Speaker
Prof.
Donna Strickland
Description
As our website says, "The Optical Society (OSA) was organized to increase and diffuse the knowledge of optics, pure and applied; to promote the common interests of investigators of optical problems, of designers and of users of optical apparatus of all kinds; and to encourage cooperation among them." In that spirit, I look forward to discussing ways that OSA can support the ICAN network of scientists and engineers.
A current focus of attention for the OSA is the National Photonics Initiative (NPI). It has resulted from a recommendation of a report titled "Optics and Photonics: Essential Technologies for our Nation," recently released by The United States National Academy of Sciences. The report highlights the integral role optics and photonics plays in enabling technological and economic growth. Although this initiative is USA based, the studies that come from it should highlight the necessity for all governments to invest in photonics research. The far-reaching goals of the ICAN proposals highlight the promising social and economic impact of photonics research.
OSA disseminates scientific knowledge mostly through its large meetings portfolio and highly ranked optics journals. The OSA launched the High Intensity Lasers and High Field Phenomena (HILAS) topical meeting in 2011 to bring together the scientists working in this field. OSA has already had the opportunity to highlight ICAN with a feature article [1] in a recent issue of our news magazine, Optics and Photonics News (OPN). OSA looks forward to working with ICAN to help promote the photonics research into new scientific avenues.
[1] T. Tajima. W. Brocklesby and G. Mourou, "ICAN: The Next Laser Powerhouse," OPN May 2013
Author
Donna Strickland
(University of Waterloo)
