Journal of the Optical Society of America B (JOSA B) Emerging Researcher Best Paper Prize
JOSA B represents new developments pertaining to all aspects of the interaction of light with matter. The Journal also serves researchers in the field at all stages of their careers, reflecting both its society heritage and the global community of editors, authors, and reviewers who contribute and consume the content. As a part of that service, JOSA B supports the professional development of early-career researchers in optics and photonics, both with an assistant topical editor mentoring program, and with this Emerging Researcher Best Paper Prize.
This Prize recognizes one outstanding paper published in the Journal by an emerging researcher each year. The recipient is selected by a committee of JOSA B Editors representing a range of topics across the scope of the Journal and the criteria include significance, quality, and presentation. The Prize includes a certificate of recognition, and the winning paper is made openly available at no charge to the author.
To be eligible for the Prize, the first author of the paper must be a student or early-career researcher within five years of earning their highest degree.
Nominations are open in January of each year.
2022 Best Paper Prize Winners
Junghyun Kim
Agency for Defense Development, Republic of Korea
Noise-robust single-pixel imaging in the photon counting regime with a pulsed source
Junghyun Kim's article proposes, and reports their tests of, an improvement in single-pixel imaging. They draw inspiration from classical methods to significantly enhance the noise robustness of imaging at low photon levels. Beyond fundamental advances in imaging concepts, this forward-looking research will impact a wide range of fields, including telecommunications, metrology, and biomedical diagnostics. Read more.
Blaine McLaughlin
University of Calgary, Canada
Nonlinear optics in gallium phosphide cavities: simultaneous second and third harmonic generation
The paper by Blaine McLaughlin reports combined theoretical and experimental analyses of nonlinear processes in a semiconductor microcavity system that serves as a novel platform for simultaneous second and third-order harmonic generation at telecom wavelengths. This will enable the optimization of nonlinear devices so that they meet specifications for applications in telecommunications, microwave photonics, sensing, and metrology. Read more.
Previous Best Paper Prize Winners
2021
Yi-Hao Chen
Cornell University, USA
Starting dynamics of a linear-cavity femtosecond Mamyshev oscillator
The inaugural winning paper reports a novel approach to creating high-intensity ultrafast pulses in a reliable and fully electronically controlled manner using a fiber laser. The selection committee felt that the thoroughness of the study, the clarity of presentation, and the significance of the work for both fundamental laser science and state-of-the-art applications of fiber lasers were particularly impressive. Read more.