Surfing the Wakefield

Scientists have shown that lasers can accelerate electrons to immense energies within a few centimeters of plasma. Their aim now is to build a useful machine.

by Edwin Cartlidge

Did Leonardo da Vinci Invent the Telescope?

An analysis of one of the Italian master’s early-16^th-century notebooks suggests that his experiments may have extended to combining lenses to achieve a better view of the moon.

by Alessandro Bettini

Meet Optica’s 2022 Fellows

Congratulations to the 106 members of the 2022 class of Optica Fellow Members.

by Meredith Smith, Kari Apter and Samantha Hornback

Newsroom

Research and Industry News

Detecting quantum sound / Mouse brain microscope / Rapid freeform fabrication / 3D imaging through hair-thin fiber / Light-powered robots / Studying bats in the wild / Lightelligence chip / Rockley sensor / Eco-friendly glitter

Reflections in Diversity

Toward a Truly Inclusive Classroom

OPN talks to a physics professor whose research focuses on reimagining education to better include students with disabilities.

Optics Innovations

PSI’s Journey: From Research to Production

The founder and president of Phase Sensitive Innovations, a university-incubated startup, offers a personal recollection of how the company pivoted its business to succeed.

President's Message

Globalization and Decentralization

Companies that have successfully globalized are rooted in different parts of the world.

Looking Back

30, 20, and 10 Years Ago in OPN

Hubble woes; optics and bioterrorism; fiber optics’ endless development.

Optica in Focus

News from the Society

Ethics in publishing / New editors-in-chief / Engineering prize for Jarrahi / John Tyndall award / DiversiWiki edit-a-thon / Women in industry / Optica Fellow stories / Industry predictions for 2022 / Executive Forum / Thank you, editors and volunteers

After Image

Volcano Track, Imaged from Space

A volcano track or plume rises over Mount Michael, an active stratovolcano on Saunders Island, about 1600 km from Antarctica.