Towards the quantum internet
With its immense computing power, quantum communication is set to become the backbone of the next-generation internet.
Photonics
Laser applications boost battery manufacturing efficiency
During a two-day meeting hosted by the University of Stuttgart at the cutting-edge research campus ARENA2036, a panel of experts discussed the latest developments, new applications, and market trends.
Compact design with high energy
In recent years, kilowatt lasers have become standard products in the industrial laser market. The popularity of kilowatt lasers has greatly improved the efficiency and capabilities of industrial processing. Despite the performance improvements, the large size of these lasers has posed significant challenges in transportation and assembly. As a result, laser manufacturers have contemplated ways to reduce the overall size of these laser systems.
New lasers for climate research
How do you measure the temperature of individual atoms at an altitude of ninety kilometers?
Fine dust from brake discs – reduced with laser cladding
Laser companies present solutions to counteract the health hazards posed by particulate matter as required by the new EU vehicle emission standard, Euro 7.
Compact x-ray laser begins to shine
National Science Foundation awards 90.8 million dollars to Arizona State University to advance x-ray science.
Crystalline light catchers
New project to advance perovskite-based optoelectronics, such as solar cells, photodetectors, and LEDs.
High-throughput, low-cost surface production
Project LAMpAS presents the first laser system that can achieve controlled topographic characteristics.
Automated processes for complex Gaussian mirrors
Laser Components has further optimized its processes for manufacturing and inspecting graded reflectivity mirrors (GRMs) – so-called Gaussian mirrors.
Diffractive optical elements for high-power industrial lasers
The new product line expands Coherent’s existing DOE technology consisting of industry leading volume and surface Bragg gratings with applications in communications and medicine.
Quantum clocks in the real world
A consortium led by the University of Amsterdam received a €7.5M Horizon grant to make quantum clocks more robust and compact.
One software and two lasers for three layers
The ATSM project developed an optics module and control software for laser-based production of tribological multilayer systems. PhotonicsViews has the interview with project manager David Pallasch.
3D microfabrication up to the centimeter scale
Nanoscribe’s 3D microfabrication range expands to the macroscale while maintaining particularly complex structures and filigree details
“Enhanced edge strength for AR waveguide laser singulation”
Corning improves capabilities for augmented reality waveguide eyepiece laser singulation, enhancing edge strength by over 50 %.
Electrifying lasers for the transformer industry
BR Technologies is enabling a transformer manufacturer to cut its insulation paper in a unique way by using lasers integrated in its machines. The SR 15i CO2 laser sources from Luxinar are cutting crepe paper which is used as an insulation layer inside the electrical transformers that are sold to power grid suppliers.
Polarization-controlled VCSEL characterization
Instrument Systems’ Drs Frank Münchow and Karthik Iyer explain in an upcoming PhotonicsViews article how to minimize the error budget of a VCSEL test system and provide highly accurate measured values for the eye safety of the laser source.
Augmented / virtual / mixed reality systems optical terminology
In a two-part tutorial in PhotonicsViews 1 and 2/2022, Joya Team share their experience of more than two decades with the professional community.
Improving fringe projection 3D shape measurement
Based on a novel measurement algorithm and the Mikrotron EoSens 12CXP+ area scan camera, scientists in Taiwan developed a system to reconstruct a 3D model in a continuous scan mode instead of the conventional approach of taking three full-field fringe images sequentially in pause mode.
New imaging method to assess quality of 3D-printed metal parts
Scientists from NTU Singapore have developed a fast imaging system to analyze the inner structure of 3D-printed metal parts.
3D optical metrology and holography
Zygo is constantly researching and refining interferometry-driven optical metrology tools and recognizes that digital holography is gaining significant momentum in the measurement of surface topography due to increases in the speed and data capacity of today’s computers.
New technology for laser glass wafer dicing from Corning
Corning has launched a dicing technology that will allow the company’s laser technologies business to enter the semiconductor application space to further focus on microfabrication processes.
“LiDAR and autonomous cars: no conventional solution”
As a leading component manufacturer, Hamamatsu is well aware of the advantages and disadvantages offered by various systems, and the main differences will be explained in the new issue of PhotonicsViews, 1/2022.
