From The Editor

  1. 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. 

  2. 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.

  3. 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. 

  4. 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. 

  5. 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. 

  6. Bright Ideas — "Core" Optics & Photonics Market Grows 70% Over 10 Years, Researchers Claim Best Semiconductor Material 8/3/2022

    Bright Ideas presents the most captivating news and innovations in photonics. This week, the CHIPS-plus Act awaits President Joe Biden's approval, SPIE reports a 70% growth in the optics and photonics core component market over the last decade, and researchers claim to have found the perfect material for semiconductors. 

  7. Optics & Photonics Needs Workers — But How Do We Find, And Keep, Them? 7/25/2022

    Lately, I've heard the same refrain: hiring and retaining skilled workers is a challenge. The challenge is not unique to optics and photonics, of course. But with a multipronged approach, leaders across the field are employing a variety of efforts to engage and inspire early learners, develop desirable company cultures, and nurture the careers of existing employees.

  8. The Future Of Metasurface Optics — A Q&A With Metalenz CEO Robert Devlin 7/1/2022

    Metalenz CEO Robert Devlin, who cofounded the company alongside Harvard University Professor of Applied Physics Federico Capasso, discusses the company’s beginnings, how its business partnership evolved, the challenges of integrating into consumer products, and what he believes is the future of metasurface optics. 

  9. Bright Ideas — Laser Systems Needed To Refuel UAS, Everlasting Laser Built With BEC 6/29/2022

    Bright Ideas presents the most captivating news and innovations in photonics. This week, DARPA is asking industry to help outfit refueling aircraft with lasers to recharge UAS, an everlasting laser is built with Bose-Einstein Condensate, and nanoscale flying robots with light-up wings are explored as light-based communicators.

  10. Bright Ideas — NASA To Reveal First JWST Color Images, Optical Laser Communications Advances 6/17/2022

    Bright Ideas presents the most captivating news and innovations in photonics. This week, NASA announced the first images from JWST will be revealed on July 12. Northrop Grumman and BlueHalo are making strides in optical laser communications. And, Optica covers the Russia-Ukraine war by chronicling the challenges faced by researchers whose personal lives and scientific work are threatened by the conflict.