Michael Stephen Feld
Michael S. Feld (November 11, 1940 – April 10, 2010) was an American physicist known for his work in quantum optics and biomedical optics. Born in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, he earned his PhD at MIT under laser pioneer Ali Javan and spent his career there, from 1968 until his death. He directed MIT’s George R. Harrison Spectroscopy Laboratory.
In quantum optics, Feld helped pioneer important ideas. He was the first to observe optical superradiance and led experiments on cavity-enhanced and cavity-suppressed spontaneous emission, as well as the first demonstration of a single-atom laser. Later, he focused on biomedical optics, directing the MIT Laser Biomedical Research Center and developing methods for in-tissue spectroscopy and imaging.
His work included fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy to measure biomarker molecules inside living tissue, assisting the imaging of disease-causing microorganisms through endoscopy and optical tomography. Feld valued a diverse, inclusive scientific community and mentored many students from minority groups; he was the PhD advisor to astronaut Ronald McNair, who died in the Challenger disaster.
To recognize his impact, the Optical Society established the Michael S. Feld Biophotonics Award in 2012, honoring innovative contributions to biophotonics. The first recipient in 2013 was Brian C. Wilson.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 15:54 (CET).