December 2007 Issue
Feature Articles
Optics in 2007: Introduction
This special issue of Optics & Photonics News (OPN) highlights the most exciting research to emerge in the preceding 12 months in the fast-paced world of optics. “Optics in 2007” offers readers a unique opportunity to access, in a single source, summaries of cutting-edge optics research reported in the peer-reviewed press. The areas covered in 2007 include biophotonics, communications, holography, lasers, micro-optics, microscopy, nonlinear optics, photonic structures, plasmonics, quantum optics, slow light, solitons and ultrafast optics.
by Robert D. GuentherBiophotonics
Optics has provided key tools for advancing both modern and traditional biology.
by Grigoriy Emiliyanov, Jesper B. Jensen, Ole Bang, Poul E. Hoiby, Lars H. Pedersen, Erik Michael Kjær and Lars LindvoldCommunications
Although there has been a decrease in telecom research since 2000, significant optical engineering advances continue to provide important contributions to wide-bandwidth communications.
by Casimer DeCusatis and Lawrence JacobowitzHolography
Through a careful analysis of numerically reconstructed holographic images, it is possible to obtain 3D information from a single high-aperture EUV Gabor hologram.
by P.W. Wachulak, M.C. Marconi, R.A Bartels, C.S. Menoni and J.J. RoccaLasers
Researchers have demonstrated the optical cooling of a laser.
by Alex Hayat, Pavel Ginzburg and Meir OrensteinMicro-Optics
What unique performance can be provided by micro-optical systems? Is there a limit to the reduction we can make in optical systems? Researchers have taken steps to address these questions.
by Andrea M. Armani, Richard C. Flagan and Scott E. FraserMicroscopy
Investigators have found new ways to provide the biological community with more powerful tools.
by Chandra S Yelleswarapu and D.V.G.L.N. RaoNonlinear Optics
Phase matching is a necessity, but what happens in the extreme? Can we use the nonlinear processes to create the necessary phase matching?
by Robert Fischer, Dragomir Neshev, Andrey Sukhorukov, Solomon Saltiel, Wieslaw Krolikowski and Yuri KivsharPhotonic Structures
The field of photonic structures now includes not only the identification of naturally occurring structures and the production of conventional optical operations, but the observation of disordered optical structures.
by Sharon A. Jewell, P. Vukusic and N. RobertsPlasmonics
Surface plasmons are finding interesting applications in nano-optics, where the attenuation does not dominate.
by C.H. Gan, G. Gbur and T.D. VisserQuantum Optics
Interestingly, quantum optics is being used to solve problems in classical optics.
by S. Chávez-Cerda, Héctor M. Moya Cessa and Jesús R. Moya CessaSlow Light
We are finally observing slow light without having to make heroic efforts.
by Joe Mok, Martijn de Sterke, Ian Littler and Benjamin J. EggletonSolitons
We can now create structures to form solitons.
by Andrey A. Sukhorukov, Dragomir N. Neshev, Alexander Dreischuh, Robert Fischer, Sangwoo Ha, Jeremy Bolger, Lam Bui, Wieslaw Krolikowski, Benjamin J. Eggleton, Arnan Mitchell, Michael W. Austin and Yuri S. KivsharUltrafast Optics
Short optical pulses provide useful material processing capability.
by A.Y. Vorobyev and C. GuoVision
A new intraocular lens has been developed to correct coma. Another finding about metamerism shows that the eye-brain connection stills surprises.
by David H. Foster, Kinjiro Amano, Sérgio M.C. Nascimento and Michael J. FosterDepartments and Columns
Education: Educating Science Educators about Optics
At the 2007 OSA Science Educators’ Day, pre-college teachers learned how to enliven their science classes with demonstrations on fluorescence, lasers, microscopes, basic quantum mechanics and more.
OPN Talks with Robert M. Metcalfe
Our conversation with Robert M. Metcalfe, Ethernet inventor and OFC/NFOEC plenary speaker.
Carolina Consortium Promotes Photonics Technologies
There is a classic gap between research and the realization of commercial opportunity—often called the “valley of death.” A new consortium of universities in the Carolinas intends to bridge that chasm through a collaborative effort aimed at commercializing photonics technologies.
Understanding Patent Reform
The U.S. patent system is desperately in need of an overhaul—and Congress may soon be ready to pass reform legislation.
Surface-Vein Scans Track Cancer Spread
A team from Purdue University and the Mayo Clinic is developing technology to scan cancer patients for tumor cells circulating in their bloodstream.
Did You Know?
California prison operates optical lab.
Laser Pioneer’s Solution to Interstellar Puzzler
Surface-vein scans track cancer spread; laser pioneer’s solution to interstellar puzzle; California prison operates optical lab.
