Prof. Dr. Lothar U. Kempen

Prof. Dr Lothar Kempen studied Electrical Engineering with a focus on Communications Technology at RWTH Aachen University. After graduating as a Diplom-Ingenieur in 1992, he conducted research as a scientific assistant at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Zurich on novel micro-optical manufacturing processes and optical sensor modules. In 1996, he was awarded the title Docteur ès Sciences (Doctor of Sciences) by the University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland. He then lived and worked in the USA for 15 years, where he initiated and led numerous development projects.

He began as a Senior Scientist at Physical Optics Corporation (POC) in Torrance, California (Los Angeles County). Two years later, the R&D department of POC spun off as an independent company named Intelligent Optical Systems (IOS, Torrance, California). There, as Team Leader of Electro-Optical Sensor Systems, he helped establish the laboratories and led diverse development projects for novel electro-optical sensor systems measuring vibration, pressure, optical quantities, and chemical and biological concentrations on behalf of NASA, U.S. National Laboratories (NIH, DoD), Boeing, and other industrial partners.

In 2000, he co-founded a start-up company for integrated optical communication modules (Optinetrics Inc., Torrance, California), which expanded from three founding members to 32 employees with over $22 million in venture capital investments. As Vice President of Engineering, he was responsible for building a high-tech optical company from the ground up, including hands-on development of core processes and designs, defining and constructing laboratories, cleanrooms, and production equipment, and assembling an international, cohesive team of scientists, engineers, and technicians.

Under his leadership, the design team successfully developed a radically innovative bi-directional fibre-optic transceiver based on Planar Lightwave Circuit (PLC) technology, which served as a central connection element between Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) and communication services such as high-speed internet, cable television, and telephone.

In 2004, Prof. Kempen returned to IOS, initially as Vice President of Research & Development and from 2009 as Chief Technical Officer (CTO), overseeing all R&D for an optical sensor and electro-optical measurement and testing technology company. During his tenure, numerous innovative technologies were successfully introduced, including the founding of a spin-off company (Maven Biotechnologies), based on his patents for highly sensitive label-free analysis of biological surfaces. Technologies from his department received multiple awards, including a feature in Time Magazine’s “Best Inventions of 2007” special issue in October 2007. IOS became the world market leader in the development and production of instruments for non-destructive testing using laser-induced ultrasound.

In 2011, he accepted a professorship at HRW for the teaching and research area of Photonics, Bus Systems, and Networking. Since 2012, he has been the Programme Director for Electrical Engineering, continuously overseeing and developing the programme. In 2024, the Bachelor’s programme was reaccredited and renamed Electrical and Information Technologies. Prof. Kempen represents the Institute of Measurement and Sensor Technology on the Faculty Council and Senate.

Prof. Kempen holds 22 granted U.S. and international patents, has published 25 scientific articles, is a long-standing member of SPIE and IEEE, and has served as Co-Chair and Session Chair at numerous professional conferences of these organisations.

• Optoelectronics
• Optics and Laser Analytics
• Communication Engineering
• Communication Engineering II / Computer Networks
• Microcontroller Technology / Communication Engineering (Block Practical)
• Information and Communication Technology
• Technical English
• Electrical Engineering for Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering II
• Smart Structures and Networks
• Medical and Industrial Robotics II

Publications / Published Technical Reports:

