Photonics & Physics

Physicists find right (and left) solution for on-chip optics

A Harvard-led team of researchers has created a new type of nanoscale device that converts an optical signal into waves that travel along a metal surface. Significantly, the device can recognize specific kinds of polarized light and accordingly send the signal in one direction or another. Read >>

PG&O® Provides Customized Optical Components for Shortwave Infrared Imaging (SWIR) Applications

Ideal for imaging through environmental conditions such as night time, fog, smoke, and water vapor, PG&O’s SWIR filters enhance performance to deliver higher quality images with greater detail than is possible without the use of optimized filters. Read >>

Quantum tricks drive magnetic switching into the fast lane

All-optical switching promises terahertz-speed hard drive and MRAM memory Read >>

The circular window at the center of the apparatus

Tabletop plasma generator brings Jupiter’s core to the lab.

A Vanderbilt engineering graduate student has created a small-scale, efficient way to produce high energy density plasma using a tabletop device. Its features and capabilities are described in an article published in the April edition of Physical Review Letters. Read >>

Photon etc. Announces the LLTF Constrast, the Ideal Supercontinuum Tunable Filter.

Specially designed to filter Fianium’s high-power supercontinuum sources, the latest innovation provides minimal losses to get a tunable laser source with maximal power over the whole VIS-NIR range or the extended SWIR range. Read >>

Super-Nanotubes: 'Remarkable' Spray-on Coating Combines Carbon Nanotubes with Ceramic

Researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Kansas State University have demonstrated a spray-on mixture of carbon nanotubes and ceramic that has unprecedented ability to resist damage while absorbing laser light Read >>

Nanowires grown on graphene have surprising structure

When a team of University of Illinois engineers set out to grow nanowires of a compound semiconductor on top of a sheet of graphene, they did not expect to discover a new paradigm of epitaxy. Read >>

Explained: Nanowires and nanotubes

Tiny filaments and cylinders are studied for possible uses in energy, electronics, optics and other fields. Read >>

DELTA Launches Linear Variable Order Sorting Filter

The new LVOSF outperform other products on the market with their wide transmission and reflectance bands, and largely increase the performance of grating based spectrometers. Read >>

Single Photon from a Quantum Emitter? It's a Matter of Timing . . .

Many systems envisioned for practical quantum information processing require the use of single, indistinguishable photons as carriers of information and logic operators. So researchers in the field need to be certain that their light sources can dependably produce individual photons in identical states. Read >>

Photo: Media Relations, McGill University

A step toward optical transistors?

McGill researchers demonstrate new way to control light in semiconductor nanocrystals Read >>

New industrial filters by SCHNEIDER KREUZNACH

Schneider-Kreuznach has expanded its range of products in the industrial optics division with four new filters. A night and day sensor cover glass and three new long pass filters are now available on the market. Read >>

New CRAIC Technologies' 20/30 PV™ - Seamless Fluorescence & Raman Microspectroscopy and more from the UV to the NIR

The 20/30 PV™ Microspectrophotometer incorporates the latest technological advances in optics, spectroscopy and software to deliver the best performance in a microspectrophotometer to date. Read >>

Research Shows Potential for Quasicrystals

In an article in the March issue of Nature Photonics, researchers present the history of quasicrystals and how this area can open up numerous opportunities in fundamental optics research including possibilities for building smaller optical circuits, performing lithography at a much smaller length scale and making more efficient optical devices Read >>

McPherson delivers a Vacuum Ultraviolet Spectrophotometer to Ural Federal University Institute of Physics and Technology for direct optical measurements from 115 to 1800nm

The new VUVAS PLUS Spectrophotometer system works from 115nm vacuum ultraviolet to 1800nm infrared. The new system measures transmittance and reflectance at adjustable angles. Read >>

‘Metascreen’ forms ultra-thin invisibility cloak

Up until now, the invisibility cloaks put forward by scientists have been fairly bulky contraptions – an obvious flaw for those interested in Harry Potter-style applications. However, researchers from the US have now developed a cloak that is just micrometres thick and can hide three-dimensional objects from microwaves in their natural environment, in all directions and from all of the observers’ positions. Read >>

Jenoptik presents hermetically solderable IR components at Sensor + Test.

