Holger Schmidt, professor of electrical engineering in the Baskin School of Engineering at UC Santa Cruz, has been elected a Fellow of the Optical Society (OSA). The honor recognizes Schmidt "for pioneering contributions to the development and integration of hollow-core waveguides and their applications in optofluidics, biophotonics, and atom photonics."
Schmidt directs the W. M. Keck Center for Nanoscale Optofluidics and holds the Narinder Singh Kapany Chair in Optoelectronics at UC Santa Cruz. He has authored over 190 publications and several book chapters in various fields of optics. He recently edited the first Handbook of Optofluidics published by CRC Press. Schmidt and his collaborators have developed chip-based technology to optically detect single molecules without the need for high-end laboratory equipment. Their hollow-core optical waveguides can be integrated into chips using standard silicon fabrication technology, enabling light propagation through tiny volumes of liquids on a chip. Diagnostic instruments based on these "optofluidic chips" could provide a rapid, low-cost, and portable option for identifying specific disease-related molecules.
Schmidt is one of 71 members honored as fellows in 2014 by the OSA Board of Directors. The designation is awarded to OSA Members who have significantly contributed to the advancement of optics and photonics. The number of OSA Fellows is limited to no more than 10 percent of total OSA membership.
"The distinction of OSA Fellow signifies members who are at the top of the optics and photonics profession," said OSA President Donna Strickland. "On behalf of OSA, I am pleased to acknowledge Holger for his outstanding contributions and honor him with this well-deserved distinction."
OSA Fellows are selected based on their overall impact on optics, as gauged through factors such as specific scientific, engineering, and technological contributions, a record of significant publications or patents related to optics, technical leadership in the field, and service to OSA and the global optics community. Founded in 1916, OSA is the leading professional society for scientists, engineers, students and business leaders who fuel discoveries, shape real-world applications and accelerate achievements in the science of light. For more information, visit www.osa.org.