• Kempen, L.U und Delgado, J.A., “Faseroptischer chemischer Multisensor zur medizinischen Patientenüberwachung,” tm – Technisches Messen, Vol. 80, No. 11, pp. 388-396, November 2013.
• Kazemi, A.A., Mendoza, E.A., Goswami, K., and Kempen, L.U., “Fiber optic oxygen sensor detection system for harsh environment of aerospace applications,” Invited Paper, Proc. SPIE, Vol. 8720, Photonic Applications for Aerospace, Commercial, and Harsh Environments IV, April 2013.
• Kempen, L.U., Beshay, M., and Delgado, J.A., “Miniature multi-analyte fiber-optic sensor probe,” Proc. SPIE, Vol. 8368, Photonic Applications for Aerospace, Transportation, and Harsh Environment III, 83680C, May 2012.
• Saxena, I.F., Guzman, N., Hui, K. and Kempen, L.U., “Guided wave ultrasound field mapping using a network of removable Bragg grating transducers,” Proceedings of the Review of Progress in Quantitative Nondestructive Evaluation (QNDE) Conference, Volume 30, San Diego, CA, July 18-23, 2010, published by the American Institute of Physics (AIP), AIP Conf. Proc. 1335, 1475, 2011.
• Venkatasubbarao, S., Dixon, C.E., Chipman, R., Scherer, A., Beshay, M., Kempen, L.U., Ganesh Chandra Sekhar, J., Yan, H., Puccio, A., Okonkwo, D., McClain, S., Gilbert, N., Vyawahare, S., “Field-based multiplex and quantitative assay platforms for diagnostics,“  Proc. SPIE, Vol. 8029, Sensing Technologies for Global Health, Military Medicine, Disaster Response, and Environmental Monitoring, 80290P, May 2011.
• Beshay, M., Garon, S., Ruiz, D., and Kempen, L.U., “Intrinsically safe Oxygen and Hydrogen optical leak detector,” Proc. SPIE, Vol. 8026, Photonic Applications for Aerospace, Transportation, and Harsh Environment II, 802605, Alex A. Kazemi; Bernard Kress; Eric Y. Chan; Nabeel A. Riza; Lothar U. Kempen, Editors, May 2011.
• Fiesler Saxena, I., Kempen, L.U., and Dayal, V., “Viability of guided-wave ultrasound diagnostics for sharply curved composite structures,” Proc. SPIE, Vol. 8026, Photonic Applications for Aerospace, Transportation, and Harsh Environment II, 802603, Alex A. Kazemi; Bernard Kress; Eric Y. Chan; Nabeel A. Riza; Lothar U. Kempen, Editors, May 2011.
• Kempen, L.U., “Conjunctival Continuous Blood and Tissue Gas Monitor for Infant Care,” Final Report of SBIR Grant No. 1R43EY017482-01A1, presented to the National Eye Institute, National Institute of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, May 31, 2010.
• Kempen, L.U. and Saxena, I.F., “Interrogation strategies for distributed and multipoint fiber optic sensors,” Invited Paper, Proc. SPIE, Vol. 7675, Photonics in the Transportation Industry: Auto to Aerospace III, 76750G, 2010.
• Saxena, I.F., Baid, H.K., Guzman, N., Kempen, L.U., and Mal, A., “Propogation loss with frequency of ultrasound guided waves in a composite metal-honeycomb structure,” Proc. SPIE, Vol. 7314, Photonics in the Transportation Industry: Auto to Aerospace II, 73140P, 2009.
• Venkatasubbarao, S. and Kempen, L.U., “Determining Concentration of Nanoparticles from Ellipsometry,” NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 32, No. 11, pp.62-63, November 2008.
• Kempen, L.U., Mendoza, E.A., and Saxena, I.F., “Self-compensated high-speed FBG interrogation using closed-loop tracking system,” Proc. SPIE, Vol. 6758, 67580E, 2007.
• Kazemi, A.A., Goswami, K., Mendoza, E.A., and Kempen, L.U., “Fiber optic oxygen sensor leak detection system for space applications,” Proc. SPIE, Vol. 6758, 67580C, 2007.
• Berger, A., Hermesh, S., Durets, E., and Kempen, L.U., “ High Resolution Underwater Fiber Optic Threat Detection System,” Proc. SPIE, Vol. 6371, 63710I, 2006.
• Kazemi, A.A., Goswami, K., Mendoza, E.A., Kempen, L.U., and Lieberman, R.A., “Fiber Optic Hydrogen Sensor Leak Detection System for Launch Vehicle Applications,” Proc. SPIE, Vol. 6379, 63790D, 2006.
• Mendoza, E.A., Sigoli, F., Paulus, H., Giang, L.Q., Seifouri, M., Lam, E., and Kempen, L., “Continuous-tone Gray-Scale Photomask for Deep-UV Lithography Applications,” Proc. SPIE, Vol. 5377, pp. 1059-1064, 2004.
• Mendoza, E.A., Sigoli, F., Paulus, H., Giang, L.Q., Seifouri, M., Lam, E., Kempen, L.U., and Johansooz, F., “Continuous-tone Gray-Scale Photomasks based on Spin-on-Glass Technology for Deep-UV Lithography Applications,” Proc. SPIE, Vol. 5256, pp. 889-896, 2003.
• Mendoza, E.A., Kempen, L.U., Menon, A., Durets, E., Pflanze, S., Lieberman, R.A., and Kazemi, A., “Multi-Point Fiber Optic Hydrogen Sensor System for Detection of Cryogenic Leaks in Aerospace Applications,” Proc. SPIE, Vol. 4204, pp. 139-150, 2001.
• Kazemi, A.A., Mendoza, E.A., Kempen, L.U., and Lieberman, R.A., “Fiber Optic Oxygen Sensor Detection System for Aerospace Applications,” Proc. SPIE, Vol. 4204, pp. 131-138, 2001.
• Kempen, L.U., "Massively Parallel Field-Usable Biosensor for Rapid BW Detection," Final Report of SBIR Contract No. DTRA01-99-P-0018, presented to U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Dulles, VA, 1999.
• Issachar, D., Rao, S.V., Ho, Z-Z., Kempen, L.U., Wang, A., Gasca, R., and Lieberman, R.A., “Fluorescence-Based Reversible Immunosensors,” Proc. SPIE, Vol. 3540, pp. 45-55, 1999.
• Kempen, L.U., “Distributed Fiber Sensor for Aerospace Stress Monitoring and Vibration Analysis,” Final Report of SBIR Contract No. NAS4-98025, presented to NASA Dryden Flight Research Center, CA, 1998.
• Kempen, L.U., “High Resolution Imaging Ellipsometer for Labeless, Multi-Channel Immunosensing,” Final Report of SBIR Contract No. DAAD13-98-M-0072, presented to Army CBDCOM Branch, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, 1998.
• Kempen, L.U., “Reversible Fiber Optic Biosensor for Detection of Explosives,” Final Report of SBIR Contract No. DAAG55-97-C-0056, presented to Army Research Office, Research Triangle Park, NC, 1998.
• Kempen, L.U., “Multi-Spectral Imaging Ellipsometer for Fast, In-Situ Monitoring of Monolayer Film Deposition,” Final Report of SBIR Contract No. DAAG55-98-C-0024, presented to Army Research Office, Research Triangle Park, NC, 1998.
• Kempen, L.U., and Kunz, R.E., “Replicated Mach-Zehnder Interferometers with Focusing Grating Couplers for Sensing Applications,” Sensors and Actuators B, Vol. 39, No. 1-3, pp. 295-299, 1997.
• Kempen, L.U., Kunz, R.E., and Gale, M.T., “Micromolded Structures for Integrated Optical Sensors,” Proc. SPIE, Vol. 2639, pp. 278-285, 1995.
• Kempen, L.U., and Kunz, R.E., "Miniature Integrated Optical Refractometer Chip," Proc. SPIE, Vol. 2208, pp. 124-129, 1994.
• Kunz, R.E., Edlinger, J., Curtis, B.J., Gale, M.T., Kempen, L.U., Rudigier, H., and Schütz, H., "Grating Couplers in Tapered Waveguides for Integrated Optical Sensing," Proc. SPIE, Vol. 2068, pp. 313-325, 1994.
• Kunz, R.E., and Kempen, L.U., "Miniature Integrated Optical Sensors," Proc. SPIE, Vol. 2068, pp. 69-86, 1994.
• Schmitt, H.J., and Kempen, L.U., "Low coherence fiberoptic reflectometer (OCDR)," Proc. of the International Workshop on Fiberoptic Sensors, Madras, India, March 1993.

