132
January / 2012 What’s on the Horizon? Our Annual Trends Issue
January / 2012
Jan
\12
Laser, Optics, Imaging Trends
What’s on the Horizon?Our Annual Trends Issue
Jan12_PSCover_NEW_Layout 1 1/3/12 2:11 PM Page 1
112_Zygo_PgCVR2_Layout 1 1/6/12 10:24 AM Page CVR2
112_StanfordRes_Has2B_Pg3_Layout 1 1/6/12 10:27 AM Page 3
January 2012
t TABLE OF CONTENTS
16 | TECH NEWSPhotonics Spectra editors curate the most significant photonics research and technology headlines of the month – and take you deeper inside the news. Featured stories include:
• Zinc oxide microwires boost LED performance• Spin lasers could push data into the fast lane• Chemically assembled metamaterials pave way for superlenses
34 | FASTTRACKBusiness and Markets
2011 Prism Award finalists announcedTokyo gears up for Photonix Expo
55 | GREENLIGHTby Marie Freebody, Contributing EditorSensor Reveals 1000 Colors Across Land, Sea, Space
NEWS & ANALYSIS
10 | EDITORIAL106 | BRIGHT IDEAS127 | HAPPENINGS129 | ADVERTISER INDEX130 | PEREGRINATIONS
To seek out the soft glow of new life and new civilizations
DEPARTMENTS
THE COVERThe cover of the 2012 trends issue was designed by Juliana Willey.
16
Photonics Spectra January 20124
112Contents_Layout 1 1/6/12 10:57 AM Page 4
PHOTONICS: The technology of generating and harnessing light and other forms of radiantenergy whose quantum unit is the photon. The range of applications of photonics extendsfrom energy generation to detection to communications and information processing.
Volume 46 Issue 1
www.photonics.com
58 | SURPRISING SURGES, CAUTIOUS EXPECTATIONS, POSITIVE OUTLOOKSby Laura S. Marshall, Managing EditorLeading lights of the photonics industry share their perspectives on the market’s current and future health.
68 | MASS-MARKET IMAGING SYSTEMS CUT TIME, COST, SIZE by Marie Freebody, Contributing EditorLiquid lenses, 3-D mapping and ever-smaller cameras are helping bring to fruition applications such as stretchable optoelectronics and robots that guide the blind.
78 | PUTTING MORE THAN GLASS IN THE TOOLBOXby Hank Hogan, Contributing Editor Alternative optical materials such as polymers and metamaterials have increased in quality, enabling systems that can do more in a smaller space.
86 | MEDICAL MARKETS AND NEW NICHES DRIVE LASER ADVANCESby Lynn Savage, Features EditorThe health of laser manufacturing is fairly robust, thanks in large part to novel applications in surgery and biomedical research.
94 | A BRAVE NEW WORLD OF PHOTONICSby Gary Boas, Contributing EditorPhotonics experts predict which visionary applications in the automobile, solar, defense and lighting industries could become a reality in 20 to 50 years.
PHOTONICS SPECTRA ISSN-0731-1230, (USPS 448870) ISPUBLISHED MONTHLY BY Laurin Publishing Co. Inc., BerkshireCommon, PO Box 4949, Pittsfield, MA 01202, +1 (413) 499-0514; fax: +1 (413) 442-3180; e-mail: [email protected]. TITLE reg. in US Library of Congress. Copyright ® 2012by Laurin Publishing Co. Inc. All rights reserved. Copies of Pho-tonics Spectra on microfilm are available from University Mi-crofilm, 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103. PhotonicsSpectra articles are indexed in the Engineering Index. POST-MASTER: Send form 3579 to Photonics Spectra, Berkshire Com-mon, PO Box 4949, Pittsfield, MA 01202. Periodicals postagepaid at Pittsfield, MA, and at additional mailing offices. CIRCU-LATION POLICY: Photonics Spectra is distributed withoutcharge to qualified scientists, engineers, technicians, and man-agement personnel. Eligibility requests must be returned withyour business card or organization’s letterhead. Rates for oth-ers as follows: $122 per year, prepaid. Overseas postage: $28surface mail, $108 airmail per year. Inquire for multiyear sub-scription rates. Publisher reserves the right to refuse nonquali-fied subscriptions. ARTICLES FOR PUBLICATION: Scientists,engineers, educators, technical executives and technical writersare invited to contribute articles on the optical, laser, fiber optic,electro-optical, imaging, optoelectronics and related fields.Communications regarding the editorial content of PhotonicsSpectra should be addressed to the managing editor. Con-tributed statements and opinions expressed in Photonics Spec-tra are t hose of the contributors – the publisher assumes noresponsibility for them.
94
58
FEATURES
Photonics Spectra January 2012 5
68
112Contents_Layout 1 1/6/12 10:58 AM Page 5
Photonics Spectra January 2012
Group Publisher Karen A. Newman
Editorial Staff
Managing Editor Laura S. MarshallSenior Editor Melinda A. Rose
Features Editor Lynn M. SavageEditors Caren B. Les
Ashley N. PaddockKrista D. Zanolli
Copy Editors Judith E. StoriePatricia A. Vincent Margaret W. Bushee
Contributing Editors Hank HoganGary BoasMarie Freebody
Creative Staff
Senior Art Director Lisa N. ComstockBioPhotonics Art Director Suzanne L. Schmidt
Designer Janice R. Tynan
Director of Publishing Operations Kathleen A. Alibozek
Electronic Media Staff
Director Charley RoseMultimedia Services & Marketing
.NET Developers Brian L. LeMireAlan W. Shepherd
Editorial Offices
2 South Street, PO Box 4949 Pittsfield, MA 01202-4949
+1 (413) 499-0514; fax: +1 (413) 442-3180www.photonics.com
Laurin Publishing has additional editorial offices throughout the world. News re leases should be directed to our main office. If you would like an editor to contact you, please notify us at the main office, and we will put you in touch with the editorial office nearest you.
Editorial E-mail: [email protected] Sales E-mail: [email protected]
More Than 95,000 Distributed Internationally
www.photonics.com
Association ofBusiness Publishers
112_Masthead_Layout 1 1/6/12 11:00 AM Page 6
Photonics Spectra January 2012
www.photonics.com
Corporate Staff
Chairman/CEO Teddi C. LaurinPresident Thomas F. Laurin
Controller Mollie M. ArmstrongAccounting Manager Lynne M. Lemanski
Accounts Receivable Manager Mary C. GniadekBusiness Manager Elaine M. Filiault
Human Resources Coordinator Carol J. Atwater
Business Staff
Director of Sales Ken TyburskiAdvertising Production Coordinator Kristina A. Laurin
Trade Show Coordinator Allison M. MikaniewiczComputer Systems Manager Deborah J. Lindsey
Computer Assistant Angel L. MartinezCirculation Manager Heidi L. Miller
Assistant Circulation Manager Melissa J. LiebenowCirculation Assistants Alice M. White
Kimberly M. LaFleur Theresa A. Horn
Subscriptions Janice L. ButlerTraffic Manager Daniel P. Weslowski
Advertising Offices
Main Office 2 South Street, PO Box 4949Pittsfield, MA 01202-4949+1 (413) 499-0514Fax: +1 (413) 443-0472 [email protected]
Austria, Germany Olaf Kortenhoff& Liechtenstein Gartenstraße 46
53721 Siegburg, Germany+49 2241 1684777Fax: +49 2241 [email protected]
Japan Scott ShibasakiThe Optronics Co. Ltd.Sanken Bldg., 5-5 Shin OgawamachiShinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0814, Japan+81 3 5225 6614Fax: +81 3 5229 [email protected]
China Hans Zhong/Hai Yan QinShenzhen Fortune Technologies Ltd.3-7E, Di Jing Feng, Moi City, BujiShenzhen, China 518112+86 755 2872 6973Fax: +86 755 8474 [email protected]
For individual advertising contacts’ information,view listings next to advertiser index.
The editors make every reasonable effort to verify the information published, butLaurin Publishing assumes no responsibility for the validity of any manufacturer’s,nonprofit organization’s or individual’s claims or statements. Laurin Publishing doesnot assume and hereby disclaims any liability to any person for any loss or dam-age caused by errors or omissions in the material contained herein, regardless ofwhether such errors result from negligence, accident or any other cause whatsoever.
See us at Photonics West, Booth #817
112_Masthead_Layout 1 1/6/12 11:00 AM Page 8
e EDITORIAL COMMENT
Who Has the Conn?
Editorial Advisory Board
Dr. Robert R. AlfanoCity College of New York
Valerie C. BolhouseConsultant
Walter BurgessPower Technology Inc.
Dr. Timothy DayDaylight Solutions
Dr. Anthony J. DeMariaCoherent-DEOS LLC
Dr. Donal DenvirAndor Technology PLC
Patrick L. EdsellAvanex Corp.
Dr. Stephen D. FantoneOptikos Corp.
Randy HeylerOndax Inc.
Dr. Michael HoukBristol Instruments Inc.
Dr. Kenneth J. KaufmannHamamatsu Corp.
Brian LulaPI (Physik Instrumente) LP
Eliezer ManorShirat Enterprises Ltd., Israel
Shinji NiikuraCoherent Japan Inc.
Dr. Morio Onoeprofessor emeritus, University of Tokyo
Dr. William PlummerWTP Optics
Dr. Richard C. PowellUniversity of Arizona
Dr. Ryszard S. RomaniukWarsaw University of Technology, Poland
Samuel P. SadouletEdmund Optics
Stuart SchoenmannCVI Melles Griot
Dr. Steve ShengTelesis Technologies Inc.
William H. ShinerIPG Photonics Corp.
John M. StackZygo Corp.
Dr. Albert J.P. TheuwissenHarvest Imaging/Delft University
of Technology, Belgium
Kyle VoosenNational Instruments Corp.
10 Photonics Spectra January 2012
The “conn” is the area of the submarine from which the rudder is controlled and wherethe periscope is located. Fans of sub movies – and any submariners among our read-ers – know that “Who has the conn?” is never in question, as ownership is announced
out loud and repeated every time that responsibility changes.
This is a position of critical importance, as the rudder steers the ship, and the periscope allows a peek at the surface without revealing the sub’s location. You know somethingbig is going on when the captain takes the conn, and I’m sure you know where I’m going with this first message of the year.
Steering clear of some pretty serious surface dangers, both natural and man-made, haskept captains of industry busy for several years now, and despite signs of improvement, it has never been more important to keep a hand on the rudder and an eye to the periscope.
When I asked Managing Editor Laura Marshall to discuss her choice of a periscope for the cover of this issue, she said, “A periscope is a long-standing symbol of vision: It rises from the murky depths to give a clear picture of what’s ahead. And our annualtrends issue is a periscope of sorts, guiding readers into the unknown waters of the newyear.” Here’s what’s inside:
“Surprising Surges, Cautious Expectations, Positive Outlooks,” by our managing editor, is a Q&A with photonics industry leaders including SPIE CEO Eugene Arthurs. The article begins on page 58.
“Mass-Market Imaging Systems Cut Time, Cost, Size,” on page 68, by contributing editor Marie Freebody, explains how liquid lenses, 3-D mapping and ever-smaller camerasare bringing new applications to fruition.
“Putting More Than Glass in the Toolbox,” by Hank Hogan, contributing editor, makes it clear that alternative materials such as polymers and metamaterials have increased in quality, enabling systems that can do more in a smaller space. The article starts on page 78.
“Medical Markets and New Niches Drive Laser Advances,” by features editor Lynn Savage, which begins on page 86, describes the robust health of laser manufacturing due to novel medical applications.
“A Brave New World of Photonics,” by contributing editor Gary Boas, outlines experts’predictions about visionary applications on the distant horizon that could become reality in 20 to 50 years. It starts on page 94.
A number of time-, work- and lifesaving developments are heading our way. Don’t forgetto check out the Prism Awards finalists on page 34 for a look at the most innovative products of 2011. We all hope you enjoy this issue and, as always, we welcome your comments.
Meanwhile, periscopes in modern submersibles are being replaced by or augmented withphotonics masts, sophisticated collections of sensor and imaging technologies that castthat peek at the surface in a new light.
Here at Photonics Media, we augment the technical briefs and feature articles in our print publications with daily news and “Light Matters” weekly video newscasts atwww.photonics.com. Read the issue, and then visit us online for an improved view of the horizon.
112Editorial_Layout 1 1/6/12 11:01 AM Page 10
112_OceanOptics_Pg11_Layout 1 1/6/12 10:30 AM Page 11
Photonics Media’s industry-leading site features the latest industry news and events from around the world.
Spread the Enlightenment – Win an iPad 2®
• Watch Light Matters • Email the link to a friend or colleague,
and copy [email protected] • Be entered into a drawing to win an iPad 2®
Deadline is Feb. 1, 2012.
For contest rules, visit: www.photonics.com/a41434
Welcome to
Photonics Spectra January 2012
Blog: Different Wavelengths
Each week Gary Boas, our nomadic contributing editor, chronicles his take on the photonics industry through his blog - Different Wavelengths. Whether he takesinspiration from pop culture, old sci-fi comic books or government policy, Gary has a knack for telling stories that have the reader conjuring up new ideas, ques-tioning old theories or remembering what made science so appealing in the firstplace. To explore Gary’s blog, visit: www.Photonics.com/DifferentWavelengths.
Year-End ReviewMost popular topics of 2011
Visit Photonics.com for our year-end roundup of someof the most popular topics of 2011.
Our readers enjoyed news about paradoxical cats, a streakcamera that captures light particles in motion, and eveniPhones used for microscopy and spectroscopy, but the mosttalked about story in 2011 was about BMW’s plan to incorporate lasers into itsheadlights, making them 1000 times more intense than conventional LEDs.
To view the most popular topics of 2011, visit: www.Photonics.com
112Online_Layout 1 1/6/12 11:02 AM Page 12
112_Coherent_Pg13_Layout 1 1/6/12 1:01 PM Page 13
14 Photonics Spectra January 2012
Check out a sample of thenew digital version of PhotonicsSpectra magazine at www.photonics.com/DigitalSample.It’s a whole new world of infor-mation for people in the globalphotonics industry.
In the February issue of
Photonics Spectra …
You’ll also find all the news that affects yourindustry, from tech trends and market reportsto the latest products and media.
Waveguides Need Characterization, TooRobert Ferguson of the National Physical Laboratory in the UK discusses how measuring the attenuationand isolation of the polymer waveguides in opticalprinted circuit boards will help manufacturers developand produce better boards for optical communica-tions.
Quantum Communications Is Ready for its Close-Up
Photonics is key for quantum communications,thanks to the ability to impose a quantum state onparticles of light and detect that state at a pointmany miles away. Regular contributing editorHank Hogan looks at technical issues – such ashow to increase transmission distance or constructa quantum repeater – that still must be workedout.
Optical Fiber DesignGetting the most out of a communications systemrequires constant improvements in the design offiber optic lines. Features editor Lynn Savage willdiscuss some of the most recent trends in fiber design and materials.
Lasers in Communications –Reducing Size & Cost
The laser has revolutionized the way the worldcommunicates, and with the ever-increasing demands on bandwidth, speed and deployment,efforts to reduce size and cost have never been so important. One technology that promises to answer these demands is the VCSEL.
Power Distribution Improves Industrial Laser Systems
Electrical power is vital to a laser’s operation.Power quality, availability and the distributionof that power play a crucial role in the laser’sperformance. Manufacturers must considerthese factors when designing new systems.Dave Proli of Marway Power Solutions writesabout the ins and outs of power distribution for laser systems.
112Online_Layout 1 1/6/12 11:02 AM Page 14
25 Hartwell Ave. • Lexington, MA 02421 • USA P: (781) 541.1600 • F: (781) 541.1601www.cambridgetechnology.com
At Cambridge Technology, hitting your target is our challenge. Today, new applications in laserscanning for cutting, drilling, marking, etchingand even welding are pushing the limits of system accuracy. From our best in class precision scanners and low dither servos to theultimate Lightning II all digital scanning system,we have the solutions to your most challengingaccuracy targets. Learn more at:www.cambridgetechnology.com/accuracy
■ Galvanometers ■ Scanning Sets ■ Controllers ■ Scan Heads ■ Custom Scanning Solutions
2-AXIS SCAN HEADS
COMPONENTS
SCAN CONTROL
3-AXIS SCANNING SYSTEMS
LIGHTNING I I DIGITALSCANNING PLATFORM
T E C H N O L O G Y ■ P E R F O R M A N C E ■ Q U A L I T Y ■ VA L U E ■ R A N G E O F P R O D U C T S ■ A P P L I C AT I O N S E X P E R T I S E
M O V I N G L I G H T , Y E A R S A H E A D .TM
Does your laser scanning systemhave the accuracy tohit your target market?
Visit us atPhotonics
West booth1801
112_CambridgeTech_Pg15_Layout 1 1/6/12 10:31 AM Page 15
Zinc oxide microwires boost LED performanceATLANTA – Microwires made of zincoxide can enhance LED performance, improving the efficiency at which LEDsconvert electricity into ultraviolet light.LEDs may be the first to be enhanced bythe creation of an electrical charge in a piezoelectric material using the piezo-phototronic effect.
A mechanical strain to the microwirescreates a piezoelectric potential – an elec-trical charge – in the wires, enabling tun-ing of the charge transport and enhancingthe carrier injection in the LEDs, said re-searchers at Georgia Institute of Technol-ogy School of Materials Science and Engi-neering. This could mean big things formany electro-optical processes, includingadvances in the energy efficiency of light-ing devices.
“Our discovery is groundbreaking re-search not only for exploring the piezo-phototronic effect through three-way cou-pling among mechanical, electronical andoptical properties, but also can largely im-prove the efficiency and performance ofLEDs and the design of a large range ofoptoelectronic devices based on ZnO andGaN with the use of their piezoelectric
property,” said Zhong Lin Wang, a Regents professor at Georgia Tech.
Traditional LED designs use structuressuch as quantum wells to trap electrons andholes, which must remain close togetherlong enough to recombine. The longer thatelectrons and holes can be retained in prox-imity to one another, the higher the ultimateefficiency of the LED device.
Mechanically compressing or otherwisestraining structures made from piezoelec-tric materials such as zinc oxide creates apiezoelectric potential because of the po-larization of ions within the crystals. Inthe gallium nitride LEDs, the researchersused the local piezoelectric potential totune the charge transport at the p-n junc-tion. The zinc oxide wires form the “n”component of a p-n junction, with the gal-lium nitride thin film providing the “p”component. Free carriers were trapped atthis interface region in a channel createdby the piezoelectric charge formed bycompressing the wires.
