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University of Central Florida College of Optics and Photonics

University of Central Florida College of Optics and Photonics

University of Central Florida College of Optics and Photonics

Introduction

CREOL, The College of Optics & Photonics

CREOL, the College of Optics and Photonics, one of the 13 colleges at the University of Central Florida, offers M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Optics and Photonics and a B.S. degree in Photonic Science and Engineering. The faculty engage in a broad spectrum of research covering all areas of optics and photonics, ranging from fundamental physics to device and systems research. The college has 35 core faculty members, and over 19 faculty members with joint appointments, about 60 research scientists and postdoctoral fellows, and over 130 graduate students and 170 undergraduate students.

UCF and its 13 colleges provide opportunities to almost 72,000 students, offering 194 bachelor’s and master’s degrees and 34 doctoral programs. Students come from all 50 states and over 147 countries. As one of the largest universities in the country, UCF is committed to innovative community partnerships, world class research with local and global impact and the integration of technology and learning.

Our Vision

To be the world’s leader in education, research, and partnership in optics, lasers, and photonics.

Our Mission

  • To provide our students, the State of Florida and the nation with high quality academic programs optics, lasers and photonics.
  • To educate a diverse workforce for the state’s and the nation’s photonics industries and graduate schools, providing opportunities at all levels to individuals of every background, identity, and affiliation.
  • To create and disseminate new knowledge and innovations in optics, lasers, and photonics by conducting, presenting, and publishing cutting-edge fundamental and applied research.
  • To aid in the development of Florida’s and the nation’s knowledge-based and technology-based industries, and create, foster, and sustain mutually beneficial research collaborations and partnerships with industry.

About Optics and Photonics

Although the study of light has been underway for centuries, it is only in the last 40 years that optics and photonics has become a dominant field, with impact in almost every aspect of our lives, from entertainment, to medicine, to defense, to communications. In the 20th century, electronics was the dominant influencing technology, enabled by optics. The 21st century is the “Age of Light”, a century that will have optics and photonics as the dominant influencing technology, enabled in some cases by electronics.

Why Study Optics and Photonics?

Einstein is quoted as frequently saying after the initial formulation of the General Theory of Relativity, “For the rest of my life I want to reflect on what light is.” For those interested in science and engineering, the field of optics and photonics provides a wealth of interesting and challenging study opportunities, and a wide variety of satisfying career paths. From basic research to applied engineering, to manufacturing operations, almost every field of endeavor is or will be influenced by optics and photonics.

What are the career opportunities in optics and photonics?

A degree in optics and photonics science and engineering will prepare you for a wide range of career opportunities spanning diverse industries, technologies and research areas. A few examples:

  • Communications: telecom systems, cell phones, displays
  • Medicine: diagnostics, therapies, gene modification, drug development
  • Sensing: satellite and astronomical imaging, security systems, cameras
  • Manufacturing: process control, laser machining, semiconductor fab
  • Security and defense: guidance & control, displays, weapons
  • Research: university faculty, industrial & government scientist

What is a typical optics & photonics curriculum?

Some schools offer courses as part of a degree in physics, electrical engineering, or other degrees. A few schools offer degrees in optical science and engineering. A typical course of study will include the following:

  • Electromagnetics
  • Physical optics
  • Geometric optics
  • Lasers & opto-electronics
  • Fiber optics
  • Radiometry
  • Fourier Optics and Imaging theory

What should I consider in choosing a graduate school?

  • There are several factors that will contribute significantly to your total educational experience:
  • Breadth and depth of courses offered in optics and photonics, but also in other departments at the host university
  • Quality and quantity of optics and photonics research conducted
  • Reputation of the faculty and of the institution
  • Connection with industry, which provides insight into applications, emerging needs, possible internships & collaborations

What should I consider in choosing an undergraduate program?

  • Undergraduates deciding where to attend college or what major to choose should consider these key factors:
  • Career paths that are interesting and exciting to you personally
  • Quality of teaching facilities and student to faculty ratio
  • Extracurricular opportunities for undergraduates and the culture of the program
  • Reputation of the institution among graduate programs and industry professionals for future steps in your career

Statistics

    Campus Features

    The main facilities of the College are housed in a state-of-the art 104,000 square feet building dedicated to optics and photonics research and education. In addition to several specialized labs directed by individual faculty members, there exist some unique multi-user facilities in the College. These large and elaborate facilities are run and shared by a handful of faculty. Some facilities are open to the whole UCF research community as well as external industrial users:

    CREOL Nanofabrication Facility: The CNF consists of 3,000 square feet of Class 100 and Class 1000 cleanrooms with standard optical lithography, deposition and etching tools, as well as a Leica 5000+ e-beam lithography instrument capable of 10-nm resolution. CNF is used for fabrication of integrated nanophotonic devices and circuits, as well as nanostructured materials and samples. The facility is open to companies and other outside users and is a part of UCF’s Nanofabrication Shared Facility, which includes complementary labs in the College of Engineering and Computer Sciences and the College of Sciences. For access rules, available equipment and usage fees, contact James Ross.

    CREOL Fiber-Optic Fabrication Facility (FOFF): CREOL owns one of the most unique facilities in the nation to process novel optical fiber materials, and fabricate state-of-the-art fiber-optic devices and systems. The facility includes a modified chemical vapor deposition (MCVD) system to grow fiber preforms, a drawing tower to pull out the preforms and attain nanostructured fibers, as well as several auxiliary labs to fuse, splice, assemble and characterize fully-functional and packaged modern fiber-optic components.

    CREOL Material and Glass Processing Facility: The Optical Materials Laboratory provides 4,000 square-foot of state-of-the-art research laboratories for the fabrication of crystals, optical ceramics, glass and glass-ceramics. It features dedicated ceramic laboratories with extensive powder processing and sintering equipment, infrared glasses and glass-ceramic advanced manufacturing, and cutting-edge MOCVD fiber-preform fabrication. These laboratories also include post-processing capabilities and analytical tools for material characterization. The OML is located on the UCF main campus, in a close proximity to the College of Optics and Photonics, the Material Characterization Facility (MCF) and local industrial partners.

    CREOL Bio-Photonics Facility: This shared lab has all the necessary equipment for cell/tissue culture, basic biochemistry and molecular biology including systems for microfluidics fabrication and assembly, UV-VIS spectrometer, biosafety cabinets, carbon dioxide cell incubators, phase contrast microscope, autoclave, ultracentrifuge, PCR thermocycler, freezer, refrigerator, pH meter, electrophoresis systems with gel imager, E.coli shaker and FPLC system

      Admissions

      The Next Class of UCF Knights Is Forming

      From across the nation and around the world, students like you are pursuing their higher education goals in the heart of Central Florida. They’re creating a new future where discoveries happen daily, connections are currency, and a college degree is just the beginning. Will you accept the challenge of pushing yourself to achieve your maximum potential?

      With more than 230 degree programs, UCF gives you access to extraordinary academics, caring faculty and endless opportunities. Whether you are a freshman or a transfer student, seeking graduate studies or looking for the flexibility of online classes, we are dedicated to supporting personal growth while upholding academic excellence.

      Locations

      • Orlando

        Scorpius Street,4304, 32816, Orlando

        Questions