Patents

• Saxena; I., Kempen; L., and Tea; C.,“ Apparatus and method for damage location and identification in structures,“ U.S. Patent No. 8,234,924, Issue Date: August 7, 2012.
• Rassman; W.R., Ralin; D., Berger; J. D., Lieberman; R. A., and Kempen; L.U., “Image acquisition, processing, and display,” U.S. Patent No. 7,518,724, Issue Date: April 14, 2009.
• Mendoza, E.A., Kempen, L.U., and Lieberman, R.A., “Integrated optic devices and photosensitive sol-gel process for producing integrated optic devices,” U.S. Patent No. 7,496,267, Issue Date: February 24, 2009.
• Tyan, R., Kang, H.C., Mendoza, E.A., and Kempen, L.U., “Bi-directional PLC transceiver device,” U.S. Patent No. 7,492,992, Issue Date: February 17, 2009.
• Kempen, L.U., Tyan, R., and Mendoza, E.A., “Optical waveguide structure,” U.S. Patent No. 7,391,948, Issue Date: June 24, 2008.
• Mendoza, E.A., Kempen, L.U., and Lieberman, R.A., “Integrated optic devices and photosensitive sol-gel process for producing integrated optic devices,” U.S. Patent No. 7,283,717, Issue Date: October 16, 2007.
• Rassman; W., Ralin; D., Lieberman; R.A., Kempen; L.U., Shapiro; H., “Imaging method and apparatus,”

U.S. Patent No. 7,193,711, Issue Date: March 20, 2007.

