Gyorkem Mutlu

Research Engineer Affiliation: NYU Abu Dhabi
Education: BA Izmir Institute of Technology; MA Izmir Institute of Technology

gyorkem.mutlu@nyu.edu

Research Websites: Communication Theory & Technologies (CT&T) Research Lab

Research Areas: Visible Light Communication (VLC); Free-Space Optical (FSO) Communication; Coherent Optical Communication; Laser Beam Shaping; Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) Modulation; Adaptive Optics; Metasurface Design and Simulation; Lumerical Modeling; Quantum Key Distribution (QKD); Optical System Design; Atmospheric Channel Characterization; Optical Wireless Communication

Gyorkem (Görkem) Mutlu is a Research Engineer at the Communication Theory & Technologies (CT&T) Research Lab in the Engineering Division of New York University Abu Dhabi. His current research focuses on the design, installation, and development of experimental optical setups for visible light communication (VLC) and free-space optical (FSO) systems. He is actively involved in laser beam shaping, orbital angular momentum (OAM) modulation, and the design of adaptive optical components. His work also includes the simulation of tunable metasurfaces using Lumerical software to control and enhance light–matter interactions for advanced optical communication and sensing applications. Overall, his research aims to advance high-speed, high-efficiency, and reliable optical communication technologies under both controlled and real-world atmospheric conditions.

Before joining NYUAD, Mutlu worked as a Research Engineer at the Center of Excellence in Optical Wireless Communication Technologies (OKATEM) at Özyeğin University, where he contributed to projects on coherent optical communication (QAM), LiFi systems, and free-space optical links. He also worked at Hyperion Technologies as an Optical Engineer, developing quantum key distribution (QKD) systems under the NATO Undersea Research Center (NURC) / CMRE project, as well as optical communication setups for secure data transmission. Earlier in his career, he gained research experience in the Nanophotonics and Quantum Optics (NQO) Laboratory at Izmir Institute of Technology (IZTECH), where he also served as a TÜBİTAK scholarship researcher.

Mutlu earned both his BSc (2019) and MSc (2021) degrees in Physics from Izmir Institute of Technology. His master’s thesis, “B92 Based Quantum Key Distribution with Faint Pulsed Laser,” focused on the realization of quantum key distribution systems using BB84 and B92 protocols with single-photon sources derived from hexagonal boron nitride (hBN). He has authored and co-authored several publications, including “Experimental Characterization of Atmospheric Impairments in a Controlled FSO Chamber" and “Adaptive Coherent Communication for Mobile FSO Platforms” (ICSPIS 2025), “Free-space Quantum Key Distribution with Single Photons from Defects in Hexagonal Boron Nitride” (Advanced Quantum Technologies, 2022), “FPGA-Based Implementation of an Underwater Quantum Key Distribution System with BB84 Protocol” (IEEE Photonics Journal, 2023), and “Real-Time Implementation of an Underwater Quantum Key Distribution System” (UComms, 2022). His research continues to bridge quantum and classical optical communication technologies toward next-generation, secure, and adaptive photonic systems.