For four decades, Virginia Tech researcher Ting-Chung “T.-C.” Poon has explored the field of holography – the technique of using light to create three-dimensional (3D), lifelike images – that has inspired the world of science fiction for years. He’s published nearly 100 articles on the subject, and helped pioneer a modern approach to holography called optical scanning holography. 

And now, he’s been awarded one of the most prestigious honors in the field: the Emmett N. Leith medal.

“Dr. Leith’s name is synonymous with holography,” said Poon, a professor in the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “In 1979, Leith was awarded the National Medal of Science for his research, so receiving the medal bearing his name is a tremendous honor for me.”

Poon is the first-ever Virginia Tech recipient of the Leith medal since it was established by Optica in 2008 in honor of Leith, a pioneer of coherent light in radar systems and a founder of modern holography. Optica is a 100 year-old society dedicated to promoting the generation, application, archiving, and dissemination of knowledge in the field of advancing optics and photonics worldwide.

Poon was honored for his contributions to digital holography and optical information processing.

Emmett Leith moves holographic panels to set up one of the first holographic displays. Photo provided American Scientist.
Emmett Leith moves holographic panels to set up one of the first holographic displays. Photo provided American Scientist.
Series of geometric objects (cones, cubes, hoops, circles, etc.) set about a board; the word `HOLOGRAM,' made out of wooden stand-up letters, stretches diagonally into background; good, early display of 3-D effect of holography; red image. Photo provided by the MIT Museum.
One of the first displays of the 3-D effect of holography, originally created for LIFE magazine by Leith and his collaborators, Fritz Goro and Juris Upatnieks. Photo provided by the MIT Museum.

Decades of three-dimensions

Poon joined ECE in 1983, an era of technological explosion: mobile communications, artificial neural networks, and the rise of integrating millions of transistors onto a single microchip, the foundation of today’s microprocessors and memory devices. Poon focused on holography, which shows up in numerous modern-day applications, including biomedical imaging, and security documents or product authentication.

“The grants I secured led to the development of a new approach: optical scanning holography,” Poon said. “It represents a radical departure from conventional thinking because of its single pixel recording scheme. It has applications in 3D holographic fluorescence and phase-contrast microscopy, 3D pattern recognition, holographic cryptography, and more.”

Poon also collaborated for many years with his longtime friend and colleague, Guy Indebetouw, professor emeritus from the Virginia Tech Physics department. The two worked together on Poon’s approach to holography, including their final joint publication, “Three dimensional microscopy and sectional image reconstruction using optical scanning holography.”

In addition to his numerous articles, Poon has written and co-authored several books and textbooks, and served as an editor on multiple publications, including:

  • Division editor of Applied Optics
  • Associate editor-in-chief of Chinese Optics Letters
  • Specialty chief editor of Frontiers in Photonics
  • Editor of Applied Sciences

“T.-C.’s achievements exemplify the spirit of excellence that defines our department,” said Luke Lester, ECE department head from 2013 to 2024, and Roanoke Electric Steel Research Professor emeritus. “His recognition has played a pivotal role in elevating the visibility of Virginia Tech, supporting us in building a community of exceptional new faculty making their own mark. We are immensely proud of his success.”

Ting-Chung Poon examines a holographic set up in his lab. Photo by Ben Murphy for Virginia Tech.
Ting-Chung Poon examines a holographic set up in his lab. Photo by Ben Murphy for Virginia Tech.

Written by Niki Hazuda.