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
Laser Induced Damage Threshold (LIDT) of an optical component de nes the maximum intensity the component can resist before the onset of laser damage and as a result is a critical parameter for any modern laser system, with the LIDT de ning the maximum possible intensity. However laser damage is a multi-faceted and complex problem with multiple theoretical mechanisms depending on pulse duration, optical coating quality and the manufacturing process of the component.
The development of optical coatings for use beyond Earth is driving innovation, Andrew Williams finds
Ultrafast lasers have seen much development and are now used in a wide range of applications ranging from extremely high power experiments to medical and engineering applications. With the increase in the use of these lasers the demand for suitable optical components and the required specifications has increased.
Carlos Lee speaks to Mike Powell, managing partner of Renevo Capital Limited, an investment bank specialising in photonics and semiconductors
Optical benches at Politecnico di Milano, the general coordinator of the Crimson project. Credit: Politecnico di Milano
It can take a village to bring a medical photonics device to market, Benjamin Skuse discovers
Image credit: Aris-Tect Group/Shutterstock.com
We round-up the latest products and solutions in the single photon counting space.
Image credit: Yury Zap/Shutterstock.com
A look at the commercial offerings of the main players in freeform optics.
How automotive companies can choose the right lidar technology for their applications, by Gemma Church
Credit: KLA
Here we highlight some of the initiatives working to engage and train young people in optics and photonics
Image: PopTika/shutterstock.com
Raman spectroscopy has huge potential for use in medicine, as David Stuart finds out
Fabless start-up Scintil Photonics has raised €13.5m for its laser-integrated silicon chips. We speak to co-founder Sylvie Menezo