The effect was to increase the rate atwhich electrons and holes recombine togenerate photons, enhancing the externalefficiency of the device through im-
proved light emission and a higher injec-tion current.
The new devices increased their emis-sion intensity by a factor of 17 andboosted the injection current by a factor offour when compressive strain of 0.093percent was applied to the zinc oxide wire.That improved conversion efficiency by asmuch as a factor of 4.25. The LEDs pro-duced emissions at ultraviolet wavelengths(about 390 nm), but Wang believes thatthe frequencies can be extended into thevisible light range for a variety of opto-electronic devices.
Beyond LEDs, he also believes that theapproach pioneered in this study can beapplied to other optical devices that arecontrolled by electrical fields.
“We are now extending this research tothin-film-based LEDs and arrays ofnanowire-based LEDs,” Wang said. “Weanticipate to use the piezo-phototronic effect to enhance the efficiency of GaN-based LEDs so it can make great contribu-tions to energy saving and solid-statelighting.”
The research was published online inNano Letters (doi: 10.1021/nl202619d).
NEWSTECH
Photonics Spectra January 201216
Georgia Tech professor Zhong Lin Wang (right) andgraduate research assistant Ying Liu study their enhanced LEDs. Courtesy of Gary Meek.
Adding mechanical strain onto zinc oxide microwires enhances LED performance.
112_Tech News_Layout 1 1/5/12 5:34 PM Page 16
Spin lasers could push data into the fast laneBOCHUM, Germany – A new concept forultrafast semiconductor lasers uses the in-trinsic angular momentum of electrons –also known as spin – to break previousspeed barriers, with the potential toachieve modulation frequencies of wellabove 100 GHz. The results could be asignificant step toward high-speed datatransmission for the Internet of the future.
Researchers at Ruhr University Bochumwere inspired by spintronics – combiningquantum mechanical spin with semicon-ductor-based electronics – to develop thenext generation of electronic and optoelec-tronic devices.
Optical data transmission by semicon-ductor lasers is a prerequisite for the glob-ally networked information technologyworld. The maximum speed of conven-tional semiconductor lasers has been alimiting factor; typical modulation fre-quencies are at levels well below 50 GHz.
By using spin lasers, the researchersovercame the previous limits for the mod-ulation speed. In conventional lasers, thespin of the electrons injected is entirely ar-bitrary, while in spin lasers, only electronswith a previously determined spin state areused. Injecting these spin-polarized elec-trons forces the laser to work simultane-ously on two laser modes with differentfrequencies.
The frequency difference can be tunedeasily using birefringence in the resonator,
according to researcher Dr. Nils Gerhardt.This is done simply by bending the micro-laser. By coupling the two laser modes inthe microresonator, oscillation with a newfrequency occurs, which theoretically canreach well over 100 GHz.
The results were published online inApplied Physics Letters (doi: 10.1063/1.3651339).
“The next step will be to develop a spinlaser with a modulation bandwidth signifi-
cantly higher than 100 GHz in order todemonstrate the full potential of our con-cept,” Gerhardt said. “Furthermore, wewant to investigate the polarization dy-namics in detail to find the fundamentallimitation for the maximum modulationspeed.”
The team must address electrical spininjection at room temperature to makesuch devices commercially viable, Ger-hardt added.
17Photonics Spectra January 2012
Injecting spin-polarized electrons into semiconduc-tor-based microlasers results in modulation speedsthat are superior to those of conventional lasers.Courtesy of Dr. Nils Gerhardt et al, Ruhr UniversityBochum.
Relaxation oscillations (a) mark the maximum speed achievable in conventional semiconductor lasers. By injecting spin-polarized electrons in a micro-cavity laser, oscillations that can be much faster than the relaxation oscillations are generated in the polarization of the light field (b). Because the oscillation lifetime can easily be tuned via the current (c), such spin lasers are suited for optical data transmission. CPD = Circular polarization degree.
112_Tech News_Layout 1 1/5/12 5:34 PM Page 17
t
for Night Vision, Instrumentation, Scientifi c Imaging and Research
HIGH PERFORMANCEOPTICAL SHUTTERS
www.cvimellesgriot.com
SHUTTERSLENSES TABLES OEM
Multimillion cycle design life
Extremely low power consumption
Easilly customized for new and
existing configurations
Designed for extreme vibration and
temperature conditions
How can we help make your project a success?
Scan the Code or go to cvimellesgriot.com/
ShutterBrochure
TECHNEWS
ITHACA, N.Y. – A new meta-material can self-assemble 3-Dstructures with nanoscale fea-tures, a feat that could make“superlenses” to image pro-teins, DNA and viruses.
Metamaterials offer newways to manipulate light vianegative refractive indices andtypically are made with com-mon deposition and lithographytechniques such as electronbeam lithography or atomicsputtering. But these techniquescan only create materials in thinlayers. The new method, pro-posed by Cornell University re-searchers led by Ulrich Wies-ner, enables three-dimensionalself-assembly of metamaterials.
“Today, most metamaterialfabrication relies on top-downapproaches such as lithographytechniques, making efficientaccess to three-dimensionally
isotropic metamaterials chal-lenging, thus hindering theirpractical application,” ex-plained Kahyun Hur, a gradu-ate student. “We expect thatbottom-up-type metamaterialfabrication can overcome someof these limitations. In particu-lar, block copolymer self-as-sembly provides a facile routeto 3-D isotropic material fabri-cation.”
Block copolymers are madeby joining two polymer mole-cules at the ends so that wheneach end chains up with otherslike itself, the two solids forman interconnected pattern of re-peating geometric shapes –planes, spheres, cylinders or atwisty network called a gyroid.
After the structure hasformed, one of the two poly-mers can be dissolved away,leaving a 3-D mold that can be
filled with a metal. Then thesecond polymer is burned away, leaving a porous metalstructure.
In a recent paper publishedonline in Angewandte Chemie(doi: 10.1002/ange.201104888),the researchers propose the cre-ation of metal gyroids thatallow light to pass through butare made up of nanoscale fea-tures that interact with light. Inthis way, it should be possibleto design materials with a nega-tive index of refraction.
Wiesner’s team performedcomputer simulations of severaldifferent metal gyroids, includ-ing gold, silver and aluminum,that could be made by copoly-mer self-assembly, then calcu-lated how light would behavewhen passing through them.They found that only silver pro-duced satisfactory results.
They concluded that suchmaterials could have a nega-tive refractive index in the visible and near-infraredranges. In addition, they notedthat the amount of refractioncould be controlled by adjust-ing the size of the repeatingfeatures of the metamaterial,which can be done by modify-ing the chemistry used in self-assembly.
Special lenses made of sucha material could image objectssmaller than the wavelength ofvisible light, including proteins,DNA and viruses. Some experi-menters have made such super-lenses, but so far none of thesework in the visible light range.Negative-refraction materialsalso might be configured tobend light around an object – at least a small one – and make it invisible.
Chemically assembled metamaterials pave way for superlenses
112_Tech News_Layout 1 1/6/12 11:54 AM Page 18
© 2011, L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
Integrated Optical Systems
Delivering Optical Solutions
at Your Point-of-Need
EUV FUV DUV VIS SWIR MWIR LWIR
Fast Prototyping
to High Volume
Manufacturing for
Defense & Security
Tinsley
Complete Design &
▲ tomeg cusnMeetign-to-SpecDesi
id-to-Prlor Bui
▲ ou need refrr yWhetheor asslescope fte
ons itatixpecour eyonsicatiappl
▲ ototypit prtesasF
AnalysisComplete Design &
nt-of-need:iour pos at yrtomerneeigrent En Concuron,ificatign-to-Spec
nti
ve tive or reflectiacou need refrxceed ons eti our soluies,lembor ass
g nigt challenour mosn yons i
ies and optics lembg of assnototypi
g nir
xceed
nt components to did-to-prlom buiF
-snap-togethegn-fesint components to d
-snap-togethe
xtreme enor ered fveiled
State-of-Art Ty Tinsle
▲ aciffrs drveilDeor lensr for bette
s to contirgneesidor lonmance forrfpe
▲ ity metal solule QualVisibal and hypetrspec
r Benum,iAlum
onmentsirvxtreme en
yechnologArt TTe
mance orrfited pemion-ltiacg nwi allolescopes,es & teor lens
ve C4ISR omprnue to is to contitancesistand-off dg sor lon
or multi-ons ftiity metal soluons:icatial appltrspecral and hypel,e Nick,rr, Coppeium,yllr
nt components to did-to-prlom buirFveilensley diTg,niturfac
lescopes,r teeeekies of slembAssspecrgmatic hypetior Asr
-snap-togetheorgn-fesint components to dtent peity with consisgh qualis hrvees and lement lens multi-elescopes,our pored at yveiletems dal systrspec
ity Alumle QualVisib
r manu-snap-togethe -mance.orrftent pe
r-Tes and -hree Mirnt-of-need.iour po
s @15Åorrnum Miriity Alum
lnless SteeStai
▲ m/Anamororree FFniniamond turdg and specnghtiial lrgene
▲ 85,000 ft2 of mody ensures hologmetr
▲ Class 100 cleanron optical assisiprec
g,nindiron gisiic precphm/Anamoror ished optics ft-polg & posn
onsicatiial applg and spec
on and icatin optical fabrre of modon capactioducate prgh riy ensures h
or oom (ISO Class 5) fClass 100 cleanrylembon optical ass
on and ityon capac
nsley’s famous CompuiTr than 15 Å RMS fs betterveiled
or e 2 Å RMS fates,trsubsicon.lne siitallysycrpol
iolled Optical Surfacr Contrtensley’s famous Compuical alumror bare aspher than 15 Å RMS f
g and 1 Å RMS fnl platieickoless ntrlecor e
w g (CCOS) nonor rirnum miical alumor g and 1 Å RMS f
Integrated Optical Systems
Tinsle
Integrated Optical Systems
yTinsle
L-3 Commun© 2011,
ering Optical Solutions Deliv
oat YYo
ved.reghts resi All r Inc.gs,nidons Holicati L-3 Commun
ering Optical Solutions
oint-of-NeedPour
ved.
ering Optical Solutions
112_L-3Communications_Pg19_Layout 1 1/6/12 10:31 AM Page 19
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Step asideLEDs, there’s a new light source in town.A new four-color laser source can producehigh-quality white light that is appealingto the human eye.
LEDs – widely accepted as sturdier,more efficient replacements for incandes-cent bulbs – lose efficiency at electricalcurrents above 0.5 A. Diode lasers, how-ever, improve at higher currents to provideeven more light than LEDs.
To test whether the white light producedby the diode lasers is pleasing to the eye,researchers at Sandia National Laborato-ries developed a series of tests that werecarried out at the University of New Mex-ico’s Center for High Technology Materi-als. One by one, 40 volunteers sat beforetwo near-identical scenes of fruit in bowls,housed in adjacent chambers. Each bowlwas randomly illuminated by warm, coolor neutral white LEDs, by a tungsten-fila-ment incandescent lightbulb, or by a com-bination of four lasers (blue, red, green,yellow), tuned so that they produced awhite light.
The participants were instructed tochoose the lit scene with which they feltmost comfortable. The pairs were pre-sented 80 times in random order, and thelight sources providing the illumination
were not revealed, to ensure that only thelighting itself and not sequence or testerpreconceptions played a role in subjectchoices.
The result was a statistically significantpreference for the diode-laser-based whitelight over the warm and cool LED-basedwhite light, but no statistically significantpreference between the diode-laser-basedand either the neutral LED-based or incan-descent white light.
“Since the tests show that diode laserlight is as pleasing as its competitors, weexpect we’ve removed some of the road-
20
t TECHNEWS
Photonics Spectra January 2012
Sandia researcher Jeff Tsao examines a setup used to test diode lasers as an alternative to LED lighting. Skeptics believed that laser light would be too harsh to be acceptable, but research by Tsao and colleaguessuggests that the skeptics were wrong. Images courtesy of Randy Montoya.
In the test setup, similar bowls of fruit were placed ina lightbox with a divider in the middle. The bowl onthe left side was illuminated by a diode laser lightand the one on the right, by a standard incandes-cent bulb. The aesthetic quality of the diode laserlighting compares favorably with the standard incandescent light.
People warm to white light from four-color diode lasers
112_Tech News_Layout 1 1/5/12 5:34 PM Page 20
blocks to further research in this area,” said Neal Singer, a sci-ence writer at Sandia, adding that more research to compact vari-ous diode laser light sources must be conducted.
Diode lasers are slightly more expensive to fabricate thanLEDs because their substrates must have fewer defects than thoseused for LEDs. Still, such substrates are likely to become moreavailable because they improve LED performance as well, the researchers say.
Although blue diode lasers perform well enough that BMWAG plans to use them in its vehicles’ next-generation white head-lights, the performance of red diode lasers is not as good, andyellow and green have a ways to go before they are efficientenough for commercial lighting.
The study was published in Optics Express (dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.19.00A982) on July 1, 2011.
tTECHNEWS
Photonics Spectra January 2012
Four laser beams – yellow, blue, green and red – converge to produce a pleasantly warm white light. Results suggest that diode-based lighting could be an attractive alternative to increasingly popular LED lighting, itself an alternative to compact fluorescent lights and incandescent bulbs.
Super absorber could boost efficiency in solar cellsEVANSTON, Ill. – A new material that absorbs a wide range ofwavelengths could lead to more efficient, less expensive solartechnology.
Solar cells are only as efficient as the amount of sunlight theycollect. Unlike a laser, the solar spectrum is “very broadband,”ranging from the ultraviolet to the near-infrared, so a solar cellneeds a broadband response to capture this light most efficiently,said Koray Aydin of Northwestern University’s McCormickSchool of Engineering and Applied Science.
To achieve this, Aydin and colleagues used unconventional materials – metal and silicon oxide – to create thin but complextrapezoid-shaped metal gratings on the nanoscale level that can trap a wider range of visible light. On their own, the two ma-terials do not absorb light; however, when used together on thenanoscale, they achieve very high absorption rates.
112_Tech News_Layout 1 1/6/12 11:56 AM Page 21
The research is not directly applicableto solar cell technology because metaland silicon oxide cannot convert light toelectricity. In fact, the photons are con-verted to heat and might allow novelways to control the heat flow at thenanoscale. However, the innovativetrapezoid shape could be replicated insemiconducting materials that could beused in solar cells.
“If we can turn a reflective metal andtransparent dielectric to an absorbing ma-terial through optical design and nanofab-rication, we can surely use it for increas-ing the absorption in semiconductors,which are already absorbing,” Aydin said.
If applied to semiconducting materials,the technology could lead to thinner,cheaper and more efficient solar cells. Thenew grating design captured a range ofwavelengths because of the local opticalresonances, causing light to spend moretime inside the material until it gets ab-sorbed. Because the composite metamater-ial collected light from many angles, itwould be useful in dealing with sunlight,which hits solar cells at different angles as
the sun moves from east to west through-out the day.
Although solar energy conversion is thefirst application that occurred to Aydin, hesaid that the new material could be used inother areas.
“Plasmonic and nano-/microwire-basedsolar cells are receiving lots of attention… and these approaches are all based onthe idea that shaping the materials (semi-conductors, metals and/or dielectrics)could yield increased absorption andtherefore increase efficiency,” he said.“Our design offers a much broader, polar-ization-independent and relatively angle-insensitive response. We also believe thatthe design of ultrathin absorbers couldhave implications in defense applications,as they could be used to protect vehicles/planes from the penetration of electromag-netic radiation.”
The researchers hope to prove that they can better the absorption in semicon-ductors.
Findings from the study appeared Nov.1, 2011, in Nature Communications (doi:10.1038/ncomms1528).
22
t TECHNEWS
Photonics Spectra January 2012
A scanning electron microscope image of broad-band plasmonic superabsorbers. Proposed arrays ofcrossed trapezoidal metallic elements yield broad-band, polarization-independent optical absorption.Courtesy of Koray Aydin, Northwestern University.
112_Tech News_Layout 1 1/5/12 5:34 PM Page 22
112_EdmundOptics_Pg23_Layout 1 1/6/12 10:32 AM Page 23
STUTTGART, Germany – Chemical spill?Gas leak? Mine collapse? Send in the spiders.
Laser-based 3-D printing can help fabri-cate mobile robot spiders that can exploreenvironments considered unreachable byor too hazardous for humans.
The prototype robot, developed by re-searchers at Fraunhofer Institute for Man-ufacturing Engineering and AutomationIPA, looks and moves much like a realspider. With a camera and measurementequipment onboard, it can provide emer-gency responders with images on thescene of a chemical accident and evenoffer data about poisonous substances.And as does a real spider, the device keepsfour legs on the ground at all times, ren-dering it able to navigate any terrain.
The researchers used selective laser sin-tering (SLS) to shape the plastics for theprototype, combining rigid and elasticshapes in a single component. They ap-plied step-by-step thin layers of a finepolyamide powder and melted them intoplace with a laser beam to create therobot’s complex geometries, inner struc-tures and lightweight components.
All components required for motion,such as the control unit, valves and com-pressor pump, are located on the robot’sbody. It can carry a variety of sensors andmeasuring devices, depending upon the
appliction. Hinges interoperate with bel-lows drives to pneumatically bend, extendand turn the artificial limbs as needed.
Using SLS saves materials, minimizesassembly effort and reduces the time ittakes to build the spider, said Ralf Becker,a scientist at Fraunhofer. He added that individual parts can be quickly swappedand, because the robot is so easy andcheap to produce, it can be discarded afterjust one use.
The robot spider also could be usefulfor exploration and search-and-rescue mis-sions; for example, after natural catastro-phes and industrial or reactor accidents. It also could help responders to fires bybroadcasting live images or tracking downhazards or leaking gases.
The prototype was displayed at the re-cent EuroMold 2011 show in Frankfurt,Germany.
t TECHNEWS
Photonics Spectra January 2012
Lasers give rise to spider robots for dangerous missions
A robotic spider could help emergency respondersobtain information about chemical spills and otherdangers. Images courtesy of Fraunhofer IPA.
The robot spider’s legs are 20 cm long. Elastic bellows drives serve as its joints.
