Combs of Light on a Chip

Frequency combs may soon leave the metrology lab and enter the mainstream.

by Edwin Cartlidge

Photonic Nanojets

Microspheres, microcylinders and more complex dielectric structures can create nanoscale concentrations of directed energy. Thanks to advances in fabrication techniques, these optical jets could soon find their way into applications.

by Alexander J. Littlefield, Jinlong Zhu, Jonah F. Messinger and Lynford L. Goddard

Polaroid’s Experiment in South Africa

Fifty years ago this month, the high-profile U.S. photography and optics firm attempted to take action against apartheid. The project’s mixed results—and some details behind the story—remain relevant a half-century later.

by Joseph N. Mait

Newsroom

Research and Industry News

Thin-film PV boost / LSCs for smart clothing / Spider web photodetector array / Photonic wavefront sensors / Biophysics of snake vision / OLEDs for AR/VR displays / M Squared and Jenoptik news

Profile

Infectious Diseases in the Crosshairs

A new translational-research center being built in Jena, Germany, aims to speed the path from lab to clinic for promising biophotonic technologies.

OIDA Market Report

What Will Year Two of the Pandemic Bring?

With the initial industry supply shock in the rearview mirror, here is a look ahead at the optics and photonics market in 2021.

Infographic

Global Trust in Science

A recent international Pew Research survey found that a majority of respondents had “some” to “a lot of” trust in scientists and a mostly positive view of the impact of scientific developments.

Then and Now

The First Diffraction Gratings

President's Message

Reasons for Optimism

Looking Back

30, 20, and 10 Years Ago in OPN

Er-doped fiber amplifiers; color vision; photovoltaic technology.

OSA Update

News from the Society

Thanks, Sandy Sawchuk / Walther Award for Schleich / Chang-Hasnain at OPJ / OSA Fellow stories / OIDA showcase / High-brightness Congress / Rogan at women-in-photonics workshop / Research prize for Eggleton and team / Political changes / Thank you, editors and volunteers

After Image

2D Regular Optical Pattern