Optica

ALT Two different 2-mm diamond chips with stamped GaP devices are glued to the cold finger of a cryostat to be cooled to 4 K. Sixteen sets of 40 nanophotonic cavities are arrayed over each chip.

ALT The optical ring-laser gyroscope uses a relatively large ring (pictured), which helped improve sensitivity.

ALT A person is holding a the flat gyroscope wafer with a grid pattern and a colorful edge. The grid contains various numbers marked on some sections.

ALT A purple electronic device labeled "Octave" on a perforated black surface, featuring various wires and components inside a rectangular frame.

ALT Two people stand in a lab next to equipment and a computer displaying graphs. One is dressed in a t-shirt, the other in a suit. The setting appears technical, involving scientific instruments.

ALT Helix Nebula

ALT The image shows the model’s simulations of color differences between observers viewing a Rec. 2020 capable display calibrated for the CIE 2006 2° standard observer. The upper left and lower right quadrants show the original color. The upper right quadrants show the color as seen by an observer with shifted sensitivity to red light. The lower left quadrants show the color as seen by a person with a shifted sensitivity to green light.

ALT Brilliant aurora lights south of Australia, photographed from the International Space Station

ALT [Image credits: Christopher P. Michel; Millencolin, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons]

ALT Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel

ALT [Image credit: Photograph of Karl Deisseroth, Christopher P. Michel Photographs of Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel: Millencolin, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons A photograph of Georg Nagel: Public Domain]

ALT A square image showing the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft ascending into space after its launch from Kazakhstan. The Optica logo is present on the upper left of the image. Text reads "World Space Week" Smaller text reads "Limitless possibilities for exploration"

ALT Two FiO26 attendees talking at the Industry Showcase. They are shown holding a green stuffed dog, the mascot of Thorlabs.

ALT A group photo of four attendees holding Thorlabs' stuffed mascot, a green dog.

ALT Attendees at FiO 2026.

ALT Vials of (from left) sea water, Great Salt Lake water, nickel sulfate, copper chloride wastewater, and desalinated water, along with recovered salts, shows how a new approach turns natural and industrial waters into fresh water and reusable materials. [Image: J. Adam Fenster, University of Rochester]

ALT Researchers have developed a solar-powered desalination device featuring laser-etched super-wicking black metal (right). Unlike existing solar desalination systems (left), Chunlei Guo’s design prevents salt and mineral buildup from clogging the surface. [Image: J. Adam Fenster, University of Rochester]