Optical engineering

Optical engineering is the study of engineering that works with light. Optical engineers use the science of optics to solve problems and create tools that help light do useful things. They design and build equipment that uses the properties of light. They work with physics and chemistry to make tools such as lenses, microscopes, telescopes, lasers, sensors, fiber-optic communication systems, and optical disc systems like CD and DVD.

This field also includes metrology, where special methods are used to measure very small changes or the qualities of materials. Tools like the laser speckle interferometer and devices that measure refraction are important here. Optical engineers also create very precise machines, such as microphotolithographic steppers, which can work with accuracy down to the size of a nanometer. These machines help make products at extremely tiny scales.