The complex structures found in butterfly wings could enable new ways of manipulating and controlling light (Image: Shutterstock/Andreas Vogel)
The work could pave the way to a new generation of experimentally achievable photonic crystals
Illustration of a three-dimensional crystal with various types of confining centres. (a) Crystal with four confining centres, each trapping waves (yellow) in all three dimensions simultaneously. (b) Crystal with a linear confining centre where waves can propagate in one dimension, analogous to an optical fibre. (c) Crystal with a planar confining centre where waves can propagate in two dimensions, analogous to a 2D electron gas. (Image: Vos et al.)
Newly discovered fundamental rules have been embedded into software to dramatically optimise the design of photonic integrated circuits, Matthew Dale finds
The one-year-old University of Glasgow start-up has already received three government grants worth £2.4m
Photonic crystals are responsible for the iridescent colours of a butterfly's wings.
Scientists have taken inspiration from the biomimicry of butterfly wings and peacock feathers to develop an innovative opal-like material that could be the cornerstone of next generation smart sensors
A new EU project aims to increase the technology readiness level of European Alexandrite laser crystals for high-performance applications in space
Berkeley Lab scientists are developing a polymer heat-reflective coating that can be painted onto windows to improve their energy efficiency
A mockup of Trixel 3 in action (Image: TriLite)
The XR industry might be going through tough times right now, but photonics innovators continue to drive the hardware forward, finds Benjamin Skuse
M Squared has worked with the University of Strathclyde to develop the Maxwell quantum-computing platform, shown here during commissioning works (Courtesy: M Squared)
Photonics is proving key to recent advances being made in quantum technologies, finds Susan Curtis
Electro Optics’ Matthew Dale tries out a pair of smart glasses equipped with Lumus’ reflective waveguide technology at SPIE AR | VR | MR
At SPIE AR | VR | MR in San Francisco, Matthew Dale learnt that reflective waveguides are now poised to enter consumer technologies
Carmen Palacios-Berraquero, Nu Quantum; Scott Faris, Infleqtion; and Denise Ruffner, Women in Quantum shared their thoughts on quantum challenges at Photonics West
Quantum executives cited everything from staff shortages and production scaling to a need for new laser technologies, smaller optics, more industry investment and clearer commercial use cases
Shining a light on the latest laser filters and related products on the market.
Image credit: Magic cinema/Shutterstock.com
A look at the commercial offerings of the main players in optical prism technology and equipment.
Daniel Bukaty, President of PG&O, on how a more flexible approach to material selection could protect optics manufacturing lead times against material shortages
Daniel Bukaty, President of PG&O, on how a more flexible approach to material selection could protect optics manufacturing lead times against material shortages
