Christina M. Spaegele

Bridging Fundamental Nanoscience and Next-Generation Opto-Electronic Devices

About

Christina M. Spaegele

Hi! I am a scientist working at the interface of fundamental nanoscience and real-world optoelectronic technologies. With a background spanning nano-optoelectronics, physics, and integrated device fabrication, I focus on the intersection of nano-optics, novel material platforms, and device integration to connect fundamental discoveries to new technologies.

After studying physics at Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg, I received my Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Harvard University, where I worked with Professor Federico Capasso on advancing nanooptoelectronic devices and understanding light–matter interaction at the nanoscale.

I am currently a Research Scientist at Meta Reality Labs, where I develop novel technologies and components with tunable spatial, temporal and angular responses for next-generation augmented reality devices.

  • Occupation: Research Scientist, Meta Reality Labs
  • Email: spaegele.christina@gmail.com

Here is a link to my detailed resume :

Download Resume

Resume

Education

PhD Applied Physics — Harvard University (2019–2024)

M.Sc. Applied Physics — Harvard University (2022)

B.Sc Physics — Ruprecht-Karls University, Heidelberg (2015–2019)

Mini-MBA — Harvard GSAS Business Club (Summer 2022)

Professional Experience

Research Scientist, Display System Research — Meta Reality Labs (07/2024–present)

  • Developing new technologies and architectures for next generation AR.
  • Leading design, prototyping and evaluation efforts with cross-functional research and engineering teams.
  • Sourcing and managing an external research portfolio.

Research Intern, Optical Waveguide Design Team — Meta Reality Labs (Summer 2023)

  • Developing waveguides for augmented reality applications.
  • Internship resulted in a proof of life demo to META CEO after 12 weeks.

Intern, Technical Strategy Department — Robert Bosch GmbH (Summer 2019)

  • Optimizing future EE-architectures in vehicles using evolutionary algorithms.
  • Improvement of an optimization software via Java coding.
  • Supporting the preparation and execution of EE-architecture workshops.

Research Intern — Fritz Haber Institute, Berlin (Summer 2014)

  • Participating in chemical catalysts research.

Selected Honors & Awards

  • Certificate of distinction in teaching, Harvard University (2021)
  • German Academic Foundation Scholarship (2015–2019) (awarded to top 0.5% of German students nationwide)
  • Glemser Foundation for future excellence Scholarship (2015)
  • Multiple university entrance diploma valedictorian awards (2015):
    • FERRY-PORSCHE award for extraordinary performances in mathematics and physics/engineering
    • German Physical Society (DPG) award
    • German Mathematical Society (DMV) award
    • German Chemical Society (GDCh) award
    • Foundation Humanismus Heute (Latin) award

Research

My research sits at the interface of fundamental nanoscience and real-world opto-electronic applications. Through the investigation and control of photons, electrons, and quasiparticles at the nanoscale, it becomes possible to develop devices and components — such as sources, detectors, and modulators — with unconventional electrooptical responses. For instance, nanophotonic structures can enhance cavity-based sources such as lasers; controlling excitations in 2D materials and quantum dots opens routes to novel detectors and modulators; a deepened understanding and control over singularities can enable the creation of entirely new types of singularities and unlock advanced sensing modalities; and the precise control over the temporal, spatial, and angular response of optical components is at the heart of the compact, wide-field optics required for next-generation augmented reality glasses. Together, these directions reflect a shared ambition: turning nanoscale physical insight into real-world optoelectronic technologies. Click on the image captions below to learn more!

Nanophotonic Control of Cavities and Cavity Lasers
2D Material Based Sources and Detectors
Integrated Quantum Sensors
Singular Optics for Advanced Sensing
Next-Generation Technologies for AR

Publications

An updated list of publications can be found on my Google Scholar page.

* denotes equal contribution.

