None

Department of Defense Contributions To U.S. Science and Technology

William Happer

Since the end of World War II, the Department of Defense (DoD) has played an important role in supporting U.S. science and technology. The author describes how his career has benefited from involvement with DoD managers and the impetus provided by DoD funding of basic research. more>>

None

Polymers in the Light Path

Lawrence W. Shacklette

Researchers have experimented with polymer components in optical communications primarily because of a perceived cost advantage over alternatives fabricated from high purity silica and glass. Some polymer materials also provide performance advantages in areas such as tunability and polarization sensitivity. more>>

None

Simple Principles of the Talbot Effect

Changhe Zhou, Wei Wang, Enwen Dai and Liren Liu

A well known optics phenomenon finds new applications in emerging fields, including optical computing and optical measurement. more>>

None

Synthetic Aperture Radar

Armin W. Doerry and Fred M. Dickey

Optics and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) share a history that dates from the earliest efforts in the field of coherent radar imaging. Technological advances have allowed a leap in the utility of SAR as a remote sensing instrument, so that today its effectiveness can rival that of electro-optical/infrared systems. more>>

Quantum physics in one direction, bending toward the light, Nd:YAG laser treats gum disease

Stephanie Dean

more>>

Education

An Encounter With Optics For Grade School Students

Rupal Varshneya and Jessica DeGroote

The “Optics Suitcase,” a highly acclaimed potpourri of optics teaching tools, continues to spark interest in optical science among grade schoolers. more>>

Profiles in Optics

The Amazing Career of Optics Pioneer Edgar Derry Tillyer

Tim Tillyer

The lives and scientific achievements of optics luminaries are highlighted in OPN’s occasional column, “Profiles in Optics.” Here, Tim Tillyer, grandson of Edgar Derry Tillyer, describes the career of the great scientist, who was one of the founders of OSA. more>>

The History of OSA

Creation of the OSA Technical Council

John N. Howard

The OSA Board of Directors, on suggestion of Lucien M. Biberman, created the Technical Council to oversee special meeting sessions devoted to emerging optics subfields that had sparked particular interest among members. more>>

Washington Focus

Post September 11 Security Measures Hit Science Hard

Tom Price

Collateral damage stemming from theevents of September 11 have had a profound effect on the world of science. In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks, scientists and government officials have been forced to modify their activities in numerous areas. more>>