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In this issue: LIGO Research Discovery, Nick Holonyak Named Honorary Member of OSA, Call for Fellow Award Nominations, Register for OSA Technical Group Webinars, Congressional Visits Day, OFC Events and more.

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OSA Member Newsletter

Centennial cover

OSA News

The Optical Society Commends LIGO Research Team
on Discovery of Gravitational Waves


For the first time, scientists have observed ripples in the fabric of spacetime called gravitational waves. This confirms predictions Albert Einstein made over 100 years ago! After decades of trying to directly detect the waves, the recently upgraded Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, now known as Advanced LIGO, has succeeded, ushering in a new era of astronomy. The Optical Society congratulates OSA Member and Fellow, David Reitze, Executive Director of LIGO as well as the LIGO Research team on this discovery. [more]

Nick Holonyak Named Honorary Member of The Optical Society

Nick Holonyak The Optical Society announced on Tuesday, 16 February 2016 the naming of Nick Holonyak Jr., as an Honorary Member of the society. Holonyak was chosen “for his numerous technology innovations advancing solid state lighting, the Internet, high-performance computing, visible LEDs and quantum well diode lasers." The Optical Society’s Honorary Membership is the most distinguished of all OSA Member categories; Honorary Membership is awarded to individuals who have made unique, seminal contributions to the field of optics. The roster of living Honorary Members demonstrates the high stature of this designation and includes the likes of Arthur Ashkin, Nicolaas Bloembergen, Steven Chu, Claude Cohen-Tannoudji and Roy J. Glauber.

Seven OSA Members named to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE)

Election to the NAE is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer. Academy membership honors those who have made outstanding contributions to engineering research, practice or education. Among 80 new elected members and 22 foreign members, seven are OSA Members. The Optical Society congratulates Steven Battel, Neal Bergano, Kristina M. Johnson, David A. Weitz, David F. Welch, Hiroshi Amano and OSA President, Alan E. Willner on this achievement.

Now Online – OSA Century of Optics

Century of OpticsThe OSA Century of Optics book presents a selection of people, events and technologies that were important to the evolution of optics, optical science, optical engineering, and photonics. Written by over 50 authors, including researchers and engineers that were seminal in making the discoveries that are showcased. The book ends with 8 prominent scientists, including Nobel Prize winner Dr. Steven Chu, speculating about what the next 100 years will bring to the field of optics.

We invite you to download the whole book, individual sections, or specific chapters that are of most interest to you.

OSA Traveling Lecturer Spotlight:
Stefan Andersson-Engels

Stefan Andersson-Engels
Lund University, Sweden

"I had the opportunity to travel to Caracas, Venezuela, as part of the OSA Traveling Lecturer Program. While being a lecturer can take time, it is a rewarding and worthwhile experience. Marco Ferreiro, a Universidad Central de Venezuela student, and Vincent Piscitelli, the chapter advisor, were gracious hosts and took great care of me; even allowing me the opportunity to visit a student’s home as well as a pair of professors’. I spent hours discussing various aspects of being a student and researcher in the field of photonics. One day was even spent in the lab discussing all the various photonic projects they were working on. Overall, I gave a total of three lectures during my stay and even got to snorkel in the Caribbean. It is a trip I will always remember. I would encourage others to become an OSA Traveling Lecturer."

The OSA Traveling Lecturer Program is open to all OSA Members. Lecturers receive travel stipends from OSA to present their research to OSA Student Chapters throughout the world. In 2016, 150 chapters are expected to host an OSA Traveling Lecturer.
Find out more about this program>>

Traveling Lecturer

Join the traveling lecturer program

The Optical Society Participates in Closing Ceremonies for the International Year of Light


The International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies 2015 (IYL 2015) was brought to an official close with a ceremony in Mérida, Mexico, 4-6 February. During this three day event, over 300 participants reviewed the activities and major outcomes of IYL 2015 and discussed potential legacies of the Year. The global initiative adopted by the United Nations raised awareness of how optical technologies promote sustainable development and provide solutions to worldwide challenges in energy, education, agriculture, communications and health. [more]

