The Herbert Walther Award, established in 2007, recognizes distinguished contributions in quantum optics and atomic physics, as well as leadership in the international scientific community. Prof. Dr. Gerd Leuchs, University of Erlangen-Nuernberg, Max Planck Society, and a member of the award's development committee comments: "Prof. Walther was a true leader pioneering our field, representing in his achievements the very things that we, as scientists and engineers, strive to achieve: forefront science, communication across borders, technical brilliance and international collaboration. It is an honor for me to have been involved in the establishment of this prestigious award."

Prof. Walther was a devoted educator as well as creative researcher. He was a founding director of the Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics, which quickly became an essential destination for many researchers in optical and atomic science throughout the world.

Throughout his career, he took a leadership role in international conferences and global organizations. He made valued contributions to OSA programs, including the development of CLEO Europe, and he participated enthusiastically in the International Council on Quantum Electronics. He also served on the board of DPG for several years and was elected an honorary member of the organization.  As vice president of the Max Planck Society, he led the program to preserve key scientific institutions in the east after the reunification of Germany.  For the LASER World of PHOTONICS Congress he served as Steering Committee Chair.  Under his guidance it grew into a preeminent biennial event for the optics and photonics community.

The first Herbert Walther Award will be presented at a to-be-determined OSA meeting in 2009. Nominations are now being accepted for the 2009 award. The deadline for nominations is October 1, 2008.  More information on the award and application process isavailable online. To nominate a colleague for the award, please complete the submission form. 

LASER World of PHOTONICS has supported the Herbert Walther Award through a contribution to the OSA Foundation's  Herbert Walther Award endowment and to the DPG. The OSA Foundation is a non-profit organization designed to support philanthropic activities that help advance youth science education, provide optics education and resources to underserved populations, provide career and professional development resources and support OSA's Awards and Honors program.