimoh, W. Zhang, T. Ferreira de Lima, E. C. Blow, S. Bilodeau, B. J. Shastri, P. R. Prucnal, A Multi-Layer Topologically Reconfigurable Broadcast-and-Weight Photonic Neural Network, IPC 2023
T. F. de Lima, J. C. Lederman, W. Zhang, J. Hu, E. C. Blow, K. Asahi, Y. Aono, T. Wang, and P. R. Prucnal, Real-Time Blind Source Separation with Integrated Photonics for Wireless Signals, in CLEO 2023
E. C. Blow et. Al., Link Loss Analysis of Integrated Linear Weight Bank within Silicon Photonic Neural Network, SPIE Europe 2024

Projects

                
Photonic Industries
                  An interactive map of current companies conducting integrated photonic work. 
                
Information:Last Updated: 1/2025 
Number of companies represented:110
Total number of offices:219
Information included: Location, Focus, Number of Employees, Key Personal, and Affiliations
Updated frequently!

Photonic Canceller Sims
                  Simulations for photonic interference cancellers. Featured in 2023 PhD Thesis.
                
CapabilitiesCancellation depth calculations
Amplitude and phase mismatch simulations
Generalized schedmatics for cancellation architectures 

RF Photonic Simulations
                  Simulations for RF photonic systems and cancellers. Featured in 2023 PhD Thesis.
                
CapabilitiesGeneral RF Analysis: Link Loss, Noise Figure, Dynamic Range
RF performance as function of linear and nonlinear loss within silicon photonic waveguide 

Si Photonic Packaging
                  Integrated Photonic Packaging Manual. Featured in 2023 PhD Thesis.
                
CapabilitiesSilicon photonic-specific manual:
 Pick & Place 
 Wirebonding 
 Z-Cutting PICs 
 Expander Fabrication 
 Aluminum PIC Post-Fab Etching 

Si Photonic Simulations
                  Simulation for silicon photonics: waveguides, resonators, couplers, etc...
                
CapabilitiesWaveguide Physics: Material Properities, Dispersion, Mode Solvers
Device Physics: Modulators, Photodetectors, Lasers, Couplers, etc.

RF Simulations
                  Simulations for RF electronics: waveguides, impedance matching, etc...
                
CapabilitiesHigh-Speed Analysis
Field Solving
Impedance Matching

Climbing Data Visualizer
                  Tools for downloading, analyzing, and visualizing mountain project data.
                
Functionality
CapabilitiesCheck your friends ticks since a specified date.
Check if your friends have climbed a specific route.
Tick analytics.
Generate trip reports.
Python-based jupyter notebooks.

Software Skills

Languages

Python

C++

Matlab

LabVIEW

Intermediate Greek

Layout Software

Klayout

GDSFactory

ZeroPDK

PHIDL

Altium

Simulation Software

Lumerical

OptoDesigner

Photon Design

MPB

SPICE

AWR

Other

Git

Bash

Climbing

Home Crag: The Gunks

Friends: Link, Tom, Jack, Kelsey, Brandon, Mike, Holly, Lucia, Sara, Cyrill, Seb
Routes/Crags: Nears, Trapps, Peterskill
Notes: Home crag, learned to trad follow and lead here, world class, great memories.

September 2020 - Present | New Paltz, New York

Red Rocks

Friends: Link, Jack, Kelsey, Susan, Tom, Elizabeth
Routes/Crags: Olive Oil, Solar Slab, Dark Shadows, Birdland, Man's Best Friend Area
Notes: Great trip, really felt like a true trad dad (minus the children), led everyday and was great for the mental game.

November 2024 | Las Vegas, Nevada

Eldorado Canyon

Friends: Link, Oak, Annie
Routes/Crags: Great Zot, Rewritten, Ruper, Bastille Crack, Calypson
Notes: Visiting Colorado friends in their new homes. Proud of the Bastille lead

September 2024 | Boulder, Colorado

Red Rocks

Friends: Link, Jack, Kelsey, Susan, Tom, Elizabeth, Shawn, Mimi
Routes/Crags: Cat in the Hat, Panty Wall, Halmlet, Ying and Yang, Solar Slab, Tunnel Vision
Notes: Great trip, big group, and lots of fun

November 2023 | Las Vegas, Nevada

Sicily

Friends: David (Guide)
Routes/Crags: Rocca di Cerriolo
Notes: Exciting break to the Physical Computing Conference

November 2022 | Trapani, Sicily, Italy

Moab

Friends: Link, Jack, Kelsey, Tom, Oak, Annie
Routes/Crags: North Chimney of Castleton, Ancient Chimney of Fisher Towers, Take-Out Beach, Elephant Butte, Rock of Ages, Moonflower
Notes: Reconsidered whether I actually like crack climbing. Oak/Annie get married! First time canyoneering.

September 2022 | Moab, UT

Indian Creek

Friends: Link, Jack, Kelsey, Tom
Routes/Crags: Donnelly and Super Crack Buttress
Notes: Learned I may actually like crack climbing

September 2022 | Monticello, UT

Cannon Cliff

Friends: Tom, Jack, Link
Routes/Crags: 700ft+ Moby Grape, Whitney Gilman Ridge
Notes: Tom's last week in town, Still too early in the season, difficult intro to crack climbing, Bit wet

May 2022 | White Mountain, New Hampshire

Red River Gorge

Friends: Link, Susan, Mikkel, Jack, Kelsey, Tom
Routes/Crags: Eastern Sky Bridge, Northern Gorge, Solar Collector, Miller Fork
Notes: Thanksgiving, Started tying bowline follow through, lots of board games and great food.

November 2021 | Slade, Kentuckey

Eldorado Canyon

Friends:Will, Brian, Oak, Annie, Will N.
Routes/Crags: Rewritten, Bastille Crack, Flat Irons, Gray's Peak (14er)
Notes: Visiting Will in Denver, O/A in Boulder

August 2021 | Boulder, Colorado

New River Gorge

Friends: Link, Susan, Kelsey Jack, Shawn, Mimi, Tom, Joe
Routes/Crags: Summerville Lake and Whippoorwill, Southside Meadow (now closed)
Notes: Great trip, team chocolates won boardgame night, Bday trip

April 2021 | Glen Jean, West Virginia

Red Rocks

Friends: Link, Jack, Kelsey, Amy, Laura, Tom, Norm
Routes/Crags: Gun Club, Crimson Chrysalis, Calico Basin
Notes: First 1000+ ft climb, this trip absolutely hooked me

January 2021 | Las Vegas, Nevada

New River Gorge

Friends: Link, Susan, Kelsey Jack, Tom
Routes/Crags: Summerville Lake, Endless Wall, Whippoorwill
Notes: First trip, First Climbing Thanksgiving, Some might say an interesting first sport lead...

November 2020 | Glen Jean, West Virginia

Additional Information

Sport/Trad Rack

Last Updated: February 2025

Contact

+1-609-410-6248

ericcblow@gmail.com

github.com/ericcblow

linkedin.com/in/ericcblow/