Photonics

3D Motion Tracking System for Autonomous Technology

The system could one day replace LiDAR and cameras in automated manufacturing, biomedical imaging, and autonomous driving.

Nanosized Foldable Robots

The machines fold themselves within 100 milliseconds and can flatten and refold thousands of times.

New Sensor Paves Way to Low-Cost Sensitive Methane Measurements

Recent advances could make it feasible to deploy networks of methane sensors to detect this greenhouse gas at large facilities.

Monolithic Optical Parametric Oscillator for Laser Spectrometer

Applications include remote sensing, laser spectroscopy, and gas analysis.

Diffraction Grating Provides Wider Angles for Light Input

This technology bends light more efficiently, enabling more immersive augmented reality display systems.

Tiny Light Detectors Record the Incoming Angle of Light

These tiny detectors could record characteristics of light such as color, polarity, and angle.

AI System Discovers New Material

The algorithm identified a new compound potentially useful for photonic devices and biologically inspired computers.

Optical Imaging Technology Sheds Light on Tumors

This tool could help surgeons better treat tumors and brain diseases.

Vision System Sees Through Clouds and Fog

Movements of individual particles of light are reconstructed to see through clouds, fog, and other obstructions.

Facility Focus: University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley’s academic research reflects pressing global challenges in the areas of health, energy, and the environment.

High-Capacity Optical Data Storage Disk

Using gold nanomaterials, this disk can hold data securely for more than 600 years.

Synapse-Like Phototransistor

The technology could help computers process visual information more like the human brain.

Quantum-Dot Infrared Cameras for Electronics and Self-Driving Cars

The inexpensive cameras are easy to produce.

Using Neural Networks for Faster X-Ray Imaging

Artificial intelligence is used to decode X-ray images faster, which could aid innovations in medicine, materials, and energy.

Optical Device Fine-Tunes the Color of Light

The new photonic architecture could transform digital communications, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing.

Army-Funded Research Paves Way for Improved Lasers, Communications

Photonics has the potential to transform all manners of electronic devices by storing and transmitting information in the form of light, rather than electricity. Using...

Advanced Quantum-Enhanced Receiver Boosts Fiber Optics Communications

Fiber optic technology is the holy grail of high-speed, long-distance telecommunications. Still, with the continuing exponential growth of internet traffic,...

New Method Measures Super-Fast, Free Electron Laser Pulses

New research shows how to measure the super-short bursts of high-frequency light emitted from free electron lasers (FELs). By using the light-induced ionization itself to create...

New Products: May 2021 Photonics & Imaging Insider

Uncooled Thermal Lens

British threat detection specialist Silent Sentinel (Hertfordshire, UK) has expanded its Aeron Ranger suite of cameras to include a brand-new 25-150mm Long...

Harnessing SWIR Line Scan Imaging Technology

Learn about the benefits of SWIR imaging, from food inspection to surveillance.

Novel Flexible Terahertz Camera Can Inspect Objects with Diverse Shapes

A flexible, free-standing THz sensor array images blind ends of irregularly shaped objects.

Preventing Heat-Induced Image Warping in Machine Vision Line Scan Cameras

A heat source near the optical path can introduce image warping that locally shifts the position of the image content. Learn how to fix the flaw.

New Products: May 2021 Photonics & Imaging Technology

Fiber coatings measurement, single-frequency laser, optical filters, and more.

Micro Molding and Micro-Optics

Learn about tooling challenges and other considerations when designing micro-optics, including metrology equipment capabilities, and post-molding assembly.

Designing Large Diameter Aspheres

What you need to know before you incorporate large diameter aspheres into your optical systems.

New Electron Microscopy Technique Offers First Look at Previously Hidden Processes

Northwestern researchers have developed a new microscopy method that allows scientists to see the building blocks of “smart” materials being formed at the nanoscale.

Making Laser Processes More Sustainable

Thanks to new innovations in measurement technologies, manufacturers and users now have a wide range of options for proactively measuring the laser beam.

Imaging Space Debris in High Resolution

A team has introduced a new method for taking high-res images of fast-moving and rotating objects in space, such as satellites or debris in low-Earth orbit.

Testing 800G Direct Modulated Optical Signaling

Test technologies are available as technologies evolve to 800Gbps and 1.6Tbps for next-generation data center architectures.