Francisco Jose Torcal Milla holds a Bachelor's degree in Physics (2004) and obtained his PhD in Physics in 2009. He started his research journey in the Applied Physics Department at the Universidad of Zaragoza, where he currently serves as an Associate Professor since 2022. Between those two facts, he worked for a decade in the Optics Department at the Universidad Complutense of Madrid, earning his PhD during this tenure. During his doctoral studies, he undertook two short stays at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light (Nuremberg, Germany) and the Optical Applications Laboratory of the University of Buenos Aires (Argentina), accumulating a total stay of 6 months.
Dr. Torcal Milla's research is deeply rooted in the domains of applied optics and physics, covering diverse areas such as diffraction, visual optics, digital holography, characterization of light sources, optical inspection techniques, and metrology. As a dedicated member of the Optical Technology Group at the Instituto de Investigación en Ingeniería de Aragón, he has actively contributed to numerous research projects. Noteworthy are his contributions to 8 national Spanish projects, 4 regional research projects, 2 university research projects, and collaborations on 7 projects and contracts with private companies.
His impactful research output includes 47 papers published in high-quality journals and 48 presentations at national and international meetings. Additionally, Dr. Torcal Milla holds 3 Spanish patents, highlighting the practical applications of his work.
Beyond his contributions to scientific research, Dr. Torcal Milla demonstrates a keen interest in teaching and the popularization of science. He has shared his insights through 22 manuscripts on teaching techniques and physics education in reputable journals. Furthermore, his commitment to education is evident through his active interest, advising 17 degree projects and 1 master project, and accumulating over 1500 hours of teaching in various university degrees. Throughout his career, he has continuously pursued professional development, completing 38 courses covering different aspects of teaching.
Currently, Dr. Torcal Milla serves as the academic secretary of the Applied Physics Department at the University of Zaragoza and is the Director of the Spanish Physics Olympics in Aragón.
His multifaceted engagement underscores his dedication to advancing knowledge, teaching physics, and disseminating science to broader audiences.
3 six-year research periods granted by ANECA
h index (last 5 years): 8 (source: Google Scholar)
h index (all): 13 (source: Google Scholar)
Total cites (last 5 years): 215 (source: Google Scholar)
Total cites (all): 533 (source: Google Scholar)
Artículos
- Torcal-Milla, Francisco José. Measuring the speed of sound with a pan flute and a smartphone: a half-melodic and totally-didactic experiment. PHYSICS EDUCATION. 2023. DOI: 10.1088/1361-6552/ace581
- Torcal-Milla, Francisco José. Converging through the window. PHYSICS TEACHER. 2023. DOI: 10.1119/5.0091999
- Torcal-Milla, F. J.; Lobera, J.; Roche, E. M.; Lopez, A. M.; Palero, V.; Andres, N.; Arroyo, M. P. Modified Mach–Zehnder interferometer for spatial coherence measurement. OPTICS LETTERS. 2023. DOI: 10.1364/OL.491481
- Torcal Milla, Francisco José. Medida del momento magnético de un imán permanente con una bobina y una báscula de precisión. REVISTA ESPAÑOLA DE FÍSICA. 2023
