Taking Advantage of Structured Coherence
Recent breakthroughs suggest that partially coherent light may outperform coherent light in some applications of optical communications and information processing.
01 July 2026
This installment of OPN’s biennial feature examines how artists in the late 19th and 20th centuries found new ways of looking at light, matter and color.
01 July 2026
US Commerce Department Announces US$2 Billion in CHIPS Quantum Awards
The federal incentives go to nine quantum technology companies working toward utility-scale quantum computing.
15 June 2026
Ultrafast Chip Brings the Energy
Integrated laser delivers ultrashort pulses with intensities rivaling those from tabletop solutions.
11 June 2026
A Little Physics Improves AI Optical Design
New method reduces the time that neural networks need to design photonic components.
15 June 2026
Colorful chemoluminescent light sticks illuminate bikes during a bike visibility social ride in Ottawa, Canada.
19 June 2026
July/August 2026 Issue
LATEST NEWS
Metasurface Enables Advance in Solar Telescope
The study represents one of the first demonstrations of such a device used in a practical scientific application.
17 June 2026
US Commerce Department Announces US$2 Billion in CHIPS Quantum Awards
The federal incentives go to nine quantum technology companies working toward utility-scale quantum computing.
15 June 2026
A Little Physics Improves AI Optical Design
New method reduces the time that neural networks need to design photonic components.
15 June 2026
Ultrafast Chip Brings the Energy
Integrated laser delivers ultrashort pulses with intensities rivaling those from tabletop solutions.
11 June 2026
A photocatalyst can break down the paper by-product to make vanillan and an alternative to plastic.
10 June 2026EDITOR'S PICKS
FELs and the Future of Lithography
Ultrabright, efficient free-electron lasers promise the power to increase throughput and extend lithography toward sub-nanometer scales.
01 November 2025
Tailorable Materials for Dynamic Photonics
Alexandra Boltasseva spoke with OPN about how advances in materials science could enable new optical technologies.
01 November 2025
Exploring the novelty glasses’ diffraction-grating-based optical illusion.
01 February 2021
A closeup view of the grating-like structure of a bluebottle fly’s eye. The intricate structure enhances the eye’s optical performance.
01 November 2025
Staying Visible
Colorful chemoluminescent light sticks illuminate bikes during a bike visibility social ride in Ottawa, Canada.
19 June 2026
Building the First Useful Quantum Networks
In the wake of shortages caused by the pandemic, a new round of supply-chain disruptions has emerged due to AI and geopolitics.
01 July 2026
Adolf W. Lohmann: A Pioneer of Fourier Optics
A celebration of the life and optics achievements of Adolf W. Lohmann in honor of what would have been his 100th birthday.
01 July 2026CAREERS
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.
15 May 2026
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.
28 April 2026
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
Give us your best shot!
OPN invites you to participate in our 21st annual photo contest: optica-opn.org/photo-contest
