Toward Quantum Control of Single Photons

Researchers are exploring ways to use electromagnetically induced transparency on individual light quanta, laying the groundwork for intriguing applications in quantum information science that use photons as information carriers, and atomic ensembles as memory and processing nodes.

Report from FiO: Showcasing the Very Small and Ultrafast

Frontiers in Optics (FiO), OSA’s 89th annual meeting, focused on exciting new research and applications in nanophotonics, biomedical imaging, quantum electronics, organic optoelectronics and other emerging areas of interest.

How Water Glows: Water Monitoring with Laser Fluorescence

With an ever-increasing global need for fresh water, scientists must develop new instruments to allow for real-time, inexpensive detection and monitoring of water quality. Lasers and optical detection techniques offer a unique enabling technology.

Optoelectronic Packaging for Optical Interconnects

Optoelectronic packages provide a platform for integrating photonic, optoelectronic and electronic devices for the transmission of optical signals in telecommunication and computing networks. The authors describe current technologies and future possibilities.

Education Events and Frontiers in Optics 2005

A series of events at OSA’s annual meeting focus on kindling (or rekindling) people’s interest in the exciting world of optics.

Technology Boost in Precision Optics: The Story of QED Tech Inc.

The OPN staff is pleased to introduce Optics Innovations, a monthly column that makes its debut with this issue. The column will cover technology transfer and industry trends in optics and photonics.

Why 1916? A Look Back at OSA's Roots

Th is year marks the 90th anniversary of the Optical Society of America. Th rough the years, the Society has grown from a local group of Rochester-based optical scientists and instrument-makers into a large organization that represents physicists and engineers around the world. Let us look back for a moment to appreciate how it all began.

Science Key to Preserving U.S. Standard of Living

The United States is in danger of losing its world leadership and high standard of living. But the federal government could secure the country’s long-term prosperity by reversing disturbing trends in American science.

Solar decathlon, linking silicon to light, creation of a soliton molecule, Ronald E. McNair

Book Reviews

In Memory: Gury Timofeevich Petrovsky

Letters

Sombrero Galaxy

In May-June 2003, NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope captured the Sombrero galaxy, Messier 104 (M104). The galaxy’s hallmark is a brilliant white, bulbous core encircled by the thick dust lanes.

OSA Today

A Look at Tomorrow’sTechnologies Today

President’s Message

Who’s that Man? What’s that Machine?

That’s what we asked our readers in the October 2005 OPN Puzzler, and you did not let us down! OPN congratulates Ben Smith of the University of Florida for solving the mystery. Ben correctly identified both man and machine.