- Soria-Garcia, Angela; Sanchez-Brea, Luis Miguel; del Hoyo, Jesus; Torcal-Milla, Francisco Jose; Gomez-Pedrero, Jose Antonio. Fourier series diffractive lens with extended depth of focus. OPTICS AND LASER TECHNOLOGY. 2023. DOI: 10.1016/j.optlastec.2023.109491
- Torcal-Milla, F.; Lobera Salazar, J.; Lopez, A. M.; Palero, V.; Andres Gimeno, N.; Arroyo de Grandes, M. P. Mach-Zehnder-based measurement of light emitting diodes temporal coherence. OPTIK. 2022. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijleo.2022.169722
- Torcal Milla, Francisco José. A diffraction experiment at the near field: the homemade Talbot effect. PHYSICS EDUCATION. 2022. DOI: 10.1088/1361-6552/ac7cb1
- Torcal-Milla, Francisco Jose; Miguel Sanchez-Brea, Luis. Near field diffraction of steel tape gratings illuminated with finite-size incoherent sources. OPTIK. 2022. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijleo.2021.168326
- Torcal-Milla, F.; Sanchez-Brea, L.; Gomez-Pedrero, J. Sector-based Fresnel zone plate with extended depth of focus. OPTICS AND LASER TECHNOLOGY. 2022. DOI: 10.1016/j.optlastec.2022.108294
- Torcal-Milla, Francisco Jose; Sanchez-Brea, Luis Miguel. Design and numerical analysis of metallic Ronchi diffraction gratings acting as reflective beam-splitter. OPTIK. 2022. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijleo.2022.170119
- Torcal-Milla F.J. A simple approach to the suppression of the Gibbs phenomenon in diffractive numerical calculations. OPTIK. 2021. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijleo.2021.167921
- Sanchez-Brea, L.M.; Torcal-Milla, F.J.; del Hoyo, J.; Cuadrado, A.; Gomez-Pedrero, J.A. Optimization of angular diffractive lenses with extended depth of focus. JOURNAL OF OPTICS (UNITED KINGDOM). 2020. DOI: 10.1088/2040-8986/ab8614
- Cuadrado, A.; Sanchez-Brea, L.M.; Torcal-Milla, F.J.; Quiroga, J.A.; Gomez-Pedrero, J.A. Numerical model of the inhomogeneous scattering by the human lens. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS. 2019. DOI: 10.1364/BOE.10.002161
- Torcal Milla, Francisco José; Lobera, Julia. Uso de herramientas activas para mantener la atención y estimular la participación del alumnado de Física II en Grados en Ingeniería. INVESTIGACIÓN E INNOVACIÓN EN LA ENSEÑANZA SUPERIOR. NUEVOS CONTEXTOS, NUEVAS IDEAS. 2019
- Torcal-Milla, F.J.; Sanchez-Brea, L.M. Far field diffraction of gratings with two roughness levels. JOURNAL OF OPTICS (UNITED KINGDOM). 2019. DOI: 10.1088/2040-8986/ab2bdf
- Sanchez-Brea, Luis Miguel; Torcal-Milla, Francisco Jose; Buencuerpo, Jeronimo. Far-field diffraction of linear chirped gratings. OPTICS AND LASER TECHNOLOGY. 2018. DOI: 10.1016/j.optlastec.2018.06.007
- Torcal Milla, Francisco José; Sánchez-Brea, Luis Miguel. Diffraction by gratings with random fill factor. APPLIED OPTICS. 2017. DOI: 10.1364/AO.56.005253
- Torcal-Milla, Francisco Jose; Sanchez-Brea, Luis Miguel. Near-field diffraction-based focal length determination technique. OPTICS AND LASERS IN ENGINEERING. 2017. DOI: 10.1016/j.optlaseng.2016.09.008
- Torcal Milla, Francisco José; Sanchez-Brea, Luis Miguel,. Single-focus binary Fresnel zone plate. OPTICS AND LASER TECHNOLOGY. 2017. DOI: 10.1016/j.optlastec.2017.07.008
- Torcal-Milla, Francisco Jose; Sanchez-Brea, Luis Miguel. Collimation technique and testing applied to finite size polychromatic sources. APPLIED OPTICS. 2017. DOI: 10.1364/AO.56.003628
