Seeing What’s Up Down Below
Understanding and tracking climate change demands a more comprehensive visual picture of global seafloor—via cameras, lighting and other optics designed for the ocean’s inhospitable depths.
01 January 2026
Unlocking the Secrets of Replicated Mirrors
Replication offers a cost-effective method to produce complex optical geometries on diverse substrates complementing traditional “grind and shine” techniques.
01 January 2026
AI Opens Up Optical System Design
Artificial intelligence has the potential to improve the design of optical devices and systems, but these computational tools are still no match for human insight and ingenuity.
01 January 2026
Quantum Computing Inc. to Buy Luminar Subsidiary
QCi will acquire portfolio of core photonic technologies, patents and staff as Luminar files for bankruptcy.
17 December 2025
A Transforming Communications Industry
Tesat-Spacecom’s Siegbert Martin will speak at the upcoming OFC conference about the growth and future of optical networks in space.
16 December 2025
2025 Photo Contest Honorable Mention: Hands illuminated with a white LED lamp appear semi-transparent.
19 December 2025
January 2026 Issue
LATEST NEWS
Measuring Blood Glucose with Light, Not Needles
New device could replace finger prick testing for diabetes patients.
18 December 2025
Quantum Computing Inc. to Buy Luminar Subsidiary
QCi will acquire portfolio of core photonic technologies, patents and staff as Luminar files for bankruptcy.
17 December 2025
Conducting Polymer Electrodes Made with Visible Light
Photopatterned electrodes can be created directly on glass, textiles and even skin.
17 December 2025
A Transforming Communications Industry
Tesat-Spacecom’s Siegbert Martin will speak at the upcoming OFC conference about the growth and future of optical networks in space.
16 December 2025
Mini Microscope Shines a Light on Neuron Spikes
New device is small and light enough to be placed on a mouse’s head.
15 December 2025EDITOR'S PICKS
Silicon Photonics’ Fab Future
CMOS manufacturing has been harnessed for optical transceivers, and some companies are now looking to build photonic circuits for sensing, quantum science and more.
01 January 2025
How Investors Learned to Love Fusion Energy
Fusion energy development requires more than just technology—it needs private funding.
01 October 2024
Broadening Access to the Brightest Lights
OPN talks with Félicie Albert about LaserNetUS, a network that enables students and researchers to conduct experiments at high-intensity laser facilities.
01 February 2024
The internal surface of a ceramic bowl placed on blue paper and illuminated with sunlight forms a caustic—the curve where all light rays that have been reflected from a curved surface meet.
01 October 2024
Illuminated Hands
2025 Photo Contest Honorable Mention: Hands illuminated with a white LED lamp appear semi-transparent.
19 December 2025
Saying Goodbye is an Opportunity to Shine
Condering how making a good “last” impression can open future doors.
01 December 2025
2025 Photo Contest Winners
Congratulations to the winners of OPN’s 20th annual After Image photo contest!
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