James F. Young
About Optica
In Memoriam: James F. Young, 1944-2025
18 May 2025
James F. Young, Optica Fellow and Optica Emeritus Member, passed away on 18 May 2025. Young’s research focused on the development of new optical and photonic devices, but he will be remembered for his dedication to undergraduate teaching and his lasting impact on his students and colleagues at Rice University, where he was professor emeritus of electrical and computer engineering.
Young received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and his Ph.D. from Stanford in 1970. He stayed at Stanford following graduation and worked as a Research Associate (1970-1975) and Professor (Research) from 1975-1990 before accepting a position at Rice University. Young was an Associate Professor from 1990 to 1994 and Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Rice University from 1994 to 2011. He retired in 2011.
Young’s research was primarily experimental, and he focused on a breadth of topics such as optical parametric oscillators, nonlinear optics in crystals and vapors, infrared image up-conversion, and the development of unique laser sources. During his career, he was affiliated with the Rice Quantum Institute (RQI), a team leader in the Southeast Regional Texas STEM Center, and director of the Rice Engineering Design Experience program. Young published extensively and was a Fellow of IEEE and Optica (formerly OSA). He was an IEEE Lasers & Electro-Optics Society Distinguished Lecturer and received the Electrical Engineering Department Outstanding Service Award from Stanford.
Young was generous with his time and talent, having served as a volunteer member on the OSA Publications Technology Committee (1997–2000), OSA Member & Education Services Council (1999–2001), and the OSA Fraunhofer Medal Committee (1971–1998). He also volunteered with IEEE by serving as IEEE/LEOS Short Wavelength & Gas Lasers Technical Subcommittee, Member & Chair, on the Program Committee, IEEE Lasers & Electro-Optics Society Annual Meeting (1989–1999), and supervised over 35 graduate degree recipients.
Optica and the scientific community mourn his loss.
