Our Future is Light: Celebrating Light Day 2022
Sammi Bradley, Digital Communications Coordinator, Optica
Light is inherent to science, culture, art, education and sustainable development. Light unites our increasingly globalized society through the internet with fiber optic cables, powers modern medical technologies like endoscopes and connects your phone with integrated circuits. Optica brings together teaching programs using light science and technology to build a worldwide educational capacity through activities with school-aged children, addressing issues of gender balance, and focusing on countries with emerging economies.
The global optics and photonics community celebrates the International Day of Light each year on 16 May to celebrate the anniversary of the first successful operation of the laser in 1960 by physicist and engineer, Theodore Maiman. The International Day of Light is a call to strengthen scientific cooperation and harness its potential to foster peace and sustainable development.
The Global Environmental Measurement and Monitoring Initiative (GEMM), an Optica and American Geophysical Union (AGU) supported program, uses remote sensing technology to provide live greenhouse gas emissions updates to cities to provide local policymakers the information they need to make informed climate decisions to support a sustainable future. Representatives of the initiative presented GEMM at the 2021 United Nations Climate Conference (COP26) in Glasgow last year.
At Optica, we believe the people in the optical sciences should be as diverse as the applications of light. To maintain a robust, global community of optical scientists, we have launched initiatives to ensure everyone feels welcome in optics. The Amplify Scholarship, launched in early 2022, is investing in future Black scientists with a grant awarded to 10 outstanding undergraduate or graduate-level students. To empower the next generation of women in optics and photonics, Optica names 20 undergraduate or Master’s level students Optica Women Scholars each year. Optica’s Ambassadors play an important role in creating a more diverse and welcoming optics community through their willingness to provide career advice, technical knowledge and mentorship to students and early career professionals.
Optica is constantly adapting to new developments in light science as a leader in the photonics community. Light has revolutionized science and society, advancing research in nanophotonics, quantum optics, environmental sensing and all areas central to a sustainable future. Our members are at the forefront of scientific innovation in the field to pioneer new discoveries and revolutionize light science to universally improve our quality of life and the planet.
2022 is the 20th anniversary of the Optica Foundation, and we're celebrating with a new program: The Optica Foundation 20th Anniversary Challenge. From 16 May through 31 May, we're welcoming ideas for submissions with #OpticaFoundationChallenge.
Starting June 2022, early-career researchers will be able to submit proposals for ways they can use optics and photonics to solve challenges for our world. 10 participants will receive US$100,000 for their work to build a bright future with light science.
How can you participate in the International Day of Light? You can learn more about the celebration, associated events and initiatives on its website and social media.
Celebrate with us by sharing how you’re spending International Day of Light with #LightDay2022 and @OpticaWorldwide.
