Lasers and Optics for Measuring Tooth Decay

Lasers may finally provide dental patients a good reason to open up and say ahhhh. Dentists are already using optical technologies to detect tooth decay and lasers for therapeutic interventions, and they are looking to a future in which they can combine these methods for minimally invasive dentistry.

by Daniel Fried

Mode Harnessing for Laser Diodes

Recent experiments have shown that the modal structure of broad-area edge-emitting semiconductor lasers is box-like, with each lateral mode having a distinct wavelength. Thus, researchers can now reshape lateral modes and effectively combine all multimode laser output into a single-mode fiber. This approach provides a promising means for delivering high-power, high-speed modulated beams of any wavelength that are directly radiated from semiconductor lasers.

by Nikolai Stelmakh and Michael Vasilyev

Telescope Lens-Making in the 17th Century: The Legacy of Vangelista Torricelli

In the early days of instrumental optics, the know-how of lens making was shrouded in secrecy. A remarkable exception can be found in a letter from 1643, in which the Italian lens-maker Vangelista Torricelli gives his correspondent directions on optical shop practices.

by Giuseppe Molesini

Policy Matters

Optics and the U.S. Department of Defense

The U.S. Department of Defense is a major source of support for optics research done in American labs, academic institutions and private businesses.

Scatterings

A Large, Real-Time 3-D Display

A Chinese team’s 3-D display system delivers 1.8-m-tall images that don’t require polarized glasses or other specialized viewing devices.

The History of OSA

Profiles in Optics: Wallace R. Brode

The life and career of a former JOSA editor and OSA president.

Viewpoint

When Is Science Valid?

For scientists, peer review is the time-tested method for establishing scientific facts. But how can we educate a public that is growing accustomed to challenging a consensus they don’t understand?

Scatterings

Quantum Cascade Lasers Gain Efficiency

Researchers have fabricated Quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) that significantly boost “wall plug efficiency,” or the ratio of the power the laser emits to the power that the device consumes.

Scatterings

Did You Know?

Using scanning lidar data to analyze wildfire smoke plumes.

Book Reviews

Book Reviews

OSA Today

OSA Today

OSA Foundation

Thank You 2009 Contributors

The OSA Foundation (OSAF) expresses much appreciation to its 2009 contributors. Since its establishment in 2002, the Foundation has funded more than 235 programs that have benefited thousands of individuals in more than 55 countries.

In Memory

In Memory

Remembering James H. Schulman and Indrek Martinson.

President's Message

President’s Message