Perfecting the art of fiber collimation with microlens arrays
In order to give developers of microlens arrays (MLAs) the opportunity to sound-out the potential of this technology, Ingeneric presents an MLA demonstrator in a new technical article in PhotonicsViews issue 1/2022.
PhotonicsViews issue 1/2022 is out
Issue 1/2022 – February / March – is online and has been mailed. It includes feature articles from Cailabs, Coherent, Hamamatsu Photonics, Ingeneric, iPronics, Joya Team, Solmates, and more companies and institutions. On the cover: Shenzhen JPT Opto-Electronics.
Novel material allows 3D printing of black structures
Highly precise 3D structures in black can now be printed using a 2-photon polymerization (2PP) 3D printing process. This seemed for a long time impossible as non-transmissive (black) materials greatly reduce the polymerization efficiency of the printing process.
Increased laser welding efficiency with patented process
Technical article by Lea Sauerwein, Christian Ebenhöh, and René Geiger in the current issue 5/2021 of PhotonicsViews: a new approach to the joining of polymers combines two different processing wavelengths with the method of quasi-simultaneous welding in order to achieve a significant reduction of welding time and enhanced weld seam quality.
Thin film cutting with reduced heat affected zone
Technical article by Patrick Kim in the new issue 5/2021 of PhotonicsViews: new laser system component minimizes unwanted heat accumulation in the material being processed compared with traditional CO2 laser sources, which typically produce longer pulse rise/fall times of approximately 60 μs.
Web-based design tool for better job safety
The safety of people interacting with robots has top priority, especially when humans and robots are working side by side instead of being separated from each other by safety fencing. The Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and Automation IFF’s web-based design tool helps companies design their cobots. The Cobot Designer helps minimize the risk of accidents and increases employee safety. The tool is available as a free web application.
Metrology & Industry 4.0
Peter J. de Groot and Michael Schmidt have provided a pivotal article, looking at the extremely important subject of the role of metrology in Industry 4.0.
PanDao – optical fabrication design tool
By analyzing lens data during optics design, the optimal optical fabrication chain can be determined.
Smart monitoring of battery welding processes
One of the key laser application areas in the e-automotive industry is the welding of the battery. Sensor systems from Lessmüller Lasertechnik ensure reliable high-precision joining, which is vital in the assembly of any battery. Installed to various remote and fixed welding optics, the OCT, WELDCHECK, and WELDEYE sensor systems demonstrate real-time monitoring capability with great accuracy and over a wide dynamic range, enabling faster, cost-effective e-automotive laser processes and streamlined production.
“First time right” freeform optics
Researchers at Brussels Photonics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, have developed a “first time right” design method that eliminates the “step-and-repeat” and “trial-and-error” approach in optical system design. They demonstrated the systematic, deterministic, scalable, and holistic character of their disruptive technique with various freeform lens- and mirror-based high-end examples and invite optical designers to experience their new method hands-on via an open-access trial web application.
Micro glass welding with millimeter-long filaments
The welding of glass with ultrashort-pulsed lasers (USP) is usually conducted with microscope objectives. Their short working distance limits the thickness of the work piece, the usable laser power and the feed rate of the process. To increase the possible dimensions of the welding partners and the process speed to industrial levels, a research team from Jena presents USP welding with a galvoscanner and a common F-theta lens. In a new article, they discuss differences between the well-known breakdown regime and the filamentation regime, and show tensile measurements.
Easy 3D, non-contact surface profile measurements in air
One of the factors that contributes to the recent considerable reduction in the size and high integration of electronics and other devices it is the miniaturization of the electronic components that they contain. In addition, new fine functional materials have been developed and widely used in industrial fields including the automobile, aviation, metal, and chemical industries. As a result, higher accuracy and resolving power are required for minute three-dimensional measurement of these components and materials. Although a variety of devices are available to satisfy these requirements, the confocal microscope is gathering attention as the device of choice for easy three-dimensional, non-contact surface profile measurements in air.
Can blue LEDs improve hygiene in clinics and public buildings?
Disinfection processes are of particular interest due to growing concerns over illnesses caused by microorganisms and the persistent problem of healthcare acquired infections. Additionally, because of the rise of antibiotic resistant bacteria, the investigation of novel non-antibiotic approaches for the prevention of infectious diseases has become highly topical. Blue light disinfection is such an approach and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with an emission maximum in the range of 405-nm wavelength represent an attractive light source for this.