- Herrera-Fernandez, Jose Maria; Sanchez-Brea, Luis Miguel; Torcal-Milla, Francisco Jose; Morlanes, Tomas; Bernabeu, Eusebio. Dual self-image technique for beam collimation. JOURNAL OF OPTICS (UNITED KINGDOM). 2016. DOI: 10.1088/2040-8978/18/7/075608
- Sanchez-Brea, Luis Miguel; Torcal-Milla, Francisco Jose; Morlanes, Tomas. Near-field diffraction of chirped gratings. OPTICS LETTERS. 2016. DOI: 10.1364/OL.41.004091
- Torcal-Milla, Francisco Jose; Sanchez-Brea, Luis Miguel. Diffraction by random Ronchi gratings. APPLIED OPTICS. 2016. DOI: 10.1364/AO.55.005855
- Torcal-Milla, Francisco Jose; Sanchez-Brea, Luis Miguel. Achromatic self-imaging with finite extension light sources. JOURNAL OF OPTICS (UNITED KINGDOM). 2015. DOI: 10.1088/2040-8978/17/12/125605
- Torcal-Milla, Francisco Jose; Sanchez-Brea, Luis Miguel; Bernabeu, Eusebio. Near field diffraction of cylindrical convex gratings. JOURNAL OF OPTICS (UNITED KINGDOM). 2015. DOI: 10.1088/2040-8978/17/3/035601
- Torcal-Milla, Francisco Jose; Sanchez-Brea, Luis Miguel; Herrera-Fernandez, Jose Maria. Lissajous figure-based single-frame collimation technique. SENSORS AND ACTUATORS A-PHYSICAL. 2015. DOI: 10.1016/j.sna.2015.07.004
- Sanchez-Brea, Luis Miguel; Torcal-Milla, Francisco Jose; Herrera-Fernadez, Jose Maria; Morlanes, Tomas; Bernabeu, Eusebio. Self-imaging technique for beam collimation. OPTICS LETTERS. 2014. DOI: 10.1364/OL.39.005764
- Torcal Milla, Francisco Jose. Diffraction by metallic planar gratings. APPLIED OPTICS. 2013. DOI: 10.1364/AO.52.006995
- Torcal-Milla, Francisco Jose; Sanchez-Brea, Luis Miguel; Bernabeu, Eusebio. Near field of stacked diffraction gratings. OPTIK. 2013. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijleo.2013.04.002
- Sanchez-Brea, Luis Miguel; Torcal-Milla, Francisco Jose. Self-Imaging of gratings with two roughness levels. OPTICS COMMUNICATIONS. 2012. DOI: 10.1016/j.optcom.2011.09.017
- Torcal Milla, Francisco Jose; Sánchez Brea, Luis Miguel. Gaussian Schell-model-beams propagating through rough gratings. JOURNAL OF THE OPTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA. A, OPTICS, IMAGE SCIENCE, AND VISION. 2011. DOI: 10.1364/JOSAA.28.000308
- Torcal-Milla, F.; Collados, M. V.; Quintanilla, M.; Tornos, J. ; Atencia, J. Realization of holographic stereograms from synthetic images. OPTICA PURA Y APLICADA. 2011
- Salgado-Remacha, Francisco Javier; Torcal-Milla, Francisco José; Sanchez-Brea, Luis Miguel; Bernabeu, Eusebio. Use of steel substrates in diffractive optics: near field of high surface quality steel tape gratings. OPTICS AND LASERS IN ENGINEERING. 2011. DOI: 10.1016/j.optlaseng.2010.10.009
- Jofre, M; Gardelein, A; Anzolin, G; Amaya, W; Capmany, J; Ursin, R; Peñate, L; Lopez, D; San Juan, Jl; Carrasco, Ja; Garcia, F; Torcal Milla, Francisco Jose; Sanchez Brea, Luis Miguel; Bernabeu, Eusebio; Perdigues, Jm; Jennenwein, T; Torres, Jp; Mitchell, Mw; Pruneri, V. Fast optical source for quantum key distribution based on semiconductor optical amplifiers. OPTICS EXPRESS. 2011. DOI: 10.1364/OE.19.003825
- Torcal-Milla, Francisco Jose; Sanchez-Brea, Luis Miguel; Vargas, Javier. Effect of aberrations on the self-imaging phenomenon. JOURNAL OF LIGHTWAVE TECHNOLOGY. 2011. DOI: 10.1109/JLT.2011.2115231
