Manx Precision Optics’ polishing lap. Credit: Manx Precision Optics
Benjamin Skuse asks why, after 400 years of polishing optics, the process hasn’t been automated
Gemma Church explains how a new thermal model from Manx Precision Optics takes a new look at laser damage thresholds for the nanosecond pulse regime
Gemma Church explains how mirrors are improving ultrafast laser performance
Advances in laser technology have paved the way for the development of powerful, ultrafast lasers with pulse lengths as short as 10fs or less. Building such systems has come with many challenges for the precision optics community. Ultrafast systems therefore require low group delay dispersion (GDD) components to access and maintain femtosecond pulse durations.
Closely guarded process secrets are enabling optical coatings to serve higher laser powers and new operational regimes, finds Andy Extance
3D printed Fresnel lens combining diffractive elements with refractive surfaces. Credit: Nanoscribe
Benjamin Skuse investigates some impressive additive methods for producing polymer and glass optics for imaging
Lee highlights to European Commissioner Thierry Breton that Europe should play a leading role in photonics
Carlos Lee on the European Photonics Industry Consortium’s latest advocacy efforts
Per Karlsson, CEO of NorthLab Photonics, discusses his career path, the key to effective management, and his advice for future entrepreneurs
Image credit: Maximillian cabinet/Shutterstock.com
Superluminescent LED drivers can help us understand ocean turbulence, here’s how
Image credit: metamorworks/Shutterstock.com
A look at the market for lidar and some of the systems, products and solutions available
Image credit: Francesco Scatena/Shutterstock.com
A look at the market for hyperspectral imaging and some of the products and solutions available
Freeform optics come into their own in applications such as illumination – for example, modern LED headlight designs (credit: i viewfinder/Shutterstock.com)
How optical designers can realise the benefits of using freeform optical elements from the R&D stage when designing for illumination applications
Image credit: Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock.com
A look at the current market for Neurophotonics and some of the products and solutions available
How solid-state light engines can meet the exact needs of many biotech and industrial applications
The space sector offers numerous oppurtunities for photonics technologies in the development and offering of satellite-based services. (Image: Shutterstock/Dima Zel)
The ongoing commercialisation of the space sector is creating numerous opportunities for photonics technologies, Matthew Dale learns
Preliminary testing of the quantum gravity gradiometer designed by Michael Holynski and colleagues at the University of Birmingham, which has now been shown to locate an underground tunnel with a positional accuracy of 20cm. Credit: Crown Copyright
Susan Curtis explores the new breed of quantum gravimeters finding their way onto the slopes of Mount Etna and into tunnels deep under Birmingham
Ams Osram’s multi-junction VCSELs are helping to improve automotive lidar. Credit: Ams Osram
Multi-junction vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers are likely to displace LEDs and edge-emitting lasers in sensing, finds Andy Extance
At this year’s EPIC AGM Matthew Dale learned that advocacy efforts need to be targeted to ensure an ideal future for the European photonics industry
At this year’s EPIC AGM Matthew Dale learned that increasing advocacy efforts is a must to ensure an ideal future for European photonics
