Microscopy’s Cutting Edge 
From the Issue

Microscopy’s Cutting Edge 

More than two decades after its birth, super-resolution microscopy continues to push the boundaries of what can be revealed with light.

01 April 2023
Use Photonics. Find a Solution. Change the World. 
From the Issue
Use Photonics. Find a Solution. Change the World. 

The Optica Foundation Challenge enables early-career optics researchers to pursue high-impact ideas.

01 April 2023
Light as Medicine: Niels Finsen’s Phototherapy 
From the Issue
Light as Medicine: Niels Finsen’s Phototherapy 

The inventor of the Finsen light made strides in understanding the effects of ultraviolet light in the treatment of disease.

01 April 2023
US STEM Diversity Growing, but Inequality Persists
Careers
US STEM Diversity Growing, but Inequality Persists

New NSF report shows more women and people from underrepresented groups in STEM, but these populations remain substantially underrepresented.

28 February 2023
Laser Safety: Practical Knowledge and Solutions
Book Reviews
Laser Safety: Practical Knowledge and Solutions

A must-read book for all scientists who work with lasers.

09 March 2023
Light-Beam Shaping
Image of the Week
Light-Beam Shaping

A large-dynamic-range deformable mirror for intense laser applications is used to induce high values of optical aberrations into an incoming light beam.

17 March 2023
LATEST NEWS
The Brightest Feathers in the Woods
Research News
The Brightest Feathers in the Woods

Woodcocks’ white tail plumes, which reflect more light than those of any other bird, may help them communicate in dim environments.

20 March 2023
Playing Catch with Optical Tweezers
Research News
Playing Catch with Optical Tweezers

Throwing and capturing single atoms could enable dynamic quantum calculations.

17 March 2023
Organic Solar Cells to Power Smart Greenhouses
Research News
Organic Solar Cells to Power Smart Greenhouses

Semi-transparent photovoltaics allow for energy and food production on the same plot of land.

10 March 2023
Metasurfaces Deliver Multichannel Terahertz Transmission
Research News
Metasurfaces Deliver Multichannel Terahertz Transmission

Structured surfaces could yield ultrathin devices for encrypting information and enabling high-frequency communications.

09 March 2023
Brighter Electron Beams for More Compact Plasma Accelerators
Research News
Brighter Electron Beams for More Compact Plasma Accelerators

Simulation shows that a device just several tens of meters long could yield ultra-short hard X-ray pulses.

08 March 2023

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EDITOR'S PICKS
Optics in Ukraine: Glorious Past, Uncertain Future
From the Archive

Optics in Ukraine: Glorious Past, Uncertain Future

Invasion and war have disrupted Ukrainian science—and rebuilding it deserves the world’s attention and resources.

01 November 2022
The Optics Behind Laser Fusion
Conversations
The Optics Behind Laser Fusion

OPN talks with Tayyab Suratwala of the US National Ignition Facility.

01 February 2023
Student Knowledge: Math + Science
Infographic
Student Knowledge: Math + Science

Administered every four years since 1995, the IEA's Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) assesses mathematics and science knowledge of students around the world.

01 September 2022
Light Bird
After Image
Light Bird

A focused femtosecond laser pulse interacts with a glass slide—creating a colorful flying-bird pattern. The shiny colors denote the strong laser-induced breakdown.

01 October 2022

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Image of the Week

Light-Beam Shaping

A large-dynamic-range deformable mirror for intense laser applications is used to induce high values of optical aberrations into an incoming light beam.

17 March 2023
Industry

Staffing the Quantum Revolution

How should the emerging quantum technology industry educate and train its future workforce?

01 March 2023
Infographic

Optics in 2023 & Beyond

We asked several contributors to OPN's December 2022 “year in optics” feature for thoughts on areas that might advance in 2023.

01 December 2022
CAREERS
Senior Member Insights: Judith S. Birkenfeld
Careers
Senior Member Insights: Judith S. Birkenfeld

A researcher talks about her influential decision to apply to a postdoctoral program.

07 March 2023
US STEM Diversity Growing, but Inequality Persists
Careers
US STEM Diversity Growing, but Inequality Persists

New NSF report shows more women and people from underrepresented groups in STEM, but these populations remain substantially underrepresented.

28 February 2023
Senior Member Insights: Timothy Munks
Careers
Senior Member Insights: Timothy Munks

A senior principal analyst talks about using data to provide meaningful insights for businesses.

21 February 2023
Supporting Mothers in Science
Careers
Supporting Mothers in Science

An advocacy group calls on funding organizations to reduce gender and parenthood bias in STEMM.

14 February 2023
Senior Member Insights: Tigran Baghdasaryan
Careers
Senior Member Insights: Tigran Baghdasaryan

A research professor talks about the importance of patience in mentoring.

07 February 2023