Powered by Light, Micromotors Can Fly
Micrometer-size devices glide through the air using convection currents.
20 November 2025
The Travels of a Quantum Light Source
QuanTour, an IYQ celebration, connected labs around Europe in the name of scientific research and educational outreach.
01 December 2025
Lasers Charge and Trap Micrometer-Sized Particles
New work could help explore ice crystals' role in lightning formation.
26 November 2025
Molecules Switch On Insulating Light Emitters
Activating the luminescence from insulating nanoparticles creates a new class of ultrapure LEDs.
01 December 2025
NCodiN Closes €16 Million Seed Round
Deep-tech startup plans to further develop its optical interposer technology, with the goal of enabling more efficient AI.
21 November 2025
2025 Photo Contest Winner: Through creative use of artificial light, water-filled glasses transform into an artistic interplay of light, color and geometry.
28 November 2025
December 2025 Issue
LATEST NEWS
Better Performance for Stretchable OLEDs
New materials allow all three layers of the light-emitting device to stretch while maintaining electron mobility.
04 December 2025
Researchers show that lead-free double perovskites represent an attractive system for implementing hypersonic devices.
03 December 2025
Molecules Switch On Insulating Light Emitters
Activating the luminescence from insulating nanoparticles creates a new class of ultrapure LEDs.
01 December 2025
TRUMPF-led Consortium Explores Quantum Algorithms for Industrial Laser Development
German high-tech company launches project to evaluate how quantum processors might reshape simulation workflows for next-generation lasers.
28 November 2025
Lasers Charge and Trap Micrometer-Sized Particles
New work could help explore ice crystals' role in lightning formation.
26 November 2025EDITOR'S PICKS
The Growth of Agriphotonics
Leveraging photonics technology for agricultural applications provides promising solutions for challenges to global food production.
01 June 2025
Here we look at the setup for the world’s six most powerful X-ray free-electron laser facilities.
01 May 2024
Growing an Optics and Photonics Economy
Optica’s Tom Hausken writes about what makes a successful economic center.
01 April 2023
An IR filter, placed in the center of a micrograph of artificial tear crystals with the diaphragm open, reveals multiple wavelengths.
01 September 2025
Artistic Glassware
2025 Photo Contest Winner: Through creative use of artificial light, water-filled glasses transform into an artistic interplay of light, color and geometry.
28 November 2025
Optics in 2026 & Beyond
Each December, OPN looks at interesting research results of the past year. But what about the year ahead? We asked several “Optics in 2025” contributors for their thoughts.
01 December 2025
The Travels of a Quantum Light Source
QuanTour, an IYQ celebration, connected labs around Europe in the name of scientific research and educational outreach.
01 December 2025CAREERS
Building the Optics-Professional Pipeline
Kipkemoi Elvis Samuel discusses his work in removing obstacles for students to get an optics education in Kenya.
28 October 2025
My Congressional Fellowship: A Career Door-Opener
Eager to work toward solving big societal problems like climate change, Claire Cody left the lab for the world of scientific policy.
21 October 2025
Journeys in Optics: Falko Schmidt
Falko Schmidt discusses his career trajectory, cofounding a startup and sustainability in the lab.
16 September 2025
Journeys in Optics: Winnie N. Ye
Winnie Ye talks about overcoming challenges she faced during her career and the importance of diversity, collaboration and mentorship in research.
26 August 2025
AI-Generated Podcasts for Science Communication
Researchers found that artificial intelligence could help disseminate scientific studies in a clear, easy-to-understand format.
30 June 2025