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Challenges in Optical Wireless Communications

Anthony C. Boucouvalas

Optical wireless technologies have been incorporated into millions of consumer products such as televisions and cell phones, and they also enable last-mile broadband access, inter-satellite links and deep space connections. This article highlights the challenges that engineers and researchers face as they develop new applications and methods to improve this technology. more>>

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Report from CLEO/QELS 2005: Expanding the Horizons of Photonics Science and Technology

Yvonne Carts-Powell

The 2005 Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics/Quantum Electronics and Laser Science and the Photonic Applications Systems and Technologies conference showcased more than 1,600 talks on the latest breakthroughs in optical research and applications. more>>

Speeding data transfer, NIF funding threat, light-emitting antennas, fluorescing nano-particles

Eric J. Lerner

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Light Touch

Ancient Optics: Shedding Light on Bygone Days

Stephen R. Wilk

Ancient cultures such as the Greeks, Romans, Mesopotamians and Egyptians are known to have made surprisingly advanced inroads into medicine, astronomy, chemistry, mechanical engineering and mathematics. It’s hard to believe that they didn’t come up with a few tricks in optics as well. more>>

Optical Entrepreneur

Issues and Trends in High-Tech IP Licensing

Joseph Gortych

This article highlights issues and trends in modern-day, high-tech intellectual property licensing from the licensee's perspective. more>>

Washington Focus

Defense Department Resurrects Act to Recruit Scientists

Tom Price

The U.S. Defense Department is resurrecting a venerable 20th century education program to address a critical 21st century problem--America's shortage of home-grown scientists. more>>