112_Tech News_Layout 1 1/5/12 5:34 PM Page 24
3300 Coffey Lane, Santa Rosa, CA 95403 Tel (707) 573-6700 / 866-433-7724 Fax (707) 573-6748 email: [email protected]
our optical coatings couldn’twait for the future.
www.depsci.com
Biometric Systems
Solar / Photovoltaic Coatings
Life Sciences
Digital Imaging
IR & UV Curing
X-Ray Systems
Military & Defense
Unmanned Systems
Space / Satellites
Digital Cinema
Solar Simulation & Material Aging
High Efficiency Lighting
Light Tunnels
Displays
Technology changes in the blink of an eye. That’s why DSI designs, develops, and produces so many unique precision optical coatings for systems of the future. From innovations in biometric systems to
outside the box and bring you highly durable optical solutions no one
the most basic to complex multispectral, multilayer, zero-shift coatings on glass, metal, plastic, and many others. Just ask.
We test our coatings to Mil-Spec environmental standards for humidity, salt fog, abrasion, temperature cycle, adhesion, solubility, and cleanability, and perform spectral measurement tests.
waits for no one.
ultra-durable
patented processes
uv - visible - ir
See us in South HallBIOS #8402 Photonics West #402
112_DepositionSciences_Pg25_Layout 1 1/6/12 1:02 PM Page 25
TORONTO – Scientists have put together a couple more piecesof the puzzle to explain how energy levels align in a criticalgroup of advanced materials, which could have implications fordeveloping sustainable technologies such as dye-sensitized solarcells and organic LEDs.
It’s been known for years that transition metal oxides, alsoknown as superconductors, make excellent electrical contacts inorganic-based devices, but the reason why hasn’t been knownuntil now.
“What we found was shocking,” said Mark T. Greiner, a mate-rials science and engineering doctoral candidate at the Universityof Toronto. “We wanted to understand what is so special aboutoxides that makes them so useful in organic electronic devices.We soon realized that the property we were aiming to understandwas the same property that makes oxides valuable catalysts: theirability to transfer charge to molecules.”
To better understand this property, Greiner and Zheng-HongLu, professor and Canada Research Chair in organic optoelec-tronics, examined as many materials as possible. They tested alarge number of metal oxides, spanning a wide range of proper-ties – from insulators to p- and n-type semiconductors to metallicconductors. What they discovered was a surprise.
All of the oxides followed the same trend, regardless of theirelectronic properties, Greiner said. He explained that this trendcould be represented by a single simple equation.
“The findings imply that charge transfer between metal oxidesand molecules depends primarily on the oxide’s electron chemicalpotential and the molecule’s ionization energy,” Greiner said.
26
t TECHNEWS
Photonics Spectra January 2012
Piece of energy puzzle could lead tobetter OLEDs and solar cells
Teasing out the mysteries of transition metal oxides could help progress solarcells. Courtesy of Zu Lab, University of Toronto.
112_Tech News_Layout 1 1/5/12 5:34 PM Page 26
112_Hamamatsu_Pg27_Layout 1 1/6/12 10:32 AM Page 27
Providing a piece of the puzzle to fur-ther understand energy-level alignment,Greiner is hopeful that their findings willdrive further developments in the field andthat the discovery will extend into otherfields of research as well, including catalysis.
The engineers are now at work to refinetheir model. With their results indicating
that the charge-injection barrier plateaus ata minimum value, the team is designingexperiments to investigate the physicalcauses behind this minimum injection barrier, and will explore the limitations of the model by testing it on non-oxidematerials.
The research appeared online in NatureMaterials (doi: 10.1038/nmat3159).
28
t TECHNEWS
Photonics Spectra January 2012
Compact laser frequency comb could go placesGAITHERSBURG, Md. – A new compactlaser frequency comb is no larger than ashoebox and has a high-quality opticalcavity just 2 mm wide. Until now, fre-quency combs have been delicate lab in-struments, bulky – about the size of a suit-case – and challenging to operate. Thenew microcombs developed at the Na-tional Institute of Standards and Technol-ogy are a step closer to user-friendly chip-based combs that could enable newapplications in astronomy, high-capacitytelecommunications and – if other compo-nents are miniaturized as well – portableversions of the most advanced atomicclocks. In the past decade, laser frequencycombs have helped propel advances intimekeeping, trace gas detection and re-lated physics research.
The prototype frequency comb consistsof a low-power semiconductor laser about
the size of a shoebox and a high-qualityoptical cavity just 2 mm wide. NIST saysit is the first to use a cavity made of fusedsilica, or quartz, the most common opticalmaterial. This means that the device couldbe integrated easily with other optical andphotonic components, said researcherScott Papp.
The new compact version relies on alow-power laser and the cavity’s unusualproperties: It is designed to limit disper-sion and to confine light in a small spaceto enhance intensity and optical interac-tions. Infrared laser light travels in a loopinside the cavity, generating a train of veryshort pulses and a spectrum of additionalshades of infrared light. The small cavity,with no moving parts, offers insight intobasic processes of frequency combs, thelarge versions of which are difficult to observe.
A stack of 10 optical microresonators made from a solid rod of fused quartz glass for use in NIST’s compact laser frequency comb. (Only one is actually used.) A low-power infrared laser produces light that travels in a loop inside one of the cavities. Each cavity is 2 mm wide and shaped like a flat ellipse. A detail of the rod is shown on opposite page. Courtesy of S. Papp, NIST.
112_Tech News_Layout 1 1/5/12 5:34 PM Page 28
Among the features of the new comb is the wide spacing be-tween the teeth – 10 to 100 times wider than the gaps found intypical larger combs. This spacing allows scientists to measureand manipulate the teeth more easily. The widely spaced teethcan be individually read by astronomical instruments. The combscould thus be used as ultrastable frequency references in thesearch for Earthlike planets orbiting distant stars.
Portable frequency combs could have other applications also,the researchers said. For example, because a frequency comb cansimultaneously generate hundreds of telecommunication channelsfrom a single low-power source, a microcomb eventually mightreplace the individual lasers now used for each channel in fiberoptic telecommunications.
“So far, our compact comb works in the telecom band near1550 nm,” Papp said. “But to take advantage of the world’s mostprecise optical atomic clocks at NIST, we will have to increasethe comb’s spectral range by a factor of 10.”
To do this, Papp said his team will have to learn more aboutthe mechanisms that control broad-bandwidth generation of themicrocomb spectrum. In addition, they will have to understandand implement appropriate means to interface the device with ultrastable atomic clock signals.
“Both of these steps are critical for microcombs to be used asthe ‘gears’ of next-generation optical clocks,” Papp said.
29
www.scanlab.de
NEW: intellicube® 14
Wondering how to create a high-end laser
processing system despite intense cost pressure?
Use SCANLAB’s intellicube® – the smallest smart
scan head with high-performance dynamics.
The intellicube® combines the advantages of
SCANLAB’s successful SCANcube® and intelliSCAN®
scan head platforms:
Want to know if intellicube® is the right scan system
for your application? Contact us at [email protected].
More information at:
See you at BiOS (Booth #8726) and
Photonics West (Booth #2123)!
tTECHNEWS
Photonics Spectra January 2012
112_Tech News_Layout 1 1/5/12 5:34 PM Page 29
LAUSANNE, Switzerland – In teamsports, single players can sometimes getlost on the crowded field. But a new sys-tem can follow multiple players at once,even when they’re buried under a pile ofbodies in a football tackle or crouchingbehind another player.
The new tool, developed at École Poly-technique Fédérale de Lausanne’s Com-
puter Vision Laboratory (CV Lab), cantrack athletes’ movements continuouslyfrom the time they enter the field by over-laying their numbers and jersey colors on their computer screen images. Thesesuperimposed images make it easier forspectators, referees and coaches to distin-guish individuals out on the field, and theycan be produced without special chips,
extra gear or additional markers.The system consists of a computer and
eight video cameras: Two are set up oneach side of the field, two look down ontothe field from overhead, and two zoom inon players. Software running on the com-puter uses three algorithms to detect, trackand identify the players.
The first algorithm divides the field into
30
t TECHNEWS
Photonics Spectra January 2012
Technology tracks movements of individual athletes
Innovative multicamera algorithms can automatically track multiple basketball players. Courtesy of CV Lab, EPFL.
112_Tech News_Layout 1 1/5/12 5:34 PM Page 30
USA +1 805-684-8780Europe +33 (0) 4 92 96 9331
nusil.com©2011 NuSil Technology LLC. All rights reserved.
Building on our 30 years of experience providing custom silicone solutions, we’re expanding our technological
capabilities across the globe. At NuSil, we’ve dramatically increased the size of our manufacturing and global
warehousing facilities; placed more representatives in hub locations throughout Asia; and hired new
scientists and chemists, doubling the size of our R&D department. So, no matter what your need
for silicone, in small batches or large volume production, across the country or around the world,
NuSil is there for you – in a big way.
112_Nusil_Pg31_Layout 1 1/6/12 11:15 AM Page 31
a grid of squares measuring 25 sq cmeach, then removes the background in allimages simultaneously. It deduces theprobability of the presence of a player ineach small square. The other two algo-rithms connect the series of results ob-tained from the first to establish individualtrajectories. Each algorithm uses global
optimization methods, which result in asystem that can track people in real timein a reliable manner.
“Our technology is nonintrusive, in thesense that people do not need to wear ad-ditional markers or devices in order to betracked,” said Horesh Ben Shitrit, a doc-toral candidate in the CV Lab and one of
the developers of the algorithms. “Wemanage to track people for a long periodof time and preserve their identities.”
Although the scientists are concentrat-ing their tracking on sports players, Shitritsaid the technology, with some adapta-tions, also could track pedestrians to mon-itor traffic in an area, or follow the move-ment of clients in a store for marketingpurposes. Currently, the team also is in-volved in a new project for tracking med-ical staff in operating rooms to optimizethe work flow during surgery, he said. Next, the researchers plan to use their tra-jectories, in addition to other visual cues,to analyze the behavior and performanceof teams and their players. “We would liketo find patterns in the game’s style of dif-ferent teams and evaluate different tech-niques of individual players,” Shitrit said.
t
���������� ��� ����������� ��������������������������������������������������� ������������� ��������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������
� �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������
� ����������������������������������!"#$%����������������������� ����!$%�
���#�������#���
������������� ��������������������
�������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������
������������
������� ����
��������
TECHNEWS
Ashley N. [email protected]
The tracking software deduces player positions even in the presence of obstacles, such as other players.
112_Tech News_Layout 1 1/5/12 5:34 PM Page 32
112_LightworksOptics_Pg33_Layout 1 1/6/12 11:15 AM Page 33
FAST
TRACK
Photonics Spectra January 201234
Applications: refractive eye surgery, bio-medical device manufacturing, and micro-machining for the photovoltaics, semicon-ductor and anti-counterfeiting markets.
SCIENTIFIC LASERSNewport Corp. Spectra-PhysicsInSight DeepSeeBased on novel technology, not Ti:sap-phire, InSight DeepSee represents a game-changer for deep-tissue multiphoton imag-ing. It delivers nearly double the tuningrange of existing ultrafast lasers (680 to1300 nm), provides seamless access tolong infrared wavelengths for deepest invivo imaging (1000 to 1300 nm), and isthe only fully integrated turnkey laser pro-duct available that is optimized for suchtasks. Dispersion compensation ensureshigh peak at low average powers, and anoptional dual-wavelength output offerstwo beams for multimodal and CARS (coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering)imaging.Applications: biological imaging, suchas two-photon excited fluorescence, sec-ond-harmonic generation, third-harmonicgeneration, multimodal, femtosecondCARS, autofluorescence and two-photonuncaging.
PD-LD Inc.LabSource VBG®-Stabilized DualLaser SourceLaser-induced fluorescence frequently ob-scures Raman spectra of many substances,but the dual laser source LabSource allowsaccurate and consistent subtraction of thefluorescence contribution from the Ramansignal, enabling a significantly better sig-nal-to-noise ratio than competing methods.It replaces costly tunable lasers that are thestate of the art in shifted excitation Ramandifference spectroscopy (SERDS) withhighly stable, accurate and affordable vol-ume Bragg grating (VBG)-stabilized laserdiodes. It also incorporates a fiber opticswitch and shutter, achieving better wave-length and power stability as well as eye-safe operation. The switching time is just 5 ms, and the insertion losses are <1 dB.
length of 213 nm, a very short wavelengththat enables direct laser writing of struc-tures with feature sizes below 1 μm. Thelaser delivers <7-ns short pulses with a su-perior beam quality of M2 <1.6. It is seenas an attractive replacement for standardUV sources, such as excimer lasers, which deliver a poor beam profile, andfrequency-doubled argon-ion lasers, whichconsume dramatically high amounts ofpower and must be water-cooled. Applications: metrology, micromachin-ing, TFT display fabrication and qualitycontrol.
Newport Corp. Spectra-PhysicsMosaic™ 532-11This is the first all-in-one DPSS laser ofthis class, combining the power supply,diodes and laser cavity. With shorter pulsewidths, Mosaic Q-switched DPSS lasershave higher peak powers, resulting incleaner laser scribing and less thermaldamage to parts. Mosaic lasers also haveexcellent near- and far-field beam pointingstability and superior pulse-to-pulse stabil-ity. The integrated E-Pulse™ feature allows users to tailor the overall pulse energy to the job at hand. The Mosaic issmaller than competitive DPSS lasers ofsimilar power, nearly maintenance free,and it offers low cost per watt. Application: microelectronics manufac-turing.
Amplitude SystèmesSatsuma HEAnswering the market’s need for a high-precision ultrafast tool that is reliable, in-dustry-ready and affordable, this compactultrafast fiber laser is the most advancedon the market, with a pulse duration of<500 fs and a repetition rate of 100 kHz to2 MHz. The Satsuma 10W combines char-acteristics that are usually mutually exclu-sive: pulse energy >20 μJ, average power>10 W, in an air-cooled housing measur-ing <13 � 30 in. It overcomes the severethermal limitations of crystal-based ytter-bium lasers by incorporating the excellentheat dissipation properties of fiber.
BY MELINDA ROSE, SENIOR EDITOR
The finalists for the 2011 PrismAwards for photonics innovation havebeen announced in nine categories by
co-sponsors Photonics Media and SPIE,and feature a wide range of products, fromeyeglasses that automatically change focusto the first product to incorporate artificialmuscles with optics. Winners will be an-nounced during a gala dinner at SPIE Photonics West 2012 in San Francisco.
The finalists, by category, are:
INDUSTRIAL LASERSXiton Photonics GmbHImpress 213This is the first commercially available industrial-grade diode-pumped solid-state (DPSS) deep-ultraviolet laser below 250 nm. The Impress 213 is a high-repetition-rate (more than 10 kHz) Q-switched laser with an emission wave-
2011 Prism Award Finalists Announced
112_FastTrack_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:16 PM Page 34
Photonics Spectra January 2012 35
Haas Laser Technologies Inc.TLC Objective™
Although athermalizing mid- to far-infrared optics in sensor or detector im-aging is common, it has never been ap-plied to high-power lasers by athermaliz-ing a laser focusing objective – until now.This high-power laser objective passivelycompensates for thermal lensing whenused with multikilowatt lasers, mitigatingit to a few microns. The TLC (thermallensing compensation) Objective incor-porates a balancing of the temperaturecoefficient of refractive index (dn/dT) be-tween two high-power laser optical mate-rials, the thicknesses, air spacing and cur-vatures to minimize thermal lensingbetween 20 and 250 °C, using a propri-etary optical design merit function. Thismeans that applications will be in focusfrom the moment the laser is turned on towhen it is turned off; whether in seconds,minutes or hours. Applications: passively compensatesthermal lensing for high-power collimatorsand focusing lenses.
DETECTORS, SENSING, IMAGING AND CAMERASMermecT-Sight 5000In the past, railway inspections were per-formed visually, during off-peak traffichours. Mounted to the front of a high-speed train, T-Sight 5000 allows such inspections to be performed in real time
Reducer (LSR) is an extremely compact,low-cost solution for effectively reducingspeckle contrast in laser illumination. Al-though a traditional approach is to use rotating diffusers, the LSR uses electroac-tive polymers to oscillate a diffuser. Abreakthrough in miniaturization, the LSRenables speckle reduction in laser-basedpico projectors. This is also one of the firstproducts worldwide to commercializeelectroactive polymer technology and thefirst to combine EAPs – also known as ar-tificial muscles – with optics.Applications: pico projectors, cinemaand business projectors, metrology, mi-croscopy, interferometry and lithography.
PixelOptics Inc.emPower!These prescription eyeglasses change their optical focusing distance electro-actively, representing the most significantadvance in multifocal eyeglasses sinceBenjamin Franklin invented bifocals in1784. Because they are electrically controlled, these variable-focus lenseschange focus faster than the blink of aneye, without any moving parts and withoutmaking a sound. They can be operatedmanually or automatically. All eyeglassesavailable today have static focus: Oncefabricated, they have a fixed focus. TheemPower! uses optics, electronics andchemistry to provide, for the first time, dynamic focus.Application: vision correction.
Applications: Raman spectroscopy, two-color cytometry, and other life sciencesapplications that require live tissue or organic matter.
KMLabsWyvern XAs the first 1-MHz-repetition-rate Ti:sap-phire ultrafast regenerative amplifier, theWyvern X satisfies a demand for veryshort duration pulses at moderate (up to20 μJ) pulse energies and the highest pos-sible repetition rate. Marking the firstsubstantial improvement in this productcategory in nearly two decades, it com-bines cryogenic cooling technology withadvances in pulse switching, and achievesdramatic improvements in power and rep-etition rate. By using 22 W of CW greenpump light to pump a single laser crystal,up to 3.7-W output can be obtained at arepetition rate that can be varied from 50 kHz to 1.7 MHz, all with a 60-fs pulseduration.Applications: scientific and industrialapplications, including ultrafast spectros-copy, microscopy, precision machiningand surgery.
OPTICS AND OPTICAL COMPONENTSOptotune AGLaser Speckle ReducerSpeckle is one of the biggest roadblocks tolasers becoming the standard light sourcefor projection. Optotune’s Laser Speckle
112_FastTrack_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:16 PM Page 35
at speeds greater than 300 k/h. The internal architecture of the T-Sight 5000integrates two systems (clearance gaugemeasurement and tunnel wall inspection)sharing the same laser illuminating source.The system contains no rotating or movingparts and is the smallest, lightest and mostaccurate on the market. Applications: in-depth inspection andanalysis of tunnels and clearance profileson railways.
