April 2012 Issue
Feature Articles
The Emerging Field of Correlation Optics
Correlation optics provides tools—both conceptual and experimental—for measuring various parameters of an optical field in partial coherence and polarization. This area of study could enable unique applications for industrial quality control, solid-state physics, medical diagnostics and ecological monitoring.
by Oleg V. Angelsky, Peter V. Polyanskii and Christina V. FeldeMax Planck: Founder of Quantum Theory
Max Planck’s scientific career spanned some of the most turbulent times in German history—the Wilhelmian Empire, the Weimar Republic and the Third Reich. Through it all, he advanced and protected physics, with his own research evolving from theoretical physics that was firmly grounded in thermodynamics to his blackbody distribution law, which forced him to invoke non-classical ideas.
by Barry R. MastersMultispectral Imaging Moves into the Mainstream
Advances in sensors, filters and apertures are driving the evolution of multispectral imaging from expensive one-off systems for military and defense applications to affordable, practical, commercial systems for use in everything from medical imaging to satellite remote sensing.
by Valerie C. CoffeyDepartments and Columns
Ira Sprague Bowen: Frederic Ives Medalist, 1952
Ira Bowen is remembered for his contributions to the fields of physics and astronomy. His research in ultraviolet spectroscopy provided a base for electron spin theory and solved the nebulium enigma. His mastery of applied optics gave us telescope designs that are still used to explore the universe.
The Meaning and Measure of Lateral Resolution for Surface Profiling Interferometers
Optical interferometers for surface characterization provide detailed information about surface topography, and they carry specifications related to the ultimate resolving power for 3-D imaging. It is worthwhile for engineers to understand the meaning of these specifications and the methods for validating them.
Metamaterial Superlenses for the Visible and UV
A new design for metamaterial lenses allows the operating frequency to be scaled almost to the ultraviolet.
Finer Control from an X-ray Laser
A new laser emits coherent pulses at the short X-ray wavelength of 1.46 nm—in energy terms, that’s in the kiloelectronvolt regime.
Taking Pulse Trains to Attosecond Precision
Femtosecond laser frequency combs have enabled many advances in metrology, from optical atomic clocks to the search for extrasolar planets.
Fiber-Based Ellipsometry for Studying Thin Films
A group of researchers demonstrated that accurate polarization-based measurements can be achieved when the probe beam passes through an optical fiber of varying birefringence
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Also in this Issue
Book Reviews
In Memory
Letters
OSA Today
President's Message
Thank You OSA Foundation Donors
The OSA Foundation (OSAF) expresses much appreciation to its 2011 donors.
