News and Media

2026

Cal Poly Photon Lab to Present Two Undergraduate Research Projects at SPIE Optics + Photonics 2026

The Cal Poly Photon Lab's two research projects been selected by the scientific committee of SPIE Optics + Photonics 2026 for presentation in San Diego. Both works will be presented by our undergraduate researchers. Congratulations to all group members!

Cal Poly News

The Cal Poly Photon Lab was recently featured in university press release highligting undergraduate student efforts in developing Cal Poly's first femtosecond solid-state laser. Read the full article here: Students Build Cal Poly's First Laser: ‘A Rare and Valuable Skill’

40th CSU Student Research Competition

Our group participated in the CSU Student Research Competition. While we did not place, our students gained valuable experience presenting alongside graduate students, engaging with diverse research topics, and strengthening their scientific communication and confidence.

Frost Research Scholarship (2026-2029)

James Mauck has been selected for the Frost Research Scholarship (2026-2029), a highly-competitive three year award. Congratulations to James on this achievement!

Northwestern University Visit, Chicago IL

Dr. Toker visited Northwestern University in early April 2026, where she reconnected with Dr. Gul and learned more about her research, exploring opportunities for future collaboration.

Photon Lab's Project Selected for 2026 CSU Undergraduate Research Competition

The senior project work of Lilly and Fletcher from Cal Poly Photon Lab was selected to represent Cal Poly Bailey College of Science and Mathematics (BCSM) at the CSU-wide Undergraduate Research Competition. Their work is one of the ten projects selected campus wide and the only project representing BCSM. We congratulate Lilly and Fletcher and wish them success at the competition!

Solid-State Laser Systems

Hannah (Physics senior) and James (Physics freshman) characterize the first in-house solid-state infrared laser built by students at Cal Poly.

The system will be used for future ultrashort-pulse (femtosecond) experiments and nonlinear optics studies. Supported by the Leonard and Natalie Wall Physics Faculty Research Fellowship.

Nanosecond Transient Absorption Spectroscopy

Lilly and Fletcher (Physics seniors) align the nanosecond transient absorption spectrometer used to measure excited-state lifetimes on nanosecond time scales.

The nanosecond transient absorption (pump-probe) spectrometer is currently the fastest time-resolved optical characterization instrument on campus and was built entirely by students. Supported by the Cal Poly Teacher-Scholar Mini Grant.

Spectroscopic Calibration and Characterization

Will (Materials Engineering senior) performs spectroscopic characterization and establishes calibration standards for the laboratory spectrophotometer to enable quantative optical measurements.

2025

Cal Poly Photon Lab Group (2025-2026)

(Standing, left to right): James Mauck, Fletcher Smith, Hannah Bauer. (Seated, left to right) Isinsu Baylam Toker, Einstein (he has been helping us with stimulated emission since 1917), Lilly Ahmadi.

Physics Faculty of the Year (2024-2025)

Dr. Isinsu Baylam Toker was named Physics Faculty of the Year at the 2025 Physics Banquet.

Cal Poly Teacher-Scholar Mini Grant (2025-2026)

The Cal Poly Photon Lab, in collaboration with Dr. Leslie Hamachi from the Chemistry Department, has been awarded a Teacher–Scholar Mini Grant for the project “Development of a Time-Resolved Absorption Spectrometer: Enhancing Student Research and Instrumentation Skills.” The grant will support project activities from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.

BCSM Research Magazine (Spring 2025)

The Cal Poly Photon Lab was featured on the Spring 2025 issue of the BCSM Research Magazine. Click to read more.

Leonard and Natalie Wall Physics Faculty Research Fellowship

Dr. Isinsu Baylam Toker has been awarded the Leonard and Natalie Wall Physics Faculty Research Fellowship for 2025–2026. This award will support her research on developing compact, cost-effective, blue diode–pumped broadband near-infrared laser systems.

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