Vieworks Co. Ltd.VN Series Camera LinkThe VN Series cameras are the only pixel shift digital instruments that achieveup to 142-megapixel resolution. Not onlydoes image resolution increase, but a true color image is realized as well as a100 percent fill factor. The VN Seriescameras offer such ultrahigh resolution(73/96/142 megapixels) by adopting two-dimensional nanostage pixel shifttechnology. The cameras capture multipleimages by mechanically shifting the imagesensor in X and Y directions, and combinethose images to generate an output imagewith extended resolution. The most significant benefit of a VN pixel shiftcamera in comparison with a general fixed sensor camera is its ability to acquire more than four times higher resolution.Applications: LCD panel inspection,PCB inspection, film/document digitizing.
CyberOptics SemiconductorWaferSense APSMeasuring just 8 mm thick and 300 mmin diameter, the wafer-shaped airborneparticle sensor (APS) is a light-scatteringairborne particle counter that travels intoa semiconductor fab tool such as a typicalwafer and quickly helps isolate sources ofparticle contamination. The APS validatesand analyzes wafer contamination in realtime for wafer processing equipment usedin the semiconductor market and can detect and count particles as small as 100 nm. The WaferSense APS repre-sents a significant change in particle de-tection methodology, enabling engineersto monitor and control contamination intheir tools and protect die yield with real-time views of particle conditions to ad-dress particular areas of concern insteadof the whole tool. Applications: particle contamination de-tection during semiconductor wafer pro-cessing as well as preventive maintenance.
DEFENSE AND SECURITYHeadwall Photonics Inc.Hyperspec RECON™
The Hyperspec RECON sensor is the firstand only handheld hyperspectral sensorbuilt and delivered under contract to theUS Department of Defense. It solves thesignificant problem of providing enhancedintelligence, surveillance and reconnais-sance support to soldiers for long-distancespectral imaging of potential threats andtargets. In 1 to 3 s, the VNIR (380 to 1000 nm) sensor, with its aberration-corrected diffractive optics and customfocal place array/electronics assembly, canspectrally resolve and rapidly render tar-gets as small as the size of a human facefrom a distance of one mile. The sensorwas designed to address the problem ofdetecting potential human threats such assnipers at distances that allow for adequatecountermeasures.Applications: forward reconnaissance,ground-based spectral imaging, mobilesensor deployment for base protection,border security and perimeter observation.
Zomega Terahertz Corp.Micro-ZThe handheld Micro-Z is the only un-tethered handheld terahertz system capableof broadband spectroscopic identificationof compounds. The system integrates anultrafast laser, a terahertz source and terahertz detector into a single battery-operated package to solve the problem ofreal-time field identification of chemicalssuch as explosives and related compounds,even in reflection geometry and undercovering layers. Previous devices of thistype were restricted to the lab or station-ary installations, and samples had to bebrought to the machine, not the other wayaround. With its handheld capability, theMicro-Z forces a completely new mea-surement methodology that compensatesfor the random motion and sample charac-teristics found in the real world.Applications: mobile sensing, includingchemical and explosives identification.
Physical Optics Corp. (POC)Mobile ELISA-Based Pathogen Detection (MEPAD)Based on a disposable microfluidic chip,this product addresses the need for real-time biohazard identification by replacinga process that requires analytical expert-ise and laboratory processing with a cost-efficient and fully automated one. A
36
f
Photonics Spectra January 2012
FASTTRACK
112_FastTrack_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:16 PM Page 36
112_Jenoptik_Pg37_Layout 1 1/6/12 10:33 AM Page 37
highly sensitive portable fluorescencemeasurement unit controls the flow ofsamples and reagents through the chip’smicrofluidic channels. The fluorescencedetection subsystem is composed of acommercial 635-nm diode laser, an ava-lanche photodiode that measures fluores-cence, and three filtering mirrors thatprovide more than 100 dB of excitationline suppression in the signal-detectionchannel. Special techniques to suppressthe fluorescence and scattering back-ground allow optimizing the dynamicrange for a compact package. Concentra-tions below 100 ng/ml can be reliablyidentified. Application: rapid identification ofbiohazards.
LIFE SCIENCES AND BIOPHOTONICS89 NorthHeliophorUnlike currently available light sources,such as arc lamps, metal halides or LEDs,the Heliophor’s pumped-phosphor lightengine allows production of a widerrange of output wavelengths, all matched
to common fluorescent proteins and dyes,as well as a straightforward calibrationsystem that ensures that output intensityis consistent across measurements – eventhose taken weeks or months apart. Theproduct is the first to use phosphors toshift the energy of the pump source tomatch the fluorescent probes, and itshigh-speed switching ability afforded bythe pump source allows the light sourceto serve as its own shutter. This meansthat high-speed live-cell imaging can be done without the need for additionalequipment, such as shutters and con-trollers, or for dedicated microscopy facilities. Applications: quantitative fluorescencemicroscopy and multidimensional imag-ing, such as live-cell imaging and high-throughput screenings.
Coherent Inc.OBISThe OBIS represents a paradigm shift – it is the first visible laser with the opera-tional and integration simplicity of anelectronic component. In life sciences, the number of fluorescent assays increases
at a rapid rate, and incorporating a newlaser wavelength in a test or instrument, orreplacing an existing laser, is a complexand time-consuming endeavor. But OBISis the first self-contained product in whichevery unit and model has identical beamparameters, irrespective of wavelength,power, even laser technology. It replacesthe conventional three-part (controller,umbilical, head) laser architecture and,with an embedded smart controller, is the first laser to offer true plug-and-playfunctionality. Laser modules can be inter-changed in minutes or seconds, rather than hours.Applications: life sciences, environmen-tal monitoring, inspection and machine vision.
Rebellion Photonics Inc.The ArrowThe Arrow is the first product that over-comes the sensitivity limitations andimage artifacts produced by existing hyperspectral systems that rely on eitherscanning or computational methods forbiomedical imaging. The Arrow providesunparalleled imaging performance because
f
Custom Solutions for any Atmosphere.
UNDER PRESSURE TO FIND STABLE MOUNTS?
www.cvimellesgriot.com
OPTICAL MOUNTSLENSES TABLES OEM
Vacuum compatible actuators
Thermal and Vibrational analysis
Mounted optics flatness testing
Special cleaning and packaging
Cleanroom assembled and tested
Size 12 to 450 mm18 inch mirror mount
Vibrational stability
Select your vacuum compatible product by visiting
www.CVIMellesGriot.com/Vacuum or browse our vacuum
compatible mounts and optics at standard catalog prices.
We design and manufacture in-house.
Contact us for OEM mounts.
Scan the Code or go to cvimellesgriot.com/
Vacuum
FASTTRACK
112_FastTrack_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:16 PM Page 38
DefenseSCHOTT North America, Inc.2451 Crystal Drive, Suite 450
Arlington, VA 22202Phone: 1-703-418-1409
Fax: [email protected]
www.us.schott.com/defense
Advanced OpticsSCHOTT North America, Inc.
400 York AvenueDuryea, PA 18642
Phone: 1-570-457-7485Fax: 1-570-457-7330
www.us.schott.com/advanced_optics
Your Partner for Excellence in OpticsSCHOTT is now offering US-manufactured Chalcogenide Glasses with excellenttransmission in the NIR through LWIR with low dn/dT dispersion values.
• Commonly used in applications in the NIR to LWIR region from 0.8 m – 12 m
• Outstanding performance in defense applications such as thermal imaging, UAVs, etc.
• Polished lenses/windows available in sizes up to 100 mm diameter and 150 mm length / thickness or up to 140 mm diameter and 30 mm length / thickness
• US-based melting and fabrication in SCHOTT’s Duryea, PA facility
112_SchottNA(Optics)_Pg39_Layout 1 1/6/12 10:33 AM Page 39
of its “snapshot” advantage – a simple optical system that allowsacquisition of all hyperspectral information in a single cameraframe. In this mode, all light emitted by the sample is collectedand registered at all times. The poor light efficiency of existingproducts results in phototoxicity effects in cells, making them unsuitable for observing real-time phenomena. By using imagemapping spectrometry technology developed at Rice Universityin Houston, the Arrow has light sensitivity that is orders of mag-nitude higher than that of existing systems, allowing the observa-tion of cell chemistry as it is happening.Applications: fluorescence imaging, imaging spectroscopy and computer-aided pathology, among others.
OTHER LIGHT SOURCESIntematixChromaLitIn standard LED architecture, phosphor compounds are coated di-rectly onto the chip, resulting in directional, bluish light with re-stricted end-use applications. With ChromaLit, Intematix removesthe compound from the chip, keeping the phosphor performancestable over the lifetime of the LED, while maintaining color con-sistency and uniformity. ChromaLit deposits the phosphor onto asubstrate material that operates remotely from the blue chip. Thisdesign shift eliminates the need for a diffuser (which accounts fora 9 percent light loss in conventional LEDs) and achieves 30 per-cent efficacy gain over conventional white LEDs. It also reducesglare, increases design freedom, and streamlines supply and pro-duction of luminaires to enable widespread adoption.Applications: general and decorative lighting, and specialtylighting applications such as signs and signals.
Philips LumiledsLUXEON® ALUXEON A delivers illumination-grade LED light sources by incorporating thin-film flip-chip technology and unique Lumi-ramic phosphor technology to target white color point perfor-mance. With hot testing and color binning, every LUXEON A isspecified at real-world operating conditions (junction temperature85 °C). This represents a change in behavior from the “semicon-ductor” mentality to a “lighting” approach. Every LUXEON ALED falls within a single three-step MacAdam ellipse centeredon the blackbody curve, eliminating the potential significant dif-ferences between color bins. Philips Lumileds is unique in offer-ing a single white die emitter with a single bin selection. The en-tire production has the same color, so when a customer specifiesa CCT of 2700 K, that’s what he/she gets. Applications: lighting for shop, outdoor, office, school and home.
OEwavesUltranarrow Linewidth LaserThis ultranarrow linewidth source, based on a high-quality factor(Q) Whispering Gallery Mode (WGM) microresonator, offers superfine instantaneous and dynamic optical spectral linewidth ofless than 300 Hz and ultralow phase/frequency noise in a smallform factor. The laser is scalable to a variety of wavelengths inthe C- and L-bands. The design is based on the self-injectionlocking of a suitable commercially available laser diode via a res-onant optical feedback from the microresonator. Its monolithi-cally integrated approach, and microscale mass and volume makethe laser virtually insensitive to environmental vibrations.
40
f
Photonics Spectra January 2012
FASTTRACK
112_FastTrack_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:16 PM Page 40
Applications: advanced sensing and detection, monitoring andmetrology.
TEST, MEASUREMENT, METROLOGYZygo Corp.DynaFiz™
DynaFiz is a laser-based interferometer system with hardwareand software innovations engineered to accurately measure thesurface form and transmitted wavefront of optics in the presenceof air turbulence and/or extreme vibration. It has an optimizedlight-efficient optical design and a proprietary high-power stabi-lized laser that enable high shutter speeds that “freeze” the inter-ference pattern, providing a real-time, continuous display of themeasured surface profile. The foundation for this advance is aninventive single-frame data acquisition based on in situ calibra-tion, a custom high-power HeNe laser and advanced, proprietarysignal processing. This allows DynaFiz to overcome the problemsof conventional solutions involving complex, polarization-sensi-tive hardware, and provides breakthroughs in capability, perfor-mance and flexibility.Applications: measuring components inside of thermal or vacuum chambers, and measuring or aligning components at astronomical observatories.
KLA-TencorFabVision SolarThis integrated software solution is designed to help photo-voltaic cell manufacturers improve production yield, cell effi-ciency and profitability by allowing them to react in real time to metrology and defectivity excursions. It collects, stores andmonitors very large amounts of images, defects and measure-ment data from KLA-Tencor’s ICOS® PVI-6 solar modulesthrough advanced process control methodologies derived fromthe semiconductor. FabVision Solar is the first to offer completedata collection from an optical inspection tool set, complementedwith other sources of data. It also is the first to deploy real-timeas well as off-line defect reduction features, with complete off-line image review capability.Application: data management and analysis for photovoltaiccell manufacturing.
WITec GmbHTrue Surface MicroscopyConfocal Raman microscopy often is desirable because of its suppression of out-of-focus light, but it can be challenging whenanalyzing large, rough or inclined surfaces. True Surface Micros-copy follows the surface topography with high precision so thateven rough or inclined samples always stay in focus while con-focal and confocal Raman imaging are performed. To achievethis capability, the topographic coordinates from an integratedprofilometer are used to perfectly follow the sample surface inconfocal Raman imaging mode. Samples that previously re-quired extensive preparation to obtain a certain surface flatnessnow can be effortlessly and automatically characterized as they are.Application: analytical surface inspection.
nanoplusDFB Laser at 3 µmTunable diode laser spectroscopy (TDLS) is a versatile techniquefor detecting molecular constituents in gas phase. There are
f
Photonics Spectra January 2012
FASTTRACK
112_FastTrack_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:16 PM Page 41
many instruments detecting gases such asCO, CO2, H2O, O2, NH3, SO2, and manymore in the region between 760 nm and2.9 μm. This DFB laser source will nowenable a new qualitative level of monitor-ing techniques using TDLS. Customersnow can use their established know-howfrom existing gas measurement systems to develop new instruments for detectinghydrocarbons in the 3- to 3.5-μm region. Applications: tunable diode laser spectroscopy and hydrocarbon detection.
GREEN PHOTONICS/SUSTAINABLE ENERGYOpalux Inc.P-Ink DisplaysP-Ink Displays can show any color in therainbow with high brightness, low voltageuse and no need for color filters, unlikeother reflective color displays on the mar-ket that suffer from low contrast, that relyon color filters and that have low colorperformance and high cost. The photoniccrystal-based P-Ink technology allows reflected color bands to be tuned over awide spectral range, from UV to visiblecolors to near-infrared, and to be pro-
duced cost effectively in a roll-to-rollprocess. This enables a paradigm shift indisplay construction because every pixelcan be any color, as opposed to beingfixed as in a traditional RGB displaymode, allowing for a much wider andbrighter palette. The materials also can be coated onto surfaces of all shapes andsizes. Application: color reflective displays.
Cogenra SolarSolar Cogeneration SolutionCogenra’s hybrid concentrating photo-voltaic/thermal solution integrates common silicon photovoltaic cells with an advanced thermal transfer system in a low-cost, scalable design without the massive capital investment typically required in factories. It uses up to 80 per-cent of the delivered energy, while alsocooling the solar cells. Similar hybridsolar heating and electricity systems have failed in the past by overheating the solar cells. By tapping into existingmanufacturing infrastructure and fab-ricating components that are shipped flatfrom centralized factories (similar
to Ikea’s business model), Cogenra’s solution can be scaled and deployed rapidly.Applications: solar energy generation forelectrical and hot water for energy-inten-sive industrial and institutional sites.
nanoplusDFB laser at 3 µmBecause of their respective fundamentaltransitions, many important hydrocarbonscould be detected most sensitively be-tween 2.9 and 3.5 μm, a wavelength rangewhere no suitable laser sources have beencommercially available – until now. TheseDFB laser diodes allow such laser sourcesto be used in sensor systems for the firsttime. Applications: tunable diode laser spec-troscopy, hydrocarbon detection and envi-ronmental monitoring.
42
f
Photonics Spectra January 2012
FASTTRACK
Melinda A. [email protected]
112_FastTrack_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:16 PM Page 42
112_Qioptiq_Pg43_Layout 1 1/6/12 10:34 AM Page 43
TOKYO – Photonics industry membersfrom around the world will converge onTokyo Big Sight conference center April11-13 for the Photonix Expo & Confer-ence. The show will be held concurrentlywith the 22nd FINETECH Japan, a flatpanel display exhibition and conference;FilmTech Japan, an expo on film technol-ogy; and Plastic Japan, which focuses onthe raw materials for plastics and plastics-related technologies.
Photonix 2012 is a comprehensive eventfor the photonics and optics industry, com-bining the 12th FOE (Fiber Optics Expo),Asia’s largest optical communicationsshow, the fifth Optics & Sensing Technol-ogy Expo, the fifth Laser & ApplicationsExpo, and the second MEDIX (Medical &Bio Photonics Expo), which covers thehottest applications in the industry.
This year’s conference organizers ex-pect 500 exhibitors and 30,000 attendeesto participate, with likely exhibitors in-cluding the following: Edmund Optics,
44
f
Photonics Spectra January 2012
FASTTRACK
Tokyo gears up for Photonix Expo
This year’s Photonix Expo & Conference will be held in April at Tokyo Big Sight conference center, concurrently with FINETECH Japan, FilmTech Japan and Plastic Japan.
112_FastTrack_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:16 PM Page 44
www.picocomponents.comemail: [email protected]
Solutions for:Elemental AnalysisFluorescenceEllipsometryRamanOptical ComponentsForensicsParticle Characterization
r thevocsiD
Picosecond made simpled lnocesocipf y olimae fr th
Picosecond made simpledns aecruost hgid l
made s
email: [email protected] .picocomponents.comwww
email: [email protected] .picocomponents.com
112_Horiba_Pg45_Layout 1 1/6/12 10:35 AM Page 45
Exfo, Fianium, Finisar, Fujifilm, Fujikura,GE Energy, Gigoptix, IPG Photonics,JDSU, Jenoptik, Newport, Ophir Electron-ics, Opnext, Spectra-Physics, Trumpf,Yenista Optics and more.
Attendees come from various corners ofthe photonics manufacturing world, fromelectronics, automotive, semiconductors,optical instruments and components tomedical and industrial devices. Visitorsfrom telecom include carriers and systemmanufacturers, and many universities andinstitutes send engineers and researchersas well.
FOE will cover optical communicationsystems and equipment, including long-distance network systems, data center solutions, metro communication systems,home office networks, fiber-to-the-homesystems, optical systems for factory auto-mation, passive optical network systems,in-vehicle optical networks and more. Italso will include transmission equipmentsuch as synchronous digital hierarchy,synchronous optical networks, opticalcross connects, wavelength division multi-plexers, dense wavelength division multi-plexers and media converters.
A large portion of the expo will involvedevices and materials such as opticalwaveguides, attenuators, transceivers, isolators, connectors, amplifiers and inter-connects; large-scale integrations; LNmodulators; and splitters and couplers.Lenses and glass products at the show will
include optical fibers, HUBs, ONUs,OLTs, vertical-cavity surface-emittinglasers, ferrules, filters, optical PCBs andother devices and materials. Providers ofoptical measuring and inspection equip-ment also will be present, with productsincluding optical spectrum analyzers, soft-ware, optical time-domain reflectometers,optical network analyzers and opticalpower meters.
The Laser & Applications Expo willfeature laser processing machines formarking, cutting, drilling, welding, tem-pering, cladding and more; light sources;low-power lasers; laser measurement in-struments; components; and laser safetyproducts.
