BOOK REVIEW
Structured Surfaces as Optical Metamaterials
By Alexei A. Maradudin, ed. | Review by K. Alan Shore | POSTED JANUARY 26, 2012
Optical metamaterials have recently emerged as a topic of considerable research excitement with ideas such as invisibility cloaks gripping both the scientific and public imagination. more>>
SCATTERINGS
Taking Pulse Trains to the Attosecond Level of Precision
By Patricia Daukantas | POSTED JANUARY 26, 2012
Femtosecond laser frequency combs have enabled many advances in metrology, from optical atomic clocks to the search for extrasolar planets. Researchers at MIT have figured out that these optical pulse trains are precise to the attosecond level. more>>
SCATTERINGS
Fiber-based Ellipsometry for Studying Thin Films
By Patricia Daukantas | POSTED JANUARY 19, 2012
Traditional ellipsometry requires precise knowledge of the polarization of the light beam that probes a sample. Researchers demonstrate polarization-based measurements when the probe beam goes through an optical fiber of varying birefringence. more>>
SCATTERINGS
Metamaterial Superlenses for the Visible and UV
By Yvonne Carts-Powell | POSTED JANUARY 12, 2012
A new design for metamaterial lenses allows the operating frequency to be scaled to almost ultraviolet frequencies, according to work by Muhammad I. Aslam and Durdu Guney at Michigan Technological University. more>>
SCATTERINGS
Astronomers Eye Sungrazing Comet
By Yvonne Carts-Powell | POSTED JANUARY 05, 2012
Comet Lovejoy was discovered on 27 November by the Australian amateur astronomer Terry Lovejoy. It was expected to break up when it passed within 140,000 km from the sun's surface. But the comet survived its close call on 15 December. more>>
VIEWPOINT
Why Peer Review Matters
The peer review of manuscripts submitted to OSA journals is a hugely important component of the scholarly communication process. In order for OSA publications to remain sustainable, everyone who submits a manuscript should complete at least two reviews. Are you doing your part? more>>
Michael D. Duncan
LIGHT TOUCH
The Magic Lantern of Omar Khayyám
Optical projection techniques are mentioned in several translations of a quatrain from the poem “The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám.” What is the true meaning of Khayyám’s metaphor of reality as a shadow show? more>>
Stephen R. Wilk
THE HISTORY OF OSA
Presidential Profile: Arthur Francis Turner
Arthur Francis Turner was OSA’s 1968 President and a pioneer in the field of optical interference coatings. He earned many accolades for his work, including a Scientific and Engineering Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. more>>
John N. Howard
President's Message
Letters
OSA Today
In Memory
Book Reviews
Product Profiles
Highlighted articles from OSA journals