Anthony J. DeMaria
About Optica
In Memoriam: Anthony J. DeMaria, 1931-2025
26 January 2025
Anthony J. DeMaria, 1981 Optica President and Fellow, passed away on 26 January 2025 at the age of 93. DeMaria was known for his outstanding contributions to the field of optics and quantum electronics, particularly the first demonstration of optical picosecond pulses using mode-locked lasers and pioneering contributions to the application of lasers in industry and scientific research. His discoveries influenced the study of atomic and molecular dynamics, nonlinear optics, and plasma physics.
DeMaria was born in Santa Croce, Italy, on 30 October 1931, and moved to the United States with his parents as a young boy and settled in Waterbury, Connecticut. He graduated from Crosby High School and studied at the University of Connecticut, where he majored in physics. DeMaria received his Master’s degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and his Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut. DeMaria spent most of his career at the United Technologies Corporation Research Center, where he conducted pioneering research on lasers and held top-secret clearance in the Department of Defense. He ultimately served as the Assistant Director of Research from 1985 until his retirement in 1994.
Following his retirement, DeMaria founded DeMaria ElectroOptics Systems with several of his colleagues and served as President/CEO until the company was sold to Coherent in 2001. In addition to his work in industry, DeMaria was a professor in residence at the ECE Department of the University of Connecticut, an adjunct professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and a Distinguished Fairchild Scholar at the California Institute of Technology. DeMaria was a member of the National Academies of Engineering and Sciences as well as co-founder, member, and past president of the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering and the Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences. He held 55 US patents and lectured throughout the world. DeMaria consulted for the US Departments of Defense, Energy, and Commerce.
DeMaria was a Fellow of Optica, APS, IEEE, and SPIE. He was also a past president of SPIE. DeMaria received the Frederic Ives Medal, the IEEE Morris N. Liebmann Memorial Award, the Connecticut Medal of Technology, and the University of Connecticut Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award. He was a member of the University of Connecticut’s Academy of Distinguished Engineers. DeMaria was active with Optica (formerly OSA), having served on several committees and councils before being elected the Society’s President. He held positions on the Publications Council, Finance Council, and Executive Council. DeMaria was also a member of the Edwin Land Medal Committee and the Presidential Advisory Committee.
DeMaria married his high school sweetheart Katherine Waybright in 1955. In his spare time, DeMaria enjoyed spending time at his home on Congamond Lake in Southwick, MA. He loved to travel with his wife, daughter, and grandchildren. DeMaria also traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, and the Americas. He is survived by his daughter, Karla K. Lindquist of Southwick, MA; two granddaughters, Kari Kay Eckley (Sean) of Littleton, MA, and Kaitlyn McGhee (Ryan) of East Hartland; four great-grandchildren, sister-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.
Optica and the scientific community mourn his loss.
