New Frontiers in Spatiotemporally Structured Light
From the Issue

New Frontiers in Spatiotemporally Structured Light

Coupling the spatial and temporal degrees of freedom of light is providing a new perspective on the behavior and applications of pulsed optical beams.

01 July 2025
Entrepreneurs to Watch
From the Issue
Entrepreneurs to Watch

In this biennial feature, OPN throws the spotlight on a selection of creative scientists and engineers—and the enterprises they’re building.

01 July 2025
Spectroscopy for Cultural Heritage Science
From the Issue
Spectroscopy for Cultural Heritage Science

The spectroscopic analysis of historical and archaeological samples presents unique challenges and exciting opportunities.

01 July 2025
Entrepreneurs to Watch 2025: Lia Li
Conversations
Entrepreneurs to Watch 2025: Lia Li

The founder and CEO of Zero Point Motion discusses leveraging photonics to push the boundaries of inertial sensing.

20 June 2025
Optical Clock Network Spans Six Countries
Research News
Optical Clock Network Spans Six Countries

The most extensive coordinated comparison of optical clocks to date is another step toward redefining the second.

20 June 2025
Love Letter
Image of the Week
Love Letter

An axicon lens normally produces a circular beam, but placing a hand in its path caused diffraction and scattering, forming a heart shape. It became a love letter, written in light.

20 June 2025
LATEST NEWS
Entrepreneurs to Watch 2025: Lia Li
Conversations
Entrepreneurs to Watch 2025: Lia Li

The founder and CEO of Zero Point Motion discusses leveraging photonics to push the boundaries of inertial sensing.

20 June 2025
Optical Clock Network Spans Six Countries
Research News
Optical Clock Network Spans Six Countries

The most extensive coordinated comparison of optical clocks to date is another step toward redefining the second.

20 June 2025
Light Drives a Soft Robotic Arm
Research News
Light Drives a Soft Robotic Arm

Researchers used a photosensitive material to create a robot that changes shape when exposed to a pattern of laser signals.

18 June 2025
Restoring Sight in Blind Mice
Research News
Restoring Sight in Blind Mice

Retinal implant stimulates a photocurrent response to both visible and near-infrared light in degenerated and healthy retinas.

17 June 2025
Solid-State Laser Update
Conversations
Solid-State Laser Update

At the Optica Laser Congress, Helena Jelinková will discuss her work and new developments in solid-state lasers.

16 June 2025

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EDITOR'S PICKS
Wanted: Optics and Photonics Technicians
From the Archive

Wanted: Optics and Photonics Technicians

The optics community continues to wrestle with a shortage of skilled technical workers for labs and shop floors—a decades-long problem that could hold back the industry’s growth.

01 February 2023
Infrared Contacts Promise Super-Human Vision
Research News
Infrared Contacts Promise Super-Human Vision

Incorporating nanoparticles into soft contact lenses allows people to see infrared light. 

30 May 2025
Allow Me to Introduce Myself
Career Focus
Allow Me to Introduce Myself

Don’t let an ineffective introduction deter readers from appreciating your research—reel them in from the very first paragraph.

01 July 2019
3.6 Billion Years in Color
After Image
3.6 Billion Years in Color

The Pilbara, northwestern Australia, which exposes some of the oldest rocks on Earth—over 3.6 billion years old—is captured in a composite image by the Terra satellite.

01 June 2022

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Image of the Week

Love Letter

An axicon lens normally produces a circular beam, but placing a hand in its path caused diffraction and scattering, forming a heart shape. It became a love letter, written in light.

20 June 2025
Conversations

Building a Giant Telescope

The Giant Magellan Telescope’s William Burgett talks about managing a project on a massive scale.

01 July 2025
Market Report

Why Capital Flows Matter to Optics and Photonics Engineers

John Dexheimer discusses financing for the optics and photonics industry.

01 June 2025
CAREERS
Journeys in Optics: Stephen D. Roberson
Careers
Journeys in Optics: Stephen D. Roberson

Roberson discusses his work with the US Department of Defense and his role as president of the National Society of Black Physicists.

02 June 2025
Journeys in Optics: Aparajita Bandyopadhyay
Careers
Journeys in Optics: Aparajita Bandyopadhyay

Bandyopadhyay talks about her role as chair of the Agriphotonics Technical Group and returning to research after taking time to focus on other priorities.

13 May 2025
Journeys in Optics: Milana Kendrisic
Careers
Journeys in Optics: Milana Kendrisic

Kendrisic discusses her motivations as a researcher, receiving the Deutsch Fellowship and why she chose a career in academia. 

01 April 2025
Journeys in Optics: Alejandro Velez-Zea
Careers
Journeys in Optics: Alejandro Velez-Zea

Velez-Zea discusses his career in academia, his research project that won the Optica Foundation Challenge and offers advice for students and early-career professionals. 

05 November 2024
Ambassadors and Chapters Driving Optics Education and Career Advancement
Careers
Ambassadors and Chapters Driving Optics Education and Career Advancement

Ana Karen Reyes talks about her work as an Optica Ambassador supporting optics and photonics education and professional development. 

29 October 2024

Photo Contest

Give us your best shot!

OPN invites you to participate in our 20th annual photo contest.

optica-opn.org/photo-contest

Enter by:

15 September 2025