Journal Articles

    1. Bucher, T., Gorlach, A., Niedermayr, A., Yan, Q., Nahari, H., Wang, K., Ruimy, R., Adiv, Y., Yannai, M., Lenkiewicz Abudi, T., Janzen, E., Spaegele, C.M., Roques-Carmes, C., Edgar, C., Koppens, F., Vanacore, G., Herzig, H., Sheinfux, Tsesses, S. and Kaminer, I. Superluminal Correlations in Ensembles of Optical Phase Singularities. Nature 651, 920–926 (2026).
    2. Put, P.*, Leitao, N.*, Gao, H.*, Spaegele, C.M.*, et al., and Lukin, M. Collective many-body dynamics in a solid-state quantum sensor controlled through nanoscale magnetic gradients. arXiv preprint arXiv:2506.11920.
    3. Lim, S.W.D.* and Spägele, C.M.* and Capasso, F. Topology driven applications in optical singularities. arXiv preprint arXiv:2406.00784.
    4. Sydney, M., Meretska, M.L., Spaegele, C.M., Ossiander, M. and Capasso, F. Metasurface-controlled holographic microcavities. ACS Photonics 11, no. 3 (2024): 941-949.
    5. Spaegele, C.M., Tamagnone, M., Lim, S.W.D., Ossiander, M., Meretska, M.L. and Capasso, F. (2023). Topologically protected optical polarization singularities in four-dimensional space. Science Advances, 9(24), p.eadh0369.
    6. Lim, S.W.D., Park, J.S., Kazakov, D., Spaegele, C.M., Dorrah, A.H., Meretska, M.L. and Capasso, F. (2023). Point singularity array with metasurfaces. Nature Communications, 14(1), p.3237.
    7. Ossiander, M., Meretska, M.L., Rourke, S., Spaegele, C.M., Yin, X., Benea-Chelmus, I.C. and Capasso, F. (2023). Metasurface-stabilized optical microcavities. Nature Communications, 14(1), p.1114.
    8. Spaegele, C.M., Capasso, F. and Tamagnone, M. (2022). Open Optical Cavities based on Metasurfaces. Reviews of Electromagnetics, 1, invited comment.
    9. Spaegele, C.M., Tamagnone, M., Kazakov, D., Ossiander, M., Piccardo, M. and Capasso, F. (2021). Multifunctional wide-angle optics and lasing based on supercell metasurfaces. Nature Communications, 12(1), p.3787.
    10. Chaudhary, K.*, Tamagnone, M.*, Yin, X.*, Spaegele, C.M.*, Oscurato, S.L., Li, J., Persch, C., Li, R., Rubin, N.A., Jauregui, L.A., Watanabe, K., Taniguchi, T., Kim, P., Wuttig, M., Edgar, J.H., Ambrosio, A. and Capasso, F. (2019). Polariton nanophotonics using phase-change materials. Nature Communications, 10(1), p.4487.
    11. Tamagnone, M., Chaudhary, K., Spaegele, C.M., Zhu, A., Meretska, M., Li, J., Edgar, J.H., Ambrosio, A. and Capasso, F. (2019). High quality factor polariton resonators using van der Waals materials. arXiv preprint arXiv:1905.02177.

Speaking Engagements

Dubai, 2025
META, Dublin 2025

Invited Talks & Panels

    1. Spaegele, C., 863. WE-Heraeus-Seminar: Silicon Carbide: Device Integration for Quantum Technologies, Germany, August 2026 — Invited Talk.
    2. Spaegele, C., Wavefront and Spectral Control, Plasmonics and Nanophotonics Gordon Research Conference, Maine, USA, July 2026 — Invited Discussion Lead.
    3. Spaegele, C., Technology Translation and Career Perspective, Plasmonics and Nanophotonics Gordon Research Seminar, Maine, USA, July 2026 — Invited Panelist.
    4. Spaegele, C., Nanophotonics for AR devices, 16th International Conference on Metamaterials, Photonic Crystals and Plasmonics (META 2026), Dublin, Ireland, July 2026 — Invited Talk.
    5. Spaegele, C., Engineering of Nanoscale Materials for AR devices, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA, April 2026 — Invited Lecture.
    6. Spaegele, C., "Breakthrough Technologies Powering Seamless Wearables", Dubai Future Forum, Dubai, UAE, November 2025 — Invited Panelist.
    7. Spaegele, C., Nanophotonic Design for Augmented Reality Displays: Opportunities and Challenges, International Conference Series on Metamaterials, Photonic Crystals and Plasmonics, Malaga, Spain, 2025 — Invited Talk.

