Optics in the 21st Century

Although it is difficult to predict the future engineers, including optical engineers, must do it on a regular basis. After all, what is the generation of a new optical design, but an attempt to predict what will be needed next year\ulcorner But optical engineers do not consult oracles or look into crystal balls, instead they look at past history, new research, and the trends in technology. This talk will use this approach to look at where optics will take us in this new century. (omitted)