Detecting Microplastics with Optics

Emerging optical techniques for sniffing out millimeter- to sub-micron-scale plastics in aquatic settings could aid in the fight against a looming environmental threat.

by Kai-Erik Peiponen, Benjamin O. Asamoah, Boniphace Kanyathare, Jukka Räty and Matthieu Roussey

Perovskite Photovoltaics: The Road Ahead

In terms of efficiency, perovskite solar cells are the fastest-growing solar technology to date, but stability issues still block their widespread commercialization.

by Meeri Kim

FiO+LS 2020 and Quantum 2.0

Aided by an upgraded, interactive interface, OSA’s long-standing annual conference—and a brand-new one focused on emerging quantum technologies—went all-virtual in September 2020.

by OPN Staff

Newsroom

Research and Industry News

Toward attosecond science with industrial lasers / Plasma accelerator record / Testing face mask effectiveness / Lasers evaluate whisky / Hybrid PVs in space / Plastic in the oceans / Quantum workforce / Photorealistic nanopainting

Conversations

Squeezed Light and New Horizons

OPN talks with Nergis Mavalvala, whose FIO+LS plenary talk recounted amazing recent improvements to the LIGO and Virgo gravitational-wave observatories.

Light Touch

Inside the Trilobite’s Eye

Exploring an optical and evolutionary oddity: how long-extinct sea creatures viewed the world through calcite eyes.

Tutorial

Entangled Photons in a CubeSat

Putting compact quantum science into space could support a next-gen internet.

Infographic

Plastic in the Oceans

According to a recent report by the Pew Charitable Trusts and SYSTEMIQ, without action, the annual flow of plastic into the world’s oceans will nearly triple by 2040, to 29 million metric tons per year—negatively impacting ocean habitats, wildlife and the global ecosystem.

President's Message

Our Quantum 2.0 Future

Looking Back

30, 20, and 10 Years Ago in OPN

Visualizing flexible networks; adaptive optics and laser eye surgery; optofluidics.

OSA Update

News from the Society

Award winners, Fellows honored at FiO / OSA Fellow stories / Chang named 2020 Honorary Member / Fantone at JSAP / OSA 2021 election results / Student Leadership Conference / OSA Treasurer’s Award / Diversity and inclusion achievements / Remembering Arthur Ashkin / Thanks, editors and volunteers

After Image

Birefringence