Editorials in 2013

Black holes, gravitational lenses, turbulence, chaotic flow and rogue waves are just a few examples of complex physical phenomena that can be conveniently modelled using photonics.

A growing family of iPad and iPhone apps launched by publishers, institutes and societies active in photonics now makes it easy to keep up to date with the latest happenings in optics.

With their ultrafast and high-power characteristics, fibre lasers are penetrating conventional laser markets as well as opening up exciting new opportunities.

Flexible and stretchable solar cells and light-emitting diodes are respectively perceived as being next-generation photovoltaic and lighting technologies, and are attracting the attention of the general public.

Advances in terahertz sources and measurement techniques are opening up new opportunities for fundamental material research in the terahertz region.

Are inaccurate or misleading descriptions problems in photonics? Community feedback indicates that there is room for improvement in several areas.

Photonics societies in the USA join forces in the National Photonics Initiative to increase photonics research and development, grow the USA economy and improve national security.

To promote transparency and honesty, it is important for corresponding authors to divulge any financial interests that may affect how their articles are perceived.

How important is physics to the economies of European countries?

Are exaggeration and overselling problems in optics?

Two Nobel Prizes, as well as a growing number of papers and potential applications, suggest that research into disorder and aperiodicity is an increasingly popular undertaking that could offer a wealth of important applications.

Obtaining new insights into yet unexplained phenomena and making the impossible possible are among the main motivations for any scientist. Going beyond limitations is the key challenge.