Photonics/​Optics

3D Motion Tracking System for Autonomous Technology

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

Using Solar Technology to Power Smart Devices Indoors

An already ubiquitous material in outdoor photovoltaic modules could be repurposed for indoor devices with low-capacity batteries.

Coating Protects Fragile Quantum Electronics

The protective coating works like body armor for the atomically thin materials.

Method Integrates Elements of Electronic Filters onto a Single Component

This component takes up ten times less space on computer chips.

New on the Market: October 2021

Battery-pack test systems, data management, connector clips, and more.

Material Increases Efficiency of LED Devices

The approach achieves near 100% light emission efficiency at all brightness levels.

Optical Coating Exhibits the Same Color in Reflection and Transmission

Fano Resonance Optical Coatings (FROCs) can both transmit and reflect the same color simultaneously.

Glass Injection Molding

The process produces rapid, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly material.

Graphene-Based Photonics Devices for Remote Sensing

Growing large-area graphene on optical substrates enables use in photonics devices.

Radio Signals Image Hidden and Speeding Objects

This method could help firefighters find victims inside buildings and could track hypersonic objects such as missiles and space debris.

New Products

Cross Platform 3D Laser Scanner Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division (North Kingstown, RI) announced its new AS1 Scanner. The modular blue laser line scanner operates with both laser trackers and portable measuring arms...

Tiny Diamond Mirrors Could Smooth Out Already Revolutionary X-Ray Lasers

Twelve years ago, physicists turned on the first x-ray laser, and since then it and several others around the world have proved themselves revolutionary probes of...

Pivotal Discovery of Nanomaterial for LEDs

Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are an unsung hero of the lighting industry. They run efficiently, give off little heat, and last for a long time. Now scientists are looking at new materials to make...

Paving the Way to Electrically Pumped Lasers from Colloidal-Quantum-Dots

Scientists from Los Alamos National Laboratory recently assessed the status of research into colloidal quantum dot lasers with a focus on prospective electrically...

How to Bake a Cake (with Lasers)

With the help of additive-manufacturing techniques and software-controlled lasers, Blutinger and his colleagues are digitizing the cooking process.

Standard Digital Camera and AI to Monitor Soil Moisture

Researchers are using a standard RGB digital camera to accurately monitor soil moisture.

New Products

Automotive camera monitors, curved CMOS sensors, fiber lasers, and more.

Monitoring Additive Manufacturing with an Optical Microphone

Learn about a membrane-free, broadband microphone for the highest ultrasound frequencies.

Backside Illumination Gets Fast

A new high-speed sensor pushes the boundaries in light-starved conditions.

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.

The Hidden Effects of Optical Coating Stress

For applications requiring high-energy material deposition coatings, you'll need to understand how stress can impact surface figure and system performance.

Spectroscopy Using an Optical Microscope

With an optical microscope, spectra can be acquired from a sample area smaller than a micron.

Image Sticking — Cause, Test and Solutions

Learn how to fix one of the more annoying problems in display imaging.

A Sharper Look at the Interior of Semiconductors

A new imaging method allows researchers to see inside complex semiconductors, without destroying them.

Optimizing 5G Fiber Optic Filament Production

Ball screws are helping manufacturers meet the growing demand for fiber optic cables generated by 5G communications.

Engineering the Flow of Light

A novel nanostructure produces uniquely shaped light.