Dr. Abdul-Aziz Al-Jalal

Associate Professor

Affiliated Center(s): IRC for Communication Systems and Sensing

Research Interests

Our research group focuses on tunable diode laser spectroscopy, laser-based sensing, and the development of novel laser and optical systems. A major area of our research is the development and application of sensitive spectroscopic techniques for detecting gases in porous and scattering materials. We use diode lasers operating near 760 nm for oxygen detection, 935 nm for water-vapor detection, and 1.65 µm and 3.3 µm for methane detection. These studies aim to improve our understanding of gas transport and enable sensitive, non-invasive measurements in complex materials.

Optical magnetometry is an emerging research direction within our group. We are developing sensitive optical magnetometers based on the interaction of laser light with atomic media for the detection and measurement of weak magnetic fields. Our research explores laser-based techniques for controlling and probing atomic states, with the goal of improving magnetic-field sensitivity and developing compact optical magnetometer systems. This work combines fundamental studies of light–matter interactions with the development of precision optical sensing techniques.

Our group also investigates laser-induced crystallization in fluids using pulsed Nd lasers, with an emphasis on understanding how laser irradiation can initiate and influence nucleation and crystallization processes. We also design and develop external-cavity diode lasers (ECDLs) and related laser instrumentation for spectroscopic and sensing applications. In addition, our research interests include theoretical studies of atoms interacting with optical cavities.

Biographical Sketch

BSc and MSc in physics from KFUPM and PhD in physics from MIT.

AWARDS & HONORS

KEY PUBLICATIONS

1-      Al-Saudi, A., Aljalal, A., Al-Basheer, W., Gasmi, K., Qari, S. “Pore size assessment using gas in scattering media absorption spectroscopy and gas adsorption,” Applied Optics, Vol. 59 (2020), pp. 1130-1135. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.381730.

2-      Al-Saudi, A., Aljalal, A., Al-Basheer, W., Gasmi, K., Qari, S. “Investigation of O₂ line broadening in nanoporous alumina using gas in scattering media absorption spectroscopy,” Applied Physics B, Vol. 126:63(2020). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-020-7404-8.

3-      Aljalal, A., Altanany, S., Gasmi K., Al-Basheer, W. “Detection of nitrogen dioxide with tunable multimode blue diode Lasers,” Applied Physics B, Vol. 127:86 (2021) pp. 9. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00340-021-07633-6.

4-      Aljalal, A. M. “Measuring the speed of light using optical feedback from a picosecond diode laser,” American Journal of Physics, Vol. 90(2022), pp. 211-217. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1119/10.0007144.

5-      Aljalal, A. M. “Michelson interferometry with a diode laser,” American Journal of Physics, Vol. 90(2022), pp. 373-379. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1119/5.0062798.

6-      Aljalal, A. M. “Speed of light measurement with a picosecond diode laser and a voltage-controlled oscillator,” American Journal of Physics, Vol. 90(2022), pp. 935-939. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1119/5.0104758.

7-      Maryana, O., Aljalal, A., Qari, S., Al-Basheer, W., Gasmi, K. “Study of water escape and invasion in nanoporous alumina using GASMAS and gravimetric methods,” Results in Physics, Vol 77, 2025, 108446. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rinp.2025.108446.