April 2003 Issue
Feature Articles
The Optical Design of Gemstones
With the aid of advanced software, optical design is now being applied to the precision cutting and grading of high-quality jewels.
by José M. Sasián, Peter Yantzer and Tom TivolLaser Beam Shaping
Laser beam shaping, the art of controlling the irradiance and phase profile of a laser's output, is an enabling technology used in industrial applications including semiconductor lithography, circuit component trimming and laser printing.
by Fred M. DickeyDynamic Interferometry
Interferometry is a powerful measurement tool. Efforts to reduce the sensitivity of interferometers to vibration could greatly expand the number of fields in which they are employed.
by James C. WyantOptical Code Division Multiple Access
Code division multiple access (CDMA) allows multiple users access to limited-bandwidth networks. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has launched an ambitious program aimed at demonstrating technology for an advanced network based on optical CDMA.
by Jagdeep ShahApplications and Outlook for Electronic Terahertz Technology
The terahertz regime is rich with potential uses in a variety of sensing, imaging and communications applications. Security screening and broadband communications are among the fields in which researchers predict that THz technology will soon begin to make its mark.
by Daniel van der WeideElectrically Switchable Bragg Gratings
Electrically switchable Bragg grating technology offers an innovative platform for emerging optical devices in applications ranging from highly reflective flat panel displays to photonic crystals.
by Gregory P. CrawfordDepartments and Columns
Optics Program in Ghana Addresses Real-World Problems
The Office of External Activities (OEA) of the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP),1 a non-profit organization based in Trieste, Italy, is sponsoring several laser centers in sub-Saharan Africa. The sponsorship is part of ICTP’s ongoing effort to help developing nations create programs for research and training in physics and mathematics.
I Was Right, It Is Obvious!
A reasonably competent scientist can work out an obvious problem. But the solution to such a problem is not necessarily what people unschooled in the science in question would consider “obvious.”
State Budget Cuts Could Mean Science Suffers
The National Governors Association is calling this the toughest economy for states since World War II, and science programs are facing grim news in many places.
A Career As a Consultant: Getting the Word Out
In February’s “Professional Development” column, Jennifer D. T. Kruschwitz, an engineer specializing in optical coatings, described the pros and cons of consulting as a career choice. This month she offers advice on how to connect with potential clients.
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