Optics and Photonics News

Activating Medicine with Light

Researchers discover that light can activate effective therapies for treating skin diseases, setting the stage for the development of photodynamic therapy.

Salience Labs Raises US$125 Million to Go All-Optical

Series B funding will enable the company to accelerate deployment of its optical circuit technology.

Photonic Chip Combines Light from Multiple Telescopes

Proof-of-concept instrument tested on CHARA Array demonstrated precision required for advanced astronomical research. 

Light Addresses Single Molecular Qubits

System exploiting organic carbene molecules might be exploited in quantum networks.

Symmetric Sundogs

Symmetrical pair of parhelia (sundogs). The optical effect arises from refraction and dispersion of sunlight through preferentially oriented hexagonal ice crystals in the atmosphere.

Photonic Chip Combines Light from Multiple Telescopes

Proof-of-concept instrument tested on CHARA Array demonstrated precision required for advanced astronomical research. 

Light Addresses Single Molecular Qubits

System exploiting organic carbene molecules might be exploited in quantum networks.

Salience Labs Raises US$125 Million to Go All-Optical

Series B funding will enable the company to accelerate deployment of its optical circuit technology.

Magnetic Sensor Breaks Performance Barrier

Quantum device exploits a modified laser cavity to deliver high sensitivity over a wide operating range.

Circular Dichroism Yields Value for Berry Curvature

Simple all-optical scheme featuring a slither of semiconductor could boost the development of “valleytronic” devices.

Journeys in Optics: Thomas Luhmann

Thomas Luhmann discusses collaborating on an award-winning textbook, his career in photogrammetry and founding an institute at his university.

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.