European Patent Applications: Publication No. EP1747432 (A2), Publication date: January 31, 2007; Publication No. EP1747432 (A4), Publication date: June 6, 2010.

• Rassman, W., Ralin, D, Lieberman, R.A., Kempen, L.U., and Shapiro, H., “Microarray scanning,”

U.S. Patent No. 7,126,688, Issue date: October 24, 2006.

European Patent Application, Publication No. EP1747433 (A2), Publication date: January 31, 2007.

• Mendoza, E.A., Kempen, L.U., and Dabby, F.W., “Integrated Optic Devices and Processes for the Fabrication of Integrated Optic Devices,” U.S. Patent No. 7,039,289, Issue date: May 2, 2006.
• Venkatasubarao, S., and Kempen, L.U., “Apparatus including a Biochip for Imaging of Biological Samples and Method,” U.S. Patent No. 7,023,547, Issue date: April 4, 2006.
• Mendoza, E.A. Kempen, L.U., and Lieberman, R.A., “Thermally assisted Photolithographic Process using Sol-Gel derived Glass and Products made thereby,” U.S. Patent No. 7,016,589, Issue date: March 21, 2006.
• Lieberman, R.A., Rassman, W., Kempen, L.U., and Ralin, D., “Apparatus and Method for Imaging,” U.S: Patent No. 7,002,686, Issue date: February 21, 2006.
• Rassman; W., Ralin; D., Lieberman; R.A, and Kempen; L.U., “Apparatus and method for imaging,”

U.S. Patent No. 6,882,420, Issue date: April 19, 2005.

European Patent Applications: Publication No. EP1470401 (A1), Publication date: October 27, 2004; Publication No. EP1470401 (A4), Publication date: August 29, 2007.

• Sigoli, F.A., Kempen, L.U., and Mendoza, E.A., “Crack resistant sol-gel wafer coatings for integrated optics,” U.S. Patent No. 6,875,467, Issue date: April 5, 2005.
• Kempen, L.U., “Imaging Apparatus and Method,” U.S. Patent No. 6,859,280, Issue date: February 22, 2005.
• Rassman; W., Ralin; D., Lieberman; R.A, and Kempen; L.U., “Apparatus and method for imaging,” U.S. Patent No. 6,833,920, Issue date: December 21, 2004.
• Kempen, L.U., and Mendoza, E.A., “Optical Signal Active Tracking using Tunable FBG,” U.S. Patent No. 6,696,682, Issue date: February 24, 2004.
• Lieberman, R.A., Kempen, L.U., and Prohaska, J.D., “Tunable Filter,” U.S. Patent No. 6,650,810, Issue date: November 18, 2003.
• Kempen, L.U., “Imaging Apparatus and Method,”

U.S. Patent No. 6,594,011, Issue date: July 15, 2003.

European Patent Applications: Publication No. EP1390719 (A1), Publication date: February 25, 2004; Publication No. EP1390719 (A4), Publication date: August 8, 2007.

• Prohaska; J.D., Kempen; L.U., and Lieberman; R.A., “Birefringent fiber grating sensor and detection system,” U.S. Patent No. 6,208,776, Issue date: March 27, 2001.
• Kempen; L.U., Prohaska; J.D., and Lieberman; R.A., “Birefringent fiber grating sensor and detection system,” U.S. Patent No. 6,201,912, Issue date: March 13, 2001.
• Prohaska, J., Kempen, L.U. and Lieberman, R.A., “Method and System for Determining the Wavelength of Light Transmitted Through an Optical Fiber”

U.S. Patent No. 6,052,179, Issue date: April 18, 2000

European Patent Application, Publication No. EP1071920 (A1), Publication date: January 31, 2001

