Optics and Photonics News

Bridging the Digital Divide

Small language models offer a pathway for physics and photonics education in low-resource regions.

by Hanieh Fattahi and Asghar Ghorbani

Tackling Solar Power’s Waste Problem

Researchers are devising new ways to recycle the valuable materials inside photovoltaic panels.

by Edwin Cartlidge

Optica Ambassadors: Cultivating the Future of Optics

This year marks the tenth class of Optica Ambassadors—emerging leaders dedicated to advancing the global optics and photonics community.

by Hannah Lanford

Newsroom

Research and Industry News

Optical clock network / Underwater coral imaging / Restoring sight in mice / Tiny, highly tunable hybrid laser / Enhanced view of the sun / Industry news

Infographic

LLMs' Writing Style

A study found that after large language models (LLMs) became widely available in 2022, there was a significant increase in usage of LLM-preferred style words in PubMed abstracts.

Career Focus

Taking the "Right Data"

Data are the critical evidence of your ideas and are often extremely difficult to take later—so don’t wait.

Light Touch

H.G. Wells’ Fascination with Light

The science-fiction and fantasy author’s expertise in microscopy and understanding of optics permeated much of his work.

Then and Now

Optical Image Processing

Researchers pushed the limits of image and pattern recognition, leading to ever more sophisticated computer vision.

President's Message

Intelligence of All Kinds

We need to cultivate trust and emphasize the impact that optics and photonics can have in addressing global challenges.

Looking Back

30, 20, and 10 Years Ago in OPN

Displays based on organic thin films; an overview of biophotonics; optics in molecular imaging

Optica in Focus

News from the Society

Chang Travel Grant / Leibinger Awards / Optica AI / Agriphotonics Summit / Women in science meeting / Women Scholars Conference / Laser World of Photonics / Hopkins Award / Thank you, editors and Congress chairs

Optica Financials

Optica Financial Report

Summary of Optica’s 2024 financial statements.

After Image

IR Filter on Artificial Tears

An IR filter, placed in the center of a micrograph of artificial tear crystals with the field diaphragm fully open, reveals multiple wavelengths—from infrared in the center to violet on the outer circumference.