Haiyin Sun: The 2025 SPIE Rudolf and Hilda Kingslake Award in Optical Design

Over the course of his forty-year career, Haiyin Sun, currently a principal optical engineer at Ametek Special Optics, has worked as a senior-level optical engineer or manager at L3 Technologies, K2 Optronics, Coherent, Oplink Communications, Power Technology, and ChemImage. In his various roles, he has contributed to a range of optical-design systems, from chemical-detection programs, finger-print identification systems, and real-time infrared hyperspectral imaging systems to threat-detection systems. He has designed and developed pulsed laser wavelength meters, designed laser diode modules for telecom applications, and contributed to projects on AI thermal sensors, and developing self-driving cars. Colleagues often note that Sun’s contributions and novel lens designs significantly advance optical capabilities: his work pushes the boundaries of what was previously thought to be possible.

An SPIE Fellow, Sun contributes to the Society as an associate editor for the SPIE journal Optical Engineering, and member of the SPIE conference program committees for Novel Optical System Design and Optimization and Laser Resonators, Microresonators, and Beam Control. He has also served on the SPIE Education Committee and has been teaching the SPIE course Laser Diode Beam Basics, Characteristics and Manipulation at Photonics West since 2015. He is also the author of 2019’s Basic Optical Engineering for Engineers and Scientists, published by SPIE Press.

“I have had the pleasure of working with Haiyin since 2002 through my former roles at Leica and Vectronix,” notes SPIE Retired Member Dusan Zadravec. “Together, we collaborated on several common defense projects on which Haiyin and I both worked as lead physicists as well as optical designers. Our main task was to develop a direct diode laser rangefinder and state-of-the-art (visible and infrared) viewing optics and combine them in one compact system. Of all the optical scientists I’ve worked with, Haiyin is among the most innovative and creative, and I was always impressed by his extensive knowledge and work in various fields of laser and optical technology, from defense and industrial to medical and commercial. Haiyin was an excellent member of our team who would promote his ideas in a constructive and gentle way, while being able to empathically listen to ideas of other team members. His expertise in optical design and laser technology was a huge asset that always led to a product of great benefit for the customer. In my most recent professional life, Haiyin’s contributions in the field of laser-diode applications helped me substantially in the development of various products for medical and industrial applications.”

Meet the other 2025 SPIE Society Award recipients.

Read more about Haiyin Sun and the SPIE Rudolf and Hilda Kingslake Award in Optical Design.