• Kempen, L.U., Prohaska, J., and Lieberman, R.A., “Self-referencing interferometric fiber optic sensor system having a transducer mechanism with a position reference reflector,” U.S. Patent No. 6,014,215, Issue Date: Jan. 11, 2000.DE102016113216B3 Tils, Schreiner, Merker, Maas, Waitz, Thelen, Rüter, Xu „Verfahren zur berührungslosen Bestimmung der Temperatur eines Garguts in einem Gargerät sowie Gargerät“ 2016

Technical Presentations

• Kempen, L.U., Beshay, M., and Delgado, J.A., „Faseroptischer chemischer Multisensor zur medizinischen Patientenüberwachung,“ IEEE Workshop Medizinische Messtechnik, Mülheim a.d.R., April 19, 2013.
• Kempen, L.U., Beshay, M., and Delgado, J.A., “Miniature multi-analyte fiber-optic sensor probe,” SPIE Defense, Security and Sensing Conference, Baltimore, MD, USA, April 23, 2012.
• Kempen, L.U. and Saxena, I.F., “Interrogation strategies for distributed and multipoint fiber optic sensors,” Invited Talk, SPIE Defense, Security and Sensing Conference, Orlando, FL, USA, April 2010.
• Kempen, L.U., “Optical Detection Systems for Cryogenic Fluid Monitoring,” Seminar talk, Cryogenics Test Laboratory, NASA Kennedy Space Center, FL, April 7, 2010.
• Kempen, L.U., ”Optische Sensoren: Mikroskopisch bis makroskopisch”, Seminarvortrag am Intitut für Mikrotechnologie (IMT), Universität Freiburg, April 2008.
• Kempen, L.U, Mendoza, E.A., and Saxena, I.F., “Self-Compensated High-Speed FBG Interrogation using Closed-Loop Tracking System,” SPIE Optics East, Boston, MA, USA, September 9-12, 2007.
• Kempen, L.U., Rubtsov, V., Akbarian, M., Lieberman, R.A., Ternovskiy, I., and Kim, C.J., “Non Contact Minimicrometer for Use in Difficult-to-Access Areas,” SPIE Optics East, Boston, MA, USA, September 9-12, 2007.
• Kempen, L.U., “Reversible Fiber Optic Biosensor for Detection of Explosives,” International Workshop on Explosives Detection, U.S. Army CECOM Branch, Fort Belvoir, VA, USA, August 25-27, 1999.
• Kempen, L.U., "Sol-Gel Integrated Optic Structures for Chemical and Biological Sensing Applications," European Symposium on Environmental Sensing III (EnviroSense '97), München, 16.-18. Juni 1997.
• Kempen, L.U., "Replizierte Streifenwellenleiter mit fokussierenden Gitterkopplern : ein Grundelement zur preiswerten Herstellung integriert-optischer Strukturen,"

97. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für angewandte Optik, Neuchâtel, Schweiz,

28. Mai-1. Juni 1996.

• Kempen, L.U. and Kunz, R.E., “Replicated Mach-Zehnder Interferometers with Focusing Grating Couplers for Sensing Applications,” 3rd European Conference on Optical Chemical Sensors and Biosensors EUROPT(R)ODE III, Zurich, Switzerland, March 31- April 3, 1996.
• Kempen, L.U, “Integrated Optical Sensor Modules,” Seminarvortrag am Institut für Hochfrequenztechnik, RWTH Aachen, 13. November 1995.
• Kempen, L.U., Kunz, R.E. and Gale, M.T., “Micromolded Structures for Integrated Optical Sensors,” SPIE Conference on Micromachining and Microengineering, Austin, Texas, USA, October 23-24, 1995.
• Kempen, L.U., “Miniature Integrated Optical Sensors,” Séminaire d’Optique, Institut de Microtechnique, Université de Neuchâtel, June 2, 1995.
• Kempen, L.U., and Kunz, R.E., "Miniature Integrated Optical Refractometer Chip," SPIE International Conference on Refractometry, Warsaw, Poland, May 16-20, 1994.

• Since 2012: Head of the Bachelor’s Programme in Electrical Engineering
• Development of the university cooperation with the Chinese-German Technical Faculty (CDTF) at Qingdao University of Science and Technology (QUST) (in collaboration with colleagues Prof. Himmel, Prof. Thelen, Prof. Paschen)
• Since 2012: Member of the University Senate
• Member of the Faculty Council (Faculty 4)