The Optics & Sensing Technology Expowill present optical components andlenses; glass, plastic, ceramic, silicon andother materials; processing technologies;software and design tools; and optical sen-sors and optical metrology instruments.
The Medical & Bio Photonics Expo willinclude light sources; image processingdevices and technologies; mechanicalcomponents and materials; and relatedtechnologies.
The show is organized by Reed Exhibi-tions Japan Ltd. For more information,contact Mitsuru Takazawa, Kyoko Naga-kusa or Hajime Suzuki of Reed Exhibi-tions Japan by phone at +81 3 3349 8549,by fax at +81 3 3349 4933, or by email [email protected].
46
f
Photonics Spectra January 2012
FASTTRACK
BUSINESSBRIEFS
Newport’s Ophir Acquisition Closes OphirOptronics Ltd. shareholders have approved theelectro-optics systems maker’s acquisition byNewport Corp., and regulators have approvedthe $230 million deal. The Jerusalem-basedOphir makes photonics instrumentation and 3-D noncontact measurement systems. It willbecome the third division of Newport, joiningLasers, and Photonics and Precision Technolo-gies. Newport supplies solutions based on itsexpertise in photonics technologies, includinglasers, photonics instrumentation, submicronpositioning systems, and optical componentsand subsystems.
QD Vision Relocates To support the launch ofnew products in 2012, QD Vision Inc. has relo-cated to a high-volume production facility inLexington, Mass. The new complex houses itsglobal headquarters as well as its productionand development facilities. The company an-nounced that it is working with several globalconsumer electronics companies that will em-ploy its Quantum Light optics in their new pro-ducts. QD Vision develops nanotechnology-
based optical products for solid-state lightingand displays.
Skorpios Technologies Closes FundingRound Skorpios Technologies has closed a $19million Series B round of financing, which willbe used to expand its infrastructure and to com-plete the commercialization of its technology.Ericsson, Nokia Siemens Networks and othercommunications ecosystem companies partici-pated in the funding. Founding investors Cot-tonwood Technology Fund and Sun MountainCapital also participated. Based in Albuquer-que, N.M., Skorpios Technologies designs, de-velops and manufactures integrated opticalmodules and subsystems in support of the entireoptoelectronic communications ecosystem.
Precision Optical Relocates Precision Opticalhas moved to a 42,000-sq-ft facility in CostaMesa, Calif., about five miles from its previouslocation. The plant more than doubles its officeand manufacturing space. The company alsohas acquired additional coating, metrology andmanufacturing equipment, increasing its manu-
112_FastTrack_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:16 PM Page 46
facturing capacity and expanding its breadth oftechnical capabilities. It manufactures specialtylaser-quality prisms, coatings, assemblies andplano-optical components.
SETi to Expand UV LED Production SensorElectronic Technology Inc. (SETi) of Columbia,S.C., will expand its R&D efforts and make thetransition to becoming a high-volume manufac-turer of ultraviolet LEDs shorter than 365 nm.SETi initially will scale to supply quantities ofmore than 100 million LEDs per year. Currentlyunder way, the first phase of the expansion in-volves retrofitting an existing facility to 20,000sq ft and converting it to an R&D center. Thecompany recently closed on a property where itwill focus its high-volume manufacturing lines.
Telops Secures Contract, Selects Rep Infraredcamera and hyperspectral imaging systemsprovider Telops Inc. of Quebec City has receiveda contract for a cooled infrared camera by thePatuxent River Infrared Signature Measurements(PRISM) team, under the auspices of the USNaval Air Systems Command. The contract in-cludes delivery of a cooled very long wave in-frared camera. Featuring real-time temperaturecalibration and instantaneous availability ofprocessed and calibrated images, the camerawill assist the US Naval Air Warfare Center andwill support PRISM’s efforts to provide the capa-bilities, facilities and expertise necessary forconducting R&D and evaluation of naval air-craft, weapons and associated systems.
In other news, Telops has appointed HadlandImaging LLC of Santa Cruz, Calif., as an au-thorized sales representative to strengthen itsposition in the US. Hadland Imaging, whichprovides products and services such as ultra-high-speed cameras, is expected to benefit fromTelops’ expertise in optoelectronics systems andin the design and production of high-perfor-mance cooled infrared cameras. The agreementwill allow Telops to develop its business rela-tionships in California, New Mexico, Oregonand Washington.
Cubic Wins $19M for Laser-Based TrainerCubic Defense Applications, a unit of CubicCorp., has won a $19 million competitive con-tract for the Instrumentable Multiple IntegratedLaser Engagement System Individual WeaponsSystems (I-MILES IWS). The contract wasawarded by the US Army’s Program ExecutiveOffice for Simulation, Training and Instrumenta-tion for an upgraded performance specification,I-MILES IWS 2010. The initial order is for thebase year of the contract, with four option yearsand a potential value of more than $200 mil-lion. I-MILES IWS 2010 uses laser emittersmounted on weapons and on-body sensors toreplicate combat and record it for review.
Ilumisys Grants License to LED Optics Ilumi-sys Inc., a supplier of solid-state lighting tech-nology, has granted a license for LED fluores-cent tube replacements to LED Optics of BocaRaton, Fla., a manufacturer of replacement LEDT8 tubes. The contract provides for royalty pay-ments in exchange for rights to manufactureand sell products covered by the patent portfolioof ilumisys’ parent company, Altair Engineering.The partnership will allow LED Optics to expand
its portfolio of LED retrofit products. LED Opticsalso manufactures other high-end LED bulbsused in commercial applications.
MicroVision Receives $3.5M Order Micro-Vision Inc. of Redmond, Wash., has received a$3.5 million follow-on order from ESPlus Co.Ltd. for its PicoP laser projection display engine.The order is scheduled for shipment to theKimpo City, South Korea, consumer electronicsmanufacturer during the fourth quarter of 2011.An earlier order of approximately $500,000was delivered in the third quarter to support initial production of ESPlus’ mobile mediaplayer. The company planned to fulfill customerorders during the fourth quarter of 2011 andplans to place additional orders for PicoP en-gines in future quarters.
Cree Subsidiary to Add Jobs Ruud Lighting of Racine, Wis., recently acquired by Cree Inc.,plans a 208,000-sq-ft expansion to its manufac-turing facility and a $24.5 million investment inthe fabrication and assembly of LED lighting.The company estimates that 469 full-time jobs,mostly assembly positions, will be created overthe next four years. The expansion will extendcomponent and product storage capacity andhouse several manufacturing lines for new andexisting Cree LED production. The company alsowill invest in manufacturing equipment.
Navitar Licenses Technology to Carl ZeissOptical technology provider Navitar Inc. hasagreed to license its Hoffman Modulation Con-trast (HMC) to German optics manufacturer CarlZeiss MicroImaging GmbH. Zeiss will manufac-ture objectives, modulators, slit apertures andcondensers using the technology and will dis-tribute and sell them under its iHMC productname. Originally developed and patented byRobert Hoffman, HMC is a light microscopy con-trast method for viewing colorless and transpar-ent biological specimens. Navitar received soleownership of the trademark after its acquisitionof Modulation Optics.
Zephyr Photonics in Transition Research anddevelopment company Zephyr Photonics, re-cently acquired by Torch Hill Investment Part-ners, a Washington-based private equity firm, is making the transition to becoming a commer-cial enterprise. Based in Zephyr Cove, Nev.,Zephyr will use its patented vertical-cavity sur-face-emitting laser technology to deliver high-bandwidth, harsh-environment photonic solu-tions for national security applications. It plansto enable optical interconnect solutions thatmeet the requirements of military, aerospaceand security applications, according to Tom Steding, its new CEO, recently appointed byTorch Hill.
FEI Buys Till Photonics Scientific instrumentsmaker FEI has purchased Till Photonics GmbHof Munich for ⇔14.5 (about $20 million). Tillprovides digital light microscopes and high-speed imaging systems for live-cell fluorescencemicroscopy. FEI’s acquisition adds key technol-ogy to correlative microscopy for cellular biol-ogy, which integrates high-performance lightand electron microscopy. The company plans toaccelerate the growth of its life sciences busi-
47
f
Photonics Spectra January 2012
FASTTRACK
112_FastTrack_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:16 PM Page 47
ness, an important part of its plan to double itsserved available market in the next three years.
Leica Acquires Labindia Unit Leica Micro-systems of Wetzlar, Germany, a provider of microscopy systems and histology solutions, haspurchased the microscopy and histopathologybusiness of Labindia Instruments Pvt. Ltd., aDelhi, India-based company that has distributedLeica’s products in that country for more than20 years. The acquisition supports Leica Micro-systems’ strategy to expand its operations inIndia. More than 130 employees from Labindiatransferred to Leica, which said that the expan-sion creates more opportunities for interaction,collaboration and innovation for its customers in the life sciences, industrial laboratories andhospitals for both diagnostics and surgery.
Coatings Drawn at 2500 m/min Nextrom ofVantaa, Finland, recently combined its OFC 20draw process technology with DSM FunctionalMaterials’ DeSolite supercoatings. The resultwas process speeds of 2500 m/min – 50 per-cent faster than that of average production inthe industry, the company said. Nextrom sup-plies optical pre-form, fiber and fiber opticcable manufacturing solutions, while DSM Func-tional Materials of Elgin, Ill., specializes in opti-cal fiber coatings. The tests, conducted at Nex-trom’s facility, demonstrated excellent curelevels; draw, fiber and microbending perfor-mance; dynamic fatigue; and strip force, the company said.
Picometrix Receives Development ContractPicometrix, a subsidiary of Advanced PhotonixInc. of Ann Arbor, Mich., has received a follow-on $600,000 Phase II Small Business Technol-ogy Transfer government contract from NASA tofurther develop a CT terahertz scanner acces-sory for single-sided inspection of spacecraftand launch vehicle composite structures. Theaward encourages small businesses to partnerwith nonprofit research institutions to developtechnologies for commercialization. For thiscontract, Picometrix is partnering with the Uni-versity of Michigan’s Electrical Engineering andComputer Science department to develop a prototype for NASA over 24 months.
BaySpec Expands Production CapacityMiniature spectral engines supplier BaySpec Inc.of San Jose, Calif., has expanded productioncapacity for its optical channel performancemonitors (OCPMs). The IntelliGuard seriesOCPMs, which are upgradable for new 10-, 40- and 100-G modulation schemes, will befabricated at BaySpec’s 48,000-sq-ft manufac-turing facility.
Oxford Instruments Buys Company OxfordInstruments plc of Abingdon, England, has ac-quired Platinum Medical Imaging LLC of Deer-field Beach, Fla., and Vacaville, Calif. Oxford Instruments said it was attracted to PlatinumMedical because of growth in the third-partyservice market and recent US health care re-forms, which encourage medical imaging facili-ties to move to more cost-effective providerservices. Combining Platinum with OiService,Oxford Instruments’ MRI service business inNorth America, strengthens the group’s service
offerings and positions it for further global development.
SiOnyx Wins $3M Contract SiOnyx Inc., makerof a patented material known as black silicon,will develop technologies for sensing laser lightin targeting systems under a new $3 millionmultiphase contract with the US Department ofDefense. Based in Beverly, Mass., SiOnyx willcreate enhanced focal plane array designs fortactical imaging systems under the contract,awarded by the Office of Naval Research (ONR)and Naval Surface Warfare Center DahlgrenDiv. The award builds on support from ONRand the Night Vision Electronic Sensors Direc-torate to develop infrared-enhanced silicon de-tector designs, and the collaboration is expectedto advance visible, near-infrared and short-wave infrared camera technology.
In October, SiOnyx announced that its blacksilicon ultrafast laser texturing technologyachieved a 0.3 percent absolute efficiency boostover industry-standard baseline solar cells. TheSiOnyx 156-mm multicrystalline silicon cells,made in collaboration with German research in-stitute ISC Konstanz, achieved average absoluteefficiencies of more than 17 percent. Vital forreducing the cost of silicon-based solar cells,the technology boosts efficiency in thinnerwafers. SiOnyx said its black silicon process dramatically enhances the sensitivity of silicon-based photonics and represents a breakthroughin the development of smaller, cheaper, high-performing photonic devices in applicationsranging from simple light detection to advanceddigital imaging and photovoltaics.
Emcore Bolsters Cable Production EmcoreCorp. of Albuquerque, N.M., has announcedfull-scale production of its new 56-Gb/s 14 datarate (FDR) active optical cables for Ethernetrouter and switch applications, and computing.The cables are an addition to the company’sConnects Cables line. Emcore said it is the firstmanufacturer in full-scale production of 56-Gb/s FDR active optical cables, which are pro-duced at its contract manufacturing facility inChina. The cables provide the highest aggre-gated level of data throughput in a compact,lightweight form capable of supporting thebandwidth needs of advanced systems, thecompany said.
In other news, Emcore was awarded a contractby ASRC Research and Technology Solutions forthe design, manufacture and delivery of 32solar panels for NASA Ames’ Lunar Atmosphereand Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) mission.LADEE is a robotic mission designed to orbit themoon to study and characterize its atmosphere.This includes fine dust particles suspendedabove the lunar surface. The spacecraft isscheduled to launch in early 2013 aboard aMinotaur V vehicle from the Wallops Flight Facility in Wallops Island, Va.
QED Opens New Facility QED TechnologiesInternational Inc. of Rochester, N.Y., hasopened a renovated manufacturing facility forits new division, QED Optics. The plant isequipped with magnetorheological finishing(MRF), polishing and subaperture stitching inter-ferometry (SSI) metrology systems and with ametrology tower for measuring large-aperture
f
Photonics Spectra January 2012
FASTTRACK
112_FastTrack_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:17 PM Page 48
This is no optical illusion.
www.pgo.com
When it comes to precision optical components, glass fabrication, and thin film coatings...there
Booth #4333, North Hall
Copyright © 2012 Precision Glass & Optics. All rights reserved.
112_PrecisionGlass&Optics_Pg49_Layout 1 1/6/12 10:35 AM Page 49
optics. QED Optics specializes in polishing andmetrology of flats, spheres, on- and off-axisaspheres, free-form optics and cylinders andcan work with optical components ranging from~1 mm to 1 m in diameter. It employs propri-etary MRF and SSI technologies and will helpcustomers manage the full optics fabricationprocess.
Cobolt Completes Expansion Diode-pumpedsolid-state laser manufacturer Cobolt AB ofStockholm has completed a 40 percent expan-sion of its cleanroom production facilities andmade investments in new manufacturing andtest equipment. The addition provides the ca-pacity needed to meet the growing demand forits laser-based analytical instrumentation pro-ducts. Cobolt’s UV, visible and near-infraredlasers are built and sealed in ISO:9001-certifiedcleanrooms for stand-alone use or for OEM integration with equipment for fluorescenceanalysis, Raman spectroscopy, interferometryand range finding.
Imra America Partners with MagArray ImraAmerica Inc. of Ann Arbor, Mich., and MagAr-ray Inc. of Sunnyvale, Calif., are collaboratingto develop MagArray’s magneto-nanoparticleimmunoassay technology, which is based on re-search from Stanford University. The companieswill develop highly sensitive immunoassay sen-sor systems. If the work progresses as planned,Imra will support MagArray’s development with
funding of up to $10 million over the next 3½years. Imra also will provide scientific and tech-nical support. MagArray’s technology eventuallycould play a leading role in the way that cancerand other serious diseases are diagnosed andtreated.
LumaSense Buys Thermal Imaging AssetsTo enhance sales, support and aftermarket serv-ices for its line of thermal imaging devices,LumaSense Technologies of Santa Clara, Calif.,has acquired the thermal imaging and servicesassets of Reliability Point LLC of Zachary, La.The companies have worked together for thepast five years on a number of industrial ther-mal imaging projects. Reliability Point, whosecustomers include steel, oil and gas, petrochem-ical and other process manufacturers, will retainits other distribution arms, which include vibra-tion instrumentation, precision laser systemsand corona cameras. LumaSense develops pro-ducts and services that measure temperatureand gas in industrial facilities.
Heraeus Opens Center in Singapore Her-aeus of Hanau, Germany, a developer of front-and back-side silver pastes for crystalline solarcells, has opened its Asian Photovoltaics Centerin Singapore. The center will be the company’slatest full-service facility, complete with researchand development, manufacturing, and salesand technical service capabilities. Heraeus iscommitted to increasing its capacity with several
expansions and, although the industry is goingthrough a short-term consolidation, expects fullrecovery and growth.
Zygo Receives Order, Contract The OpticalSystems Div. of Zygo Corp. has been awarded a$4 million order from a major medical devicemanufacturer to produce high-precision assem-blies used in an ophthalmic medical instrument.The devices will be manufactured at its Electro-Optics Group in Tucson, Ariz., which specializesin metrology-based manufacturing and preci-sion active assembly of optical systems for thelife sciences, semiconductor and defense mar-kets. Based in Middlefield, Conn., Zygo also is a supplier of optical metrology instruments.
The Optical Systems Div. also has beenawarded a $9 million contract with the Collegeof Nanoscale Science and Engineering at theUniversity at Albany in New York and the SEMATECH consortium of chipmakers to de-velop extreme-ultraviolet lithography optics thatwill be incorporated into the fifth-generationMicro-Exposure Tool (MET-5) at the college’s Al-bany NanoTech Complex. The MET-5 program,managed by the consortium, is intended to aidresearchers in extending semiconductor lithog-raphy resolution capability to less than 16 nm.Development and production are expected totake place over a 22-month period.
Rofin-Sinar Opens Subsidiary in India Tomeet the demands of its growing Indian mar-
50
f
Optically Clear Epoxy
EP37-3FLF High flexibility Low exotherm Resistant to thermal cycling
and shock
154 Hobart Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601 USA+1.201.343.8983 [email protected]
www.masterbond.com
Photonics Spectra January 2012
FASTTRACK
112_FastTrack_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:17 PM Page 50
Introducing SCHOTT PURAVIS™ eco-friendly glass optical fibers!
With our revolutionary new eco-friendly manufacturing process we are proud to offer PURAVIS™ superior lead-free glass optical fibers. The future of eco-friendly fiber optic lighting starts with SCHOTT today!
Visit us at Photonics West booth #1601
Lighting and Imaging SCHOTT North America Inc.
