From The Editor

  1. The Current State And Outlook Of Directed Energy Weapons 9/30/2022

    From high-energy lasers to high-power radio frequency devices and more, directed energy weapons are increasingly ubiquitous. But what are these technologies, and how are they changing the way the military operates?

  2. Bright Ideas — Wearable Sensors Find Success But Still Prove Problematic 9/28/2022

    Bright Ideas presents the most captivating news and innovations in optics and photonics. Wearable sensors continue to astound and befuddle, with some finding success as far away as outer space and some continuing to struggle here on Earth for decades. Plus, Jupiter and Neptune get new pics with the help of JunoCam and the James Webb Space Telescope. 

  3. Bright Ideas — Defense Prime CEOs Sanctioned By China, DARPA To Give Small Biz 'Classified' Access 9/21/2022

    Bright Ideas presents the most captivating news and innovations in photonics. This week, China sanctioned two defense prime contractors' CEOs, DARPA opens a new program to give small businesses access to classified endeavors, and SPIE Startup Challenge is now accepting applications. 

  4. Bright Ideas — Nuclear Fusion Yields 100 Million K and Lasts 20 Seconds, AI Boosts Fluorescence Microscopy 9/14/2022

    Bright Ideas presents the most captivating news and innovations in photonics. This week, scientists demonstrate nuclear fusion at 100 million Kelvin and for 20 seconds — at the same time, for the first time. Plus, biophysicists are speeding up fluorescence microscopy with AI, a new 3D-printed wearable device is helping lupus patients, and the LLNL wins three R&D awards. 

  5. Bright Ideas — Artemis Approaches Liftoff, JWST Sees CO2, And Optical Tweezers To Control Drug Delivery 8/31/2022

    Bright Ideas presents the most captivating news and innovations in photonics. This week, NASA has its time in the sun — err, moon? — as Artemis I inches toward launch and the JWST finds CO2 for the first time on an exoplanet. Plus, optical tweezers are being used to coax along white blood cells that could one day be used to help deliver drugs. 

  6. I Want You: The Second Space Race Is Underway 8/25/2022

    The second Space Race is underway. Perhaps it’s not creating all the hubbub of the quest to put a “man on the Moon” ahead of the Russians, but it should be. Learn why there's an urgent need to being the best when it comes to exploration — and habitation. 

  7. Bright Ideas — HELIOS Headed to Navy, "Sun Glint" Reveals Offshore Methane Emissions 8/24/2022

    Bright Ideas presents the most captivating news and innovations in photonics. This week, "sun glint" offers more precise look at offshore methane emissions, Lockheed Martin prepares to deliver its HELIOS laser weapon to the U.S. Navy, and scientists pursue replacement for LEDs.

  8. Bright Ideas — NIF Celebrates 1 Year Since 1.4 MJ Achieved, Laser-Mounted Strykers Headed For Fort Sill 8/17/2022

    Bright Ideas presents the most captivating news and innovations in photonics. This week, three new peer-reviewed papers chronicle the journey and incredible results of the National Ignition Facility's Aug. 8, 2021 shot that generated 1.3 megajoules. Plus, Army Stryker vehicles affixed with 50-kW lasers will soon be en route to a Midwest air defense battery, and DARPA picks 11 teams to enable LEO-based optical communications terminal. 

  9. Bright Ideas — SDA Seeks Demo For Space-To-Aircraft Laser Communications, Cats & Coffee Latest Benefactors Of Laser Innovation 8/10/2022

    Bright Ideas presents the most captivating news and innovations in photonics. This week, the Space Development Agency (SDA) is again looking for a vendor to demo laser crosslinks between orbiting satellites and moving aircraft, France is trying out a new anti-drone laser weapon ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games, and Trumpf is taking the shipping crises into its own hands. 

  10. WANTED: Industry Innovators To Nurture Defense, National Security Advances 8/5/2022

    The U.S. government relies heavily on its relationship with industry and academia and their combined ability to provide nutritive technologies and solutions in military and defense, national security, space exploration, medical advances, and more. And the opportunities are plenty.