Solar-Powered Desalination Without the Drawbacks
New technique separates salt and other valuable minerals from ocean water.
03 June 2026
Our field continues to enable discoveries and technologies that once seemed out of reach.
01 June 2026
Corning and Amazon Strike Multibillion-Dollar Deal
The supply agreement for optical fiber for data centers will add 1,000 jobs at Corning manufacturing facilities.
09 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 2026
Macro photography reveals complex textures and patterns within the iris, which can look similar to a “galaxy” or an alien landscape.
12 June 2026
June 2026 Issue
LATEST NEWS
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 2026
Corning and Amazon Strike Multibillion-Dollar Deal
The supply agreement for optical fiber for data centers will add 1,000 jobs at Corning manufacturing facilities.
09 June 2026
Electrically Tuning Second-Harmonic Generation
Microscopic nonlinear light source is tens of times smaller than most preexisting devices.
04 June 2026
Solar-Powered Desalination Without the Drawbacks
New technique separates salt and other valuable minerals from ocean water.
03 June 2026EDITOR'S PICKS
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
60 Years of Fiber Transmission
A look at fiber optic transmission milestones over the past 60 years.
01 March 2026
A researcher and company founder discusses how his interest in optofluidics led him to both academia and entrepreneurship.
01 February 2026
A closeup view of the grating-like structure of a bluebottle fly’s eye. The intricate structure enhances the eye’s optical performance.
01 April 2026
Shiny, Tiny Eyes
Macro photography reveals complex textures and patterns within the iris, which can look similar to a “galaxy” or an alien landscape.
12 June 2026
Building the First Useful Quantum Networks
Ronald Hanson spoke with OPN about the technical hurdles, photonic advances and opportunities shaping the future of quantum networking.
01 June 2026
Earning Trust as Part of a Team
Alan Eli Willner explains how leaving behind your personal agenda can benefit both you and your organization.
01 June 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
