| College of Optics and Photonics | |
|---|---|
| Established | 2004 |
| Type | Public |
| Dean | Bahaa E. Saleh, Ph.D. |
| Postgraduates | 129[1] |
| Location | Orlando, Florida, United States |
| Website | Official Site |
The UCF College of Optics and Photonics is an academic college of the University of Central Florida located in Orlando, Florida, USA. The dean of the college is Bahaa E. A. Saleh, Ph.D.[2]
In 2004, UCF's Board of Trustees voted to give UCF's School of Optics and Photonics full college status, making it the first college dedicated specifically to optics and photonics at a public university in the United States. The college also the only college at UCF that does not offer any undergraduate programs, only Masters and Doctoral degrees in Optics. The college consists of two divisions: Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers (CREOL) and Florida Photonics Center of Excellence (FPCE). Today, CREOL is an internationally recognized center of excellence for research in a wide range of optics and photonics technologies.
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| Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers | |
|---|---|
| Established | 1986 |
| Dean | Dr. Bahaa E. Saleh |
| Location | Orlando, Florida, United States |
| Website | Official Site |
The Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers (CREOL) is a research center within the Orlando, Florida-based College of Optics and Photonics, which itself is a graduate college for optical science and engineering at the University of Central Florida.
As of 2004, it has 42 faculty members and faculty with joint appointments, 58 research scientists and 158 graduate students with research activities covering all aspects of optics, photonics, and lasers.
The idea for a research center dedicated to optics that would support the growth of Florida's high-tech industry began with the formation of the Florida High Technology and Industry Council (FHTIC) in the mid-1980's. In a FHTIC report, Ron Phillips of the Electrical Engineering Department at the University of Central Florida (UCF) recommended that the state take action to “form the Center for Research in Electro-Optics and Lasers (CREOL) to provide Florida’s high-tech industries with access to research, students, and faculty in advanced areas of optical and laser sciences.” Following the recommendation, the Florida legislature approved the use of $1.5M in permanent, recurring funds to UCF for the support of CREOL.
MJ Soileau began work as the center's first director in January, 1987. He was joined by North Texas State University colleagues Eric Van Stryland and David Hagan. Van Stryland and Hagan would come to serve as Dean and Associate Dean, respectively.
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| Florida Photonics Center of Excellence | |
|---|---|
| Established | 2003 |
| Dean | Dr. Eric Van Stryland |
| Location | Orlando, Florida, United States |
| Website | Official Site |
The Florida Photonics Center of Excellence (FPCE) is a research center within the Orlando, Florida-based College of Optics and Photonics, which itself is a graduate college for optical science and engineering at the University of Central Florida.
The FPCE was established in 2003 with a $10 million grant from the State of Florida to create a new center of excellence within The College of Optics and Photonics. The focus of the FPCE research and education work is on the technologies of nanophotonics, biophotonics, advanced imaging and 3D displays, and ultra-high bandwidth communications, all of which have forecasts of rapid market growth. Work at the center has resulted in the creation of 31 jobs, and in the filing of 40 patents, of which 14 were issued. As well, the financial return on the $10 million state grant totals over $30 million.
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