122 Charlton StreetSouthbridge, MA 01550
Phone: 508.765.9744Fax: 508.765.1299
www.us.schott.com/lightingimaging
eco-friendly glass optical fibers!Introducing SCHOTT PURA
future of eco-friendly fiber optic lighting starts with SCHOTT today!offer to are proud
ith our revolutionarW
eco-friendly glass optical fibers!Introducing SCHOTT PURA
future of eco-friendly fiber optic lighting starts with SCHOTT today! superior ™VISURAAVPoffer
y new eco-frienlutionarry
eco-friendly glass optical fibers!Introducing SCHOTT PURA
future of eco-friendly fiber optic lighting starts with SCHOTT today!optical fibers. glasslead-free
y new eco-friendly manufacturing process we
eco-friendly glass optical fibers!™VISAAV
future of eco-friendly fiber optic lighting starts with SCHOTT today!Theoptical fibers.
y new eco-friendly manufacturing process we
isit us at Photonics WV
est booth #1601WWe
112_SchottNA(Lighting)_Pg51_Layout 1 1/6/12 10:36 AM Page 51
kets, laser source and laser-based system solu-tions manufacturer Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc.recently opened a subsidiary in India. RofinBaasel Laser India Pvt. Ltd. is in Mumbai andwill handle sales and service for all Rofin laserproducts in India. Rofin-Sinar has operationalheadquarters in Plymouth, Mich., and Hamburg,Germany.
MEMS Display Prototypes Created PixtronixInc. of Andover, Mass., and Chimei InnoluxCorp. (CMI) of Taiwan have developed 5-in.-
diagonal microelectromechanical systems(MEMS) display prototypes. The companies previ-ously developed 2.5-in.-diagonal prototypes.Since then, they have fabricated a MEMS displaytwice the size with four times the resolution. Thenew displays, which use Pixtronix MEMS technol-ogy, were built by CMI. They offer low powerconsumption and high-quality imaging.
Optim Acquires Company Endoscope manu-facturer Optim LLC has acquired Precision Endo-scopic Technologies, formerly Max Endoscopy of
Mentor, Ohio. The new company, called Preci-sion Endoscopic Technologies LLC, will operateas a division of Optim and will be collocated atits headquarters in Sturbridge, Mass. Precisionmanufactures a patented infrared coagulationsystem, which has FDA 510(k) clearance for re-mediation and treatment of hemorrhoids. Thesystem operates through the working channel ofmost gastrointestinal endoscopes currently usedfor colonoscopies and sigmoidoscopies.
Calient Funding Round Raises $19M CalientTechnologies Inc. of Santa Barbara, Calif., aspecialist in photonic switching, has raised$19.4 million in venture financing from newand existing internal investors. The company willuse the funding to expand into the data centerand cloud computing markets and to finalizedevelopment of its 3-D microelectromechanicalsystems photonic switching systems and mod-ules for OEMs and system integration partners.Calient will bring to market new modular pho-tonic switching systems and subsystems for en-terprise and cloud data centers as well as forapplications such as subsea cable and govern-ment networks.
Companies Ink Micromachining Deal Ap-plied Energetics Inc. (AE) of Tucson, Ariz., andLaser Light Technologies Inc. of Hermann, Mo.,will jointly develop ultrashort-pulse lasers andprocesses for the laser machining market. AEwill provide an ultrashort-pulse laser to LaserLight Technologies for the purpose of develop-ing methods for micromachining a variety ofmaterials. The latter company will provide AEwith expertise on micromachining materials atAE’s Laser Applications Center and with feed-back for optimizing processes for developing fu-ture laser systems. Laser Light also will sell AE’slasers to its customers on a commission basis.
Prysm Adds $100M in Funding Digital displayprovider Prysm Inc. of San Jose, Calif., has re-ceived more than $100 million in new capitalsince its launch, bringing total financing to morethan $135 million. The financing has enabledthe company to begin volume production of itslaser phosphor display (LPD) technology andamass a global support team of more than 150personnel. In addition, the company is sup-ported by more than 25 channel partners. TheLPD technology brings large-scale displays toretail establishments, broadcast studios, sportsvenues and company boardrooms.
Lighthouse Imaging Secures Patent Light-house Imaging Corp. of Portland, Maine, hasannounced that a key element of its Endolumeendoscopic testing device has been issuedPatent No. 8040496 by the US Patent andTrademark Office. The patent is for the com-pany’s Optical Bridge, which enables the Endolume to measure endoscopic light sourceswithout a light cable. This allows for more accurate measurements. The Endolume hand-held device measures the luminous intensity of endoscopic system light sources as well aslight transmission through cables and rigid or flexible endoscopes. It enables clinical engineering staff to quickly troubleshoot the illumination for endoscopic systems before patient procedures.
52
f
Photonics Spectra January 2012
FASTTRACK
112_FastTrack_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:17 PM Page 52
Security, unmanned vehicles, retail analytics and a range of other applications are about
to change. Introducing Tamarisk™320, the first 320 x 240 VOx microbolometer camera of
its kind. Combining 17 μm pixel pitch technology with our patented, advanced absorber
design, the Tamarisk™320 delivers unmatched thermal image quality in a package weighing
as little as 30 grams, occupying under 25 cm3 and drawing as little as 750 mW of power.
Which means it’s incredibly easy to integrate the Tamarisk™320 into virtually any platform.
The Size, Weight And Power Leader. That’s Go To.
DRS.com/Tamarisk
The Tamarisk™320 Thermal Camera
Actual Size
THE INCREDIBLY TINY THERMAL CAMERA. WHERE WILL YOU USE IT?
112_DRSTechnologies_Pg53_Layout 1 1/6/12 11:08 AM Page 53
112_PowerTechnology_Pg54_Layout 1 1/6/12 11:14 AM Page 54
GreenLightSensor Reveals 1000 Colors Across Land, Sea, Space
55
BY MARIE FREEBODY, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Photonics Spectra January 2012
Microscale salinity maps of agricultural fields – such as these maps of a plot in Genigar Field in Yizre’el Valley in Israel – help farmers manage their optimal yield production. The left image was generated by conventional field work. The right image was generated from ground measurements acquired by the new SpectralTool assembly and is 100 times faster to produce. EC = electrical conductivity. Images courtesy of Eyal Ben-Dor, Tel Aviv University.
It can be used underground, underwaterand even in space. A versatile new sys-tem, it comprises innovative optics
that can be used with any spectrometer,can collect more than 1000 colors and isso stable and reliable that it can be used to detect contaminants and other environ-mental hazards almost anywhere and inreal time.
The fore optics (the optics in front ofthe sensor) were developed by researchersat Tel Aviv University in Israel. The result
is a small, easy-to-use system that can re-motely monitor harmful contaminants inforests, urban areas, agricultural lands,harbors and marinas.
Although initial applications focused onmonitoring and protecting the environ-ment, professor Eyal Ben-Dor at Tel AvivUniversity’s Department of Geographyand the Human Environment noted thatthe system has both commercial and scien-tific applications. For example, it can beused to help companies adhere to regula-
tions on environmental contamination.When the device is used in combination
with a hyperspectral camera, spatial do-main is added to the system’s spectral ca-pability. The camera can read informationfrom as close as 1 cm to as far as 800 km,meaning that it can be placed anywherefrom the ground itself to unmanned air-craft, satellites or weather balloons. It also can be pointed toward the stars tohelp astronomers gain insight into themakeup of a planet’s atmosphere.
112_Greenlight_Layout 1 1/6/12 9:02 AM Page 55
GreenLight
Photonics Spectra January 2012
The prototype of the device is described in an article publishedin Soil Science Society of America (2008, Volume 72, Issue 4, pp.1113-1123; doi:10.2136/sssaj2006. 0059), where its first use wasto assess underground soil horizons down to 100 cm. In this case,the device was assembled in combination with a spectrometer toextract the spectral fingerprint of the soil profile with quantitativeinformation.
The assembly, dubbed the SpectralTool, works by interpretingreflected light from the sun (or another source) as it bounces offan object, material or environment. It is connected to a spectrom-eter, where the incident light is dispersed into several spectralchannels using a prism and is directed toward a detector com-posed of an array of microsensors.
Each microsensor generates one pixel and represents a differ-ent chemical reaction between two compounds. The original de-vice operates from 0.4 to 2.5 μm – to encompass the sun’s radia-tion – depending upon the spectrometer’s capability. The latestsystem also can work from 3 to 15 μm – to use the radiation fromthe Earth – based on the new field spectrometer sensitive to thatrange and commercially available.
The point information can be projected onto the spatial domain
LASYS is clearly focused on machines, processes and services, including laser-specifi c machine sub-systems. Attracting buyers from various industry sectors whilst covering a diverse range of materials, this is our unique trademark.
Present your applications for laser material proces-sing at this unique industry show.
Absolutely focused: The trade fair for laser users
12 – 14 JUNE 2012 MESSE STUTTGARTwww.lasys-fair.com
Promotional supporter: Accompanying congress:
BMWi sponsorship
of new companies
International trade fair for laser material processing
GreenLight
This map shows the infiltration rate of water within a soilprofile generated using the AISA hyperspectral sensor (developed at Specim in Oulu, Finland) mounted onboard an aircraft. Such maps help farmers manage water consump-tion and prevent soil erosion. Areas 1, 3 and 4 indicate validation areas where the infiltration rate was measured.Area 4 represents a low infiltration rate and, hence, high potential for runoff. In each area, two subfields exist withlow (warm color) and high (cold color) infiltration rates.
112_Greenlight_Layout 1 1/6/12 9:02 AM Page 56
by using an imaging camera. “The resulting image is now com-posed of spatial dimension (the pixel’s column arrangement) andspectral dimension (the pixel’s row dimension),” Ben-Dor said.“The end product is a spectral ‘cube’ that represents radiationfluxes that then translate into reflectance values in order to com-pare with spectral libraries measured by our instrument.”
The remote capability of the hyperspectral device enables real-time analysis of environmental composition – samples of soil,sediment or water – without so much as a touch.
The scientists say that the potential uses of the spectral infor-mation are endless. Their device and other similar versions avail-able can benefit areas including medicine, pharmacology, the tex-tile industry and civil engineering. It can be used, for example, tosurvey the areas around gas pipelines for leaks, to determine saltlevels in soil to save crops before they are destroyed or to moni-tor water quality in marinas, which often are highly contaminatedby gasoline and sealants from the undersides of sea vessels.
“There are some applications still not known – or developed –suggesting that it is just an emerging and promising field,” Ben-Dor said. l
GreenLight
Photonics Spectra January 2012
112_Greenlight_Layout 1 1/6/12 11:59 AM Page 57
Surprising Surges,Cautious Expectations,
Positive OutlooksBY LAURA S. MARSHALL, MANAGING EDITOR
MARKET TRENDS
A Q&A roundtable on thestate and future of the
photonics industry
Photonics Spectra January 201258
112_ Feat Market Trends_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:49 PM Page 58
The economy grew tremendously in2010, according to leaders of compa-nies in all areas of photonics – lasers,
optics, imaging and beyond – who reporthigh expectations that this growth is set tocontinue, especially in industrial sectors.In some cases, the growth came so sud-denly that manufacturers were unprepared,having cut back on resources during thedownturn the year before; others used thatdowntime to develop new technologies orapplications for existing products.
Several companies in the past year havebegun to consolidate, merging with or ac-quiring other companies, and some indus-try leaders feel that this consolidation willhelp the industry maneuver even faster,delivering innovation and sparking evenfurther growth in the years to come.
Photonics Spectra reached out to somekey players in the industry to gather asnapshot of the current photonics market –and to paint a picture of where that marketis likely to go.
Our panelists were Eugene Arthurs,CEO of SPIE; Herman Chui, senior direc-tor of product marketing at Spectra-Physics; Joe Delfino, VP of sales andbusiness development at Qioptiq; RaviGuntupalli, business manager at PrincetonInstruments; Dr. Thomas Fehn, head of theLasers & Material Processing Div. and anexecutive management board member atJenoptik; Thomas Kessler, VP of global
sales, and Samuel Sadoulet, VP of engi-neering and R&D, both at Edmund Optics;Tim Morris, general manager of TrumpfInc.; Mike Naselaris, general manager atSydor Optics; Jean-Michel Pelaprat of Vy-tran Corp. and a member of OSA’s Corpo-rate Associates Committee; Bill Shiner,VP of industrial markets at IPG Photonics;and Simon Zilian, sales manager at Triop-tics GmbH.
They painted a picture of a market withspecific opportunities and its own specialchallenges – but nearly all remained up-beat about the possibilities ahead.
Q. How would you describe the market in 2010?
Delfino, Qioptiq: Robust, relative to theoverall economy. Anticipated contractionended up to be a minor slowdown as com-panies reduced inventories too drasticallyand ended up shorthanded as a result. Sup-ply couldn’t keep up with demand in sev-eral product areas.
Morris, Trumpf: The downturn was ex-tremely rapid, and most of us were some-what surprised that the recovery was al-most as rapid on the way back up. Thefabrication segment saw one of the largestdeclines but also one of the quickest re-coveries. The companies that weatheredthe storm and used the slow period to pre-pare for the upturn were certainly in thebest position to take advantage of opportu-nities in the upturn.
Chui, Spectra-Physics: In the macro-and microprocessing segments, the overallglobal laser market in 2010 and first halfof 2011 saw a strong uptick after thedownturn in 2009, as the macroeconomicenvironment and end markets recovered.In the biomedical and scientific segments,most laser applications continued to seesteady growth in much of 2009 throughthe first half of 2011.
Pelaprat, Vytran and OSA: The photon-ics market in 2010 was recovering fromthe recession that occurred in late 2008and early 2009. In 2010, we saw the re-covery occur in three waves: first, at thebeginning of the year, the recovery ofcomponents; next, in the second quarter,the recovery of lasers and laser systems;and, finally, at the end of the year, the re-covery of capital equipment used to makelasers and components. Capex [capital ex-
“There is still opportunity – and even
a pressing necessity – forsmall and medium-sizedenterprises to flourish.”
– Eugene Arthurs, SPIE
59Photonics Spectra January 2012
112_ Feat Market Trends_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:49 PM Page 59
penditure] was the last to recover becausecompanies were under capacity in theother areas.
Q: How would you describe the market so far in 2011?
Fehn, Jenoptik: At the beginning of2011, we still had a feeling of 2010. Withongoing financial discussions, the opti-mism faded somewhat, but the growth is still there.
Pelaprat, Vytran and OSA: In the firstpart of the year, we saw a continuation ofgrowth from late 2010 through the firstquarter, and then it either leveled off ordeclined in the second quarter. Right now,in the second half of the year, we are los-ing some visibility of what will happen.The market overall is essentially stagnant;companies are seeing flat growth or smallgrowth. The big question we’re all askingis, “What is going to happen in the nextsix to nine months?” Because of the re-duced visibility of what will happen, thereis concern in the market about whetherwe’ll see growth through the end of theyear.
Shiner, IPG Photonics: IPG … experi-enced tremendous growth during both2010 and through the first two quarters of2011. The material processing market is86 percent ahead year over year, for exam-ple. Part of our growth is due to increasingour market share in competition with othertypes of lasers and retrofitting old lasermachines with fiber lasers. Both the auto-motive sector as well as the cutting markethave begun to embrace fiber technology.
Sadoulet, Edmund Optics: The 2011market had a strong beginning, but there isuncertainty in the air for the latter half.The defense spending in the US has been
problematic, as has the slowdown in[semiconductors] that started in Asia thisJune. Psychologically, everyone is con-cerned about the economic health of theUS, Europe and, more recently, largeeconomies like China. Still, optics servesmany expanding markets. The challenge isdivorcing the newspaper gloom and doomwith what should be the reality in ourforecasts.
Q: Where would you say the marketis going in 2012?
Guntupalli, Princeton Instruments:There is a concern about declining or flat-tening of research funding in the majorcountries around the world in 2012. De-spite that, we have a positive outlook forthe growth of the imaging business.
Shiner, IPG: We, like most companies,are concerned with the current worldwideeconomic situation, and if this is not re-solved, it could adversely impact 2012sales and investment in capital equipment.The current growth sectors during 2010and 2011 have been automotive and thesolar industry. We already are seeing signsin Europe and the US of the solar industryslowing down, while automotive remainsstrong.
Delfino, Qioptiq: Overall, [the marketwill be] stable – with declines in defense/ISR [intelligence, surveillance and recon-naissance] markets and modest growth in
60 Photonics Spectra January 2012
Market Trends
The photonics industry has some specific opportunities – and some specific challenges – in the current market. Smart, adaptable companies should be able to stay ahead. Photo taken at IPG Photonics’ facility in Oxford, Mass., by Laura S. Marshall.
Automated imaging technologies such as this pill inspection system help the pharmaceutical industrysave time and money; making processes cheaperand easier for other industries will help photonicsgrow. Courtesy of Edmund Optics.
The use of fiber laser systems is growing in automotive and cutting applications. Courtesy of IPG Photonics.
“The challenge is divorcing thenewspaper gloom and doomwith what should be the reality in our forecasts.”
– Samuel Sadoulet, Edmund Optics
112_ Feat Market Trends_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:49 PM Page 60
112_ISPOptics_Pg61_Layout 1 1/6/12 11:09 AM Page 61
the commercial markets. Increasingly so-phisticated medical design/product growthwill contrast reduced expectations in lifesciences and semiconductors. All indus-tries will increasingly focus on their corecompetencies and turn to optical suppliersfor subsystem engineering and optimizedassembly solutions.
Pelaprat, Vytran and OSA: Predictionsrange from seeing a small downturn to flatgrowth. Companies aren’t anticipating sig-nificant growth overall, but rather a mix ofgrowth, stagnation or decline, dependingon the market segment. For example, fiberlasers and instrumentation are likely togrow faster than traditional laser technol-ogy. In general, most companies are
preparing for flat or slight declines in2012. One indicator of this is the activitywe’re seeing in Asia. The market in Chinahas not been growing as much as it hadbeen in the past few years, so people areanticipating the overall market will mirrorthis in 2012.
Kessler, Edmund Optics: In the US do-mestic market, you can expect months ofslow demand because we are going into anelection year. The uncertainty fuels indeci-
sion, which is not good for industry. Asia,however, will continue to grow well – par-ticularly in imaging and life sciences.Also, Japan is on a good recovery pathfrom the earthquake, the tsunami and theconsequent impact on its domestic produc-tion. We are not expecting huge gains inEurope at this point, but expect that mar-ket to be stable. The greatest uncertaintyin Europe centers on the debt situation inGreece.
Zilian, Trioptics: The market will growslowly, due to the growing economy. Thedefense and security market is expected togrow. Also, the Asian market is still grow-ing and will continue to do so in 2012. InAsia, China is one of the biggest growingmarkets in optics.
