CREOL, The College of Optics and Photonics

09/07/2026

Nothing beats the classic glow of a HeNe. 🔴✨

We’re unboxing this vintage-grade Newport helium-neon laser today, and yes, that iconic red beam never goes out of style. Whether it’s for alignment, interferometry, or just looking effortlessly cool on the optical table, this workhorse is a welcome addition to the lab.

Who else still prefers a classic gas laser over diodes? Let us know in the comments! 👇
Newport LaserPhysics ScienceLife

09/03/2026

Does the night light feature on your devices actually work?

09/03/2026

Charge on! We’re proud to be featured in the university’s new video.

09/02/2026

We welcomed CREOL students, faculty and staff back for a new academic year with college and academic updates—and, of course, pizza! 🍕

Special thanks to for sponsoring lunch!

09/01/2026

Meet Lauren, a 2026 CREOL REU student exploring the biomedical applications of optics and photonics. Through her work with interferometric scattering microscopy (iSCAT), she gained hands-on research experience and a firsthand look at what a career in research could offer.

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08/31/2026

Every time someone thinks photonics is just photography… Swipe over to CREOL to see what light-based engineering is really all about.

08/31/2026

A CREOL education changed Hannah Pierson’s life. Now, she is helping create opportunities that could change the lives of generations to come.

After discovering photonics through UCF’s DirectConnect program, Hannah ’19 earned her bachelor’s degree in Photonic Science and Engineering and built a successful career in the optics industry. She is now paying that opportunity forward through the Whimsical Engineer Endowed Scholarship, which will support future CREOL students as they pursue their own educational journeys.

Her story has also come full circle: This summer, Hannah’s 16-year-old son attended CREOL’s photonics camp and began imagining his own future in the field that transformed his mother’s life.

Thank you to UCF Advancement and Partnerships for sharing Hannah’s story and the impact she is creating for future generations.

Read more:

During a dark time in her life, Hannah Pierson ’19 summoned the courage to light her own way by pursuing an education and career in photonics at UCF.

08/30/2026

Replacing a halogen bulb on a Fiber Illuminator

08/21/2026

When you try to pick a favorite optics track, but every single one of them slaps. 🤝🔬 All photonics subjects are good subjects…come see what we’re building at CREOL!!!