| Image Credit: [Xanadu] |
Decades of foundational research into quantum science using photonic systems have enabled scientists to harness these esoteric phenomena for sensing, imaging and ultrasecure communications. Now, a growing number of startups are working toward leveraging photonics for practical quantum computing—and some have already launched commercial photonic processors that can boost the performance of classical computers.
A feature article in the June issue of Optica’s magazine Optics & Photonics News (OPN) looks at the latest developments in large-scale photonic quantum computing, including the companies that believe a universal quantum machine is finally within reach. |
|
|
|
|
|
Researchers developed a wood-based microfluidic chip that can detect lead in water. Pictured is a version of the microfluidic chip used for the filtration test. The lower left image shows the solution before filtration and the lower right image, after filtration.
Image Credit: Yicheng Lyu, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology |
| In a recent article published in Applied Optics, researchers describe how they developed a wood-based microfluidic chip that uses both microwave and colorimetric spectroscopy to detect lead concentration in water. In the future, portable wood chips could be used to quickly detect the water quality at home, avoiding the risk of lead poisoning. |
|
|
|
|
|
The microimager, composed of a dense array of flexible optical waveguides along an implantable thin-film shank, relays pixelized fluorescent images of protein-tagged neurons to the image sensor. The central waveguide provides excitation light while surrounding waveguides collect fluorescent emission light.
Image Credit: Maysam Chamanzar, Carnegie Mellon University |
| In a recent news release from Biomedical Optics Express, learn how researchers developed an extremely thin, flexible device that is ideal for noninvasively acquiring images from deep regions of the body without causing significant tissue damage. With further development, it could be used with surgical tools to provide real-time visual feedback that improves surgical outcomes and reduces the chance of adverse effects. |
|
|
|
|
|
| Image Credit: Damien Bérubé and Swati Narasimhan |
Optica and the Materials Research Society (MRS) announced two recipients for the 2025-2026 Congressional Fellowship Program: the Arthur H. Guenther Congressional Fellowship from Optica and the MRS/Optica Congressional Science and Engineering Fellowship.
Damien Bérubé and Swati Narasimhan will begin their one-year terms in Washington, D.C., in September 2025.
During their fellowships, they will serve as special legislative assistants, applying their technical expertise to support the work of the U.S. Congress or a congressional committee to bridge the gap between science and policy. |
|
|
|
|
|
| Optica |
| Optica has partnered with Survey & Ballot Systems (SBS) to administer the 2025 election for the Optica Board of Directors. To ensure that you receive your ballot and election-specific communications, add noreply@directvote.net to your contact list as an approved sender. Members will receive instructions regarding how to access their ballot on or around 25 June 2025. Learn more about the candidates on the 2025 slate. Contact voting@optica.org with questions. |
|
|
|
|
|
| Photo courtesy of Shambhu Ghimire |
| Thinking back to early childhood, Shambhu Ghimire acknowledges the incredible opportunities he’s had over the years to get to his current position. His career is a clear illustration that optics is everywhere and for everyone. While there is very little scientific research in a lab in the Himalayas, there are still curious minds. Shambhu shares that in some parts of the mountains, people utilize parabolic mirrors to focus sunlight that becomes very bright and gets hot enough to cook a potato, for example. It is communities like this that Shambhu hopes societies like Optica can aid. He appreciates how Optica crosses borders both geographically and scientifically and embraces diversity in many ways. |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
| Save your seat for Sensing. |
| Join experts from around the world for in-person technical sessions, invited talks, and networking focused on the latest in optical sensing. Register by 08 July to save USD 200. |
|
|
|
 |
| Imaging innovation awaits. |
| Explore label-free 3D live cell imaging with plenary speaker Pietro Ferraro and discover what’s next in optical imaging. Register by 08 July, save USD 200, |
|
|
|
|
|
