Optica mourns the passing of these distinguished colleagues.
Thursday, July 20, 2023
James Austin Piper, Optica Fellow and Emeritus Professor at Macquarie University, passed away on 20 July 2023. He was most known for establishing one of the first laser research programs in Australia. He conducted internationally-recognized research in metal-vapor lasers, solid-state lasers, laser applications in micromachining and medicine, and nanotechnology for sensing and imaging.Piper earned
Monday, July 10, 2023
Mansoor Sheik-Bahae, Optica Fellow and 2012 recipient of the R. W. Wood Prize, passed away on 10 July 2023. He was known for his work in laser cooling in solids, ultrafast nonlinear optics, and nonlinear optics. Sheik-Bahae's work in the Z-scan technique was seminal and led to a standard tool in most nonlinear optics laboratories around the world. Mansoor Sheik-Bahae was a Distinguished
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
James Elliot Faller, Optica Fellow, passed away on 14 June 2023 at the age of 89. Faller was an experimental physicist who made significant contributions to precision measurements, experimental relativity, and innovative instrumentation. He was an internationally renowned physicist in the Quantum Physics Division of the National Institute for Standards and Technology and a Fellow of JILA
Thursday, April 20, 2023
Optica is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Jay M. Eastman, an Optica Fellow and former Optica Board Member who made significant contributions to the field of optics. Eastman passed away on 20 April 2023 at the age of 74 after a short illness. Eastman was an active volunteer with Optica, having served on numerous councils and committees during his career. He was as an elected
Wednesday, April 5, 2023
James T. Schwiegerling, Optica Senior Member and Fellow and Professor Emeritus of Optical Sciences at the University of Arizona passed away on 5 April 2023. Schwiegerling’s research focused on ophthalmology and lens design. He was most known for developing trifocal intraocular lenses, allowing for mid-range vision and almost eliminating the need for glasses or contacts
Friday, March 31, 2023
Marvin J. Weber, Optica Fellow and optical materials researcher for high-power laser systems, has passed away. He was most known for developing fluorophosphate laser glass and applying laser and scintillator materials.Weber received bachelor, master, and doctorate degrees in physics from the University of California, Berkeley. Upon completing his studies, he joined the Research Division at
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Gerald William Grams, Optica Fellow most known for his work in laser-based measurements of particulates and aerosols in the atmosphere and the effect of aerosols on the earth’s climate, passed away on 22 March 2023 at the age of 84 in Waseca, Minnesota.Grams was born and raised in Janesville, Minnesota. He received his bachelor’s in Mathematics and Physics from Minnesota State
Monday, March 13, 2023
Optica is deeply saddened by the passing of Paul L. Kelley, an Optica Fellow and Emeritus Member and a distinguished scientist who made significant contributions to the field of optics. Kelley passed away on 13 March at the age of 88, leaving behind a legacy of outstanding service and dedication to Optica and the scientific community.Kelley's remarkable 35-year volunteer service to Optica was
Monday, February 27, 2023
Russell W. Dreyfus, Optica Fellow, has passed away. Dreyfus was most known for his solid-state physics and laser research work at the International Business Machines (IBM) Thomas Watson Research Center.Dreyfus received his bachelor’s degree in physics from Purdue University in 1951 and remained at the school to pursue his master of science in physics for semiconductors in 1953. In 1956, he
Saturday, December 3, 2022
Arvind S. Marathay, Optica Fellow and Emeritus Professor of Optical Sciences at the Wyant College of Optical Sciences, University of Arizona, passed away at the age of 88. Marathay was an outstanding scientist, devoted teacher, and beloved mentor to countless students.Marathay grew up in Bombay (now Mumbai), India, and his father was a medical practitioner who specialized in women’s health
