Optics and Photonics News

Shining Light on Silk

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

The Invisible Half of Light

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

An Optical-Fiber Probe for Glacial Crevasses

Researchers used distributed acoustic sensing to detect seismic activity in glaciers.

Staying Cooler with Purple Fabric

Fibers incorporate a purple metal-organic framework to achieve both a high mid-infrared emissivity and solar reflectance.

Painting the Rainbow

Bright structural colors emerge from nanoscale metal-dielectric-metal (MDM) Fabry-Pérot cavities fabricated by sputtering.

Staying Cooler with Purple Fabric

Fibers incorporate a purple metal-organic framework to achieve both a high mid-infrared emissivity and solar reflectance.

An Optical-Fiber Probe for Glacial Crevasses

Researchers used distributed acoustic sensing to detect seismic activity in glaciers.

Lumilens Leaves Stealth Mode

The company received over US$700 million in funding and is beginning to ship its first products.

Germany Launches Fusion Hubs Linking Research and Industry

The German government will invest €125 million in three national hubs spanning laser fusion, magnetic fusion, materials and fuel-cycle technologies.

3D Imaging Tracks Seizures in Real Time

Imaging system exploits adaptive optics to capture high-resolution video of fast-moving electrical activity in the brain.

Do Biographies of Scientists Inspire Children?

Children’s books about the careers of famous scientists may contain inadvertently discouraging messaging.

A Mental Health Crisis in Academia?

New meta-analysis suggests that one in three early-career researchers experience elevated psychological distress.

Journeys in Optics: Andrea Pacheco

Andrea Pacheco talks about why she became a physicist, the importance of collaboration, and balancing her academic career with family life.

Journeys in Optics: Václav Hanus

Václav Hanus discusses the twists and turns in the path he took to a career in ultrafast lasers—and his work on science-themed music.

Parenthood and the Academic Career Ladder

A new study takes a closer look at the differing effects of the “parenthood penalty” on mothers and fathers in academia.