Editorials in 2008

Climate change is going to force mankind to change the way it behaves, especially when it comes to energy consumption. Photonics could have a significant role to play.

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded for research inspired by jellyfish. This is a reminder that the natural world continues to hint at solutions to modern technological dilemmas, and that when it comes to simple and effective solutions, nature is usually well ahead of man.

Gaining the readers' interests should not come at the expense of veracity. Getting the facts correct when communicating science to the general public is essential.

Photonics does not just mean optics performed at the chip-scale or below, at least not by the definition we use at Nature Photonics. Our September issue showcases research from some large-scale facilities, demonstrating the broad range of topics that the journal considers.

In optical networks of the future, the ability to slow and store light pulses to optimize the flow of data is likely to become indispensable. To celebrate the importance of the topic, this issue has a special focus dedicated to slow light.

Photonics research features heavily in the 2008 Prince of Asturias Awards, where its role in benefiting the environment and combating poverty is celebrated.

Although the expense involved and pressures of time sometimes make visiting conferences difficult, the benefits are often highly worthwhile.

This month, the CLEO/QELS conference has a tribute symposium to the famous laser inventor Ted Maiman. Be sure not to miss it.

The burgeoning field of nanophotonics is taking light into places that did not seem possible. Optical antennas could, in the not-so-distant future, provide a new way of observing the different components of a cell and studying their interaction.

Research in photonics often yields considerable commercial opportunities. However, basic research that has no obvious near-term applications is also vital for the field's evolution.

As Nature Photonics enters its second year, we take a look back at some of the highlights of 2007.

Although large research facilities are sometimes criticized for the colossal amounts of funding they consume, the lessons that are learnt from the 'extreme' science that they perform benefit labs of all sizes.