Institute of Optics
About the Department
Contact Information
Institute of Optics
University of Rochester
275 Hutchison Rd. Wilmot Building
P.O. Box 270186
Rochester, NY 14627-0186
Phone: (585) 275-2322
Fax: (585) 244-4936
Program Director
Wayne H. Knox
113 Wilmot Building
Phone: (585) 273-5520
Email: wknox@optics.rochester.edu
Department Overview
Optics and optical engineering deal with the generation, propagation, detection, manipulation, and application of light. The University of Rochester’s optics department, called The Institute of Optics, is one of the world’s leading centers for teaching and research in this dynamic field, and has been for quite some time—it awarded the nation's first BS degree in optics in 1932. Although few people realize that "optics" and "optical engineering" are things they could major in, the world's need for optics experts is always growing. The birth of the laser in the early 1960s is only the most famous of the many advances in optics that continue to change our world, including fiber-optic communications, holography, laser surgery, digital cameras, handheld displays, virtual reality environments, quantum cryptography, and energy-efficient lighting. Today, optics has become one of the technological pillars of modern society. Optical techniques also contribute much to modern science, figuring prominently in a number of recent Nobel prizes.
Rochester students completing the BS in optics in recent years have chosen to pursue graduate studies in optics, physics, electrical engineering, and biomedical engineering; to accept positions as optical engineers in the thriving optics industry; to work in engineering sales; and to enter business programs to pursue an MBA. In addition to traditional career directions, medicine and law offer significant opportunities for someone with a background in optics. Optical instrumentation and techniques are increasingly important in medical research and medical practice, so an MD or an MD/PhD with a BS in optics is uniquely educated to become a key participant in these emerging areas. Likewise, because of the strong entrepreneurial spirit of the optics community, a patent attorney with a BS in optics can establish a very active practice.
The optics/optical engineering curriculum (BS degrees are offered in both) provides the depth and breadth needed to prepare for a variety of career options. The foundations of optics are covered by the required coursework, including classes in lasers, geometrical and physical optics, electromagnetic theory, quantum mechanics, and optical and optoelectronic devices, instruments, and measurement techniques. Majors can supplement their required coursework with a number of electives to tailor their programs to their specific interests. Optics BS recipients complete a yearlong, mentored research project; optical engineering BS recipients engage in a team-based optical design project including a customer and a faculty advisor. The newly formed Hopkins Center for Optics Design and Engineering, located within the department and intended expressly for undergraduates, houses state-of-the-art tools for the design, fabrication, and testing of optical elements, giving students unusually direct access to cutting-edge technology. Many students also get involved as underclassmen in the world-class faculty research programs that are a distinctive part of the Institute’s culture.
The Institute of Optics has a formal study-abroad relationship with the University of New South Wales in Australia enabling several optics majors per year to spend a semester overseas.
Department Web Site
http://www.optics.rochester.edu/
Department Faculty
Govind P. Agrawal, PhD (Indian Institute of Technology) Professor of Optics; Professor of Physics; Senior Scientist in the Laboratory for Laser Energetics
Nicholas P. Bigelow, PhD (Cornell) Lee A. DuBridge Professor of Physics; Professor of Optics; Chair of the Department
Robert Boyd, PhD (California, Berkeley) M. Parker Givens Professor of Optics; Professor of Physics
Thomas G. Brown, PhD (Rochester) Professor of Optics; Scientist in the Laboratory for Laser Energetics
Joseph H. Eberly, PhD (Stanford) Andrew Carnegie Professor of Physics; Professor of Optics
Philippe M. Fauchet, PhD (Stanford) Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering; Professor of Materials Science, of Biomedical Engineering, and of Optics; Senior Scientist in the Laboratory for Laser Energetics; Director of University of Rochester Energy Research Initiative
James R. Fienup, PhD (Stanford) Robert E. Hopkins Professor of Optics; Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering; Professor in the Center for Visual Science; Senior Scientist in the Laboratory for Laser Energetics
Thomas Foster, PhD (Rochester) Professor of Imaging Sciences; Professor of Optics; Professor of Physics
Nicholas George, PhD (California Institute of Technology) Wilson Professor of Electronic Imaging; Professor of Optics
Stephen D. Jacobs, PhD (Rochester) Professor of Chemical Engineering, of Materials Science, and of Optics; Senior Scientist in the Laboratory for Laser Energetics
Wayne H. Knox, PhD (Rochester) Professor of Optics; Professor of Physics; Senior Scientist in the Laboratory for Laser Energetics
Todd D. Krauss, PhD (Cornell) Professor of Chemistry; Professor of Optics
Duncan T. Moore, PhD (Rochester) Rudolf and Hilda Kingslake Professor in Optical Engineering Science; Professor of Optics; Professor of Biomedical Engineering; Professor of Business Administration in the William E. Simon Graduate School of Business Administration; Vice Provost for Entrepreneurship
Lukas Novotny, Doctor of Technical Sciences (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) Professor of Optics; Professor of Physics; Professor of Biomedical Engineering; Scientist in the Laboratory for Laser Energetics
Jannick Rolland, PhD (Arizona) Brian J. Thompson Professor of Optical Engineering; Professor of Optics; Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Carlos R. Stroud, Jr., PhD (Washington, St. Louis) Professor of Optics; Professor of Physics
Kenneth J. Teegarden, PhD (Illinois) Professor of Optics
Gary W. Wicks, PhD (Cornell) Professor of Optics; Associate Director, The Institute of Optics
David R. Williams, PhD (California, San Diego) William G. Allyn Professor of Medical Optics; Professor of Optics; Professor of Brain and Cognitive Sciences; Professor of Ophthalmology; Professor of Biomedical Engineering; Professor in the Center for Visual Science; Director, Center for Visual Science
Emil Wolf, DSc (Edinburgh) Wilson Professor of Optical Physics; Professor of Optics
Miguel A. Alonso, PhD (Rochester) Associate Professor of Optics
Julie Bentley, PhD (Rochester) Associate Professor of Optics
Andrew J. Berger, PhD (M.I.T.) Associate Professor of Optics; Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Chunlei Guo, PhD (Connecticut) Associate Professor of Optics
John Marciante, PhD (Rochester) Associate Professor of Optics; Scientist in the Laboratory for Laser Energetics
Wolf Seka, PhD (Texas) Associate Professor of Optics; Senior Scientist in the Laboratory for Laser Energetics
James M. Zavislan, PhD (Rochester) Associate Professor of Optics; Associate Professor of Dermatology; Associate Professor of Ophthalmology; Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering; Director of Institute Ventures
Geunyoung Yoon, PhD (Osaka University, Japan) Associate Professor of Optics
Qiang Lin, PhD (Rochester) Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering; Assistant Professor of Optics
Ian A. Walmsley, PhD (Rochester) Adjunct Professor of Optics
David Berg, MS (Rochester) Adjunct Assistant Professor of Optics
Dale Buralli, PhD (Rochester) Adjunct Assistant Professor of Optics
Jennifer Kruschwitz, MS (Rochester) Adjunct Assistant Professor of Optics
James Oliver, MS (Rochester) Adjunct Assistant Professor of Optics and Research Engineer in the Laboratory for Laser Energetics
Brian McIntyre, MS (SUNY, ESF) Instructor and Senior Engineer
Brian J. Thompson, PhD (Manchester) Provost Emeritus and Distinguished University Professor and Professor Emeritus of Optics
M. Parker Givens, PhD (Cornell) Professor Emeritus of Optics
