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Greg Blackman asks experts how fibre lasers developed between 2010 to 2020, as well as what advancements the future may hold for the technology
A schematic of Coherent's adjustable ring mode fibre and the five basic power patterns possible within the focused laser spot (Image: Coherent)
Greg Blackman discovers how emerging lasers with adjustable beam quality are improving quality and flexibility in cutting and welding
Driven by sheet metal processing, system and fibre vendors are combining beams with high reliability, finds Andy Extance
Matthew Dale finds that new fibre designs are being developed to enable more efficient and higher-power fibre laser systems
Nick Morris reviews the state of the burgeoning fibre laser industry
In recent years fibre lasers have begun to be talked about as a possible viable alternative to semiconductor and gas lasers. Fibre lasers hold a number of attractions. As well as very good beam quality the long, thin design geometry of a fibre laser means that a fibre laser is often smaller than its equivalent-powered semiconductor or gas laser.
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Tiny nanodiamonds are being used to dramatically optimise the calibration of optical microscopes, Matthew Dale finds
After the test disk is placed inside the chamber, some fine tuning is required to ensure they are horizontal and perfectly centred (credit: Caltech)
LIGO scientists have developed a new mirror coating that could dramatically increase the observatory's detection rate of gravitational waves
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Advances in research have made strides in the improvement of wearable and AR/VR displays
LLNL optical engineers Justin Wolfe (left) and Simon Cohen are seen through the 'r' filter (credit: Garry McLeod)
A telescope, described as one of the world’s newest, has been completed following a project undertaken by researchers to develop some very specialist optical filters
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Advances in optical prisms are being used to help researchers gain a greater understanding of space and astronomy
Universities offering associate degrees for optics technicians could help answer the photonics skills shortage, finds Jessica Rowbury
