The Nick Holonyak, Jr. Award is presented by Optica "to an individual who has made significant contributions to optics based on semiconductor-based optical devices and materials, including basic science and technological applications." The Award was established in 1997 to honor Nick Holonyak, who made distinguished contributions to the field of optics through the development of semiconductor-based light-emitting diodes and semiconductor lasers. [1]
Source: Nick Holonyak, Jr. Award