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Smartphones that have been cleverly 'accessorized' are starting to offer a convenient and cost-effective alternative to conventional laboratory-based imaging and sensing equipment.
The pressure to publish results claiming organic solar cells with high efficiencies is leading to pervasive problems of false reporting within the community.
Twenty years ago, researchers at Bell Labs in the USA stunned the optics world by reporting a new type of semiconductor laser — the quantum cascade laser. This laser transformed mid- and far-infrared photonics.
It is not an overstatement to say that the future of optics and photonics lies in the hands of students. Every little investment, be it intellectual or financial, can potentially yield immeasurable returns.
Although still in its infancy, attosecond science has already captured the imagination of the scientific community with its promise of enabling rapidly evolving phenomena in nature to be investigated.
When promoting the value of their research or procuring funding, researchers often need to explain the significance of their work to the community — something that can be just as tricky as the research itself.
Black holes, gravitational lenses, turbulence, chaotic flow and rogue waves are just a few examples of complex physical phenomena that can be conveniently modelled using photonics.
A growing family of iPad and iPhone apps launched by publishers, institutes and societies active in photonics now makes it easy to keep up to date with the latest happenings in optics.
With their ultrafast and high-power characteristics, fibre lasers are penetrating conventional laser markets as well as opening up exciting new opportunities.
Flexible and stretchable solar cells and light-emitting diodes are respectively perceived as being next-generation photovoltaic and lighting technologies, and are attracting the attention of the general public.
Photonics societies in the USA join forces in the National Photonics Initiative to increase photonics research and development, grow the USA economy and improve national security.
To promote transparency and honesty, it is important for corresponding authors to divulge any financial interests that may affect how their articles are perceived.
