Acknowledgments
Graduate school life is adventurous. It has not been easy to always keep up the
enthusiasm towards research. However, a lot of support from the academic commu-
nity at Rice University has strengthened me to climb one mountain after another. I
would like to thank my advisor, professor Daniel Mittleman1 who always has brilliant
and inspiring research ideas. At the same time, he is very understanding and kind
to his students. Thanks to my committee members, professor Richard Baraniuk for
encouraging me to pursue research in terahertz, professor Kevin Kelly for promoting
the ideas of single-pixel imaging to terahertz, and professor Wotao Yin for patiently
explaining to me the ideas behind the fast reconstruction algorithms. When design-
ing the circuit boards for my last project, I receive much help from professor Gary
Woods, Siddharth Gupta and Patrick Murphy. They have taught me what a real elec-
trical engineer should know, and I feel very satisfied after putting all the components
together to work.
Words are not enough to express my thanks towards my parents, who have sacri-
ficed so much to provide the financial support for my studies in the US. They pray for
me constantly, and love me even though I am not always nice on the phone, especially
during stressful times. During this past year finishing up my degree while working a
full-time job, my girlfriend, Emily, cares for me, makes gifts for me and cooks for me.
With my heart, I sincerely appreciate what she has done and I will continue to learn
how to love her. My friends, no matter in the US or in Hong Kong, have also given me
tremendous emotional and spiritual support. In particular, I am grateful for Bryan,
who has come from Hong Kong to visit me twice in Houston, and for Matthew, who
is always available when I need a listening ear. My friends from church and tennis