Institute of Optics

05/13/2026

Senior Design gives students a unique year-long opportunity to collaborate with industry partners and faculty mentors to solve real-world engineering challenges.

Design Day is always an exciting experience — showcasing innovation, teamwork, and the next generation of problem-solvers.

Great to see these talented students recognized for their work and impact on the future of technology.

A year of long hours and hard work has come to this point, for University of Rochester engineering students.

05/12/2026

A new article by Assistant Professor Zhujun Shi from the University of Pittsburgh and Barry Silverstein, director of the University of Rochester’s Center for eXtended Reality, explores how photonic integrated circuits (PICs) could revolutionize the future of advanced display technologies. From augmented and virtual reality to holographic displays, the paper highlights how integrated photonics can enable smaller, lighter, more energy-efficient, and higher-performance display systems with unprecedented control over light. The work outlines a path toward next-generation immersive visual experiences powered by scalable photonic technologies.

Read more: https://academic.oup.com/nsr/advance-article/doi/10.1093/nsr/nwag234/8660078

05/08/2026

Benjamin Hancock has done an outstanding job this year as our Science Outreach Coordinator! He has travelled to many schools and/or organized groups of student volunteers to teach optics to high school kids.

Today, he and Nabendu S. Mishra (a PhD student who volunteers a lot!) visited the home school co-op PCC LEAH and delivered an engaging class filled with hands-on demonstrations. It was a fantastic experience for everyone involved.

We’re pretty sure the highlight was exploring the FLIR camera - or popping balloons with lasers - always crowd favorites!

We travel locally to different middle and high schools and groups, and also invite classes to tour our labs. Please message us if you would like to be added to our fall schedule.



University of RochesterHajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences: University of Rochester
Homeschool New York/LEAH:Loving Education At Home

05/07/2026

What a great way to end the semester for our Lens Design class! The students worked hard all semester and presented their final projects earlier this week. Thank you, Professor Julie Bentley!

University of Rochester
Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences: University of Rochester

04/24/2026

It's that time of year! All optics students, faculty, and staff are welcome to play! Spectators welcome!

03/31/2026

📣 Exciting news — the Photon Camp application window is now open!

Photon Camp is designed for rising high school juniors and seniors and offers an exciting opportunity to learn about the fascinating world of optics and photonics through hands-on experiences.

If you know a student interested in science, technology, and innovation, this is a great opportunity to explore a growing field and discover future career possibilities.

Apply now and spread the word! https://hajim.rochester.edu/optics/news-events/photon-camp.html

University of Rochester
Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences: University of Rochester

11/11/2025

Family Night is approaching soon and you will not want to miss out! The whole family will enjoy games like balloon popping with lasers, learning about holography, and eating cookies! Please register if you plan to attend.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0445ABAA23AAF49-60327157-family #/

Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences: University of RochesterUniversity of Rochester

09/19/2025

What a weekend! 🎉

Our annual 5K and picnic last weekend was a huge success — with an amazing turnout, perfect weather, and incredible energy from start to finish! 🏃‍♂️☀️🍔

But that’s not all… thanks to our students' generosity, we collected over 50 canned goods and food items for the on-campus food pantry. 💪🧡 Every item helps support students in need, and we’re so proud to be part of a community that gives back.

Thanks to everyone who came out, ran, walked, cheered, ate, and donated — we couldn’t have done it without you!

Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences: University of RochesterUniversity of Rochester

08/14/2025

This technology could be used to power wireless sensors for the Internet of Things, fuel wearable devices, or serve as off-grid renewable energy systems in rural areas. Read more at the link below.

University of Rochester researchers engineered a solar thermoelectric generator 15 times more efficient than current state-of-the-art devices.

04/24/2025

Here we go! Our annual soccer game is going to be a blast!