OSA Vice-President Ian Walmsley Speaks at The Optical Society of Korea (OSK) Winter Annual Meeting

Walmsley and ChungIan Walmsley traveled to Daejeon, Korea to participate in the 2016 OSK Winter Annual Meeting. He delivered a plenary talk titled “Multiphoton quantum interference in multiport integrated optical circuits: from teleportation to Boson Sampling”; presented the OSA-OSK Student Travel Prize to Hwa Joon Jun, Yeungnam University; and presented Yun Chung, Optical Society of Korea President, with a commemorative gift in recognition of OSA’s long-standing partnership with the OSK.

OSA Congratulates the National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center (NSRRC), Taiwan

The 3 GeV Taiwan Photon Source (TPS) of the National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center (NSRRC) achieved historic results in December 2015 by storing 520 mA of electron current, exceeding the design goal of 500 mA. OSA extends their congratulations to Director, Shangjr Gwo and the entire NSRRC team on this achievement, and for giving the “world a bright synchrotron light” as the International Year of Light 2015 came to a close. The TPS delivered its first photon beam in December 2014 and is scheduled to have 7 beamlines open to general users in 2016. Learn more about the NSRRC.

OSA Fellow Dr. John Fourkas Presents on Optical Phenomena

FourkasOSA Fellow, Dr. John Fourkas, led a discussion on Optical Phenomena on Tuesday, 19 January in Washington, DC as part of DC Science Café, a regular series supported by the D.C. Science Writers Association.  Dr. Fourkas discussed his research at The Fourkas Lab, University of Maryland, College Park, where he and his colleagues are currently studying slime mold cells and the novel discovery of nanotextured surfaces that induce cell movement in a single direction. One implication of such research is the potential for bandages to influence the movement of healing cells to the wounded area.

Opportunities

OSA Fellow Award Nomination Now Open

The OSA Fellow Award is open to OSA Members who have served with distinction in the advancement of optics and photonics. Candidates are nominated by current OSA Fellow Members and the deadline for nominations is 15 June. Learn more by contacting the OSA Awards Office at awards@osa.org or +1202.416.1960.

 

Participate in Congressional Visits Day 2016

12-13 April, Washington, DC, US

The Optical Society and its National Photonics Initiative (NPI) partners are participating in the annual Congressional Visits Day—a great opportunity to educate members of Congress about the impact of optics and photonics to establish a relationship with Congressional offices.

The NPI will participate in this annual event to talk about the importance of R&D funding and other relevant legislation. OSA staff will coordinate your day and escort you to all of your meetings. Training will occur on 12 April at OSA headquarters with a reception that evening on Capitol Hill. Visits to your Congressional representatives will take place on 13 April.

Sign up to participate.

 
Register for Technical Group Webinars

The OSA Technical Groups will be hosting two free, 60-minute webinars in March.

What Can We Learn From High-Resolution Retinal Imaging?
7 March, 12:00 EST
Hosted by: Applications of Visual Science Technical Group

Introducing the OSA Display Technology Technical Group
When: 25 March 2016, 09:00 EDT
Hosted by: Display Technology Technical Group

Webinars are free to all OSA Members, but advance registration is required.

Learn more and register.

Apply to Attend the 2016 Siegman International School on Lasers

24 – 29 July, ICFO Institute of Photonic Sciences, Barcelona, Spain
Application Deadline: 30 March

This week-long program, co-founded by the OSA Foundation and IPG Photonics, provides up to 100 graduate students from around the world the opportunity to advance their education, foster future collaboration and promote research and engineering for the optical community at no cost to each attendee.

Apply to attend.

