Conversations
The Current Landscape of Free-Space Optical Networks
OPN talks with a U.S. Naval Research Laboratory senior research engineer about the potential applications for free-space optics technology, as well as the stumbling blocks that still remain.
Artist’s rendering of the Optical Payload for Lasercomm Science (OPALS) operating from the International Space Station. [NASA/JPL-Caltech]
OSA’s Advanced Photonics Congress takes place in Zurich, Switzerland, from 02-05 July. Comprising eight topical meetings, this congress addresses the various aspects of photonic device research and development, and explores their use in networks. One plenary session presented by Linda Thomas, Senior Research Engineer in the Electro-Optics Technology Section at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, will explore “Progress and Challenges in Free-Space Optical Networks.” Thomas granted OPN a sneak peek at her talk.
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