Optics & Photonics News

It’s essential
that we find
ways to interest
young people
in careers in
science, and
then mentor and
welcome the
new generation
of optics and
photonics
professionals
into the field
and into OSA.”
“

his month’s issue of OPN is a special 50th anniversary tribute to the laser, part of
the Society’s year-long LaserFest celebration. In my March and April President’s
OSA works hard to create opportunities for students and recent grads. We have a flour-
ishing global student chapter program, with more than 180 chapters in 45 countries at last
count. I enjoy meeting with the OSA chapters on my travels – these young people are hard
working, enthusiastic and committed. Among the many new resources and networking
opportunities they have created is the International OSA Network of Students (IONS), a
grassroots program that encourages groups of OSA student chapters to organize in-person
and online events that focus on information-sharing and the exchange of ideas. IONS spon-
sors regular meetings in a number of countries, most recently in March 2010 in Galway,
Ireland. I look forward to attending the second European IONS Conference in Moscow,
Russia, next month, and to welcoming IONS North America to the University of Arizona
in September.

I’m also very interested in a new OSA program targeting recent graduates who would like to become more involved with OSA. The Young Professionals (YP) Program was formed at the suggestion of two young OSA members who felt they lacked the contacts and experience to move into key volunteer positions in the society. Begun in 2009, the program focuses on the crucial three years after graduation from a college-level degree program. OSA’s end goal is to develop a lifelong relationship with these young members by providing them with a professional home at OSA.

The YP Program supports recent graduates’ transition to professional life via social networking sites, special networking events, and a “match program” that places members in volunteer slots aligned with their areas of technical interest. Some of our YP members are providing Optics InfoBase feedback on custom journals, advising on content and special columns in OPN, serving in special representative slots on OSA committees, and blogging, tweeting, and using other social media tools to communicate from OSA meetings and conferences.

YP participation is growing quickly, indicating that the Society has identified a need and found a good solution. Recent graduates can join the YP network by completing a short form located in the Membership section of OSA.org.

I hope you will enjoy this special issue of OPN. Among the highlights: Jeff Hecht talks about the history of lasers in industrial research (p. 20); Jim Gordon reflects on the maser (p. 34); John Bowers provides an overview of silicon photonics (p. 28); and Pat Daukantas describes the history of laser light shows (p. 42).