David C. Hanna
About Optica
In Memoriam: David C. Hanna, 1941-2026
27 January 2026
David C. Hanna, an Optica Fellow and recipient of the Charles Hard Townes Award (2003), passed away on 27 January 2026, at age 84. Hanna was an Emeritus Professor of Physics at the University of Southampton. He was known for his contributions to laser physics and nonlinear optics, and he played a pivotal role in the formation of the Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) at the University of Southampton. Hanna was elected to the Royal Society in 1998.
Hanna was born in Nottingham, England, and earned a B.A. degree from the University of Cambridge in 1962, followed by a Ph.D. from the University of Southampton in 1967. He joined the Department of Electronics at the University of Southampton in 1963 as a research student. In 1984, the laser group moved to the Department of Physics, and Hanna advanced through numerous academic positions, becoming a Professor of Physics in 1988. In 1989, the ORC was established, and Hanna was named its Deputy Director. Under his leadership, the ORC would become the largest academic photonics center in the UK. During his career, Hanna held several visiting positions, including at the Politecnico di Milano in Italy and as an Alexander von Humboldt Fellow at the University of Munich in Germany. Hanna was active within the Institute of Physics (IOP) and served as chairman of the Quantum Electronics Group.
Hanna was a dedicated volunteer for Optica (formerly OSA), serving on multiple committees, including the Nonlinear Optics International Advisory Committee (2001-2007), the Nominating Council (1997-1999), and as an elected Director at Large on the Optica Board of Directors (1997-1999). Additionally, he was a member of the International Council on Quantum Electronics (1994-1999) and the CLEO-Europe Steering Committee (1995-1997). Hanna joined Optica in 1991 and was an Emeritus member.
Hanna received numerous accolades throughout his career, including the Charles Hard Townes Medal in 2003, “for seminal contributions to the development of coherent light sources and for leadership within the worldwide optics community.” He became an Optica Fellow in 1998 “for pioneering contributions to the development of solid-state lasers and nonlinear optical devices.” Hanna was awarded the Max Born Medal and Prize by the German Physical Society and the British Institute of Physics in 1993. This award is presented annually for outstanding contributions to physics in memory of German physicist Max Born, who was instrumental in the development of quantum mechanics. Hanna also received the Quantum Electronics Prize from the European Physical Society.
Hanna was widely respected for his success as a researcher. He was a towering figure in laser physics and beloved by colleagues and collaborators. Hanna was generous with his time and expertise, inspiring others with his passion for optics and photonics and his curiosity about the world around him.
Optica and the scientific community mourn the loss of David Hanna.
