Optical science and engineering affect almost every aspect of our lives. Millions of miles of optical fiber carry voice and data signals around the world. Lasers are used in surgery of the retina, kidneys, and heart. New high-efficiency light sources promise dramatic reductions in electricity consumption. Night-vision equipment and satellite surveillance are changing how wars are fought. Industry uses optical methods in everything from the production of computer chips to the construction of tunnels. Harnessing Light surveys this multitude of applications, as well as the status of the optics industry and of research and education in optics, and identifies actions that could enhance the field's contributions to society and facilitate its continued technical development.
- Harnessing Light
- Copyright
- Preface
- Acknowledgment of Reviewers
- Contents
- Executive Summary: Introduction to the Field and the Issues
- THE FIELD OF OPTICS
- THE REPORT
- Optics and National Needs
- Information Technology and Telecommunications
- Health Care and the Life Sciences
- Optical Sensing, Lighting, and Energy
- Optics in Manufacturing
- National Defense
- Manufacturing of Optical Systems and Components
- Education and Research
- Overview
- OPTICS: A PERVASIVE ENABLER
- TRENDS AND DEVELOPMENTS
- Information Technology and Telecommunications
- Health Care and the Life Sciences
- Optical Sensing, Lighting, and Energy
- Optics in Manufacturing
- National Defense
- Manufacturing of Optical Components and Systems
- Research and Education
- KEY CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
- Information Technology and Telecommunications
- Health Care and the Life Sciences
- Optical Sensing, Lighting, and Energy
- National Defense
- Optics in Manufacturing
- Manufacturing of Optical Components and Systems
- Research and Education
- A VISION OF THE FUTURE
- 1 Optics in Information Technology and Telecommunications
- INFORMATION TRANSPORT
- Long-Distance Transmission
- Undersea Transmission
- Terrestrial Systems
- Fiber to the Home
- Analog Lightwave Transmission
- Cable Television
- Remote Antennas
- Optical Space Communications
- INFORMATION PROCESSING
- Optical Data Links
- Optical Networking and Switching
- Switching
- WDM Networks
- High-Density Optical Switching
- All-Optical Switching
- Optical Image Processing and Computing
- Overall Issues
- OPTICAL STORAGE
- Market Size and Current Trends
- Trends in Storage Technologies
- Education Issues
- International Competitiveness
- Key Unresolved Issues
- Opportunities, Challenges, and Obstacles
- DISPLAYS
- Medium-Sized Displays
- Small Displays
- Projection Displays
- Very Large Displays
- Military and Avionics Displays
- Educational and R&D Issues
- SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
- Information Transport
- Processing
- Data Links
- Optical Networking and Switching
- Optical Image Processing and Computing
- General
- Storage
- Displays
- 2 Optics in Health Care and the Life Sciences
- SURGERY AND MEDICINE
- Introduction of Lasers
- Understanding the Interaction of Light with Tissue
- Minimally Invasive Therapy
- Advanced Therapeutic Applications of Lasers
- Laser Refractive Surgery
- Cardiovascular Applications
- Photodynamic Therapy
- Optical Diagnostic Techniques
- Blood Monitoring
- Optical Tumor Detection
- Imaging and Spectroscopy in Scattering Media
- Optical Coherence Tomography
- Laser-Hyperpolarized Gases for Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Feedback Control of Therapeutic Lasers
- Nontechnical Considerations
- TOOLS FOR BIOLOGY
- Visualization Techniques
- Confocal Scanning Laser Microscopy
- Two-Photon Microscopy
- Nonimaging Surface Microscopies
- Development of Molecular Probes
- Measurement and Analysis Techniques
- Flow Cytometry
- Bioengineered Fluorescent Indicators
- Micromanipulation Techniques
- BIOTECHNOLOGY
- DNA Analysis
- Pharmaceutical Screening
- SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
- Surgery and Medicine
- Tools for Biology
- Biotechnology
- REFERENCES
- 3 Optical Sensing, Lighting, and Energy
- OPTICAL SENSORS AND IMAGING SYSTEMS
- Environmental and Atmospheric Monitoring
- Open-Path Gas Monitoring
- Lidar Remote Sensing
- Optical Environmental Biosensors
- Earth and Global Surface Monitoring
- Atmospheric and Global Climate Change
- Earth's Resources and Weather
- Astronomy and Planetary Probes
- New Astronomical Telescopes
- Planetary and Space Probes
- Industrial Chemical Sensors
- Digital, Video, and Thermal Imaging Cameras
- Law Enforcement and Security
- Surveillance
- Drug and Explosives Detection
- Forensics and Evidence Examination
- Common Everyday Optical Sensors
- LIGHTING
- Lighting History, Future Directions, and Standards
- New Lighting Sources and Distribution Systems
- Conventional Lighting (Incandescent, Fluorescent, and High-Intensity Discharge) and Fixtures
- Sulfur-Dimer (Microwave Discharge) Lamps
- Routing of Light by Fiber-Optic Cables or Hollow Pipes
- Controlled Light-Reflecting Windows
- LED Lighting
- Lasers and Lighting in Live Entertainment
- OPTICAL SENSORS AND LIGHTING IN TRANSPORTATION
- Aircraft Applications
- Automobile Applications
- ENERGY
- Inertial Confinement Fusion Using Lasers
- Laser Isotope Separation of Uranium for Nuclear Energy
- Space Solar Cells
- Terrestrial Solar Cells
- Solar Thermal Energy
- SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
- Optical Sensors and Imaging Systems
- Lighting
