History

Over a Century of Optics & Photonics

Welcome to the Living History of Optica, where we celebrate the society and the science of optics and photonics over the past century and beyond! You'll find biographies, photos, memoirs, videos and much more. 

From the birth of the local optical society in Rochester, New York, U.S, in 1915 to today, light science has made tremendous advancements. It touches the lives of each and every one of us around the globe. Join us on our journey of bringing history to life by exploring the Milestones and Celebrations, Biographies and Memoirs,  Multimedia and the Chronology of this amazing science that shapes our world.

We are only at the beginning of what optics technology can do,
The society and its members will continue to be at the forefront of advancing the science of light.
Alan Willner, 2016 President

Biography

Leonard Mandel

Last updated: 5/25/2023 11:45:00 AM

Biography

Gerd Leuchs

Last updated: 5/16/2023 2:19:01 PM

Biography

Susana Marcos

Last updated: 4/11/2023 12:14:34 PM

Biography

Katharine E. Schmidtke

Last updated: 4/7/2023 3:57:29 PM

Biography

Herbert E. Ives

Last updated: 3/10/2023 5:38:38 PM

President, 1924

Biography

Connie Chang-Hasnain

Last updated: 3/6/2023 3:21:19 PM

President, 2021

Biography

Stephan Schlemmer

Last updated: 3/2/2023 8:12:05 PM

Biography

Yeshaiahu Fainman

Last updated: 2/28/2023 8:12:57 PM

Biography

Turan Erdogan

Last updated: 2/28/2023 7:47:01 PM

Biography

Harold Metcalf

Last updated: 2/28/2023 5:53:46 PM

Biography

Vanderlei S. Bagnato

Last updated: 2/28/2023 5:22:24 PM

Biography

Scott Diddams

Last updated: 2/28/2023 4:01:34 PM

Biography

Peter Griffiths

Last updated: 2/28/2023 3:45:45 PM

Biography

Brian T. Cunningham

Last updated: 2/28/2023 11:43:28 AM

Biography

Eric Schiesser

Last updated: 2/28/2023 10:36:18 AM

Biography

Marin Soljacic

Last updated: 2/28/2023 10:32:07 AM

Biography

Alexandra Boltasseva

Last updated: 2/28/2023 10:28:03 AM

Biography

Andrew B. Watson

Last updated: 2/28/2023 10:27:46 AM

Biography

William Renninger

Last updated: 2/28/2023 10:14:59 AM

Biography

David Jones Brady

Last updated: 2/28/2023 10:13:26 AM