Morris, Trumpf: We are still bullish re-garding 2012. I don’t expect the growthwe have experienced in 2011 to continueat the same pace; however, backlogs arestill strong, and the project outlook is still very encouraging across all indus-trial sectors.
Q: Where do you think the marketwill go in the next five years? Howabout the next 10?
Naselaris, Sydor Optics: Based on thefinancial problems of the world, I amguarded of being overly positive – yet atsuch a rapid rate of technology advances, I do see steady growth over the next fiveyears. As for 10 years out, I think themarket will continue to grow for optics.All new technologies, in some way, shape or form, have been touched by optics.Whether on the systems level or the component level, optics are becoming an even larger part of tomorrow’s tech-nologies.
Delfino, Qioptiq: Expectations are for abroad migration of talent from optical de-fense markets to commercial markets,with an emphasis on medical and bio or-ganizations and markets. Stabilization inthe wider economy, combined with contin-ued improvements with LED and lasersource power/price, will lead to broadercommercialization of high-volume appli-cations.
62 Photonics Spectra January 2012
Eugene Arthurs SPIE
Dr. Thomas FehnJenoptik
Thomas KesslerEdmund Optics
Jean-Michel Pelaprat, Vytran Corporation
and OSA
Samuel SadouletEdmund Optics
Bill ShinerIPG Photonics
Simon ZilianTrioptics GmbH
“Companies in the optics market need to understand how to innovatewhile adding value and create a sustaining, competitive plan duringan ever-changing global economic landscape.”
– Joe Delfino, Qioptiq
Roundtable Panelists
Herman Chui, Spectra-PhysicsJoe Delfino, Qioptiq
Ravi Guntupalli, Princeton InstrumentsTim Morris, Trumpf Inc.
Mike Naselaris, Sydor Optics
112_ Feat Market Trends_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:49 PM Page 62
Guntupalli, Princeton Instruments:Imaging will continue to grow as a cross-functional area, with new techniques beingdeveloped or old techniques being used ina novel way. For example, adaptive opticsdeveloped in astronomy is finding uses inmicroscopy for real-time focus correc-tions. Another example: Raman spectros-copy is being used more and more by biol-ogists for disease detection.
Kessler, Edmund Optics: While we ex-pect the overall market to grow slowly,there will be innovative areas with a moresignificant – even double-digit – growth.Among these are the biotech and healthsectors, photovoltaics and imaging in automation. In 10 years, we will see new markets created by new applicationsthat can hardly be predicted today.
Zilian, Trioptics: In the next five years,the market will grow slightly; this dependson the global economy. Optics are used inso many fields; one sector will compen-sate the growth of another sector.
Fehn, Jenoptik: The trends which gov-ern laser applications today will becomestronger and more visible: health and aesthetics, micromachining and improv-ing efficiency in macromachining withhigh-power laser sources. This favors all-solid-state laser and diode-direct solutionsand encourages laser suppliers to offertools designed for applications both inspecifications and costs.
Chui, Spectra-Physics: The prospectsfor lasers appear very promising in thefive- to 10-year time frame. With the ad-vancement of laser technology and appli-cations, we are seeing lasers drive threetrends: 1) dramatic but evolutionary im-provement in existing laser processes interms of productivity and cost; 2) replace-ment of nonlaser processes, where laserswere not previously compelling in per-formance or cost; and 3) enablement ofentirely new processes and applicationsnot previously possible without lasers.
These trends span across most all mar-ket segments, including macro- and micro-processing, and biomedical. For example,in microprocessing, advances in lasers areresulting in significant increases in laserprocessing throughput in solar, [printedcircuit board] and display manufacturing,while at the same time in other processesfor the same manufacturing lines, lasersare replacing mechanical tools and beinginvestigated for entirely new processesand structures.
Pelaprat, Vytran and OSA: I wish Iknew. If I knew where the market washeaded in five or 10 years, I could make a
63Photonics Spectra January 2012
Market Trends
All-solid-state-lasers are set to grow for health applications as well as micro- and macromachining. Courtesy ofJenoptik.
“The big question we’re all ask-ing is, ‘What is going to happenin the next six to nine months?’ ”
– Jean-Michel Pelaprat, Vytran Corp. and OSA
112_ Feat Market Trends_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:49 PM Page 63
lot of money! In all seriousness, it is toodifficult to predict, as there are so manypossible scenarios based on what we’veseen in the past few years. We could seeanother recession, we could see stagna-tion, or there could be new markets andapplications we’re not aware of yet.
The photonics market, with the excep-tion of the telecom segment, is not knownfor having big booms, so I don’t think wewill see any major applications in the nextfive or 10 years that cause huge growthlike what we saw with telecom in the early2000s. If I had to predict, overall, I wouldsay to expect a modest growth over thenext five years.
Q: What are the current challengesfor the market?
Delfino, Qioptiq: There are many chal-lenges, depending upon your area of ex-pertise, markets and proper allocation ofresources. The uncertainty created by theoverall bearish economy adds a morecomplex dimension. Companies in the op-tics market need to understand how to in-novate while adding value and create asustaining, competitive plan during anever-changing global economic landscape.
Guntupalli, Princeton Instruments:There is no one imaging technology thatcan meet the demands of diverse applica-tions. Detectors capable of single-photoncounting from x-ray to NIR wavelengthswill emerge based on silicon (CCD andCMOS) and infrared materials.
Fehn, Jenoptik: New laser applications,in most cases, are substitutions ... for otherlaser applications. It is hard to find appli-cations which have not been there before,are suitable for lasers and offer a decentmarket volume. But these applications willbroaden the market substantially.
Morris, Trumpf: The use of lasers in theindustrial materials processing segment –for example, high-volume cutting andwelding – continues to see increased ac-ceptance in North America. However,North America continues to lag behindEurope and Asia in this regard. One of the
challenges is educating the relative manu-facturing segments as to the capabilitiesand cost-effectiveness of today’s laser pro-ducts.
Naselaris, Sydor Optics: Steady supplyand competitive pricing of cerium oxidepolishing compounds. This past year hashad a considerable effect on pricing of op-tics and our margins. Timely delivery ofglass has also played a role this year inour growth. The busier the industry gets,the longer lead times are for optical mate-rials, which make it more difficult to quoteto our customer’s needs. Overseas compe-tition, primarily with China, as their qual-ity continues to increase.
Q: What are the current growth sectors in the market?
Kessler, Edmund Optics: The currentgrowth sectors in the optics market lie inthe life sciences and imaging in automa-tion. The biotech and health sectors are in-creasingly interested in optical techniquesfor biological research and medical diag-nostics. The manufacturing sectors arelooking to increase production capacityand yield by leveraging machine vision at
ever-higher speeds and resolution levels.The needs in these sectors will both growthe market and stimulate innovation in op-tical technology as well as production effi-ciency.
Naselaris, Sydor Optics: We have seenthe largest growth primarily in biomedicalapplications involving filter substrates andwafer-based technologies. Filters are man-ufactured today that far outperform tradi-tional colored glass filters and are muchmore durable. As for wafer-based tech-nologies, there are more and more applica-tions using semiconductor technology formicromechanical components, micro-optics, microfluidics photolithography and wafer-level packaging.
Guntupalli, Princeton Instruments:Life sciences, nanotechnology [and] quan-tum computing are just a few fields whichwill drive growth.
Fehn, Jenoptik: The aesthetics marketand the micromachining market showedsubstantial growth, and we see this to becontinued, but we will also take part in thehigh growth rates within the high-powerapplications, driven by our competence inhigh-power diode lasers and fiber lasers.
Shiner, IPG Photonics: We are very optimistic regarding the next five years.IPG currently has 15 percent of the mate-rial processing market, and we will con-tinue to increase our share over the nextfive years.
64 Photonics Spectra January 2012
Market Trends
Diode lasers, seen here in the electroplating stage of manufacturing, can be used in a variety of high-power applications, from aesthetics to industrial. Courtesy of Jenoptik.
“All new technologies, in some way, shape or form, have beentouched by optics. Whether on the systems level or the componentlevel, optics are becoming an even larger part of tomorrow’s technologies.”
– Mike Naselaris, Sydor Optics
112_ Feat Market Trends_Layout 1 1/19/12 2:56 PM Page 64
OPTICS
COATINGS
ASSEMBLIES
HENE LASERS
303.938.1960 | reoinc.comResearch Electro-Optics, Inc. Boulder, Coloradoprecision optical solutions
™ Covering the full spectrum of your photonics needs
Think REO
the tools to deliverOptical Coatings
112_ResElectroOptics_toolbox_Pg65_Layout 1 1/6/12 11:09 AM Page 65
Chui, Spectra-Physics: Cyclicality invarious end markets notwithstanding, weare seeing growth sectors for lasers span-ning a number of industries. In biomed-ical, growth sectors include biological imaging, molecular diagnostics and thera-peutic applications. For microprocessing,growth sectors include laser processing forflat panel displays, LEDs and solar manu-facturing. Macroprocessing growth seg-ments include metal processing in elec-tronics and industrial applications.
Pelaprat, Vytran and OSA: Lasers andLEDs in displays have the potential forgrowth, and I believe the next two yearswill be critical. For example, laser dis-plays are being deployed in movie theatersworldwide. While that is a large marketsegment, it’s confined to a set number ofprojectors based on the number of the-aters. However, it could expand into con-sumer applications and grow from there. A similar situation is occurring in the LEDsegment. There is growth in digital sig-nage and displays, which could grow evenfurther, once it takes off in the consumerarena.
Q. A number of companies are buy-ing or merging with one anotherlately, it seems – what does this apparent trend of consolidationmean for the industry?
Zilian, Trioptics: [This] is a global trendwhich is not just limited to the optical
market. Companies will specialize on theircore competences. This will lead to ad-vanced products and competition betweenfew companies.
Guntupalli, Princeton Instruments:There seem to be more mergers and acqui-sitions of late than before (e.g., Bruker-Caliper, Teledyne-Dalsa, BAE-Fairchild). I think the trend will continue, especiallyif there is continued slowdown in theeconomy – that makes buying companiesattractive. On the positive side, consolida-tion [gives] smaller companies with prom-ising technologies/products much widerscope with needed capital and distribution.This should benefit the customer. On theother hand, the consumer choice will belimited.
Naselaris, Sydor Optics: My views arebiased toward business growth, whetherours or others’; therefore, I am a believerin mergers. There are good reasons fromboth sides of the equation – the buyer andthe seller – for the merger, which includean exit strategy from business owners/founders, joining of forces to make thegroup more competitive, acquiring neededor wanted technical capabilities and/or ca-pacities, buying out a competitor, et cetera.After all, the job of business managementis to maximize profits and increase com-petitive, sustainable advantages, and this isa viable method of doing so.
I believe the momentum will remainstable for a few years at least. I do not
foresee any real changes to the market atthis time, based on the level we are at withmergers. We are far from having just a fewlarger companies making all the opticswith few or no smaller companies left behind.
Arthurs, SPIE: Consolidations, mergersand acquisitions in the photonics industryover the past year have primarily beenabout adding strength to strength: enhanc-ing R&D or manufacturing capabilities,adding talent and expanding into new seg-ments or geography. Companies havesought synergies that result in more pro-ducts to sell to current customers, fastentry into emerging opportunities, or diversification. In some cases, companieshave been able to reduce costs by increas-ing purchasing volume or eliminating alayer of markup in the supply chain. Therehave been substantial customer benefits asa result of economies of scale or verticalintegration lowering costs and acceleratingdelivery. Some companies have been ableto bring capabilities in-house that wereformerly provided by vendors who alsoserved their competitors, and thereby cre-ate a more reliable supply and force theircompetitors to look elsewhere. Thesetypes of realignments contribute to astronger industry overall, fostering a creative environment in which disruptivenew technologies can be moved to marketmore quickly and in more diversifiedways.
Even in the face of large companiesgrowing larger, there is still opportunity –and even a pressing necessity – for smalland medium-sized enterprises to flourish.The demand for new photonics applica-tions is only increasing, and venture capi-tal continues to be available for entrepre-neurs with well-prepared plans for inno-vation around major challenges such asbandwidth expansion, cost-effective healthcare, lasers in manufacturing and automo-biles, sensors for evaluating aging infra-structure, threat detection and securityusing new devices, and more.
This wave of consolidations and merg-ers raises the profile of the industry and ishaving a positive influence on market evo-lution.
66 Photonics Spectra January 2012
Market Trends
Laura S. [email protected]
The crystal ball is a little cloudy for the next five to 10 years – but optics and other photonics technologies touch so many parts of so many different industries that experts predict at least mild growth. Photo of Sydor Optics products by Laura S. Marshall.
112_ Feat Market Trends_Layout 1 1/19/12 2:57 PM Page 66
Mass-Market Imaging Systems
Cut Time, Cost, Size
BY MARIE FREEBODY, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
IMAGING TRENDS
“Smaller,” “cheaper” and “faster”seem to be the current buzzwords
in the imaging industry – andsome of the imaging components
on the horizon may allow us to enjoy industrial capabilities
in our everyday lives.
Photonics Spectra January 201268
112_Imaging Trends_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:20 PM Page 68
Liquid lenses, 3-D mapping and cuttingcamera size are the three key trendsin imaging this year. All three areas –
at their various stages of maturity – are intrinsically linked, each serving the others in terms of performance, size andcost. And, as with many fields in photon-ics, as research progresses in one sector,the others can benefit also.
Liquid lenses shrink imaging systemsA liquid lens usually is composed of
one or more liquids, which gives it re-markable tunability and flexibility. Scien-tists have long taken inspiration from na-ture for new design ideas, but John Rogersat the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and researchers at Northwest-ern University in Evanston, Ill., have gonebeyond the capabilities of nature with their“eyeball” camera. The curvilinear cameracombines the advantages of the human eye with those of an expensive single-lensreflex camera and zoom lens.
Whereas earlier eyeball cameras hadrigid detectors, this one’s simple lens andphotodetector are on flexible substratesand use a hydraulic system to change theshape of the substrate, enabling variablezoom. “Our work suggests that the ‘flat-land’ world of existing digital imagers and CCD chips may no longer represent a design constraint,” Rogers said.
The camera, which is described in the
Proceedings of the National Academy ofSciences (doi:10.1073/pnas.1015440108),uses a tunable liquid lens to provide zoommagnification. The lens has an ultrasimpleplanoconvex design with a radius of cur-vature that is adjusted hydraulically. Thecurved detector is critically important toenabling high-performance imaging withsuch a simple tunable lens.
“The idea is that curvature in the pho-todetector array opens up a new engineer-ing design space for digital cameras,”Rogers said. “The result can be a dramaticreduction in the cost, size, weight andcomplexity of imaging lenses – whichoften dominate the size, cost and weightof a high-end camera.”
The group has launched a startup com-
pany, mc10 in Cambridge, Mass., throughwhich it is pursuing commercialization ofstretchable optoelectronics, with hemi-spherical cameras as one product area.
“We see the most promising, immediateapplications in night vision, where thelenses are particularly difficult, and endo-scopes, where size is critically important,”Rogers said. “The hope is to establish thetechnology in these areas first, and then to move it into broader sectors of commer-cial use.”
The goal is to provide “studio quality”imaging in small, low-cost devices thatcould, for example, be incorporated into acell phone or an inexpensive digital camera.
Due to their inherent flexibility, liquidlenses offer capabilities that have yet to be exploited. Exploring some of these ca-pabilities with the ultimate hope of com-mercializing them is the goal of a group at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)in Troy, N.Y.
Earlier last year, the team developedliquid pistons with oscillating droplets of ferrofluid that precisely displace a sur-rounding liquid (typically water) with an embedded lens liquid (in this case, 1-methylnaphthalene). The work was cov-ered on Photonics.com (http://www.photonics.com/Article.aspx?AID=45462).
The lens is composed of a pair of drop-lets surrounded by another liquid that isdriven by a set of nanoparticle-infused
69Photonics Spectra January 2012
“Cameras are ubiqui-tous, computing power
keeps growing, and algorithms are being
made available. This trendleads to robust solutions,which means more uses
of the technology in more domains.”
–Gerard Medioni, UCLA
112_Imaging Trends_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:20 PM Page 69
ferrofluid droplets that can vibrate at highfrequency, moving the focal distance ofthe lens under the application of an elec-tromagnetic field.
Such lenses may provide a lighter-weight alternative to camera lenses anddrivers, and perhaps could be used as replacement eye lenses that can be fine-tuned using magnets.
An important impact that liquid lenseswill have on industry is the elimination of lens surface manufacturing, accordingto Amir H. Hirsa, a professor in RPI’s Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering.
“Ultimately, we hope that our approachto liquid lenses and similar ones will pro-vide adaptability in a cost-effective, light-weight package,” he said. “For example,we envision in situ assembly of lenses(self-assembly) for integrated devices that utilize lens arrays.”
Some researchers are combining liquidlenses with other relatively new technolo-gies. Take, for instance, Jannick Rolland,the Brian J. Thompson (endowed) Profes-sor of Optical Engineering at the Univer-sity of Rochester in NewYork, and invitedprofessor at the Institute of Optics inParis.
Rolland has produced some never-before-seen images by incorporating a liquid lens into optical coherence tomogra-phy (OCT) technology. The resultinghandheld device can penetrate 1 mm intothe skin to provide 3-D images of suspi-cious moles with the ultimate goal ofeliminating the need for magnetic reso-nance imaging or biopsy.
“Fifteen percent of visits to primarycare doctors are for the purpose of evalu-ating skin problems,” Rolland said. “As-sessment can be inaccurate, and micro-scopic evaluation in real time has thepotential to significantly improve out-comes.”
The idea was to place a lens based onimmiscible fluids, produced by VariopticSA of Lyon, France, in an otherwise con-ventional microscope. This was then man-ufactured by General Optics Asia in Pon-dicherry, India.
“This was the key to finally identifyingand implementing a high-impact applica-tion for liquid lenses: having the ability todesign a custom microscope that could
accommodate this new technology inter-nally, not externally,” Rolland said. “Thisrevolutionary step took a technology withvery low intrinsic resolution and suddenlyplaced it as a key component in solvinglong-standing challenges in high-resolu-tion imaging in both 2-D and 3-D withinthe medical and material industries.”
So far, the group has demonstrated invivo imaging in skin at micron-scale reso-lution in a potential 8-mm3 volume, and it has recently adapted its technology toimaging the cornea.
The primary challenge – a common one– is bringing down the cost of the entireOCT system: in this case, lowering thecost of a broadband laser. Rolland is indiscussions with several companies, in-cluding Exalos, Genia Photonics, MicronOptics, NKT Photonics, Superlum, TopticaPhotonics and Thorlabs, which are nowworking to meet the price-point target andbring the dramatic increases Rolland hasseen in the laboratory to the clinic.
