Optical Sciences Division
Division Overview
The Optical Sciences Division is concerned with the fundamental physics of light and its diverse interactions with matter. Activities are coordinated through three Technical Groups: Applied Spectroscopy and Environmental Sensing, Short Wavelength and High Field Physics, and Ultrafast Optical Phenomena. Each group works with OSA to develop focused topical meetings, organize symposia at the CLEO, QELS, IQEC and Annual Meeting, and sponsor special issues of OSA peer-reviewed publications. Additionally, the Optical Sciences Division supports affiliated OSA technical meetings engaged in topics of relevance to the division.
What’s Hot in Optics Today?
Find out more about the current activities of this division, as well as emerging topics in the field and current challenges by reading this presentation by Barry Walker, University of Delaware, Division Chair-Elect.
Division Overview Presentation
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Technical Groups
Applied Spectroscopy and Environmental Sensing (SH)
The Applied Spectroscopy and Environmental Sensing technical group emphasizes the application of
optical spectroscopy to detection and sensing problems in environmental, atmospheric, combustion,
defense and biomedical fields. This group sponsors the biannual Laser Applications to Chemical and
Environmental Analysis (LACEA) topical meeting and various technical sessions at CLEO.
Short Wavelength and High Field Physics (SX)
This group provides a focus for activities related to the development and application of high
intensity lasers as well as novel XUV and x-ray sources. The group intends to serve fundamental and
scientific researchers as well as the technological and industrial community. Specific interests
include: the technology of high intensity, ultrafast lasers, the physics of high intensity light
interactions with matter, and the generation of high brightness or ultrafast sources of short
wavelength radiation with lasers. They are also interested in advances in traditional short wavelength
sources including insertion devices for storage rings (undulators and wigglers), plasma X-ray lasers,
electron beam based sources, and x-ray free electron lasers. Issues bridging high field optics and
short wavelength source development, such as the production and use of attosecond x-ray pulses, are
of particular interest.
Ultrafast Optical Phenomena (QY)
This group is interested in the rapidly expanding field of ultrashort pulse lasers and
other broadband coherent sources and their application to problems in science and technology.
Current themes involve methods for using short pulses for studying the dynamics and structural
changes of systems on very short timescales, including novel methods for probing physical and
chemical processes with extreme temporal resolution, and applications of ultrashort pulses in
photonics, communications, microscopy, biomedicine and other emerging areas.
Division Leadership
Barry Walker, Division Chair (10/06-10/08)
University of Delaware
Department of Physics and Astronomy
223 Sharp Laboratory
Newark, DE 19716-0000
Tel: +1 302.831.2673
Fax: +1 302.831.1637
E-mail: bcwalker@udel.edu |
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Martin Richardson, Division Chair-Elect (9/07-10/08)
University of Central Florida, CREOL
College of Optics
4000 Central Florida Ave
Orlando, FL 32816-2700
Tel: +1 407.823.6819
Fax: +1 407.823.3570
E-mail: mcr@creol.ucf.edu |
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Applied Spectroscopy and Environmental Sensing
Azer Yalin, Chair (10/06-10/08)
Colorado State University
Department of Mechanical Eng.
A-101 Engineering Bldg.
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1374
Tel: +1 970.491.2813
Fax: +1 970.491.3827
E-mail: ayalin@engr.colostate.edu |
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Short Wavelength and High Field Physics
Koichi Yamakawa, Chair (9/07-10/09)
Japan Atomic Energy Agency
8-1 Umemidai
Kizu, Kyoto 619-0215
Tel: 774713327
Fax: 774713316
Email: yamakawa.koichi@jaea.go.jp |
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Ultrafast Optical Phenomena
David Reitze, Chair (10/06-10/08)
University of Florida
Physics Department
PO Box 118440
Gainesville FL 32611-8440
Tel: +1 352.392.3582
Fax: +1 352.392.3591
Email: reitze@phys.ufl.edu |
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Andrea Cavalleri, Vice-Chair (10/06-10/08)
University of Oxford
Department of Physics, Clarendon Lab
Parks Rd
Oxford OX1 3PU
UNITED KINGDOM
Tel: +44 0 1865 2 72365
Email: a.cavalleri1@physics.ox.ac.uk |
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