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Breaking Barriers to Innovation: Report from CLEO/QELS and PhAST 2007

Patricia Daukantas

Thousands of scientists, engineers and executives converged in Baltimore in May to learn about the latest innovations in lasers and photonics. more>>

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Improved Interferometric Optical Testing

James C. Wyant

Modern electronics, computers and software are changing the ways that interferometry can be used and broadening its metrology applications in industrial and research labs. more>>

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Photonic Crystal Fiber: Finding the Holey Grail

Philip Russell

Photonic crystal fiber permits much wider adjustment of key characteristics such as modal phase index, dispersion, nonlinearity and birefringence than is possible in conventional fiber. more>>

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The Breakthrough Birth of the Diode Laser

Jeff Hecht

The birth of the diode laser 45 years ago happened very quickly. Decades after the discovery of LEDs, a key experiment showed that diode junctions could emit efficiently. Within four months, four groups had crossed the threshold. By Jeff Hecht more>>

Buckling up for Self-Assembled Waveguides

Yvonne Carts-Powell

Researchers at the University of Alberta use buckling delamination to make integrated hollow waveguides. more>>

Did You Know?

Yvonne Carts-Powell

The London Eye gets an LED Makeover more>>

Light Pushes Liquids

Yvonne Carts-Powell

Researchers use light pressure to move small particles in liquid. more>>

Education

Re-Setting Expectations for Students and Retired Scientists

Chad Stark

The Retired Scientists, Engineers and Technicians (ReSET) program brings retired professionals into the classroom to help teachers and students implement hands-on, inquiry-based science experiments. more>>

Optics Innovations

Taking the Leap: The Story of Thorlabs

Lori Howe and Alex Cable

The winner of the 2007 PhAST/Laser Focus World Innovation Award stays ahead by constantly reinventing itself. more>>

Policy Matters

Supporting Science in the House

Laura Kolton

A conversation with Rep. Vernon J. Ehlers. more>>

The History of OSA

Chronicling OSA’s History

John N. Howard

Contributing editor John Howard explains how the “History of OSA” came to be, and asks for your help in preserving it. more>>

Conversations in Optics