Optics and Photonics News

When Microring Resonators Behave Like Neurons

Emergent photonic dynamics could help move AI hardware beyond the energy limits of conventional digital computing.

by Lorenzo Pavesi

The Invisible Half of Light

Engineered nano-assemblies are opening a new route to biosensing by tapping the long-overlooked magnetic component of light.

by Seemesh Bhaskar and Brian T. Cunningham

Computational Optical Sensing and Imaging at 25

Considering the past and future of computational imaging through the lens of the topical meeting.

by Joseph N. Mait

Newsroom

Research and Industry News

Improved solar-powered desalination / Ultrafast chip brings energy / Electrically tuning second-harmonic generation / Artificial eye sees in shade / Transplanting photosynthetic machinery into the eye / Lenses in sea star skeletons / Industry news / Career corner

Profile

Shining Light on Silk

Fiorenzo Omenetto runs Silklab, where a material with seemingly endless applications is being stretched to its limits.

Career Focus

Using AI Intelligently

Considering key questions to ask yourself when using AI at work.

Light Touch

From Newton to Eddington

A 1919 expedition leveraged an eclipse to validate Einstein’s theory of general relativity, but that wasn’t the end of the controversy.

President's Message

Optics and Artificial Intelligence

Optics is an enabler for AI in numerous areas, including much of the physical infrastructure needed to support the AI economy.

Looking Back

30, 20, and 10 Years Ago in OPN

Environmental monitoring of gases; an information superhighway; advanced OCT

Optica in Focus

News from the Society

In memoriam: William T. Rhodes, Johannes Schwider, Y.K. Chen / Eberly memorial session / Murnane named Honorary Member / Kafka visits Cal Poly / Bennett at CIFI-SEMA / Edmund Optics wins award / Optica Editor-in-Chief / Nie wins Thompson Award / Technical Group prizes / Thank you, editors

Optica Financials

Optica Financial Report

Summary of Optica’s 2025 financial statements.

After Image

Tiny Ball Bearings

Tiny ball bearings surround a larger central bearing during a fluid particles experiment, conducted inside the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) aboard the International Space Station’s Destiny laboratory module on 20 October 2025.