- Gao, Peng; Yao, Baoli; Harder, Irina; Lindlein, Norbert; Torcal-Milla, Francisco Jose. Phase-shifting Zernike phase contrast microscopy for quantitative phase measurement. OPTICS LETTERS. 2011. DOI: 10.1364/OL.36.004305
- Sanchez-Brea, Luis Miguel; Torcal-Milla, Francisco Jose. Near-field diffraction of gratings with surface defects. APPLIED OPTICS. 2010. DOI: 10.1364/AO.49.002190
- Torcal Milla, Francisco Jose; Harder, Irina; Lindlein, Norbert. Effect of fabrication errors on the diffraction pattern produced by sawtooth gratings. APPLIED OPTICS. 2010. DOI: 10.1364/AO.49.001599
- Torcal-Milla, Francisco José; Sanchez-Brea, Luis Miguel; Salgado-Remacha, Francisco Javier; Bernabeu, Eusebio. Self-Imaging with curved gratings. OPTICS COMMUNICATIONS. 2010. DOI: 10.1016/j.optcom.2010.06.008
- Sanchez-Brea, Luis Miguel; Torcal-Milla, Francisco José; Salgado-Remacha, Francisco Javier; Morlanes, Tomás; Jimenez-Castillo, Isidoro; Bernabeu, Eusebio. Collimation method using a double grating system. APPLIED OPTICS. 2010. DOI: 10.1364/AO.49.003363
- Torcal-Milla, Francisco José; Sanchez-Brea, Luis Miguel; Salgado-Remacha, Francisco Javier. Self-images location of amplitude/phase binary gratings. APPLIED OPTICS. 2009. DOI: 10.1364/AO.48.006252
- Torcal Milla, Francisco Jose; Sanchez-Brea, Luis Miguel; Bernabeu, Eusebio. Continuous self-imaging regime with a double-grating mask. APPLIED OPTICS. 2009. DOI: 10.1364/AO.48.005722
- Sanchez Brea, Luis Miguel; Torcal Milla, Francisco Jose; Bernabeu, Eusebio. Far field of gratings with rough strips. JOURNAL OF THE OPTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA. A, OPTICS, IMAGE SCIENCE, AND VISION. 2008. DOI: 10.1364/JOSAA.25.000828
- Torcal Milla, Francisco Jose; Sanchez Brea, Luis Miguel; Bernabeu, Eusebio. Double grating systems with one steel tape grating. OPTICS COMMUNICATIONS. 2008. DOI: 10.1016/j.optcom.2008.08.027
- Torcal Milla, Francisco Jose; Sanchez Brea, Luis Miguel; Bernabeu, Eusebio. Self-imaging of gratings with rough strips. JOURNAL OF THE OPTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA. A, OPTICS, IMAGE SCIENCE, AND VISION. 2008. DOI: 10.1364/JOSAA.25.002390
- Torcal Milla, Francisco Jose; Sanchez Brea, Luis Miguel; Bernabeu, Eusebio. Diffraction of gratings with rough edges. OPTICS EXPRESS. 2008. DOI: 10.1364/OE.16.019757
- Sanchez Brea, Luis Miguel; Torcal Milla, Francisco Jose; Bernabeu, Eusebio. Talbot effect in metallic gratings under gaussian illumination. OPTICS COMMUNICATIONS. 2007. DOI: 10.1016/j.optcom.2007.05.040
- Torcal Milla, Francisco Jose; Sanchez Brea, Luis Miguel; Bernabeu, Eusebio. Talbot effect with rough reflection gratings. APPLIED OPTICS. 2007. DOI: 10.1364/AO.46.003668
- Sanchez Brea, Luis Miguel; Torcal Milla, Francisco Jose; Bernabeu, Eusebio. Variogram based method for contrast measurement. APPLIED OPTICS. 2007. DOI: 10.1364/AO.46.005027
Comunicaciones
- Torcal-Milla, Francisco Jose. Oscillation period of the truncated simple pendulum. PHYSICS EDUCATION. 2023. DOI: 10.1088/1361-6552/acaa80
- Sanchez Millan, J.; Torcal-Milla, F.J.; Lopez-Torres, A.M. Driving-assistance device based on Raspberry Pi and Neural Networks: an opportunity to learn aspects of programming, Machine Learning and hardware. TECHNOLOGIES APPLIED TO ELECTRONICS TEACHING. 2022. DOI: 10.1109/TAEE54169.2022.9840585
- Torcal Milla, Francisco José; Sánchez Brea, Luis Miguel. LiFi, una tecnología de comunicación que hará más eficiente el tráfico. RED.ESCUBRE. 2016
