OSA, formerly the Optical Society of America, has rebranded under the name Optica. The organization says the name change better reflects its mission to advance optics and photonics worldwide.
The group, formed in 1916, is one of the organizers of the annual Optical Fiber Communications Conference (OFC, alongside IEEE Communications Society and the IEEE Photonics Society) as well as the force behind the Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics (CLEO), and other major events as well as a series of smaller meetings and conferences. It publishes several journals and administers a foundation (now the Optical Foundation) that administers Optica’s charitable activities focused mainly on helping students and other just starting their careers in optics and photonics.
“Be assured that our mission, core values, and dedication to excellence all remain in place. We will continue to serve as the leading global forum for light science and technology. And our commitment to remain the professional home for optics and photonics innovators and all those with an interest in the field is unwavering,” the group said in the announcement that revealed the new name.
The name change comes after a review launched in 2017, with the thought that “Optical Society of America” no longer adequately reflected the organization’s scope as it expanded its activities beyond U.S. borders. The group has been going by “The Optical Society” for some time before the current rebranding.
“This is an exciting time for the field and our organization. It is especially gratifying to know that we are all part of the community that looked ahead and re-envisioned the Society’s future to ensure it will thrive for the next hundred years,” the announcement concluded.
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Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave
Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.
Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.
He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.
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