| Credit: A. Morozov / Getty Images |
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The dramatic scale-up and scale-out of AI infrastructure are pushing the demand for photonics to an unprecedented degree, as photonic links are called upon to overcome bottlenecks faced by copper-based networks. A feature article in the November issue of Optica’s magazine Optics & Photonics News (OPN) looks at how the tremendous interest in fiber networks for data centers that house AI infrastructure—also known as “AI factories”—is paving the way for a new era in photonics manufacturing.
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Researchers developed a new type of spectral shaper that can shape the spectrum of 10,000 lines of light from a laser frequency comb. The image shows the spatial light modulator they used with a 2D spectrum on the surface.
Credit: William Newman and Jake Charsley, Heriot-Watt University |
| In a recent article published in Optica, researchers describe how they developed a new spectral shaper that can precisely control over 10,000 individual lines on a laser frequency comb, a 10-fold improvement over previous methods. This advance could provide an important new tool in the search for Earth-like exoplanets and could also benefit fields such as telecommunications, quantum optics, and advanced radar systems. |
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| Photo courtesy of Withawat Withayachumnankul |
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Withawat Withayachumnankul dedicates most of his time to his research. He is happy to do this because he views research as his hobby as well as his job and approaches it with a vigorous curiosity. However, he is also interested in astronomy and philosophy and enjoys pondering big questions. In particular, he is intrigued by questions that science cannot answer, like why we are here and what consciousness is. Looking up to space and admiring all of the unknown beyond the Earth’s surface gives him further inspiration to continue his work.
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| Attendees at FiO LS 2025 in Denver, Colorado |
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Thank you to everyone who joined us at FiO + LS 2025 in Denver. More than 1,000 scientists, engineers, and innovators came together to exchange ideas, share research, and advance the field of optics and photonics.
From the Challenge Symposium and Meet the Editors to Amplify and Student Leadership events, the week was filled with energy and collaboration. A special highlight was the student receptions, full of music, dancing, and connection from around the world.
Everyone's attendance makes these experiences possible, supporting programs that advance the optics and photonics community through professional development, publishing, networking, and recognition.
We appreciate your continued involvement and look forward to seeing you at FiO + LS 2026 in Rochester, New York!
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| Photo courtesy of Dr. Viktoriia Babicheva |
| This month, we’re proud to feature Dr. Viktoriia Babicheva, a Senior Member of Optica whose pioneering work in nanophotonics and photonic materials continues to shape the field. Now at the University of New Mexico, Dr. Babicheva brings extensive experience from leading research institutions, including the University of Arizona, Purdue University, and Georgia State University. With more than 80 peer-reviewed publications and over 1,100 citations, her research on metasurfaces, nanoparticle resonances, and hyperbolic metamaterials bridges theory, simulation, and experiment. |
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| Final Weeks to Submit |
| Submit to the Optica Biophotonics Congress and share advances in imaging, drug delivery and AI-powered biomedical analysis. Accepted papers will be published and indexed worldwide. |
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| OFC Conference & Exhibition |
| Register for OFC 2026, 15–19 March 2026 with exhibition 17–19 March. Hear plenary speakers from Coherent, Nvidia and TESAT and explore 700+ exhibitors across optical networking and communications. |
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Join the WORKinOPTICS Career Center on 4 December 2025 for our Virtual Career Fair. With over 285 Job seekers registered from 31+ countries, now is the perfect time to connect with top talent ahead of the New Year!
Reserve your virtual recruitment table here or reach out to workinoptics@optica.org for more information.
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