New Era for X-Ray Lasers 

Kilometer-scale superconducting machines will fire off X-ray flashes up to a million times per second—providing a new view of the atomic world.

by Edwin Cartlidge 

Classical vs. Quantum Light Fields

Analogies between quantum entanglement and nonseparable classical structured-light fields are yielding new insights and potential applications.

by Isaac Nape

Photonics for Processing Wide-Bandgap Semiconductors

Lasers and advanced optics are key enablers for processing the emerging materials that underpin EVs, power electronics, smart grids and the electrification of society.

by Benjamin Bernard

Newsroom

Research and Industry News

Dichroism in amorphous solids / Light-powered pacemaker / Wireless OLEDs / Wearable sensor detects body movements / Brain imaging with color and music / Industry news

Infographic

XFEL Light Sources

Here we look at the setup for the world’s six most powerful X-ray free-electron laser facilities.

Conversations

Bridging the Global Gap in Cancer Detection

At CLEO, Rebecca Richards-Kortum will talk about how advances in imaging can improve cancer care around the world.

Profile

Real-World Focus at the Photon Factory

The ultrafast spectroscopy and micromachining lab at the University of Auckland connects fundamental science with industry applications.

Tutorial

Compact All-Attosecond Spectroscopy

A lab-scale approach creates attosecond pump and probe pulses from a commercial infrared laser.

President's Message

Looking Ahead—and Back

Remembering a dazzling in-orbit rescue—enabled by cutting-edge optics—from three decades ago.

Looking Back

30, 20, and 10 Years Ago in OPN

Chaotic lasers; diagnosing glaucoma; ultrafast and ultrashort.

Optica in Focus

News from the Society

OFC wrap-up / Technical-group prizes / NewSpace meeting / Optica Fellow stories / Rochford is honored / Amplify Scholars / Level Up / High-Brightness Sources and Light-Driven Interactions / Leibinger Laser Prizes / Remembering Andrew M. Weiner / Thank you, editors and Optica representatives

After Image

Laser-Induced Damage

Self-destructive beauty: Image of laser-induced damage on an optical surface recorded with a Nomarski type microscope.