- Torcal Milla, Francisco Jose; Tercero-Gomez, José Luis; Sanchez-Brea, Luis Miguel; Bernabeu, Eusebio. Infraestructuras inteligentes para mejorar la oferta turística. RED.ESCUBRE. 2015
- Torcal Milla, Francisco Jose; Sanchez-Martin, José Antonio; Bernabeu, Eusebio. Comunicaciones seguras en el espacio: un transductor fotónico para comunicaciones entre satélites. RED.ESCUBRE. 2015
- Bernabeu, Eusebio; Sanchez-Brea, Luis Miguel; Torcal-Milla, Francisco Jose; Irigoyen-Irigoyen, Maite. Reglas Ópticas: medidas automáticas para la indrustria. RED.ESCUBRE. 2015
Capítulos
- Materiales de soporte para la docencia del electromagnetismo. Aprendizaje activo y contextualizado. Torcal Milla, Francisco José; Lopez, Ana María; Sanchez-Azqueta, Carlos, Lobera, Julia. ACTAS DEL CONGRESO INTERNACIONAL VIRTUAL USATIC 2020 UBICUO Y SOCIAL: APRENDIZAJE CON TIC. 2020
- Curso virtual introductorio a Ciencias Básicas para Veterinaria. Torcal Milla, Francisco José; Asensio, Ester; Ferreira, Chelo. ACTAS DEL CONGRESO INTERNACIONAL VIRTUAL USATIC 2020 UBICUO Y SOCIAL: APRENDIZAJE CON TIC. 2020
- Prácticas con fibras ópticas en las asignaturas de Grado y Máster de la Facultad de CC. Físicas y la E.U. de Óptica. N. Díaz Herrera; J. M. Herrera Fernández; M.C. Navarrete Fernández; F. J. Salgado Remacha; L.M. Sánchez Brea; J- A. Sánchez Martín; F. J. Torcal-Milla. PROYECTOS DE INNOVACIÓN Y MEJORA DE LA CALIDAD DOCENTE (PIMCD) DE LA UCM, CONVOCATORIA 2011/2012. 2013
Patentes de invención
- P202130631. Lente Oftalmica Refracto-difractiva con profundidad de foco extendida. TORCAL MILLA, FRANCISCO JOSÉ - GÓMEZ PEDRERO, JOSÉ ANTONIO - SANCHEZ BREA, LUIS MIGUEL - LORENTE VELÁZQUEZ, AMALIA - DEL HOYO MUÑOZ, JESÚS - MADRID COSTA, DAVID. 2021
Docencia UNIZAR de los últimos seis cursos
- Física I. Graduado en Ingeniería Mecánica. Durante el curso 2024-25
- Física I. Graduado en Ingeniería Electrónica y Automática. Durante el curso 2024-25
- Trabajo fin de grado. Graduado en Óptica y Optometría. Durante el curso 2024-25
- Temas avanzados de física. Máster Universitario en Física y Tecnologías Físicas. Del curso 2023-24 al curso 2024-25
- Física II. Graduado en Ingeniería Mecánica. Del curso 2021-22 al curso 2024-25
- Física I. Graduado en Ingeniería en Diseño Industrial y Desarrollo de Producto. Del curso 2019-20 al curso 2024-25
- Física II. Graduado en Ingeniería en Diseño Industrial y Desarrollo de Producto. Del curso 2019-20 al curso 2024-25
- Trabajo fin de grado. Graduado en Biotecnología. Durante el curso 2023-24
- Trabajo fin de grado. Graduado en Óptica y Optometría. Durante el curso 2023-24
- Física II. Graduado en Ingeniería Eléctrica. Durante el curso 2022-23
- Física II. Graduado en Ingeniería Electrónica y Automática. Durante el curso 2022-23
- Física II. Graduado en Ingeniería Química. Durante el curso 2022-23
- Física II. Graduado en Ingeniería de Tecnologías Industriales. Durante el curso 2022-23
- Física I. Graduado en Ingeniería Mecánica. Durante el curso 2021-22
- Física I. Graduado en Ingeniería Electrónica y Automática. Del curso 2020-21 al curso 2021-22
- Física II. Graduado en Ingeniería Electrónica y Automática. Durante el curso 2020-21
- Ciencias básicas para veterinaria. Graduado en Veterinaria. Durante el curso 2019-20
- Física II. Graduado en Ingeniería Mecánica. Durante el curso 2019-20
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