State-of-the-Art Photonic Crystal Fiber

Photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) can change the way light is generated, delivered and used. Supercontinuum generation, four-wave mixing and hollow-core PCF technology may enable breakthroughs in science—especially in medicine and microscopy.

by William Wadsworth, Jonathan Knight and Tim Birks

Breaking the Tbit/s Barrier: Higher Bandwidth Optical Processing

The growing demand for broadband communications has inspired many approaches to increasing capacity. Our recent work shows that combining linear and nonlinear optical signal processing can overcome some of the challenges faced by high-symbol rate signals.

by Jochen Schröder, Trung D. Vo, Yvan Paquot and Benjamin J. Eggleton

Global Trends in Optical Manufacturing

After the telecom bubble burst in 2002, many North American optical companies outsourced production to Asia on a grand scale. A decade later, the global industry is rebalancing itself in interesting ways.

by Jeff Ferry

Changing the Lights: Are LEDs Ready to Become the Market Standard?

Solid-state lighting promises higher efficiency than fluorescent or incandescent bulbs—and without their many limitations. Yet the bright new technology faces important challenges before it can truly replace Thomas Edison’s venerable invention. 

by Jeff Hecht

Scatterings

Astronomers Eye Sungrazing Comet

Images of the comet Lovejoy passing near the sun were captured by the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory’s Sun-Earth Connection Coronal and Heliospheric Investigation instruments.

Optics Innovations

How to Build a Winning Business Plan

Preparing a good business plan is an essential first step for any startup. A business plan is used to convince investors and to recruit your founding team. But first and foremost, it is an essential planning tool that will help you succeed.

Reflections in Diversity

Minority Women Scientists: At the Culture-Gender Crossroads

As we engage in efforts to increase diversity among scientists, culture is an important part of the conversation.

Optical Engineering

Wave Forms: A New Laser Tool

An innovative laser design provides pulsed energy differently than traditional mirror/Q-switch cavities. It offers optical engineers a new option for quick processing and fine pulse control.

After Image

OPN Talks with Milo Medin

Our conversation with Milo Medin, Google VP and OFC/NFOEC plenary speaker.

The History of OSA

Selig Hecht: Frederick Ives Medalist, 1941

Selig Hecht, recipient of the 1941 Frederick Ives Medal, was known for his substantial contributions to the study of photoreception and vision. One of his most famous findings was his determination that a minimum of 5-14 photons are required to produce a visual response in the human eye.

Scatterings

Robust Fabrication of Tiny Resonators

A new method for creating tiny devices on the outer surfaces of optical fibers could turn out to be a practical technology for integrated photonic circuits.

Scatterings

Hand-held Imager Spots Brain Bleeds Fast

A multi-laboratory research team has developed a new proof-of-concept prototype that can quickly detect brain bleeds.

Scatterings

Transient Absorption Microscopy Images Nanotubes in Cells

Researchers at Purdue University have learned how to detect both metallic and semiconducting nanotubes within biological tissue.

Scatterings

Better Solar via Photonic Crystals

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT, U.S.A.) report designing a solar thermophotovoltaic system with a photonic crystal layer to trap and reflect light at the absorber.

After Image

OPN Talks with Isao Sugino

Our conversation with Isao Sugino, telecom policy expert and OFC/NFOEC plenary speaker.

President's Message

President's Message

Letters

Letters

OSA Today

OSA Today

Book Reviews

Book Reviews