Fusion’s Direct Drive

An underdog laser scheme may be best placed to deliver competitive fusion energy.

by Edwin Cartlidge

An Early Start for Women in Optics

A look at nine pathbreaking women who joined the Optical Society of America in its first decade.

by Jeff Hecht

2023 Optica Awards and Medals

Optica is proud to honor and celebrate outstanding contributions to science, research, engineering, education, industry and society.

by Meredith Smith, Kari Apter and Kiran Balan

Newsroom

Research and Industry News

Sharper holography / Metalens for EUV light / 3D microscope / Gratings from crab shells / Efficient cloud analysis / Post-cataract vision / Printable perovskite cells / Brightest bird feathers / Faster quantum transduction / Industry news

Infographic

Implanted Lenses

With an estimated 20 million surgeries performed each year worldwide, cataract extraction is the most common surgical procedure across all medical fields. An implanted intraocular lens helps restore post-cataract vision.

Education

Three Decades Bridging Academia and Industry

A joint master of science program in photonics engineering at two Belgian universities has embraced a hybrid structure in teaching key enabling technologies.

Career Focus

Exponential Improvement Through Collaboration

Successful collaborations built on strong foundations can last decades, often bringing significant benefits.

Then and Now

Optical Brain Imaging

The beginnings of optical brain imaging focused on overcoming light scattering and inventing effective techniques.

President's Message

ChatGPT and Beyond

We need to find the best ways to leverage AI technologies for science and human progress, while ensuring that they do not become destructive.

Looking Back

30, 20, and 10 Years Ago in OPN

Optics of special effects; 17^th-century telescopes; Louis de Broglie

Optica in Focus

News from the Society

Leadership meeting / Optica Women Scholars / PIC Conference / Optica Fellow stories / Xu wins Theodor W. Hänsch prize / Introducing Optica Quantum / Advocating for quantum science and education / Remembering Jay Eastman / Author workshop in Scotland / Thank you, editors and conference chairs

After Image

Illuminating Light Propagation

The objective lens of a digital projector is illuminated with white light from a lamp. The interaction of light propagating through the lenses and separating into different colors is captured by a mobile-phone camera.