November 2006 Issue
Feature Articles
Paint-On Optoelectronics
Over the past few decades, researchers, and now companies, have begun spin-coating optoelectronic materials as a lower-cost alternative to epitaxially grown devices. Now, a group of researchers at the University of Toronto have demonstrated that one such “wet” semiconductor device with a painted-on liquid nanolayer can outperform standard chips.
by Sjoerd Hoogland, Gerasimos Konstantatos and Edward H. SargentMicro-Optics and Megapixels
For some spectrometers and imagers, smaller is actually better. New sampling and measurement methods are shrinking the size and boosting the performance of optical devices for many applications.
by David J. BradyTabletop Lasers in the Extreme Ultraviolet
Over the past half-century, the use of coherent light has played an indispensable role in applications in telecommunications, optical data storage and other areas. In today’s world, the development of tools and techniques that use coherent light at ever-shorter wavelengths—in the extreme ultraviolet and soft X-ray regions of the spectrum—is assuming increasing importance.
by Jorge J. Rocca, Henry C. Kapteyn, David T. Attwood, Margaret M. Murnane, Carmen S. Menoni and Erik H. AndersonThe Optical Vortex Lens
Researchers have long known about optical vortices—or so-called “twisted light”—but only recently have they begun to apply them to practical systems. For example, a helical-shaped phase mask could be used as a type of “vortex lens” that may lead to improvements in astronomical observation, the manipulation of micro-particles, optical pattern recognition and other areas.
by Grover A. Swartzlander, Jr.Departments and Columns
Chromatic Dispersion
Because liquids tend to have dispersion values that are one or two orders of magnitude greater than solids, you can “tune” the filter by heating or cooling it, changing the color of the passband.
Telecom in Tel Aviv
An Israeli company has built a solid foundation in a field where many of their previous competitors no longer exist.
OSA's Early Members
A look at the careers of some pioneering charter members.
