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
Optical coatings are helping to improve the efficiency of solar cells, finds David Stuart
Greg Blackman on the filters used in point of care devices for testing for Covid-19
Closely guarded process secrets are enabling optical coatings to serve higher laser powers and new operational regimes, finds Andy Extance
The development of optical coatings for use beyond Earth is driving innovation, Andrew Williams finds
Some consider optical components to be mere carriers for the vanishingly-thin elements that do the actual work - the coatings. Russ Swan reviews the recent developments for improving the laser induced damage thresholds of optical coatings
In-situ metrology offers, for the first time, a closed-loop optical coating process, which is improving precision and automation in coating machines. Greg Blackman reports
In order to obtain the properties required from complex optical coatings, companies running ion beam sputtering machines have had to improve the control of the deposition process. Greg Blackman looks at the technology involved
Greg Blackman takes a look at how optical coatings are used to enhance the properties of the optics to which they are applied
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