Siegman

 
Submit Abstracts for the 6th International Multidisciplinary Conference on Optofluidics

July 24 – 27, Beijing,China
Submission Deadline:  15 April

OSA Members are invited to submit abstracts for the 6th International Multidisciplinary Conference on Optofluidics. [more]

Optofluidics

 
 
OFC: Special Events and Promotions

Join a Free, Live-stream of the OFC Plenary Session

22 March 2016, 08:00 – 10:00 (PDT) 

Live from Anaheim, California! View two of the 2016 OFC Plenary Session presentations as they occur — from the convenience of your home or office. You must register in advance to receive the live-stream link.

Talk: Silicon Photonics and Quantum Dot Lasers
Yasuhiko Arakawa, Director, Institute for Nano Quantum Information and Director, Center of Photonics Electronics Convergence at the Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, Japan

Talk: The Open and Flexible Optical Revolution
Andre Fuetsch, Senior Vice President of Architecture & Design, AT&T, US

Register

Light The Future Speaker Series

Light the Future 23 March, Anaheim, California, USA
Reception 17:30 – 18:30; Program 18:30 – 20:00
Pacific Ballroom, Hilton Anaheim

Imagine a world without fiber optic communications networks or mobile phones. A century ago these inventions were unthinkable. Today, researchers and industry leaders around the globe are perfecting such innovations and envisioning new technologies. Join OSA as we celebrate our 100th anniversary with the "Light The Future" speaker series at OFC with Mary Lou Jepsen, Executive Director of Engineering for Facebook, OSA Fellow, moderated by Alan Willner, OSA President and OSA Fellow. 


To see the full “Light the Future” schedule, please visit www.osa.org/100.
The event is free and open to the public. To RSVP, please contact lightthefuture@osa.org.

Join or Renew at OFC. Save 50% on Dues.

Take advantage of a special discount opportunity for OFC attendees. Join or renew your OSA Membership, and you will receive a 50% discount on your annual dues (a $68 value).
If your membership isn’t due to expire soon, you can still renew on-site and extend your membership for another year.

*This offer is available from 22-24 March, and can only be transacted at the OSA Booth. The discount only applies for individual membership, for one year only and excludes those residing in economically developing nations. Stop by booth 2433 to learn more.

OSA Executive Forum

21 March, Anaheim, California, US
Separate Registration Required

OSA’s Executive Forum is a premier and annual event for leaders in optical networking and communications. Meet executives from Google, Microsoft, Verizon, Facebook, Broadcom and more. The Forum is your exclusive opportunity to hear insider perspectives in an uncensored environment, while participating in high-level networking. Learn more about the program and the speakers who will participate.

Register Now.

Executive Forum

One-Day Immersion Workshop on Integrated Photonics High Volume Packaging

21 March, Anaheim, California, US
Separate Registration Required

Attend this OIDA workshop and get a deep look at integrated photonics high volume packaging. You’ll learn about new opportunities for your company and network with the top experts in the field. The workshop includes three presentation sessions, one discussion session, lunch, poster display, and a special evening networking event.

View the list of industry leaders who will be presenting at this event.

 

Industry

New Resource Details the Impact of Optics and Photonics on the Global Economy

OSA Industry Development Associates (OIDA) presents Lighting the Path to a Brighter Future, a new brochure about how optics and photonics impact the global economy in communications, energy, medicine, security, lighting and manufacturing.

Download a free copy.

Is Your Organization Ready to Apply for Funding?

Application Deadline: 15 March

The U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration is soliciting requests for up to $300,000 (USD) per export-development project. Learn more.
 

Call for Speakers—CLEO:2016 Technology Transfer Program

Submission Deadline: 10 March

You are invited to submit a presentation for the Technology Transfer Program at CLEO:2016. The program, which is held on 9 June in San Jose, California, US, enables you to showcase your technologies to the Silicon Valley Venture Capital community and company representatives attending CLEO.

Submit now.

