Photonics/​Optics

Articles: Sensors/Data Acquisition

3D Imaging the Biolocomotion of Fruit Flies

The last thing you probably do when a fly buzzes toward you is marvel at its graceful wing and body kinematics. But that’s exactly what researchers at Cornell University’s Itai Cohen Group...

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

New Graphene-Based Metasurface Capable of Independent Amplitude and Phase Control of Light

Researchers described a new strategy of designing metamolecules.

Application Briefs: Photonics/Optics

Properly Designing and Specifying Aspheric Lenses

Aspheric lenses greatly improve the performance and efficiency of a wide range of optical applications.

Briefs: Test & Measurement

Low-Cost Detection of Thin Film Stress During Fabrication

This method uses fiber optic probes for measurement of semiconductors, optical coatings, magnetic read/write heads, and precision machines.

Products: Test & Measurement

New on the Market: May 2020

Sealing connection tools, oscilloscopes, snap-action switches, and more...

Briefs: Materials

Polymer Twists and Bends in the Presence of Light

A liquid crystal elastomer can be programmed to exhibit controllable, dynamic behavior without the need for complex electronic components.

Technology Leaders: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Tackling Aircraft Laser Strikes from the Ground

To reduce the increasing frequency of attacks, the ground-based Laser Aircraft Strike Suppression Optical System (LASSOS) has been developed by researchers from the MIT Lincoln Laboratory.

Technology Leaders: Automotive

Using Lasers in the Automotive Manufacturing Industry

Ever since Henry Ford introduced the first moving production line to the industry in 1913, automotive manufacturers have been constantly striving to streamline their processes,...

Technology Leaders: Manufacturing & Prototyping

The Configurable Laser — A Universal Manufacturing Tool

Laser technology will remain at the forefront of tomorrow’s digital manufacturing processes.

Articles: Motion Control

Resolution, Accuracy, and Precision of Encoders

Here's what you'll need to know when you’re choosing an encoder for a motion control system.

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Seeing Around Corners to Detect Object Shapes

Special light sources and sensors see around corners or through gauzy filters, enabling reconstruction of the shapes of unseen objects.

Articles: Energy

Products of Tomorrow: April 2020

A wildfire-preventing gel; NASA's 3D tissue models, and more.

Briefs: Communications

Using Sound and Light for Ultrafast Data Transfer

This method could lead to the transmission of data at the rate of 100 gigabits per second.

Products: Motion Control

New Products: April 2020 Motion Design

Motor drivers, position sensors, offset couplings, and more.

Briefs: Imaging

Terahertz Imaging System Uses Small, Efficient Lasers

The lasers are small and efficient enough to fit on a microchip.

NASA Spinoff: Test & Measurement

Detailed Spectrometry Makes Dangerous-Materials Testing Safer

Technology used to search for extraterrestrial life can characterize radioactive material.

Briefs: Materials

Cryogenic Near-Field Optical Microscope Images Dynamics of Graphene

This imaging technique could impact optical communications and signal processing.

INSIDER: Photonics/Optics

New Technology for Pathogen Detection is Driven by Lasers

Researchers at Purdue University have been working to develop new technologies to help stop the spread of foodborne illnesses, which kill 3,000 people a year, by detecting them...

INSIDER: Photonics/Optics

Using Light to Put a Twist on Electrons

Some molecules, including most of the ones in living organisms, have shapes that can exist in two different mirror-image versions. The right- and left-handed versions can sometimes have different...

INSIDER: Photonics/Optics

New Products: March 2020 Photonics & Imaging Insider

Final Vision Inspection (FVI) System

CyberOptics® Corporation (Minneapolis, MN) has launched the Multi-Reflection Suppression™ (MRS™)-enabled 3D MX3000 Final Vision Inspection...