Optics & Photonics News - November 2013

Optics & Photonics News Magazine
November 2013 Issue

Feature Articles

Going Deep: Brain Imaging with Multi-Photon Microscopy

As scientists seek to unravel the mysteries of the brain, they will need to delve deeper than ever before in order to image individual neurons and their processes. Multi-photon microscopy is a promising new technology for getting there.

by Ke Wang, Nicholas G. Horton and Chris Xu

Organic Photonics: Ready for Prime Time

Organic photonics promises to bring both new optical materials and optical systems to the field.

by Robert A. Norwood

The U.S. National Academy of Sciences Marks 150 Years

Founded by a young nation in the midst of a civil war, a private institution with a public purpose celebrates its sesquicentennial.

by Patricia Daukantas

Departments and Columns

Scatterings

Headliners, policy news and industry updates.

Global Optics

Bolivia Jumps into the Light

Even with limited resources, Bolivia is making strides to advance its position in the world of optics and photonics.

Optics Innovations

OptiGrate Corp.: Converting University Science into Real-World Technology

OptiGrate began when a Russian scientist seized a ripe opportunity in the U.S. market. This University of Central Florida spinoff designs and manufactures volume Bragg gratings that boost laser performance and advance spectroscopy.

Light Touch

James Jeans’ Almost-Atomic Theory

If history had taken a slightly different turn, we might be talking about the Jeans model of the atom.

After Image

Voice for Change

Alan Willner is the University of Southern California’s Steven & Kathryn Sample Chaired Professor of Engineering and a noted expert in optical communications, signal processing, networks and fiber optics. But it is his role as a passionate advocate for photonics that has been drawing recent notice. Willner was critical in driving the formation of the U.S. National Photonics Initiative (NPI).

Career Focus

Independent Science: Beyond Academia and Industry

Many people rule out atypical career paths after they get a Ph.D. because they believe the risk is too great. But in today’s tough job market, there’s a space opening up that welcomes the unconventional.