Functional Fibers Redefine Wearables

Fiber-based technology is paving the way for next-generation clothing and devices.

by Zhixun Wang and Lei Wei

Coherent Optics Grows Older and Goes Shorter

Coherent optical communications, which support and enable the global internet infrastructure, are moving into hyperscale data centers.

by Brandon Buscaino

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

Recent innovations in hollow-core fiber are enabling this emerging technology to challenge the dominance of traditional glass fiber.

by Susan Curtis

Newsroom

Research and Industry News

Black-body radiation with a twist / Remote monitoring of plastic debris / Control with XUV / All-light communication / Photosynthesis in shade / Industry news

Infographic

Scientific Collaboration

An overview of international coauthorship of science and engineering publications.

Optics Innovations

PlanOpSim: Meta-Optics Comes of Age

As metasurface technologies have advanced, so has this Belgian startup specializing in metasurface simulation software and design.

Quantum Series

Sparking a Quantum Dialogue

Ana María Cetto discusses the economic and educational importance of demystifying quantum science.

Conversations

Optical Communications Readies for Launch

MIT Lincoln Laboratory’s Bryan S. Robinson will speak at the upcoming OFC conference about challenges and next steps for free-space optical communications.

President's Message

Building Stronger Connections

Let me encourage you to attend a meeting in person this year. Take the time to renew an old connection and make a new one as well.

Looking Back

30, 20 and 10 Years Ago in OPN

Laser fusion; optical data storage; reconfigurable optics. 

Optica in Focus

News from the Society

National Medal of Tech and Innovation / New editors-in-chief / Global Advanced Manufacturing Alliance / Online industry meeting: Quantum comms / Optica Ambassadors / Wyant College Winter School / Deutsch Fellow / Shaw is Alum of the Year / Student researchers in India / Thank you, editors and representatives

After Image

Butterfly Wings

In a dark room with no external source of light, a beam of light through a pinhole creates the illusion of a butterfly. Using multicolored LEDs results in a beautiful shape.