Ana Villafranca

Ottawa, On
E-mail: villafab@mcmaster.ca Web: www.anavillafranca.com

Professional objective

A research/engineering position to develop novel optical properties and effects for technological
applications.

Technical skills

Optics
• Design and construction of optical assemblies for nonlinear light propagation studies and
modification of materials
• Free-space and optical fiber assembly for self-written waveguide experiments
• Fabrication and characterisation of waveguides
• Statistical analysis of experiments
• Linear probing of waveguides and microscopy characterisation
• Beam diagnostics: spatial and temporal characterization
• Laser alignment and maintenance
• Optical instrumentation: Power meters, spectrometers, prism coupler, interferometers

Materials fabrication and characterization

• Bulk organic photopolymer sol-gel fabrication
• Thin film inorganic sol-gel fabrication
• Clean room (Class 10000) substrate preparation and spin-coating
• Ellipsometry, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV-VIS spectroscopy, Rapid
Thermal Annealing (RTA).
• Microscopy: Optical, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy
(AFM), Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX)

Computer skills
• Simulations in BeamPROP (light propagation software)
• Comsol training (Multiphysics software)
• Analysis software: Mathematica, Origin Pro, SigmaPlot
• Graphical design and presentation: CorelDRAW (or Inkscape), Powerpoint
• Basic C++ programming, macros in Windows

Education

Doctorate degree Engineering Physics McMaster University, Canada 2005-2010

Masters of Science Engineering Physics McMaster University, Canada 2005
Bachelor of Science Engineering Physics ITESM Monterrey, Mexico 2001
Summer program Engineering INPG Grenoble, France 2000
Exchange program Physics UWO London, Canada 1999
Summer program Optics INAOE Puebla, Mexico 1999
Research Experience

McMaster University: Ph.D., Hamilton, Canada Apr 2005-2010

Nonlinear propagation of coherent light in photopolymers
• Investigation of laser induced self-action effects including self-trapping,
self-phase modulation and modulation instability in a photopolymer
• Preparation of photopolymer, design of experiments for nonlinear
propagation of light in organosiloxane through beam profiling techniques
• Characterisation of laser-induced waveguides and structures in the
photopolymer
• Simulations of the nonlinear propagation of light using BeamPROP 
and an external subroutine
McMaster University: M.Sc. Hamilton, Canada Sept 2002- Apr 2005
Fabrication and characterization of sol-gel germanosilicate thin films for
waveguide applications
• Synthesis of various germanosilicate sol compositions
• Fabrication of sol-gel germanosilicate thin films using spin coating and
rapid thermal annealing techniques
• Characterisation of thin films through ellipsometry, FTIR and UV
spectroscopy and optical, electron and atomic force microscopy
Teaching assistant
Department of Engineering Physics, McMaster University, Canada

• Lab coordinator for Semiconductor Junction devices course Jan-May 2009

• Lab coordinator for a design course on Applications to photonics Sep-Dec 2008
• Assignment marking for Emerging technologies course. Jan-Apr 2008
• Assignment design and marking for Microsystems devices course Sep-Dec 2006/2007
Jan- Apr 2006/2007
• Assignment design and marking for Thermodynamics course
Sep-Dec 2004
• Laboratory leader for Electrical science course Sep-Dec 2003
• Assignment design and marking for Solid state devices course Jan-Apr 2003/2004
• Laboratory leader for Solid state electronics course
Sep 2000-May 2001
Department of Engineering Physics, ITESM, Mexico
• Laboratory leader for Physics I, II and III courses.

Other experience

Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX): Marketing Analyst, Coatzacoalcos, Mexico Sept 2001- Jul 2002
Analysis of international and national markets of petrochemical products
and price calculation for national and export markets

Publications

A. B. Villafranca and K. Saravanamuttu, “Advances in diffraction rings dynamics in a

photopolymer: curvature and pathlength dependence studies" (In preparation)
 A. B. Villafranca and K. Saravanamuttu, “Formation and spontaneous filamentation of a single
optical ring originating from an input Gaussian beam" (In preparation)

A. B. Villafranca and K. Saravanamuttu, “Diffraction rings due to spatial self-phase modulation in

a photopolymerisable medium”, J. Opt. A: Pure Appl. Opt. 11, 125202 (2009).

