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Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Microscopy: Microscopic Laser Radar

Tyler S. Ralston, Gregory L. Charvat, Steven G. Adie, Brynmor J. Davis, P. Scott Carney and Stephen A. Boppart

Using instruments from optical coherence tomography and the principles of synthetic aperture radar, researchers have developed a new method for reconstructing 3-D optical images. Doctors may soon be able to use this approach as a noninvasive diagnostic tool in clinical settings. more>>

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Night-Shining Clouds

Joseph A. Shaw

At the junction between day and night lies twilight—one of the most optically rich and aesthetically pleasing times to observe the sky. In deep twilight, long after the sun has set or before it has risen, a fortunate observer can be treated to a startling visual display when clouds appear suddenly, shining in the dark. more>>

Did You Know?

Patricia Daukantas

A coat that recharges the wearer’s cell phone with solar power. more>>

Invisibility Cloak Goes 3-D

Patricia Daukantas

A team at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany recently completed a three-dimensional, near-infrared “invisibility cloaking” experiment. more>>

Tiny Laser Borrows Principles from Electronics

Patricia Daukantas

A Swiss team has built a microlaser that, scaled to the operating wavelength, is the smallest electrically pumped laser yet made. more>>

Education

Teaching Optics in North Uganda: The Experience of the Naples Student Chapter

Lucio Rossi, Priya Rose and Antigone Marino

One fine summer day, a group of Italian students were struck with a simple idea—but one that would not be quite so effortless to execute. Learn how OSA’s Napoli Student Chapter got a crash course in conducting international educational outreach. more>>

Global Optics

Osaka University’s Photonics Advanced Research Center: Japan’s Optical Gem

Hiroshi Iwasaki and Satoshi Kawata

The Photonics Advanced Research Center (PARC) at Osaka University in Japan has emerged as a leading scientific and industrial research center for photonics in Japan. A PARC program manager and the center’s director describe how PARC is enabling Japanese scientists and engineers—in collaboration with others around the world—to lead a photonic revolution in the 21st century. more>>

Light Touch

Diamonds in the Dark

Stephen R. Wilk

From ancient legend to modern sci-fi, glowing gems have been a staple of storytelling throughout the ages. But can stones actually emit their own light? more>>

Optics Innovations

Nova Photonics: From Innovation to Implementation

Jill Foley

The team at Nova Photonics has decades of experience in making optical measurements in the harsh plasma environment, giving them a strong basis in physics, polarization optics, hardware and system integration. Their goal is to devise innovative solutions to challenges in fusion energy and see them through to implementation. more>>

The History of OSA

Presidents of the Late 1940s

John N. Howard

OSA historian John Howard remembers three Society leaders. more>>