Optics and Photonics News

The Enduring Impact of Excimer Lasers

Fifty years after their debut, excimer lasers remain vital tools in vision correction, semiconductor lithography and display manufacturing, with fusion research on the horizon.

by Jeff Hecht

TFLN: Reliable Performance at Scale

Thin-film lithium niobate has moved from laboratory novelty to qualified, high-volume manufacturing. Is it becoming the modulation engine of the next era of optical interconnects?

by Christian Reimer and Mian Zhang

25 Years of Dark Skies

As Flagstaff marks 25 years as the world’s first International Dark Sky City, scientists, lighting designers and dark-sky advocates are showing how better optics can help reverse the spread of artificial light at night.

by Christina Folz

Newsroom

Research and Industry News

Photonic crystal in time / High-res low-dose X-rays / Lidar scans trees / Inverse-designed photonics / Light-activated drugs restore sight / Protecting the night / Industry news / Career corner

Infographic

Protecting the Night

Artificial light at night can have a negative effect on both plants and animals. Here we look at some of the disruptions to nighttime behaviors. 

Conversations

Frequency Combs for Integrated Photonics

FiO plenary speaker Alexander Gaeta spoke with OPN about implementing this technology for commercial applications.

Career Focus

On Becoming A Researcher

Technical knowledge is only part of what you learn in graduate school—the real metamorphosis is in your autonomy.

Market Report

Zooming in on the Laser Market

Quantifying the overall market is helpful, but the details are more interesting.

President's Message

Following the Science

Discovery often begins with curiosity—asking why something happens or what may be possible.

Looking Back

30, 20, and 10 Years Ago in OPN

Photography in the 21^st century; augmented virtual environments; quantum computing

Optica in Focus

News from the Society

Optica i4 Prize / University of Rochester LLE celebrates milestones / CLEO Pacific Rim / Optica Publishing Group Best Paper Prizes / Thank you, editors / Thank you, FiO+LS volunteers

Optica Foundation

Celebrating Meaningful Impact

Together as a community, we are cultivating the next generation and building a bright future for the field of optics and photonics.

After Image

Abstract Crystal Landscape

Crystal structures formed from a mixture of beta-alanine and Coca Cola create a colorful, abstract landscape when viewed under a microscope using polarized light.