Introduction

The Department of Engineering Physics has a great tradition in research.  The two large research areas in the Department are optics and solid-state physics. Most of our research activities were historically built around these two areas. Now more than ever, research in these two subjects have become even more important, and there is a potential for linking them. As an example, material and miniaturized devices like quantum wells with quantum dots can be applied to information treatment in optical computing. Another example of the convergence of these two areas is in laser-material interaction, which allows modification and even creation of waveguides. A third research area has also been integrated into the department with the arrival of the Nuclear Engineering Institute. This allows the study of nuclear energy, next generation power reactors, and neutronic activation of materials.

Applied research is mainly linked to the development of new materials and devices for microelectronics, telecommunications, and more recently, biomedical applications. Theoretical research aims at finding more accurate and more efficient methods of predicting the optical and electronic properties of new materials, or to maximize the performance of already existing nuclear power stations. A number of companies have been founded as a result of research performed in the Department. 

The number of graduate students and the level of financing (grants and contracts) show that industries value the research performed in the Department of Engineering Physics.