April 2022 Issue
Feature Articles
OPN highlights three biophotonics companies that are bringing lab-developed technology to the medical suite—and beyond.
by Karen Kwon
Building continental-scale quantum communications links is an arduous task, but scientists believe they have the technology in hand.
by Edwin Cartlidge
The Webb Space Telescope’s Mid-Infrared Instrument—the coolest optical gadget in space—is getting ready for its close-up.
by Stewart WillsDepartments and Columns
A step toward laser fusion / Mapping methane / Imaging vision’s chemistry / COVID-19 breathalyzer / Optical trapping near absolute zero / Toward zero-carbon cities / Singapore quantum network / Gender bias in labs / Photon recycling
Copenhagen, Denmark, has concrete plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2025—setting an example for cities worldwide.
Checking In with the GEMM Initiative
OPN talks with three scientists involved in an Optica-led effort that puts optical sensors to work in the battle against both local pollution and global climate change.
Interviewing and Working in a (Post-)Pandemic World
In an age of rapid change, effective engagement with others—whether in person or remotely—requires being mindful of the fundamentals.
Healthy Companies, Scarce Workers
Optics and photonics companies are reporting strong profit margins—but worker shortages may hold back growth.
Also in this Issue
Optical and photonic technology draws from many different disciplines—and finds applications across society.
30, 20, and 10 Years Ago in OPN
Virtual reality; optical coherence tomography; Max Planck.
Wyant named 2022 Ives Medal winner / Optica Fellow stories / NAE inductees / Engineers Week / Wolf Prize winners / Aspect is 2022 Honorary Member / Year of Glass / Advancing women and girls in science Remembering Greivenkamp / Thank you, editors and volunteers
Thank You, Optica Foundation Donors!
The Optica Foundation recognizes and fosters excellence in the next generation of the field.
A germanate glass sample doped with europium. When illuminated with invisible UV light, the europium atoms absorb this radiation and emit red light—making the invisible visible.
![Manual probe system with needles for test of semiconductor on silicon wafer. [A. Morozov / Getty]](https://opnmedia.blob.core.windows.net/$web/opn/media/images/articles/2025/1125/departments/202511-cover-web.jpg?ext=.jpg)
![Researcher Clara Saraceno in the lab. [Image by Carsten Behler Photography]](https://opnmedia.blob.core.windows.net/$web/opn/media/images/articles/2025/1025/departments/202510-cover-web.jpg?ext=.jpg)
