San Francisco, CA--Laser Focus World attempted to capture the essence of some of the best showings on both the BiOS and Photonics West 2012 exhibit floors.

Singapore--Qian Wang and his group at the Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR) Data Storage Institute have developed a graded-refractive-index (GRIN) lens that can be directly integrated on a silicon chip at the end of an optical waveguide, serving as a highly efficient coupler between the waveguide and a standard single-mode fiber (SMF).

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of technology (Cambridge, MA) have developed two algorithms that are faster than the fast Fourier transform (FFT) for all sparse signals.

Redmond, WA--Radiant Zemax has acquired Optima Research, a European photonics components and Zemax optical design software distributor.

Brussels, Belgium--The annual meeting of Photonics21, scheduled for March 27-28 at the Hotel Husa President Park in Brussels, will focus on the way forward toward the EU Framework Programme Horizon 2020 and the founding of a Photonics Public Private Partnership.

Albuquerque, NM--Sandia National Laboratories researchers Red Jones, Brian Kast, and their colleagues have invented a finned self-guided bullet for small-caliber, smooth-bore firearms that accurately hits laser-designated targets at distances of more than a mile.

San Francisco, CA--You will find extensive coverage of Photonics West 2012 in the form of articles, blogs, and videos appearing on our website in the coming days. The event attracted more than 20,000 attendees, while the expo itself included more than 1200 exhibitors.

Bellingham, WA--Next week's SPIE BiOS and Photonics West exhibitions—which will bring their highest attendance to date—will showcase technologies important to markets such as mobile devices, medical diagnostics, and industrial cutting machines.

Nashua, NH--CLEO and Laser Focus World have put out the call for submissions for their annual Innovation Awards, which honor exhibiting companies that have demonstrated outstanding leadership and made significant contributions in advancing optics and photonics.