Optica Names Tony Heinz the 2026 Frederic Ives Medal/Jarus W. Quinn Prize Recipient
About Optica
18 February 2026
Optica Names Tony Heinz the 2026 Frederic Ives Medal/Jarus W. Quinn Prize Recipient
WASHINGTON — Optica, Advancing Optics and Photonics Worldwide, is pleased to announce that Tony F. Heinz, Stanford University and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, USA has been named the recipient of the 2026 Frederic Ives Medal/Jarus W. Quinn Prize. Heinz is recognized for pioneering discoveries in photon science, outstanding leadership, and a deep commitment to education.
“Tony Heinz’s groundbreaking research opened a new branch of optics, helping us to understand surfaces, interfaces, and nanoscale materials,” said Gisele Bennett, Optica's 2026 President. “But his impact has reached even farther through his visionary leadership, mentorship, and service to the optics community. It is an honor to celebrate his lasting contributions to our field.”
First presented in 1929, the Frederic Ives Medal recognizes overall distinction in optics and is Optica’s highest award. The Quinn Prize was added in 1995 in honor of Optica’s first Executive Director, Jarus W. Quinn.
Heinz received a BS degree in Physics from Stanford University in 1978 and a PhD degree, also in Physics, from the University of California at Berkeley in 1982. Heinz then joined the IBM Research Division in Yorktown Heights, NY, as a research staff member. In 1995, he became a professor of Physics and Electrical Engineering at Columbia University. In 2015, he joined Stanford University as a Professor of Applied Physics and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory as a Professor of Photon Science. He has served in various leadership positions, including as Associate Laboratory Director for Energy Sciences at SLAC and as Director of the E. L. Ginzton Laboratory at Stanford.
Heinz has made seminal contributions to the understanding of surfaces, interfaces, and nanoscale materials through the development and creative application of spectroscopic techniques. His early contributions to optical second‐harmonic generation helped to launch this sensitive method for probing surfaces and interfaces. In the following years, Heinz has been a world leader in applying optical techniques to reveal the unique electronic and excited-state properties of 1D and 2D materials, such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, and 2D semiconductors.
Heinz is known as a dedicated educator who enjoys teaching students from introductory physics classes to specialized graduate courses. He takes particular pride in the accomplishments of his nearly 100 former graduate students and postdocs who are now expanding the frontiers of science and technology around the world.
Heinz has been active in professional societies, particularly within Optica, where he served as the President in 2012. He is a Fellow of Optica and other professional societies, a Fellow of the AAAS and a member of the US National Academy of Sciences. His research contributions have been recognized by the Meggers Award and other distinctions, including the Isakson and Schawlow Prizes and the Zewail Award.
About Optica
Optica, Advancing Optics and Photonics Worldwide, is the Society dedicated to promoting the generation, application, archiving and dissemination of knowledge in the field. Founded in 1916, it is the leading organization for scientists, engineers, business professionals, students and others interested in the science of light. Optica's renowned publications, meetings, online resources and in-person activities fuel discoveries, shape real-life applications and accelerate scientific, technical and educational achievement. Discover more at: Optica.org
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