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A Brief History of Spectral Analysis and Astrospectroscopy

Barry R. Masters

From Newton’s first insight into the composition of sunlight to the discovery of helium on the sun two centuries later, scientists’ work on the measurement and analysis of light has led to important discoveries that have greatly expanded our knowledge of physics, chemistry and astronomy. more>>

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Optical Biopsy with Confocal Microendoscopy

Arthur F. Gmitro and Andrew R. Rouse

Using optical biopsy methods, doctors can potentially identify cancer and other conditions more accurately, in less time, and earlier in the course of disease than they can with standard screening techniques. more>>

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Optical Microangiography: High-Resolution 3-D Imaging of Blood Flow

Ruikang K. Wang and Hrebesh M. Subhash

Using Fourier domain optical coherence tomography, researchers have developed a new method for producing 3-D images of microvascular blood flow. more>>

Nanolasers Sneak Past Diffraction Limits

Yvonne Carts-Powell

Within a month, two groups demonstrated visible-light lasers generated from devices far smaller than the light’s wavelength. more>>

Driving Blind

Yvonne Carts-Powell

Robotics researchers at Virginia Tech are developing optical technologies that will allow blind people to drive. more>>

Did You Know?

Yvonne Carts-Powell

Using laser light to manipulate proteins more>>

Electronic Information

What’s New in Optics InfoBase

M. Scott Dineen

Optics InfoBase is OSA’s online library of flagship journals, partnered journals and conference proceedings. In 2009, OSA’s publications staff completed a major visual and structural redesign to make InfoBase more useful and easier to navigate. more>>

Global Optics

Optics in Argentina

Claudio Iemmi, Andrea Bragas and Jorge Torga

Like other parts of South America, Argentina has had its share of political and economic upheavals—which caused the exodus of many promising scientists over the years. But the nation is now looking to rebuild its scientific community by injecting money into public and private research and forging links between universities and industry. more>>

Light Touch

The Pull of the Tractor Beam

Stephen R. Wilk

This science-fiction staple has remarkably little science behind it—but that may be changing, at least on the micro scale. more>>

Optics Innovations

Training Photonics Technicians

Patricia Daukantas

Here are two words you never thought you’d hear in this economy: help wanted. Two Florida programs are seeking to attract photonics technicians for jobs with optical technology companies. more>>

Photo Contest

And the Winners Are ... Results from OPN’s fourth annual After Image photo contest.

Results from OPN’s fourth annual After Image photo contest. more>>

The History of OSA

Presidents of the 1930s

John N. Howard

Meet the presidents who led OSA through an uncertain decade. more>>