At the 2013 Sensor + Test trade fair in Nuremberg, Jenoptik presents hermetically solderable infrared filters, windows and cover windows for gas sensor applications and gas analysis. Free geometries, even smaller than two millimeters, with individual optical coating can be achieved using this patented product technology. Read >>

PG&O® Provides Complete Turnkey Optical Solutions for Military, Avionics, SWIR, and LADAR Apps

Products include windows, mirrors, prisms, including precision optical prisms, beamsplitters, and assembled optics from simple to complex shapes and sizes on thin flat substrates up to 24 in. x 24 in. Advanced thin film optical coatings are available on a variety of optical materials and shapes. Read >>

DSI Announces Specialized LPCVD Thin Film Coating Process for Complex Shapes/Surfaces

Utilizing DSI’s proprietary IsoDyn™ LPCVD (low pressure chemical vapor deposition), this method is ideal for coating almost all types of optical glass crystalline materials, ceramics, and metals. Read >>

Element Six and the University of Warwick Announce Development of New Boron-Doped Synthetic Diamond Electrode for Extreme Electroanalysis Sensing Applications

Material Available to Commercial Partners for Enhanced Sensing Applications Read >>

Playing quantum tricks with measurements

A team of physicists at the University of Innsbruck performed an experiment that seems to contradict the foundations of quantum theory – at first glance. Read >>

An artist's impression of distributed qubits

Laser-like photons signal major step towards quantum ‘Internet’

The realisation of quantum networks is one of the major challenges of modern physics. Now, new research shows how high-quality photons can be generated from ‘solid-state’ chips, bringing us closer to the quantum ‘Internet’. Read >>

Silicon Geiger Mode Avalanche Photodiodes: SAP500

Silicon APDs for Photon Countig

Avalanche Photodiodes Count Individual Photons Read >>

PHOTONIS USA Introduces DART® Ion Mobility Spectrometer

The DART® Ion Mobility Spectrometer provides sample analysis in a two stage IMS configuration. High resolving power (64-150) is achieved using PHOTONIS’ patented Resistive Glass technology which is currently used in other IMS applications, and a new photo-etched ion gate that provides the rapid pulsing necessary to produce spectra with high resolving power. Read >>

LumaSense Introduces New Infrared Pyrometers for Precise Temperature Measurement and Analysis of Industrial Materials Including Metals, Ceramics and Graphite

Rapid 120μs response time enables accurate measurement of dynamic manufacturing processes Read >>

New technique could improve optical devices

Understanding the source and orientation of light in light-emitting thin films — now possible with energy-momentum spectroscopy — could lead to better LEDs, solar cells, and other devices that use layered nanomaterials. Read >>

Precision of a plane surface before ION Finish processing

Plane surfaces with high precision

The asphericon ION FinishTM technology now enables precision of λ/600 RMS for plane surfaces. Read >>

PHOTONIS USA Awarded European Patent for Resistive Glass-Based Ion Mobility Spectrometer

Resistive Glass creates an electric field to guide or direct charged particles. It consists of alkali-doped lead silicate glass that has been reduced to make the surface a semiconductor. The patent is the latest of many awarded to PHOTONIS for its innovation and development of improving analytic instrument simplicity and ion flow. Read >>

Deposition Sciences Increases Photolithography Patterning Capacity

The new patterning capability provides an enhanced view or enhanced detection in multi-spectral imaging tasks by fusing together information from different wavelength bands. Read >>

