Diffractive optics and micro-optics: introduction to the feature issue

This issue of Applied Optics features 16 papers on the fabrication, design, and applications of diffractive optics and micro-optics. A companion issue of the Journal of the Optical Society of America A, guest edited by J. N. Mait and H. P. Herzig, presents papers that emphasize the modeling and design of diffractive and micro-optical components.     

Diffractive optics and micro-optics: introduction to the feature issue

This issue of Applied Optics features 19 articles related to the fabrication and the design of diffractive and micro-optics as well as their applications. A companion feature in the Journal of the Optical Society of America A includes papers on the modeling of diffractive elements.     

Diffractive optics: an introduction to the feature issue

This special feature of Applied Optics contains 20 papers on the design, applications, and fabrication of diffractive optics. The companion feature in the Journal of the Optical Society of America A (May 1995) contains papers on diffractive optics modeling. Many of these papers result from presentations at the second OSA topical meeting on diffractive optics, June 6-9, 1994, in Rochester, New York.     

Practical data mining and machine learning for optics applications: introduction to the feature issue

Data mining algorithms utilize search techniques to explore hidden patterns and correlations in the data, which otherwise require a tremendous amount of human time to explore. This feature issue explores the use of such techniques to help understand the data, build better simulators, explain outlier behavior, and build better predictive models. We hope that this issue will spur discussions and expose a set of tools that can be useful to the optics community.     

Photon correlation and scattering: introduction to the feature issue

This feature issue of Applied Optics contains 31 research papers on photon correlation and scattering, many of which were presented at an OSA Topical Meeting that was held 21-23 August 2000 in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. These papers focus on research in dynamic light scattering, surface light scattering, photon correlation, and laser velocimetry and their applications to physical, chemical, and biological processes.     

Photon correlation and scattering: introduction to the feature issue

This feature issue of Applied Optics contains 25 research papers on photon correlation and scattering. Many of the papers in this volume were presented at an OSA Topical Meeting that was held 21-24 August 1996 in Capri, Italy. The focus of these papers is research in dynamic light scattering, surface light scattering, photon correlation, laser velocimetry, and their applications to biological, chemical, and physical processes.     

Optics in computing: introduction to the feature issue

This issue of Applied Optics features 21 papers that describe the implementation of optics in computer systems and applications. This feature is the eighth in a series on the application of optics in the field of computing.     

Photon correlation and scattering: introduction to the feature issue

This special issue of Applied Optics contains research papers on photon correlation and scattering, many of which were presented at the OSA Topical Meeting that was held 16-18 August 2004.     

Laser applications to chemical and environmental analysis: introduction to the feature issue

This issue of Applied Optics features 14 papers that describe recent advances of laser techniques, including instrumentation, application in combustion research, and detection of pollutants. Most of these contributions were presented at the Eighth Optical Society of America Topical Meeting on Laser Applications to Chemical and Environmental Analysis (8th LACEA), held in Boulder, Colorado, 7-10 February, 2002.     

Laser applications to chemical and environmental analysis: introduction to the feature issue

This issue of Applied Optics features 15 papers that describe laser techniques for measurements in chemical and environmental analysis. Many of these contributions were presented at the Optical Society of America Topical Meeting on Laser Applications to Chemical and Environmental Analysis, held in Santa Fe, New Mexico, 11-13 February 2000.     

Laser applications to chemical and environmental analysis: introduction to the feature issue

This issue of Applied Optics features 16 papers describing chemical and environmental measurements made possible by lasers. Many of these contributions were presented at the Optical Society of America Topical Meeting on Laser Applications to Chemical and Environmental Analysis, held in Orlando, Florida, 9-11 March 1998.     

High-numerical-aperture optical microscopy and modern applications: introduction to the feature issue

This feature issue comprises a collection of papers from groups in the forefront of the research of high-numerical-aperture optical systems and their applications. We have assembled 13 papers from a wide subject area within optical microscopy. Contributions include surface-plasmon microscopy, interference microscopy, optical coherence tomography, polarized-light microscopy, and the optical theories of these techniques.     

Computer-aided design for optoelectronic systems: introduction to the feature issue

Welcome to the first special issue of Applied Optics on computer-aided design for optoelectronic systems. This special issue stemmed from our realization of the need for dialogue between optoelectronic system designers and computer-aided-design developers, as well as from the realization that various research groups are developing or, in some instances, have already developed and commercialized such tools. Our goal for this special issue is to enhance this type of dialogue by showing to the optoelectronic system design community the current state of optoelectronic computer-aided-design tools.     

Light and color in the open air: introduction to the feature issue

This is a feature issue devoted to optical phenomena that can be observed in nature, primarily with the naked eye. Many of the papers published in this feature issue are based on presentations given at the "Light & Color in Nature" conference held in June 2010 at St. Mary's College of Maryland.     

Light and color in the open air: introduction to the feature issue

The topical meeting on light and color in the open air was held 9-12 February 1997 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The series of papers that follows represents the fruition of this meeting, revealing the range of current scientific explorations into the play of light and color in nature.