Recognized both nationally and internationally for its innovative and unique blend of academics and research, the electro-optics program encourages students to apply their knowledge through research endeavors. The program offers a wide range of research opportunities, guaranteeing you’ll find a challenging project in your area of interest and gain hands-on experience that will prepare you for work in government or industry.

From designing experiments and acquiring data to analyzing results and writing reports, students are actively involved in all stages of research. Students frequently publish papers based on their research and attend professional conferences to share their findings with other scholars in the field. Interested students may also apply for a research assistantship offered through the electro-optics program.

On-campus research
The following research themes are highlighted in the electro-optics program:

• Biophotonics
• Image processing
• Laser Radar and Beam Steering
• Nanophotonics devices and systems fabrication
• Nanoscale imaging and nanocharacterization
• Nonlinear optics
• Optical design and modeling
• Polymer and microwave photonics
• Quantum optics

On-campus laboratories
More than 20 laboratories on campus are devoted to electro-optics research, and federal- and industrial-sponsored research is conducted in our labs. The electro-optics laboratories at UD include:

• Center for materials diagnostics (CMD)
• Ladar and Optical Communications Institute (LOCI)
• Laser microprobe spectroscopy lab
• Microwave photonics lab
• Nanophotonics fabrication lab
• Nanoscale engineering science and technology lab (NEST)
• Nanoscale imaging lab
• Nonlinear optics labs
• Quantum optics lab
• Ultrafast laser lab

CMD is regarded as one of the leading materials characterization laboratories focused on micro- and nano-characterization techniques, the assessment and prevention of mechanical and environment degradation in advanced aircraft materials and sensor technology. NEST is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, enabling cutting-edge research and development of nanoscale materials.

Five laboratories are equipped with nanosecond and femtosecond lasers to study the nonlinear properties of materials, and they have the capability to tune through a wide range of IR wavelengths and the THz regime. Further nonlinear study, including polymers, IR counter measures, intense femtosecond pulses and laser hardening, occurs in collaboration with groups at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). 

With the help of Ohio funding, UD has invested about $3 million in nanophotonics. The electro-optics program built a clean room facility with state-of-the-art fabrication and processing equipment. The processing capabilities are among the best in the state, and we closely collaborate with Cincinnati Electronics and the AFRL to make far IR detector arrays and novel photonic devices.

Off-campus research
In addition to on-campus research, students have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through research at the AFRL. Graduate co-op opportunities may be available for interested students.

Faculty research
Faculty in the electro-optics program are actively involved in research. Project sponsors include the Ohio Aerospace Institute, National Science Foundation, United States Air Force and numerous local companies. Graduate students are invited to work with established researchers — including six who are fellows in professional societies and three who are senior IEEE members.

For their research efforts, electro-optics faculty have received two Wright Project Awards (approximately two million dollars) and a Wright Center for Innovation Award (approximately 22.5 million dollars), which are funded through the Third Frontier Project.