Optics & Photonics News

Optics & Photonics News Magazine
March 2009 Issue

Feature Articles

A New Era in Optical Integration

The Internet is increasingly taxing optical networks, and conventional network architecture cannot provide the scalability required to meet this demand. These authors advise telecommunications professionals to follow the lead of the microelectronics industry— by focusing on integrated solutions.

by J.L. Pleumeekers, P.W. Evans, W. Chen, R.P. Schneider Jr. and R. Nagarajan

Optical Fiber High-Temperature Sensors

Optical fiber sensors allow researchers and engineers to make accurate, reliable measurements under high-temperature conditions.

by Anbo Wang, Yizheng Zhu and Gary Pickrell

The Professional World of Amateur Astronomy

The work of today’s amateur astronomers goes far beyond peering through a telescope on a lonely mountaintop. Thanks to advances in solid-state imaging, software and inexpensive optics, they are collecting professional-quality data and making their own discoveries.

by Patricia Daukantas

C.V. Raman and the Raman Effect

Barry Masters describes the life and legacy of one of the most important optical scientists of the 20th century.

by Barry R. Masters

Departments and Columns

Scatterings

Nanoscopy Uncovers Cells’ Secrets

Fluorescent optical microscopy is allowing researchers to image features much smaller than the diffraction limit of visible light.

Scatterings

Lasing Mechanism Depends on Electron Momentum

A new lasing mechanism was recently reported from a quantum cascade laser that appears to depend on non-equilibrium electrons with high momenta.

Scatterings

Did You Know?

A powerful light source for X-ray microscopy

Optics Innovations

CREOL’s Tech-Transfer Success Stories

The Center for Research in Optics and Lasers (CREOL) at the University of Central Florida prides itself on its strong focus on technology transfer--and it has the multi-million-dollar success stories to show for it.

Light Touch

The Yellow Sun Paradox

There are a few things you can count on in this world: The sky is blue; grass is green; and the Sun is yellow ... right?

After Image

OPN Talks with Philippe Morin

Our conversation with Philippe Morin, president of Metro Ethernet Networks at Nortel and OFC/NFOEC keynote speaker.

Viewpoint

Risk and Research: Maintaining a Diverse Portfolio

How can funding agencies strike the right balance between financing “high-risk, high-reward” research—work that is initially uncertain but that could translate into major breakthroughs—and more modest studies that will likely produce solid, incremental results?

The History of OSA