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Seeing the Unseen

All around us, a hidden world exists that remains invisible to the naked eye. The adult human body has between 28 and 36 trillion cells spread over 400 cell types, all too small to be seen, except for egg cells.

Added: 15 May 2024


Lasers for Sustainability

The International Day of Light is held on May 16th every year, a date that marks the anniversary of the first successful operation of the laser by Theodore Maiman in 1960. This pivotal moment changed the course of human history by introducing a technology that has now become widespread in science, industry, and everyday life.

Added: 14 May 2024


Mathematician, physicist and entrepreneur Stephen Wolfram chats with Optica Leadership

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.

Added: 12 Mar 2024


Optica celebrates World Engineering Day

From biophotonics and quantum computing to renewable energy and material science, optical engineers harness the power of light to change the world. We join UNESCO in celebrating the World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development and recognizing the contributions of the engineers of Optica who are shaping a brighter future.

Added: 04 Mar 2024


Synopsys to acquire Ansys

Two familiar names in the optical design software space are to join forces. Synopsys, which owns Code V, OptSim and other optical design tools, is acquiring simulation and analysis software developer Ansys, the firm behind the Speos, Zemax OpticStudio and Lumerical brands.

Added: 28 Feb 2024


The UK re-joining Horizon Europe signals a commitment to collaboration

The UK re-joins the €95.5bn Horizon Europe programme in a move many scientists have been holding their breath for, signalling that the UK and Europe are ready to collaborate more closely again on research.

Added: 08 Sep 2023


Empowering Community Solutions to Climate Challenges: Optica and AGU’s GEMM Initiative Collaborate w

Optica through the GEMM Initiative—a joint international project with the American Geophysical Union (AGU)—has joined hands with AGU’s Thriving Earth Exchange (Thriving Earth) to promote community science efforts that provide tools and solutions to community priorities related to climate change and environmental issues.

Added: 06 Sep 2023


Edwin Land and the Birth of Instant Photography

Photography can show us who we are, and make permanent the ephemeral stories carried by light. From the two-tone heliography to modern smartphones, the story of photography is a story of innovation. It’s the story of optics

Join us in celebrating World Photography Week and reflect on a monumental photography development: ...

Added: 16 Aug 2023


Positive peers and the power of shared experiences

As emerging optics and photonics community leaders, Optica Ambassadors provide career advice, technical knowledge, and mentorship to students and early career professionals by supporting professional development events at meetings and engaging with their global communities. 

Added: 24 Jul 2023


Lasers on the Moon and beyond

Humans will soon return to the Moon, accompanied by photonics technology enabling communications capabilities unimagined 54 years ago during the first Moon landing. Free-space optical communications, where laser transmitter light is transmitted through open air or space, will be a cornerstone to upcoming space missions that have their eyes on the Moon and, later, Mars. 

Added: 10 Jul 2023


Image for keeping the session alive