OSA Publishing News

In the March 2016 OPN: Fiber-to-the-home, beating nonlinear limits and more

OPNThis month in Optics & Photonics News, read about the next generation of passive optical networks in fiber-to-the-home systems; one approach to beating the nonlinear capacity limit in long-haul fiber systems; how optical scientist Mary Banning moved forward thin-films research to support the U.S. World War II effort; and much more.

Check out the issue.
Credit: iStock/dolphfyn

Recently Published Special Issues
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Source Article: Biological analogs of RGB pixelation yield white coloration in giant clams

Optical Materials Express
 
Glass-based ultraviolet absorbers act as 'biological shields' – Science Daily
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Source Article: Glass composite as robust UV absorber for biological protection

Upcoming Deadlines

Meeting Deadlines
Optical Fiber Communication Conference and Exhibition (OFC)

20 – 24 March 2016, Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California, US

Postdeadline Abstract and Summary Submission Deadline: 7 March 2016, 12:00 EST

 
OSA Imaging and Applied Optics Congress

25 – 28 July 2016, Kongresshaus Stadthalle Heidelberg, Germany

Collocated Topical Meetings:

Abstract and Summary Submission Deadline: 22 March 2016, 12:00 EDT
Hotel Reservation Deadline: 24 June 2016
Advanced Registration Deadline: 27 June 2016

 
OSA Biomedical Optics Congress

25 – 28 April 2016, The Diplomat Resort and Spa, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US

Collocated Topical Meetings:

Hotel Reservation Deadline: 23 March 2016
Advanced Registration Deadline: 28 March 2016

 
OSA Advanced Photonics Congress

18 – 20 July 2016, The Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Collocated Topical Meetings:

Abstract and Summary Submission Deadline: 30 March 2016, 12:00 EDT
Hotel Reservation Deadline: 17 June 2016
Advanced Registration Deadline: 20 June 2016

 
OSA Latin America Optics & Photonics Conference (LAOP)

22 – 25 August 2016, Ruta N, Medellin, Colombia

Abstract and Summary Submission Deadline: 6 April 2016, 12:00 EDT
Advanced Registration Deadline: 25 July 2016

 
CLEO:2016

5 – 10 June 2016, San Jose Convention Center, San Jose, California, US

Postdeadline Paper Submission Deadline: 9 May 2016, 12:00 EDT
Advanced Registration Deadline: 9 May 2016

 
OSA Optical Interference Coatings Topical Meeting

19 – 24 June 2016, Loews Ventana Canyon, Tucson, Arizona, US

Advanced Registration Deadline: 23 May 2016
Hotel Reservation Deadline: 21 May 2016

 
OSA International Conference on Ultrafast Phenomena

17 – 22 July 2016, Santa Fe Community Center, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

Hotel Reservation Deadline: 17 June 2016
Advanced Registration Deadline: 20 June 2016

   
Publication Deadlines
Applied Optics

Feature Issue: Information Optics: Current Research Topics Pioneered by Adolf Lohmann
Submission Opens: 15 June 2016; Submission Deadline: 1 August 2016 

Biomedical Optics Express

Feature Issue: Topics in Biomedical Optics from OSA’s BIOMED 2016 Congress
Submission Opens: 1 May 2016; Submission Deadline: 15 June 2016  

Journal of Optical Communications and Networking

Feature Issue: Optical Networking for 5G Mobile and Wireless Communications
Submission Deadline: 31 May 2016

Optics Express

Feature Issue: Nanophotonics
Submission Opens: 1 April 2016; Submission Deadline: 15 May 2016

Meetings Calendar

OIDA Workshop on Integrated Photonics High Volume Packaging

20 March 2016, Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California, US

 
OSA Executive Forum

21 March 2016, Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California, US

 
OSA Incubator on Computational Modeling and Performance Metrics for Imaging System Design and Evaluation

13 – 15 April 2016, OSA Headquarters, Washington, DC, USA

 

 
Image for keeping the session alive