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August 2025

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Spectroscopy for Cultural Heritage Science
Image Credit: banusevim / Getty Images
Spectroscopy is a crucial tool in the field of cultural heritage, offering insights into the material composition of objects, guiding the development of new conservation techniques and identifying optimal environmental conditions for preventive conservation. But analyzing rare historical or archaeological samples requires special considerations and can pose great challenges to spectroscopists.

A feature article in the September issue of Optica’s magazine Optics & Photonics News (OPN) looks at developments in spectroscopy for archaeology and cultural heritage science, toward analyzing cultural heritage objects on-site using multiple nondestructive, complementary spectroscopic methods simultaneously.
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Noninvasive stent imaging powered by light and sound
Researchers used photoacoustic microscopy to image stents through skin. They were able to visualize stents with fractures and compression and other clinical scenarios such as overlapped stents or conditions mimicking lipid deposition.
Image Credit: Myeongsu Seong, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
In the Optica Publishing Group journal Optics Letters, the researchers show that photoacoustic microscopy can be used to monitor the issues in stents covered with mouse skin under various clinically relevant conditions, including simulated damage and plaque buildup.
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OCT imaging uncovers how embryos are transported
Researchers used OCT to uncover new insights into how the oviduct transports preimplantation embryos toward the uterus for pregnancy. They captured this in vivo 3D OCT image, which shows the mouse oviduct with preimplantation embryos (red spheres) inside.
Image Credit: Huan Han and Shang Wang, Stevens Institute of Technology
In the Optica Publishing Group journal Biomedical Optics Express, the researchers report results from using advanced OCT imaging approaches to capture the oviduct dynamics with the preimplantation embryo inside. This mouse study revealed that the oviduct uses a previously unknown pumping mechanism to drive embryo movement during preimplantation development.
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Major steps taken toward cuff-free blood pressure monitoring
Researchers demonstrated that speckle contrast optical spectroscopy (SCOS) can be used for cuff-less blood pressure monitoring. The new system can acquire measurements from the wrist or finger.
Image Credit: Gwyneth Moe
In the Optica Publishing Group journal Biomedical Optics Express, the researchers showed that blood flow and volume information simultaneously acquired by placing their SCOS device on the finger and wrist of 30 volunteers was up to 31% more accurate at estimating blood pressure than using blood volume information alone. Blood volume information, measured through photoplethysmography, is the basis of several commercialized optical blood pressure monitors.
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2025 Milton and Rosalind Chang Pivoting Fellow Announced
Image Credit: Dr. Lu Wang
Congratulations to Dr. Lu Wang, University of Ottawa, who is recognized for her commitment to bridging science and art through her ‘Art-Science Fusion’ initiative, which aims to enhance public understanding of science, share knowledge, and inspire creativity.
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Vote for the Future Leaders of Optica
Optica
Don’t miss your opportunity to participate in the Optica Board of Directors election. Select the candidates that best represent your vision for the Society. Vote today for the 2026 Vice President and 2026-2028 Directors at Large. Instructions on how to access your ballot were sent via email from Survey & Ballot Systems (SBS). To learn more about the candidates, review their biographies and election statements. The election results will be announced at the Optica Annual Business Meeting on 28 October in Denver, Colorado, USA.
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Fellow Insight-Mentorship
Photo courtesy of Christoph Simon
Christoph Simon credits his success to a long list of mentors, including teachers, supervisors, and colleagues, from all points in his career. He emphasizes the impact of “well-informed peers” on his development. The many interactions he had with them offered not only support but insight. His advice for finding a mentor is to remember that a mentor may not match your expectations: “They may be a peer or even a junior colleague, or it may be a person you talk to only infrequently, but their impact on your thinking may be just as profound.”
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Community Matters
FiO LS 2025 Career Zone: Where Talent Meets Opportunity
Optica
Whether you're seeking your next opportunity or looking to hire top talent, the Career Zone at FIO LS 2025 is the place to connect, explore, and grow. Held alongside Optica’s premier annual meeting, the Career Zone brings together job seekers, students, and leading employers across optics and photonics.

Job Seekers: Connect with top employers across optics, photonics, quantum, biomedical imaging, aerospace, and more. Get personalized career support through 1:1 coaching, resume reviews, and onsite interviews. Open to students, early-career, and experienced professionals.

Employers: Gain visibility and connect with highly qualified candidates attending FIO. Participate in interviews, presentations, and networking activities to meet future team members. To discuss employer options, contact Maddie Fowler at
mfowler@optica.org or 202-416-1989.

Don't miss this chance to engage with the global optics and photonics community!
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Join global leaders in Denver for FiO LS 2025. Register by 12 September to save up to USD 190 and get access to top sessions and exhibits.
 
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