| Image Credit: A. Eckert / TUM |
In the early 1900s, French physicist George Sagnac—an advocate of the concept of “absolute space”—conducted an experiment with a loop interferometer that challenged Einstein’s theory of special relativity, sparking debate in the scientific community. Subsequent research ultimately reconciled Sagnac’s results with the principles of special relativity, a triumphant moment for Einstein.
Even so, Sagnac’s experiment ultimately gave rise to an unexpected development—the modern optical gyroscope, which has a multitude of applications in technology and fundamental science. A feature in the April 2024 issue of Optica’s Optics and Photonics News (OPN) tells the story of the early controversy surrounding the Sagnac effect, its continuing implications, and how it could pave the way for future gravitational-wave detectors. |
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| Image Credit: Ryoichi Horisaki, The University of Tokyo |
| In this recent article from Optics Letters, learn how researchers developed a 3D full-color display method that uses a smartphone screen, rather than a laser, to create holographic images. This approach has the potential to minimize optical components and eliminate impractical requirements in conventional optical systems. |
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| Image Credit: GRK 2101, Friedrich Schiller University Jena |
| A recent news release featuring work published in Optical Materials Express shows how researchers have developed a new way to control and manipulate optical signals by embedding a liquid crystal layer into a waveguide that was created with direct laser writing. |
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Stephen Wolfram (right) with Optica President Gerd Leuchs (left) and Optica Fellow Luis L. Sanchez (center).
Image Credit: Optica |
| In this recent Optica blog, Stephen Wolfram, the computational innovator behind Mathematica, Wolfram Alpha, and the Wolfram Language, joined Optica Leadership to discuss his career and his thoughts on technologies of the future. |
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| Image Credit: Optica |
Applications are now open from 01 April – 03 May 2024
Each year, one early career member is selected to acknowledge their volunteer efforts with both Optica and the community. We seek emerging leaders who dedicate their time to activities such as student chapters, youth outreach, community service, meetings, and publication service. |
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| Image Credit: Karsten Buse |
| Karsten Buse advises young researchers to “keep their minds open to the unexpected.” His career took a turn when his research area became less relevant when the field started to look more into the digital realm. Getting creative, he embraced the new platform and approached it with a familiar material, lithium niobate. |
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 Image Credit: Optica |
| Registration Now Open |
| Through a world-class technical program, Quantum 2.0 fosters collaboration, charts the quantum landscape and builds a guide to the quantum ecosystem. Register before 29 May for the best rate. |
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 Image Credit: Optica |
| Call For Papers |
| Present alongside innovators like yourself at FiO LS in September 2024. Your research deserves to be recognized by a global audience of your peers. |
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