Building Quantum Networks on Classical Fiber Infrastructure
From QKD to teleportation, quantum technologies are increasingly operating alongside classical data in deployed fiber infrastructure.
01 June 2026
New Optics for Interstellar Flight
A project to fire tiny spacecraft with futuristic sails to our next-nearest star using a huge laser appears to have bitten the dust. But some scientists still see a path to interstellar travel.
01 June 2026
Optica is proud to honor and celebrate outstanding contributions to science, research, engineering, education, industry and society.
01 June 2026
Eyeo Secures €40 Million for Color-Splitting Sensor
Dutch startup completed a series A round to develop and commercialize its advanced sensing platform.
13 May 2026
Journeys in Optics: Václav Hanus
Václav Hanus discusses the twists and turns in the path he took to a career in ultrafast lasers—and his work on science-themed music.
15 May 2026
The world’s highest-aspect-ratio nanophotonic element: a nanometer-thick, centimeter-scale photonic crystal “lightsail” suspended on a silicon wafer.
15 May 2026
June 2026 Issue
LATEST NEWS
A Handheld, AI-Powered Microscope for Cancer Screening
Compact, cost-effective device uses deep learning to optimize in vivo imaging ability.
20 May 2026
Chemicals Switch on “Living Light”
Controlling and sustaining the glow emitted by living organisms opens a route toward practical devices.
14 May 2026
Eyeo Secures €40 Million for Color-Splitting Sensor
Dutch startup completed a series A round to develop and commercialize its advanced sensing platform.
13 May 2026
Inertial Fusion’s Magnetic Noise Comes Under Scrutiny
Simulations show that poorly understood fields are triggered automatically at a given laser intensity.
12 May 2026
Measuring Forces Inside Living Cells
A flexible microlaser made from a silicone-based elastomer is suitable for a range of biomechanical experiments.
07 May 2026EDITOR'S PICKS
Programmable Photonics
With the addition of programmability and software, photonic chips can enter a new era of flexibility, creativity and diverse applications.
01 March 2024
How to Maximize Short-Term Engagements
Being an intern, visitor or postdoc can be an extremely valuable experience—if you take the right approach.
01 June 2024
The UV colors in sunflower petals not only help to improve pollination but also assist the flowers in responding to environmental stresses.
01 February 2024
A cut of vine wood, which is used in the production of Spätlese, is observed in autofluorescence using an InnoQuant slide scanner.
01 February 2026
Rainbow Lightsail
The world’s highest-aspect-ratio nanophotonic element: a nanometer-thick, centimeter-scale photonic crystal “lightsail” suspended on a silicon wafer.
15 May 2026
Great Minds Make a Sun Dog Mistake
The failure of three physics luminaries to explain parhelia illustrates the difficulty of scientific progress.
01 May 2026
Measuring Time
A 2025 comparison of optical clocks across six countries marked a major step toward redefinition of the SI second and international time scales based on more accurate optical standards.
01 May 2026CAREERS
Journeys in Optics: Václav Hanus
Václav Hanus discusses the twists and turns in the path he took to a career in ultrafast lasers—and his work on science-themed music.
15 May 2026
Parenthood and the Academic Career Ladder
A new study takes a closer look at the differing effects of the “parenthood penalty” on mothers and fathers in academia.
28 April 2026
Building the Optics-Professional Pipeline
Kipkemoi Elvis Samuel discusses his work in removing obstacles for students to get an optics education in Kenya.
28 October 2025
My Congressional Fellowship: A Career Door-Opener
Eager to work toward solving big societal problems like climate change, Claire Cody left the lab for the world of scientific policy.
21 October 2025
Journeys in Optics: Falko Schmidt
Falko Schmidt discusses his career trajectory, cofounding a startup and sustainability in the lab.
16 September 2025