Cheng-Chung Lee received his Ph.D. degree from The University of Arizona College of Optical Sciences in 1983. He then returned to Taiwan at a time when the thin-film industry was quite undeveloped. With his experiences and endeavors, he helped transform the industry into a viable sector that is able to support today’s impressive advances in optics and optoelectronics. He has raised funds for a new building, founded the Department of Optics and Photonics and Thin Film Technology Center, and served as Dean of the College of Science at National Central University. He also served as president of the Taiwan Photonics Society and the Taiwan Vacuum Society.

Lee’s research interests are concentrated in thin film optics, coating processes and interferometry. Specifically, he is interested in Thin Films in Nanometer Scale and Metamaterial; Energetic Process Coatings in UV, DUV, and Soft X-Ray Region; Laser Mirrors; Energy Control and Space Science; Artificial and Natural Color; Display, Lighting, and Optical communication; Stress and Thermal Conduction Analysis; Plastics Coatings; Hybrid of Inorganic and Organic Thin Films; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Coatings; Characterization by Interferometry; and Optical Monitoring for Sophisticated Coatings.

He won the 2018 Sang Loo Lee Award “for 30 years Cheng Chung Lee has guided, educated, developed and inspired the optical coating industry in Taiwan and has been the key figure in its growth and success.” He was elected a Fellow of OSA in 2007 “for achievements in the areas of optical coatings ranging over pure research, industrial development, and university education.”