Emmett N. Leith Medal

Recognizes seminal contributions to the field of optical information processing. In assessing the significance of the contribution, consideration is given to all aspects including theoretical and conceptual breakthroughs as well as practical applications. Optical information processing is broadly conceived to include sensing and analog signal processing as well as computing (classical and quantum) and optical storage.

The medal was established in 2006 to honor Emmett N. Leith, a world-renowned scientist in holography and optical information processing. It is endowed by General Dynamics, the University of Michigan College of Engineering, Physical Optics Corporation and individual contributors, including Alexander Sawchuk, Joseph Goodman, James R. Fienup, G. Michael Morris, Tom Cathey and James Wyant.

Winners

2021

Bahram Javidi

For exceptional innovation and transformative technological impact on the field information optics, including pioneering contributions to digital holography for life sciences, information security, optical sensing, and processing of photon starved scenes

2020

Mitsuo Takeda

For contributions to the fields of optical information processing and holography through the inventions of Fourier fringe analysis and coherence holography

2019

Wolfgang Osten

For extending the limits of optical metrology by integrating digital image processing with modern optical measurement techniques

2018

Asher Albert Friesem

For pioneering, seminal and wide ranging contributions to coherent optics, particularly the developments of new techniques and procedures in holographic applications and optical information processing

2017

Jumpei Tsujiuchi

For early pioneering work in optical information processing, holography and optical metrology, including the first demonstration of coherent optical processing for image restoration

2016

Francis T. S Yu

For his life-long important contributions to holography, white-light holography, partially coherent signal processing, optical correlators, and information optics

2015

Yeshaiahu Fainman

For extension of Fourier optics methods to the femtosecond and nanometer regimes

2014

Adam Kozma *

For seminal contributions to optical information processing of radar data and holographic memories

2013

James R. Fienup

For the integration of optics and digital systems as demonstrated in pioneering contributions to phase retrieval, image restoration, wavefront sensing and computational imaging

2012

Demetri Psaltis

For seminal contributions to holographic storage and optical information processing

2011

Jean-Pierre Huignard

For seminal contributions to the field of spatial light modulators and analog optical signal processing

2010

Juris Upatnieks

For his pioneering and seminal contributions to the development of practical holography and its applications, including the co-invention (with Emmett Leith) of the off-axis hologram, the development of compact optical correlators and the introduction of edge-illuminated holograms

2009

Joseph W. Goodman

For pioneering research and education in optical information processing, holography and statistical optics, particularly for work on the statistical properties of speckle and optical interconnections

2008

Adolf W. Lohmann *

For seminal contributions to the fields of optical information processing and holography

* Deceased