- Optical Sensors and Lighting in Transportation
- Energy
- REFERENCES
- 4 Optics in National Defense
- SURVEILLANCE
- NIGHT VISION
- LASER SYSTEMS OPERATING IN THE ATMOSPHERE AND IN SPACE
- Laser Range Finders, Designators, Jammers, and Communicators
- Laser Weapons
- FIBER-OPTIC SYSTEMS
- DISPLAYS
- SPECIAL TECHNIQUES
- Chemical and Biological Species Detection
- Laser Gyros for Navigation
- Optical Signal Processing
- SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
- REFERENCES
- 5 Optics in Industrial Manufacturing
- USE OF LIGHT TO PERFORM MANUFACTURING
- Photolithography
- Exposure Tools
- Photo Masks
- Photoresist
- Future of Photolithography
- Laser Materials Processing
- Welding Applications
- Cutting and Drilling Applications
- Surface Hardening Applications
- Industrial Lasers Market Perspective
- The Precision Laser Machining Consortium
- Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing Using Optics
- USE OF OPTICS TO CONTROL MANUFACTURING
- Metrology
- Machine Vision
- Sensors
- SPECIFIC INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS
- Automobile Manufacturing
- The Semiconductor Integrated Circuit Industry
- Display Manufacturing
- The Chemical Industry
- Aircraft Manufacturing
- The Construction Industry
- The Printing Industry
- INCREASING USE OF OPTICS IN INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURING
- SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
- REFERENCES
- 6 Manufacturing Optical Components and Systems
- INTRODUCTION
- A Brief History
- An Overview of the Industry Today
- LOW-VOLUME MANUFACTURING OF SPECIALTY OPTICS
- Spherical Lenses
- Aspheres
- Computer-Controlled Deterministic Grinding and Polishing
- Diffractive Elements
- Optical Coatings
- Optical Glasses, Polymers, and Specialty Materials
- Case Study: Photolithography Equipment
- Lens Materials Issues
- Challenges for Next-Generation Photolithography Equipment
- Case Study: Optics for the National Ignition Facility
- Key Technical Challenges
- HIGH-VOLUME MANUFACTURING OF OPTICS
- Optical Fiber, Fiber Devices, and Waveguides
- Silica Optical Fiber
- Nonsilica Optical Fiber
- Fiber Devices
- Planar Waveguide Devices
- Semiconductor-Based Optoelectronic Components
- Components for Long-Distance Transmission Systems
- Data Communications Links
- Through-the-Air Infrared Links
- Semiconductor Lasers
- Visible LEDs
- Imaging Arrays
- Laser and Waveguide Packaging
- Key Technical Challenges
- CROSSCUTTING ISSUES
- Optical Design and the Impact of Increased Computer Power
- Role of Metrology
- Standards
- Size and Composition of the Optics Industry
- SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
- REFERENCES
- 7 Optics Research and Education
- INTRODUCTION
- RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
- Quantum, Atomic, and Biological Optics
- Control of Atoms by Light
- Fundamental Quantum Limits of Measurement
- Light in Biology
- Femtosecond Optics
- High-Intensity Laser-Matter Interactions
- Lasers in Chemistry
- Technology of Femtosecond Lasers
- Technology Applications
- Semiconductor and Advanced Solid-State Lasers
- Laser Sources
- Semiconductor Laser Diodes
- Advanced Solid-State Lasers
- Advanced Materials for the Generation and Control of Light
- Materials for Nonlinear Frequency Conversion
- Semiconductor Quantum-Well Materials
- Photonic Bandgap Materials
- Materials for Shaping and Focusing Optical Radiation
- Materials Research and Development Opportunities
- Extreme Ultraviolet and X-Ray Optics
- X-Ray Microscopy
- EUV and X-Ray Lithography
- X-Ray Optics and Sources
- EDUCATION IN OPTICS
- U.S. Optics Education Programs
- Approaches to Academic Programs in Optics
- Continuing Education
- SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
- Broad Issues
- Research Opportunities
- Quantum, Atomic, and Biological Optics
- Femtosecond Optics
- Semiconductor and Advanced Solid-State Lasers
- Advanced Materials for the Generation and Control of Light
- Extreme Ultraviolet and X-Ray Optics
- Education in Optics
- REFERENCES
- Appendixes
- A Collected Recommendations
- Major Recommendations Sorted by Chapter
- Optics in Information Technology and Telecommunications
- Optics in Health Care and the Life Sciences
- Optical Sensing, Lighting, and Energy
- Optics in National Defense
- Optics in Industrial Manufacturing
- Manufacturing Optical Components and Systems
- Optics Research and Education
- Major Recommendations Sorted by Intended Actor
- Department of Defense (Including DARPA)
- National Science Foundation
- Department of Commerce (Including NIST)
- Department of Energy
- National Institutes of Health
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Federal Agencies in General
- U.S. Congress
- U.S. Optics Industry
- Universities
- Professional Societies
- B Workshop Participants
- Optics in Health Care and the Life Sciences Portland, Oregon—September 15, 1995
- Speakers
- Background Paper
- Technical Advisers
- Optics and Manufacturing Irvine, California—October 11-12, 1995
- Optics in Information Technology Washington, D.C.—November 30 and December 1, 1995
- Speakers
- Background Papers
- Energy, Space, Environment, and Optical Sensing Irvine, California—December 14-15, 1995
- Speakers
- Background Papers
- Optics Research and Education Irvine, California—January 4-5, 1996
- Speakers
- Background Papers
- Optics and Defense Washington, D.C.—March 18-20, 1996
- Speakers
- Society Representatives
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