Awards & Honors
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Celebrating distinguished achievements and contributions.
Award | News Release
Michael Fleischhauer Named 2025 Herbert Walther Award Recipient
Optica and the Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft (DPG) have named Michael Fleischhauer, Rheinland-Pfälzische Technische Universität (RPTU) Kaiserslautern-Landau, Germany, the recipient of the 2025 Herbert Walther Award. He is recognized for key contributions in nonlinear quantum optics as well as photonic and atomic quantum technologies - in particular for the development of a toolbox to coherently control multi-level atoms with light, including the concept of dark state polaritons and Rydberg dipole blockade physics.
He has led a number of influential international collaborations, is a dedicated mentor, and has served the community through his work on the editorial boards, advisory boards, and international conference committees. A pioneer in the field, Fleischhauer’s work has had a profound impact across a range of fields from quantum networking and quantum information science to on-chip optical interconnects for advanced classical computing, and even sensing and metrology.
Award | News Release
Optica names inaugural Leonard Mandel Quantum Optics Award recipient
Optica has named H. Jeff Kimble, California Institute of Technology, USA, the recipient of the 2024 Leonard Mandel Quantum Optics Award. Kimble is recognized for his ground-breaking work on the quantum interactions of light and matter and for establishing the core technologies based on squeezed light for quantum sensing and quantum communications.
"Jeff Kimble is a luminary in the field of quantum optics, whose work has pushed the frontiers of quantum phenomena," said Gerd Leuchs, Optica's 2024 President. "His contributions will have a lasting impact on our field."
Established in 2023, this award honors Leonard Mandel for his seminal contributions to the field of quantum optics and for advancing our understanding of the quantum aspects of light. It recognizes distinguished contributions to the foundations of statistical and quantum optics, and/or applications in advanced technologies. Mandel received Optica's highest award, the Frederic Ives Medal/Jarus W. Quinn Prize, served on the Board of Directors, and was an associate editor of the Journal of the Optical Society. This new award expands his impact by honoring discoveries and milestones in the field he helped to establish.
Award | News Release
Optica and SPIE Announce 2024 Joseph W. Goodman Book Writing Award
Optica and SPIE have announced Ronald G. Driggers, Melvin H. Friedman, John W. Devitt, Orges Furxhi, and Anjali Singh as the 2024 recipients of the Joseph W. Goodman Book Writing Award for their Introduction to Infrared and Electro-Optical Systems, Third Edition.
The book, published in 2022 by Artech House, was chosen for its comprehensive coverage of system-level electro-optics, as well as the authors’ ability to explain the fundamental principles of infrared and electro-optical systems, providing a strong mathematical foundation and making it an invaluable resource for educational purposes. An associated website (photonicsproject.org), supplements the book with visual and interactive tools to reinforce the concepts and equations discussed in the text.
“Introduction to Infrared and Electro-Optical Systems is a well-conceived, polished, and highly informative book,” notes 2024 Goodman Book Writing Award Selection Committee Chair Matt Jungwirth. “The text contains a comprehensive treatment of the analysis and design of electro-optical imaging systems. The committee was especially attracted to the impact this text may have on the community due to its broad appeal and widespread topics.”
Award | News Release
Optica names recipients of 2024 Awards and Medals
Optica is pleased to announce the recipients of 20 of its 2024 awards and medals. These awards highlight outstanding technical, research, educational, business, leadership and service accomplishments.
"Congratulations to the 2024 Optica award and medal recipients, whose leadership, vision, and extraordinary contributions are advancing our field to new heights," said Gerd Leuchs, Optica's 2024 President. "In addition, my thanks to the dedication of my colleagues who nominated candidates, submitted references and served on award selection committees. We truly appreciate your support of this program."
Award | News Release
Kenichi Iga Receives the 2024 Frederic Ives Medal/Jarus W. Quinn Prize
Optica, Advancing Optics and Photonics Worldwide, has named Kenichi Iga, Professor Emeritus and former President of Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan, the 2024 Frederic Ives Medal/Jarus W. Quinn Prize recipient. Iga is recognized for pioneering contributions and visionary leadership in the field of semiconductor lasers and optoelectronics and a dedication to training and educating future generations. "Kenichi Iga fundamentally changed the field with his revolutionary work on VCSELs,” said Gerd Leuchs, Optica's 2024 President. "It is an honor to celebrate his lasting contributions.”
His work has significantly impacted high-speed communications. Since his first demonstration of a VCSEL in 1979 at Tokyo Tech, he has established the fundamental technical and theoretical bases for the lasers and inspired much research in the field. Today, approximately 75% of all telecommunications lasers sold are VCSELs.
Award | Honorary Members
Sir Peter L. Knight Named Honorary Member
Sir Peter L. Knight is internationally renowned for his ground-breaking quantum optics research. His investigations of quantum optics, strong field physics and nonclassical properties of light culminated in the theoretical foundations of quantum computing and quantum information science. In recognition of his influence within the international physics community, Optica, Advancing Optics and Photonics Worldwide, has named Knight an Optica Honorary Member, the most distinguished of all Optica Member categories.
Knight is recognized for remarkable and varied contributions to quantum optics, ranging from foundations to applications, and his unique combination of educational, organizational, and globally active leadership skills. He is currently an Emeritus Professor in the Department of Physics, Imperial College London, UK; Chair of the UK National Quantum Technology Programme Strategic Advisory Board; and Chair of the National Physical Laboratory Quantum Metrology Institute.
"Peter's influence on our field has extended well beyond his pioneering quantum optics research. He is an outstanding leader, advisor, and mentor, bridging the gaps between academia, organizations, and governments," said Gerd Leuchs, Optica's 2024 President. "The quantum science and optics community benefits greatly from his service. We are proud to recognize him as an Optica Honorary Member."
Award | News Release
David Richardson Wins 2024 John Tyndall Award
Optica, Advancing Optics and Photonics Worldwide, and the IEEE Photonics Society have named David Richardson, Microsoft, UK, the 2024 recipient of the John Tyndall Award. Richardson is recognized for pioneering contributions to the development of optical fibers and their applications and commercialization in fiber lasers and optical communications. "His contributions to the field are not limited to his pioneering work," added Optica President Michal Lipson. "His leadership and service, including serving as a Technical Program Chair and General Chair for OFC, will benefit our community for years to come. It is a pleasure to recognize David's accomplishments with this award."
Award | News Release
Announcing the 2024 Optica Fellows Class
The Board of Directors of Optica recently elected 129 members from 26 countries to the Society’s 2024 Fellow Class. Optica Fellows are selected based on several factors, including outstanding contributions to research, business, education, engineering and service to Optica and our community.
“Congratulations to the 2024 class of Optica Fellows, ” said Michal Lipson 2023 Optica President. “It is a pleasure to honor these members who are advancing our field and society. We are grateful for their exceptional work and dedication.”
