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Interferometry for Accurate Displacement Metrology

John Lawall

The most accurate measurements of displacements are made with optical interferometry. The author discusses a quadruple heterodyne Michelson interferometer for active position control and the use of Fabry-Pérot interferometry for displacements of up to 50 mm. more>>

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Low-Dimensional Optical Waves And Nano-Optical Circuits

David D. Nolte and Fred E. Regnier David D. Nolte and Fred E. Regnier

Optical waves with one or two dimensions can be used to create nanowaveguides that could ultimately find application in nano-optical circuits. more>>

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Spinning-Disk Interferometry: The BioCD

David D. Nolte and Fred E. Regnier

High speed interferometry on a spinning disk opens new opportunities for sensitive material metrology. A promising new application is fast molecular screening in diagnostic medicine. more>>

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Terahertz Imaging For Drug Detection And Large-Scale Integrated Circuit Inspection

Kodo Kawase

Until fairly recently, the terahertz range was considered little more than the dark gap that separated the two halves of the electromagnetic spectrum. Now scientists have come to view it as a bridge rife with possibilities for new applications and research. more>>

Investigating the body with light, let the sun shine in, incorporating "daylighting" into commercial construction projects and schools

Kim Douglass

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Early Laser Development

Early Ion Laser Development

Steven M. Jarrett

In the third installment of OPN’s column on the development of lasers, scientist Steven Jarrett describes his experiences as a co-founder of Coherent Inc. at a time when the company was working to develop carbon-dioxide and ion lasers. more>>

Education

Duke University: Educating Engineers for the International Photonics Community

Kristina M. Johnson

As the year 2000 wound down, Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering was gearing up to launch an aggressive new program in photonics research and education. Four years later, the vision of an undergraduate- to-graduate education that positions students to enter the international photonics community is becoming a reality. more>>

Education

"Hands-On Optics" Tackles Science Illiteracy

Jason Briggs

In response to rising concern about science illiteracy in the United States, OSA and SPIE have launched a new program, “Hands-On Optics,” which targets middle school students. It is designed to inspire an interest in technology by bringing optics-related activities into after-school and other extracurricular science programs. more>>

Light Touch

Claudius Ptolemy’s Law of Refraction

Stephen R. Wilk

I was amazed to discover that mathematician, astronomer and physicist Claudius Ptolemy had already performed a series of careful experiments in the first century C.E. to determine the rules of refraction. more>>

Optical Entrepreneur

Should You Patent Your Invention Or Keep It a Trade Secret?

Lawrence G. Almeda and John M. Card

A company may seek to patent an innovation or it may believe it has a competitive advantage in not disclosing it to the public and keeping it a trade secret. Here we explain how to protect an innovation as either a patent or a trade secret. more>>

Optics Puzzler

The Optics Puzzler

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