Atoms with Quantum-Memory

Order tends towards disorder. This is also true for quantum states. Measurements at the Vienna University of Technology show that in quantum mechanics this transition can be quite different from what we experience in our daily lives. Read >>

NIST's prototype solid-state refrigerator

NIST Quantum Refrigerator Offers Extreme Cooling and Convenience

Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have demonstrated a solid-state refrigerator that uses quantum physics in micro- and nanostructures to cool a much larger object to extremely low temperatures. Read >>

Connecting the (Quantum) Dots

New spin technique moves researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and Delft University of Technology closer to creating the first viable high-speed quantum computer Read >>

Rice builds nanotube photodetector

Project with Sandia National Laboratories leads to promising optoelectronic device Read >>

B&W Tek Announces Enhanced High Resolution Raman System with Smart Spectrometer Technology

The i-Raman Plus uses a high efficiency back-thinned CCD detector with deep TE cooling and high dynamic range to deliver an improved signal to noise ratio for up to 30 minutes of integration time, making it possible to measure weak Raman signals. Read >>

Infrared Digital Holography Allows Firefighters to See Through Flames, Image Moving People

A team of Italian researchers has developed a new imaging technique that uses infrared (IR) digital holography to peer through chaotic conflagrations and capture potentially lifesaving and otherwise hidden details. Read >>

LASER OPTICS CLEANING KIT HELPS OPTIMIZE LASER PERFORMANCE

The LRO Advanced Optical Cleaning Kit was developed by an optics manufac-turer to help users remove splatter and blow-back in the field to optimize the performance of their CO2 lasers. Read >>

Newport Introduces Ultraviolet Beam Viewer

By placing this optically clear device into the path of a UV laser, beam characteristics such as laser mode structure, beam shape, and beam alignment can be easily observed. The optical glass of the clean-room-compatible UV beam viewer will glow white green when exposed to UV radiation. Read >>

New High-Throughput Spectrometers from Ocean Optics

Ventana’s optical design and components maximize throughput for superior sensitivity Read >>

Freezing Electrons in Flight

Using the world’s fastest laser pulses, which can freeze the ultrafast motion of electrons and atoms, University of Arizona physicists have caught the action of molecules breaking apart and electrons getting knocked out of atoms. Read >>

Point of Light

Caltech engineers invent light-focusing device that may lead to applications in computing, communications, and imaging Read >>

Radiant Zemax Announces Zemax 13 – New Advances in Software for Optical and Illumination Design

New and exclusive features solve the toughest design challenges Read >>

Fully Integrated Benchtop Ellipsometer Combines Automation, Ease and High Performance for Thin Film Applications

The UVISEL 2 is designed as a highly automated instrument to provide automatic goniometer, automatic XYZ stage, automatic sample adjustment and automatic microspot optics. Read >>

Ultra Compact VS7000 CCD-HS is Perfect for Industrial Low Light Applications

This fast Mini-CCD Spectrometer outperforms most front-illuminated and low cost back-illuminated CCDs, in stray light, dynamic range and speed performance, making it the perfect CCD for industrial low-light applications such as fluorescence, emission, absorbance, and reflectance. Read >>

NIST Captures Chemical Composition with Nanoscale Resolution

Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the University of Maryland have demonstrated that a new spectroscopy technique can simultaneously measure a material's topography and chemical composition with nanometer-scale spatial resolution. Read >>

GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCES “MADE IN AMERICA MANUFACTURING ACT” TO BOLSTER HIGH-TECH MANUFACTURING IN NEW YORK

Rochester Precision Optics was pleased to host U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand as she announced that the first piece of legislation she introduced in the 113th Congress is a federal funding competition that encourages states and regional public-private partnerships to design and implement comprehensive strategies that spur growth for local manufacturing industries Read >>

10 to 1000eV Spectrometer

Easily make spectral measurements around 13 nanometers and throughout the extreme vacuum ultraviolet and soft x-ray wavelength region with the McPherson Model 248/310 spectrometer. It is ideal for work from 10eV to more than 1000eV. The spectrometer features one meter focal length optics built into a compact Rowland circle instrument. Read >>

HORIBA Scientific Announces New Generation of Turnkey TCSPC Fluorescence Lifetime Systems

New Delta Series is Faster, Simpler and Most Affordable on Market Read >>

Jenoptik Reports Growing Demand for Gallium Phosphide Microoptics.