Conference Proceedings

    1. Arose, C., Jung, H., Yang, H., Nie, Z., Shi, Z., Spaegele, C., et al. and Iyer, P.P. High speed beam steering with liquid-crystal semiconductor metasurface at visible wavelengths. Advances in Display Technologies XVI (p. PC139150G). SPIE, March 2026.
    2. Leitao, N.T., Put, P., Spaegele, C., Gao, H., Makarova, O.A., Capasso, F., Yao, N.Y., et al. Nanoscale control and imaging of many-body dynamics in a critical dipolar ensemble. SMT, 2025.
    3. Ossiander, M., Mason, S., Meretska, M., Rourke, S., Spägele, C., Yin, X., Benea-Chelmus, I.C. and Capasso, F. Metasurface-controlled holographic microcavities. SPIE, San Francisco, CA, USA, January 2025.
    4. Fathi, P.U., Ossiander, M., Ricks, A., Wen, K., Letsou, T., Spägele, C., Devaney, P., Ramesh, R., Duncan, J., Portes, A., Park, J.-S., Bank, S. and Capasso, F. Enhancing second harmonic generation with digital alloys using metasurfaces. SPIE, San Francisco, CA, USA, January 2025.
    5. Capasso, F., Lim, S.W.D. and Spaegele, C.M., Singularity engineering with metasurfaces: from 0D to 4D. High Contrast Metastructures XIII. SPIE, San Francisco, CA, USA, January 2024.
    6. Spaegele, C.M., Tamagnone, M., Lim, S.W.D., Ossiander, M., Meretska, M. and Capasso, F. Topologically protected polarization singularities in four dimensions. CLEO, San Jose, CA, USA, May 2023.
    7. Lim, S.W.D., Park, J.S., Kazakov, D., Spaegele, C.M., Dorrah, A.H., Meretska, M.L. and Capasso, F. Point singularity array with metasurfaces for blue-detuned atomic traps. In Optical Trapping and Optical Micromanipulation XX, p. PC126490U. SPIE, San Francisco, CA, USA, January 2023.
    8. Park, J.S., Vaillancourt, K., Lim, S.W.D., Spaegele, C.M. and Capasso, F. All-dielectric, visible wavelength focusing metalens with planar surface for mechanical robustness. CLEO, San Jose, CA, USA, May 2023.
    9. Martin, L., Gao, H., Makarova, O., Leitao, N., Zhu, Q.Z., Zhou, H., Spaegele, C., Machielse, B., Cremer, J., Walsworth, R. and Capasso, F. Nanoscale control and readout of nitrogen vacancy ensembles for imaging and many-body physics. Bulletin of the American Physical Society, 2023.
    10. Ossiander, M., Meretska, M.L., Rourke, S., Spägele, C., Yin, X., Benea-Chelmus, I.C. and Capasso, F. Optical Microcavities Stabilized using Dielectric Metasurfaces. CLEO, San Jose, CA, USA, May 2022.
    11. Makarova, O., Martin, L., Spaegele, C., Zhou, H., Leitao, N., Zhu, Q.Z., Machielse, B., Cremer, J., Maskara, N., Park, H. and Walsworth, R. Towards non-equilibrium spin dynamics with spin spirals in dense ensembles of NV centers. APS March Meeting, March 2022.
    12. Spaegele, C., Tamagnone, M., Kazakov, D., Ossiander, M., Piccardo, M. and Capasso, F. External cavity lasers based on wide-angle multifunctional metasurfaces. In Metamaterials, Metadevices, and Metasystems 2021 (Vol. 11795, p. 1179519). SPIE, August 2021.
    13. Spägele, C.M., Tamagnone, M., Kazakov, D., Ossiander, M., Piccardo, M. and Capasso, F. Non-local multifunctional metasurfaces and their external cavity laser application. CLEO, San Jose, CA, USA, May 2021.
    14. Spägele, C.M., Tamagnone, M., Kazakov, D., Piccardo, M. and Capasso, F. Metasurface-based external cavity diode laser. CLEO, San Jose, CA, USA, May 2020.
    15. Tamagnone, M., Meretska, M., Chaudhary, K., Spaegele, C.M., Zhu, A., Li, J., Edgar, J.H., Ambrosio, A. and Capasso, F. High Q-factor resonators and nanoantennas based on phonon polaritons in van der Waals materials. CLEO, San Jose, CA, USA, May 2020.
    16. Spägele, C.M., Yin, X., Tamagnone, M., Chaudhary, K., Oscurato, S.L., Li, J., Li, R., Rubin, N., Jauregui, L.A., Kim, P., Edgar, J.H., Ambrosio, A. and Capasso, F. Reconfigurable Polaritonics using Phase Change Materials. Spring conference German Physical Society, 2020.
    17. Tamagnone, M., Chaudhary, K., Yin, X., Spaegele, C., Li, J., Oscurato, S., Rubin, N.A., Jauregui, L., Kim, P., Edgar, J.H., Ambrosio, A. and Capasso, F. Polariton Meta-Optics with Phase-Change Materials. CLEO, San Jose, CA, USA, May 2019.
    18. Yin, X., Spägele, C.M., Tamagnone, M., Chaudhary, K., Oscurato, S.L., Li, J., Li, R., Rubin, N., Jauregui, L.A., Kim, P., Edgar, J.H., Ambrosio, A. and Capasso, F. Reconfigurable mid-infrared optical elements using phase change materials. CLEO, San Jose, CA, USA, May 2019.