Cover Story
Physical Limitations to Scalability of WDM All-Optical Networks
Daniel J. Blumenthal, Michael Shell, and Mark D. Vaughn
Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) takes advantage of optical fiber's tremendous bandwidth. To get the most from an all-optical network, researchers must understand the physical limitations of WDM networks and how to overcome them... more>>
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Create your own laser show
David M. Berg
The movements and colors of a laser show are fascinating. Shapes dance in a dark room, in colors too intense to be real. The trick is to make that magic accessible using objects from everyday life. Students can then see that the real magic is in the physical principles, not in a black box of fancy technology. more>>
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New Directions in Imaging the Retina
Austin Roorda and David R. Williams
Exciting progress in instrumentation is aiding eye researchers and ophthalmologists in understanding the normal and diseased eye. Roorda and Williams describe advances in fundus photography, scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, optical coherence tomography, and adaptive optics. more>>
After Image
Packaging Considerations for Optoelectronics Devices
Albert Benzoni, Felix Anigbo and Tom Dudley
Over the next decade, the design of optoelectronics packaging will require significant changes to be cost-effective and easily manufactured. Benzoni, Anigbo, and Dudley discuss the challenges involved in achieving these changes and offer some guidelines for creating inexpensive, robust packaging. more>>