Heriot-Watt physicist Mehul Malik is honoured with prestigious Optica Fellowship

Quantum physicist Mehul Malik has received a prestigious fellowship in recognition of his outstanding contribution to advancing optics and photonics.

Professor Malik has been elected a Fellow Member of Optica (formerly the Optical Society of America), a global society headquartered in Washington, DC, in the United States that promotes the science of light and photonics.

Professor Malik is Professor of Physics and Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland, where his research focuses on quantum communication – a technology based on using particles of light to carry data.

He said: “I am honoured to be elected an Optica Fellow. This award recognises the importance of our work and also the huge potential of quantum photonics to transform how we distribute and process information in the future.”

Professor Malik is being honoured specifically “For pioneering work on high-dimensional quantum states of light and their application in noise-robust quantum technologies.”

Optica said its election process was highly competitive, as Fellows can account for no more than 10% of its total membership. The organisation has more than 24,000 members across 113 countries. It was founded in 1916 for scientists, engineers, business professionals, students and others interested in the science of light.

The Society’s 2025 Fellow Class includes 121 elected members from 27 countries.

Jim Kafka, 2025 Optica President, said: “These members are making important contributions to our society and field. We thank them for their dedication and are incredibly proud to celebrate their accomplishments.”

Professor Malik has published more than 55 papers in the field of quantum optics and quantum information, where his research interests include quantum entanglement, quantum imaging, quantum information, and high-dimensional quantum states of light.

Quantum entanglement is when two or more particles – such as photons of light – remain connected even when they're separated by vast distances.

Quantum technology involves harnessing the physics of quantum particles of light and matter to develop ultra-high performance applications including more powerful computing, unconditionally secure communications and more reliable navigation systems.

Optica Fellows are selected based on several factors, including outstanding contributions to research, business, education, engineering, and service to Optica and its community.

The new Fellows will be honoured at Optica conferences and events throughout 2025.