Losing the Lens

Bolstered by machine learning and codesign techniques, mask-based lensless imaging offers a route to ultrathin multispectral cameras, novel microscope designs and more.

by Nick Antipa

Tunable Metasurfaces: Controlling Light in Space and Time

Active control of optical properties could take meta­surface applications to the next level.

by Soham Saha, Deesha Shah, Vladimir M. Shalaev and Alexandra Boltasseva

Toward Lighter, Thinner AR/VR Systems

Liquid-crystal polarization holograms promise to transform head-mounted displays.

by Lu Lu, Taha Masood and Barry Silverstein

Newsroom

Research and Industry News

Record laser intensity / Measuring viscosity / Holograms for automotive AR / Light’s shape influences vision / Chameleon hydrogels / First ELT laser / Silicon photonics market / Deep learning and microscopy / “Human-friendly” LEDs

Infographic

STEM Workforce Post COVID-19

A recent McKinsey Global Institute report explored COVID-19’s impact on the future of work in eight economies, looking at both trends in place before the pandemic and changes that it has accelerated. For STEM—unlike some sectors—the report found that the pandemic had boosted pre-COVID trends already favoring workforce expansion. But the study also concluded that the pandemic has increased the percent of workers in the broader economy likely to be displaced by automation.

Career Focus

The Benefits of Volunteering

Active committee work can open doors and create positive first impressions for early-career scientists.

Market Report

Imaging’s Multiple Market Paths

What’s driving business growth for consumer, military and medical imaging tech.

Then and Now

Freeform Optics

From wartime optics to vision correction, early freeform surfaces left rotational symmetry behind in pursuit of additional degrees of freedom.

President's Message

The Value of Volunteering

Looking Back

30, 20, and 10 Years Ago in OPN

Ocean optics; lighting technology; optogenetics.

OSA Update

News from the Society

2021 OSA Ambassadors / Co-publication of Discovering Light / Congratulations, José Capmany and Sir David Payne / 2021 CLEO recap / OSA Fellow stories / Remembering Martin Shenker / Videos from OIDA Technology Showcase / Thanks, editors and volunteers

OSA Elections

OSA Election for 2022 Offices

After Image

Diffracted Laser Speckle