A. B. Villafranca and K. Saravanamuttu, “Nonlinear forms of laser propagation in a

photopolymerisable medium”, SPIE Proceedings San Jose CA, 7213-28, (2009).

A. B. Villafranca and K. Saravanamuttu, “An experimental study of the dynamics and temporal
evolution of self-trapped laser beams in a photopolymerizable organosiloxane”, Journal of Physical
Chemistry C, 112, 17388-17396 (2008).

Conference contributions

A. B. Villafranca and K. Saravanamuttu, “Self-action effects of laser propagation in a

photopolymer”, IV Confederation of Mexican Graduate Students and Researchers in Canada
Congress, 2009, Ottawa, ON, Canada [Oral presentation]

A. B. Villafranca and K. Saravanamuttu, “Laser-induced self-action phenomena in a

photopolymerizable medium”, 92nd Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition-Canadian
Society for Chemistry, 2009, Hamilton, ON, Canada [Poster presentation]

A. B. Villafranca and K. Saravanamuttu, “Laser-induced self-action phenomena in a

photopolymerizable medium”, XI Cross Border Workshop on laser science 2009, Ottawa, ON,
Canada [Poster presentation]

A. B. Villafranca and K. Saravanamuttu, “Laser-induced self-action phenomena in a

photopolymerizable medium”, Photonics North 2009, Quebec, City, Canada [Poster presentation]

A. B. Villafranca and K. Saravanamuttu, “Laser-induced nonlinear phenomena in a

photopolymer”, Women in Science and Engineering Initiative 2009 International Women's Day
Research Conference, Hamilton, Canada [Oral presentation]

A. B. Villafranca and K. Saravanamuttu, “Nonlinear forms of laser propagation in a

photopolymerisable medium”, Photonics West 2009, Symposium on Integrated Optoelectronic
Devices. Conference on Organic Photonic Materials and Devices XI, San Jose CA. [Oral
presentation]

A. B. Villafranca and K. Saravanamuttu, “Dynamics of self-trapped beams in a

photopolymerisable medium: new opportunities for the design of self-written waveguide
components”, Women in Science and Engineering Initiative 2008 International Women's Day
Research Conference, Hamilton, Canada [Poster presentation]

A. B. Villafranca and K. Saravanamuttu, “Dynamics of self-trapped beams in a

photopolymerisable medium: new opportunities for the design of self-written waveguide
components”, Weatherly Symposium 2008, Hamilton, Canada [Poster presentation]
 A. B. Villafranca and K. Saravanamuttu, “Dynamics of self-trapped beams in a
photopolymerisable medium: new opportunities for the design of self-written waveguide
components”, TEXPO research competition, CMC Microsystems 2007 Annual Symposium,
Ottawa, Canada. [Poster presentation]

A. B. Villafranca and K. Saravanamuttu, “Spatial self-trapping of coherent light in a

photochemical system”, Ontario Photonics Technology Industry Cluster, Annual Members
Meeting, 2007, Hamilton, Canada. [Poster presentation]

A. B. Villafranca and K. Saravanamuttu, “Spatial self-trapping of coherent light in a

photochemical system”, Photonics North, International Conference on Application of Photonic
Technology, 2006, Québec City, Canada. [Poster presentation]

A. B. Villafranca, P. Jessop and P. Mascher, “Characterization of GeO2 doped silica sol-gel films”,
CIPI 5th Annual General Meeting, 2004, Sherbrooke, Canada. [Poster presentation]

Scholarships and Awards

Macromolecular Science and Engineering Division (MSED) Poster Award at 92nd Canadian
Society for Chemistry Conference 2009 ($250 Hamilton, ON, Canada)
TEXPO Research Competition travel award 2007 ($500 Ottawa, ON, Canada)
University Graduate Scholarship for Ph.D., McMaster University 2005-Present
University Graduate Scholarship for M.Sc., McMaster University 2002-2004
CONACYT Mexican Scholarship for Ph.D. studies (declined)

Languages

Spanish: Mother tongue English: Fluent (7 years in Canada)

French: Fluent (took courses since high school, stays
in France)

Extracurricular activities

Vice President of Confederation of Mexican Graduate students and Researchers in Canada

(CEIMEXCAN)
Volunteer in the community through Open Circle Association (McMaster)
Softball at McMaster University
Biking, swimming, squash, yoga, gardening, dancing

References available upon request