Feature Articles

Archaeophotonics: Lasers Unveil the Past

Scientists use two-photon absorption fluorescence to recover written information on Roman relics and solve a 2,000-year-old mystery.

by David Artigas, Iain G. Cormack and Pablo Loza-Alvarez
Photonic Crystal Fiber: Finding the Holey Grail

Photonic crystal fiber permits much wider adjustment of key characteristics such as modal phase index, dispersion, nonlinearity and birefringence than is possible in conventional fiber.

by Philip Russell
Improved Interferometric Optical Testing

Modern electronics, computers and software are changing the ways that interferometry can be used and broadening its metrology applications in industrial and research labs.

by James C. Wyant
The Breakthrough Birth of the Diode Laser

The birth of the diode laser 45 years ago happened very quickly. Decades after the discovery of LEDs, a key experiment showed that diode junctions could emit efficiently. Within four months, four groups had crossed the threshold. By Jeff Hecht

by Jeff Hecht
Breaking Barriers to Innovation: Report from CLEO/QELS and PhAST 2007

Thousands of scientists, engineers and executives converged in Baltimore in May to learn about the latest innovations in lasers and photonics.

by Patricia Daukantas

Departments and Columns

Conversations in Optics
OPN Talks with Eli Yablonovitch

Our conversation with Eli Yablonovitch, the father of photonic crystals.

Education
Re-Setting Expectations for Students and Retired Scientists

The Retired Scientists, Engineers and Technicians (ReSET) program brings retired professionals into the classroom to help teachers and students implement hands-on, inquiry-based science experiments.

Optics Innovations
Taking the Leap: The Story of Thorlabs

The winner of the 2007 PhAST/Laser Focus World Innovation Award stays ahead by constantly reinventing itself.

Policy Matters
Supporting Science in the House

A conversation with Rep. Vernon J. Ehlers.

Scatterings
Buckling up for Self-Assembled Waveguides

Researchers at the University of Alberta use buckling delamination to make integrated hollow waveguides.

The History of OSA
Chronicling OSA’s History

Contributing editor John Howard explains how the “History of OSA” came to be, and asks for your help in preserving it.

Scatterings
Did You Know?

The London Eye gets an LED Makeover

Scatterings
Light Pushes Liquids

Researchers use light pressure to move small particles in liquid.


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Also in this Issue

Book Reviews
Book Reviews

Letters
Letters

After Image
After Image

OSA Today
OSA Today

President's Message
President’s Message