Dr Mallika (Mika) Suresh. 2023 - 2025

Atmospheric gases such as ozone, water vapour, and methane play an important role in both climate modelling and weather forecasting. Satellites monitor these gases by detecting the weak thermal radiation they emit (terahertz-wave), allowing observations even during polar winter and at night.

Mika’s project focused on developing a compact, highly-sensitive device that can measure this radiation and be deployed in space at lower cost. She demonstrated a proof-of-concept photonic device that converts signals from the terahertz range into optical signals using a nonlinear optical conversion process in a dielectric resonator.

To improve the device’s performance, she supervised the design, fabrication, and testing of specialised waveguides and metal-patterned structures using the femtosecond laser micromachining system she established at Otago. She also worked with collaborators in Adelaide and Zurich to explore alternative methods for terahertz signal coupling and optical conversion.

Now the project is continuing beyond her fellowship with funding secured through the MBIE Endeavour programme for a project called “Building Critical Capability for Space-Based Climate Monitoring with Next-Generation Photonics”, led by Otago University Professor Harald Schwefel, with Associate Professor Annika Seppӓlӓ.