At SPIE BiOS 2013, Jenoptik is presenting high-index gallium phosphide microoptics for near to mid-wavelength infrared applications. Read >>

Newport Introduces BroadBeam™ High Reflector Mirrors

The new line of affordable, high quality mirrors provides greater than 99 percent average reflectivity (for both S and P polarizations) of laser beams from 350 nm to 1100 nm with a 0 to 50 degree angle of incidence. Read >>

Newport Introduces Long-Lived Deep UV Excimer Laser Mirrors

The high energy laser mirrors are designed with Excimer-grade UV fused silica substrates which are polished to better than λ/10 flatness and 10-5 surface quality to preserve wavefront quality and maintain excellent stability. Read >>

The performance between the aspheric and progressive mirror

Progressive Optics for Side Mirrors Ends Automobile Blind Spots without Distorting View

A new optical prescription for automobile side-view mirrors may eliminate the dreaded "blind spot" in traffic without distorting the perceived distance of cars approaching from behind. Read >>

Bodkin Design Awarded Air Force Contract to develop a High Spatial Resolution Hyperspectral Imager

There are several methods currently available for acquiring hyperspectral images, but they are limited in their ability to satisfy the military’s need for speed, accuracy, and data rate. The innovative device being built by Bodkin Design & Engineering, LLC will capture spectral and spatial information with unprecedented data-cube size and speed. Read >>

AUREA Technology launches LynXéa its new TCSPC module at Photonics West 2013 - booth # 1123

The LynXéa fully integrated in the same box, two independent and identical high-photon-detection-efficiency Geiger-mode InGaAs avalanche photodiodes with a Time to Digital Converter. Thus, it does not require any external computer plug-in counting cards. Read >>

Molecular scientists reveal extraordinary properties of ordinary glasses

Technologically valuable ultrastable glasses can be produced in days or hours with properties corresponding to those that have been aged for thousands of years, computational and laboratory studies have confirmed. Read >>

Self-assembled silica wires illuminated by HeNe laser light

Self-Assembling Silica Microwires May Herald New Generation of Integrated Optical Devices

Optical Materials Express paper details new laser technique with applications in sensing, photovoltaics, optical switches Read >>

Mathematical breakthrough sets out rules for more effective teleportation

New protocol advances solutions for more efficient teleportation - the transport of quantum information at the speed of light. Read >>

MTF Test Station

TRIOPTICS and Wells Research introduce the new ImageMaster® Compact, a compact and motorized MTF Test Station for use in prototype and small serial production. Read >>

Titanium:Sapphire Femtosecond Pump Mirrors Optimized for Negative GDD

These focusing (concave) optics provide broadband performance, delivering >99.7% reflectivity over the entire 675 – 1100 nm wavelength range, while also providing high (>98%) transmission at the 532 nm pump wavelength. Read >>

Base Optics announce a new strategic partnership with Shanghai Ucome New Material Technology

Through this partnership Base Optics is now introducing of a wide range of scintillator crystals, elements, linear arrays and 2D arrays in experimental and OEM quantities for the American and European market. Read >>

New Products Thanks to New Materials

UV-Bandpass Filters with a High Transmission Rate & Large Blocking Read >>

Nanoparticles reach new peaks

Rice University researchers show short laser pulses selectively heat gold nanoparticles Read >>

How to treat heat like light

New approach using nanoparticle alloys allows heat to be focused or reflected just like electromagnetic waves. Read >>

Semrock Manufactures the World's First 11-band Optical Filter

The filter has high transmission and exceptional blocking outside each of the eleven. The unmatched spectral complexity of this 11-band filter was designed specifically to match the corresponding formaldehyde fluorescence emission spikes over the 380-480nm wavelength range. Read >>

Chips that can steer light

Record-setting ‘optical phased arrays’ could lead to better laser rangefinders, smaller medical-imaging devices and even holographic TVs. Read >>

Southampton scientist develops strongest, lightest glass nanofibres in the world

The University of Southampton’s Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC) is pioneering research into developing the strongest silica nanofibres in the world. Read >>

Alluxa announces a new line of Ultra-flat dichroic and polychroic thin film filters that feature a flatness of <0.1wave RMS and transmission of > 95% without the need for backside compensation.

These filters are unique because they achieve flatness by eliminating the high stresses of as-deposited traditional ion-based coating process such as Ion Beam Sputtering (IBS) and Ion Assisted Deposition (IAD). Read >>

This image depicts magnetic effects within Herbertsmithite crystals

For Newly Discovered 'Quantum Spin Liquid', the Beauty Is in Its Simplicity

A research team including scientists from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has confirmed long-standing suspicions among physicists that electrons in a crystalline structure called a kagome (kah-go-may) lattice can form a "spin liquid," a novel quantum state of matter in which the electrons' magnetic orientation remains in a constant state of change. Read >>

Shedding light on Anderson localization

Waves do not spread in a disordered medium if there is less than one wavelength between two defects. Physicists from the universities of Zurich and Constance have now proved Nobel Prize winner Philip W. Anderson’s theory directly for the first time using the diffusion of light in a cloudy medium. Read >>

Optical Filters: Advanced Filter Technology - QuantaMAXTM

This series is based technically on dual magnetron reactive sputtering, DMRS, with optical monitoring. Read >>

Optical strontium clock to become much more accurate

PTB measures the influence of the ambient temperature on strontium atoms for the first time - measurement uncertainty reduced by one order of magnitude Read >>

At the solstice: shining light on quantum computers

An Australian-American team has shone light — literally — onto the question of whether quantum computers are actually more powerful than conventional counterparts. Read >>

Thermo Fisher Scientific Signs Agreement to Acquire Innovator in Miniature NMR Spectrometers, picoSpin

The acquisition of picoSpin augments Thermo Fisher’s portfolio of spectroscopy solutions, ranging from complementary FT-IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy to full-scale gas, liquid, isotope ratio and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometers. Read >>

UCSB Physicists Make Strides in Understanding Quantum Entanglement

While some theoretical physicists make predictions about astrophysics and the behavior of stars and galaxies, others work in the realm of the very small, which includes quantum physics. Such is the case at UC Santa Barbara, where theoretical physicists at the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics (KITP) cover the range of questions in physics. Read >>

Zygo Corporation’s Mini™XP Interferometer

The Mini XP interferometer expands the Zygo Mini family of Fizeau products, with higher resolution, and an optional integrated workstation with encoder for precision radius of curvature measurements. Read >>

Prior Scientific introduces the LumaSpec 800 Compact Microscope Illumination Spectrometer

The LumaSpec 800 provides quantitative and graphical information from 350nm to 800nm with 1.5 nanometer resolution, providing a quick and easy tool for quantifying your illumination system. Read >>

Missile Dome Protects Sensitive Devices

Missile domes that can be custom fabricated from sapphire to protect cameras, sensors, detectors, and other devices from high-speed sand and water are available from Meller Optics Read >>

Photons Emitted by Quantum Dots Can be Made Indistinguishable Through Quantum Frequency Conversion

An international collaboration led by researchers from the NIST Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology has demonstrated the ability to make photons emitted by quantum dots at different frequencies identical to each other by shifting their frequencies to match. Read >>

Measuring flow using a wobbling tube

Tiny Coriolis sensor Read >>