Apart from examining the skin, the de-vice also can be applied to optical inspec-tion of materials. Here, liquid lenses canhelp to reduce inspection time, thanks totheir quick operation.
Rolland also has ventured into the useof liquid lenses in future 3-D optical headwear for virtual and augmented reality.
“A progression of prototypes developedover the past decade and a half is all con-verging to what could become our headwear of the future,” she said. “The liquidlens may play a key role in our futurehead wear. Here, due to weight con-straints, it will need to operate stand-alone, and so limiting diameter and speed
70 Photonics Spectra January 2012
Imaging Trends
The “eyeball” camera, built by John Rogers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and researchersat Northwestern University, goes beyond nature. Courtesy of John Rogers.
A 10-mm-aperture liquid lens with pinned contact lines focuses a laser beam. Liquid lenses can change theirshape very quickly, enabling focal-length scans in excess of 30 Hz. Here the 1-methylnaphthalene lens and thesurrounding water have fluorescent dyes for visualization. Courtesy of B.A. Malouin and A.H. Hirsa.
112_Imaging Trends_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:20 PM Page 70
112_Synopsis_Pg71_Layout 1 1/6/12 11:10 AM Page 71
both are current impediments to adoption.If the size becomes larger than 3 mm indiameter and it remains high speed, it willenable placing 3-D information anywherein space, as opposed to currently in onelocation ahead of a user.”
3-D mapping on the way3-D mapping is already used by the mili-
tary for scouting terrain and in numerousaerial mapping programs, with similar 3-Dimaging technology adopted by the auto-motive industry for improving driver safety.
Industrial plants employ 3-D imagers oninspection lines, and 3-D vision and map-ping are used even in the surgical suite byrobots such as the da Vinci systems devel-oped by Intuitive Surgical Inc. of Sunny-vale, Calif. Such systems enable surgeonsto perform major procedures extremelyprecisely and less invasively.
The trend is to build smaller, less costlysystems that will bring 3-D mapping intoour everyday lives via products such asservice robots that can interact with us inplay, facilitate routine tasks in hospitals, or even aid the elderly in their homes.
One example is Care-O-bot 3, the ro-botic home assistant developed by scien-tists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manu-facturing Engineering and Automation IPAin Stuttgart, Germany.
“We would like to see the robot assist-ing older people in their households to in-crease their independence while allowingthem to stay in their homes up to a higherage,” said Jan Fischer of Fraunhofer IPA.“Besides accomplishing daily tasks likepreparing and cleaning the table, the robotshould also be able to learn new tasks
from instruction of its user or some otherperson.”
Three-dimensional modeling of the en-vironment is crucial for mobile robots ifthey are to navigate and to interact safelywith objects and humans. Recently devel-oped 2.5-D cameras such as the MicrosoftKinect provide point-cloud data of thevicinity of the robot. This information canbe used to build point maps of the envi-ronment while the robot is moving.
“Typical stereovision algorithms run-ning in reasonable time are not able to cre-ate 3-D information when facing objectswithout texture,” Fischer said. “By inte-
grating 2.5-D camera devices, these 3-Dgaps are filled with meaningful 3-D dataand further enhance the robustness of ob-ject detection.”
A major challenge on the hardware sideis the limited accuracy of depth sensors,along with their high price.
“The introduction of Microsoft’s Kinectsensor presents a significant step towardlow-cost 3-D perception,” Fischer said.“However, in terms of precision, it is stillnot able to compete with standard stereocamera systems.
“Imaging is and will remain a vitalcomponent within the area of robotics.
72 Photonics Spectra January 2012
Imaging Trends
A custom-made telemetry backpack collects flight data of a pigeon maneuvering through an obstacle course. The data, including videos from the head-camera, is used to develop vision-based autopilot technologies. Courtesy of Huai-Ti Lin, Harvard University.
Left: This handheld device incorporates a liquid lens with OCT technology to penetrate 1 mm deep into the skinand provides 3-D images of suspicious moles in real time. Right: A fingertip can be viewed 1 mm under thesurface of the skin at axial and lateral resolution of 2 µm. Courtesy of Jannick Rolland, University of Rochester.
112_Imaging Trends_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:20 PM Page 72
Take a Look InsideTerahertz radiation is unique in offering the ability to look into traditionally opaque materials, or to identify chemical substances by
found in homeland security, quality control, non-destructive testing and
inside
Terahertz @ TOPTICA
A Passion for Precision.
high bandwidth THz spectroscopy cw THz systemshigh resolution spectroscopy Synview all-electronic systems THz/mm-wave imaging
www.toptica.com/terahertz
112_Toptica_Pg73_Layout 1 1/6/12 11:11 AM Page 73
The trend definitely moves toward low-cost RGB-D sensors that provide both 2.5-D range data and color information for each pixel.
“With the development of feasible algo-rithms, their application is quite manifold;e.g., object detection, localization, 3-Dmapping, gesture recognition, human motion recognition and many more.”
3-D mapping enables the blind to “see”
An electric wheelchair that uses a laserscanner to create a 3-D map of its sur-roundings and transfers the information toa haptic robot could help blind wheelchairusers navigate the world more easily.
Developed at Luleå University of Tech-nology (LTU) in Sweden (http://www.photonics.com/Article.aspx?AID=47162),the wheelchair enables a visually impaireddriver to maneuver around obstacles, andits developers believe that it can be manu-factured for consumers in about five years.
“The wheelchair has a joystick forsteering and a haptic robot that acts as avirtual white cane,” said professor KaleviHyyppä of LTU. “With the help of a laserscanner, a simplified 3-D map is createdof the wheelchair surroundings.”
The laser scanner uses a time-of-flighttechnique to produce a 3-D map that isthen transferred to the haptic robot so thatthe user can “feel” and effectively “see”obstacles such as open doors or oncomingpeople, and navigate past them.
The group hopes to miniaturize the sen-sor to enable haptic interfaces to be worn.But this is no easy task, Hyyppä admitted.
“The laser beam that sweeps in front of the wheelchair hits only objects whichare a certain height. It does not have thecapacity to see things that are higher orlower than that height,” he said. “Present3-D cameras do not have enough perform-ance concerning signal-to-noise ratio,range and field of view.”
In similar research, engineers at theUniversity of Southern California (USC),Los Angeles, have developed software thatcan help the visually impaired navigatecomplex environments. The user wears ahead-mounted camera that is connected toa PC, which uses simultaneous localiza-tion and mapping software to build mapsof the environment and to pick out a safepath through it.
As reported in the August 2011 issue of Photonics Spectra (pp. 25-26), the route
is conveyed to the user through a vibrating guide vest.
Research has since moved on. Now, instead of a camera mounted on the head,a pair of glasses can be used.
“The system is composed of a set oftwo cameras attached to a person’s head,either mounted on a helmet, or as a pair of glasses,” said USC’s professor GerardMedioni. “The computer system fusesthese two image streams to produce a 3-Dview of the world. As the person moves,the systems register the partial 3-D viewsinto a unified 3-D map.”
This step has been dubbed SLAM (simultaneous localization and map-ping). Based on this map, the system classifies areas as safe for traversal, or asobstacles.
The ultimate goal for Medioni’s groupis to provide the system at a low cost forall blind users. So far, he has demonstrateda first prototype and conducted initial testswith blind patients at the Braille Institutein Los Angeles.
As with Hyyppä’s wheelchair, signifi-cant work remains to be done before wide-spread production and use can become areality. But Medioni believes that the im-aging field is exploding, with the barrierto entry becoming lower every day.
“Cameras are ubiquitous, computingpower keeps growing, and algorithms arebeing made available (e.g., OpenCV),” hesaid. “This trend leads to robust solutions,which means more uses of the technologyin more domains.”
Cameras out of the salt shakerCameras are getting smaller – down to
as small as a grain of salt. One such cam-era was built for endoscopy applications
74 Photonics Spectra January 2012
Imaging Trends
The two main potentials of wafer-level cameras aresize and cost, according to Martin Wilke of Fraun-hofer IZM. This low-cost CMOS camera, measuringonly 1 mm3, makes disposable endoscopes feasible.Courtesy of Awaiba GmbH.
The robotic home assistant Care-O-bot 3 fromFraunhofer IPA can help in a domestic environment.Images courtesy of photographer Bernd Müller.
112_Imaging Trends_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:20 PM Page 74
®
PHOTOSENSITIVE BEAMDELIVERY
®
ACTIVE
Perfectly Matched Families are Hard to Find
– Optically Matched Active and Passive Fibers
®
OPTICAL FIBERS – FIBER LASERS & AMPLIFIERS – FIBER GYRO COILS – DIRECTED ENERGY
Nufern offers the largest range of matched fi bers for industrial production of fi ber lasers.
• Tighter tolerance – Reduces the time and variability when splicing • Repeatable splices – Reduces test and rework with lower splice loss • High power – Reduces stray light and thermal load • Performance – Improves beam quality and laser effi ciency
Find the perfect match with NuMATCH fi bers
www.nufern.com
112_Nufern_Pg75_Layout 1 1/6/12 11:11 AM Page 75
by a German collaboration between Fraun-hofer Institute for Reliability and Microin-tegration IZM and Awaiba GmbH (http://www.photonics.com/Article.aspx?AID=46485).
The prototypes were reportedly so inex-pensive that they could be disposed ofafter one use, avoiding otherwise neces-sary cleaning.
The camera is fabricated using through-silicon via technology to enable completewafer-scale integration of both the sensorand the imaging optics. The result is alow-cost CMOS camera only 1 cubic mil-limeter in size.
“The two main potentials of wafer-levelcameras [WLCs] are size and cost. At themoment, size is the more important reasonwhy WLC is interesting, especially in themedical sector,” said Martin Wilke ofFraunhofer IZM. “When all hurdles forWLC packaging are overcome, the pro-duction can be much less expensive thanthe conventional way of packaging. This
A sighted wheelchair incorporates 3-D mapping to allow avisually impaired wheelchair driver to “feel” and effectively“see” obstacles and navigate past them. Courtesy of KaleviHyyppä, Luleå University of Technology.
112_Imaging Trends_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:20 PM Page 76
can then bring micro camerasinto applications with highervolume.”
Striking visual reminders ofthe trend toward smaller cam-eras are pigeons fitted with tinyhead-cameras to help HarvardUniversity researchers figureout the best way to navigatethrough difficult environments.This data could be used as amodel for autopilot technology(http://www.photonics.com/Article.aspx?AID=47591).
“Our research should informthe industry that there is agrowing market for compactcameras in experimental biol-ogy,” said Dr. Huai-Ti Lin at
Harvard. “Adding a device onany flying animal could degradethe flight performance due to theadded weight and drag. The size,weight and robustness of a deviceare all extremely important con-siderations for animal studies, especially out in the field.”
Small wireless cameras give bi-ologists the opportunity for un-precedented observation of animalbehavior; in this case, Lin said,the pigeon head-camera videosgive us the closest experiencenext to embodying a bird, fromwhich we can learn so much.
“Birds have exceptional abilityto stabilize vision in flight. This isdone primarily by stabilizing thehead using both the inertial sen-sory input and visual input,” hesaid. “In many modern photo-graphic applications, vibration isa big issue. I believe there is a lotwe can learn from birds about vi-sual-inertial sensory integrationthat can help with photographictechnologies.”
77Photonics Spectra January 2012
Imaging Trends
The visually impaired could benefitfrom this image processing systemdeveloped by engineers at the Uni-versity of Southern California. A PCconnected to two cameras mountedon a pair of glasses determines thebest route and transmits this informa-tion to the user via a vibrating guidevest. Courtesy of the University ofSouthern California.
112_Imaging Trends_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:20 PM Page 77
Putting MoreThan Glass
in the ToolboxBY HANK HOGAN, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
OPTICS TRENDS
Plastics, glass, metamaterials,anisotropic materials – even
smartphones – are teaming up to create a future where optical
systems will be smaller, cheaper,lighter and more capable.
Photonics Spectra January 201278
112_Optics Trends_Layout 1 1/6/12 9:06 AM Page 78
“Optical materials have gottena lot better over the years,”said David J. Hagan, a pro-
fessor of optics and physics at the Uni-versity of Central Florida in Orlando.“They’re better understood.”
In particular, Hagan pointed to organicsand plastics as areas where broader knowl-edge has brought improvement. One newmaterial in this class that could be impor-tant in the future is a biologically inspiredand inexpensive-to-manufacture polymer.The refractive index of optics built withthe polymer can vary smoothly in three dimensions, and the resulting gradientindex optics have applications in the mili-tary, in solar power and elsewhere.
“One of the things we’re looking to dois to add this extra ray bending – this extraoptical power – within the element to helpimprove imaging, to help reduce partcounts, and reduce size and weight,” saidGuy Beadie, head of the advanced opticalmaterials section at the Washington-basedUS Naval Research Laboratory.
Studies have shown that putting gradi-ent index polymers to work can reduce thevolume and mass of lens designs by up to50 and 90 percent, respectively. In part,the improvement is possible because thenew materials are lightweight, but it alsoarises from their optical properties.
The Naval Research Lab and Case West-ern Reserve University in Cleveland are
collaborating on work in this area. Scientists have developed a technique thatextrudes thousands of layers of two poly-mers atop one another in a 50-μm-thickfilm. The repeated polymer pairs have atotal thickness of 25 nm, well below thewavelength of light. Consequently, the resulting film is optically transparent witha refractive index between that of the twoconstituents. By altering the thickness ofthe base polymers within the fixed-unit cellduring fabrication, researchers can create alibrary of intermediate refractive indexfilms. These films can be stacked atop oneanother arbitrarily, molded, then polishedinto an optically clear lens with standardcurved surfaces as well as an axial and ra-dial gradient refractive index profile.
This capability can lead to some dra-matic improvements, including allowing
color correction to be done using oneaspheric element instead of the two re-quired by a homogeneous index material.A test comparing polymer to glass singletlenses showed that the former decreasedweight tenfold and offered better contrast.
The polymer composite also enablesnew solutions. For example, Jeffrey M.Gordon, a professor at the Sede Boqercampus of Ben-Gurion University of theNegev in Israel, in collaboration with re-searchers at Columbia University in NewYork, outlined some results in January andAugust 2011 Optics Express papers. Theyshowed that spherical lenses constructedout of gradient index plastics could con-centrate incoming solar radiation morethan a thousandfold onto a photovoltaicover the course of the day without havingto track the sun.
However, it still would be necessary tomove the photovoltaic about 2 cm to fol-low the shifting focal point, althougheverything else could remain still, Gor-don said. This approach could be ex-tended to wide-angle photography or infrared imaging.
Eric Baer, a Case Western Reserve pro-fessor, plans to extend the refractive indexrange from the current 1.5 to 1.6 out to 1.4to 1.7. Work is under way to improve opti-cal designs and associated software and toexpand applications.
The Naval Research Lab’s Beadie pre-
79Photonics Spectra January 2012
“Cell phones will likelyplay a significant role in
medical diagnosis in general. Microscopy and
spectroscopy are only two possible ways”– Sebastian Wachsmann-Hogiu,Center for Biophotonics Science
and Technology
Lasers and heat allow refractive index patterns to bewritten throughout the bulk of photo-thermorefractiveglass, leading to narrow-spectral-width filters andother optical components. Courtesy of Leonid B. Glebov, University of Central Florida and OptiGrate.
112_Optics Trends_Layout 1 1/6/12 9:06 AM Page 79
OptiGrate makes spectral filters usingthe glass. The ability to produce interfer-ence-derived filters throughout centime-ters of glass offers an advantage becausespectral selectively goes up with thick-ness. The company’s filters offer rejec-tion coefficients of up to 10,000 to 1, andthe spectral width of what is allowedthrough is only 20 to 30 pm, Glebov said.
“This is an order of magnitude narrowerthan any other commercial filters,” henoted.
That translates into better spectroscopy.Applying the same techniques to the out-put coupler for a laser allows spectralbrightness to be increased hundreds oftimes, achieved by narrowing the output to a 30-pm spectral width without losingpower. The glass allows beams to belocked to a wavelength, or several beamsto be combined into one, he said.
A future research direction is to makenarrower and narrower filters, he added.Another area of investigation involves theproduction of multiple holographic pat-terns in a single piece of glass.
Less-metallic metamaterialsMetamaterials, the stuff of invisibility
cloaks and superlenses, represent a thirdnovel optical material. The electromag-netic characteristics of the source materi-als and their physical arrangement allowoptical properties to be engineered. As aconsequence, the resulting refractive indexcan be below 1 or even negative, some-thing unknown in nature.
There are signs that metamaterials aremoving out of strictly academic labs. Forinstance, defense contractor LockheedMartin Corp. has turned to metamaterialsto boost the performance of spacecraft an-tennas. Last year, a research lab at Wright-
80 Photonics Spectra January 2012
Optics Trends
Fabricating biologically inspired gradient index optics involves co-extruding twopolymers, A and B, in subwavelength nanolayers that make up 50-µm-thick films.These films form the basis for lightweight, inexpensive gradient index optics. Courtesy of Guy Beadie, US Naval Research Laboratory.
dicted that polymer gradient index opticswill have a substantial impact in the years tocome. However, the new material will com-plement and not replace glass, he said. “Thematerials that we’re working with are plas-tic, and we’re not going to change the fact.”
Building better filtersAs for glass, new knowledge has led to
the development of a photo-thermorefrac-tive variety. Through a combination of ultraviolet light and heat, it is possible towrite a pattern of varying refractive indexin such glass, said Leonid B. Glebov, a re-
search professor at the University of Cen-tral Florida and vice president of researchand development at OptiGrate, a startupformed to commercialize the new mate-rial. Both are in Orlando.
The glass is transparent from 220 to2700 nm, and features that measure tensof nanometers in size can be written intoit. A key point is that, although lasers initiate the process, the image actually isformed by heat. Thus, the resulting pat-tern cannot be bleached or altered bylight, making it possible to subject it tohigh-power lasers without damage.
Polymer gradient index singlet lenses (above, left) weigh a tenth that of glass(right) but offer better contrast. Courtesy of Guy Beadie.
Not all that glitters is gold or silver, at least forvisible and near-infraredmetamaterials. The chartshows the quality factor of various metamaterialcandidates, with a higherbar indicating better qualityresulting from lower lossesat the plasmonic crossoverfrequency. The materialsare, from left to right, gallium zinc oxide (GZO), indium tin oxide (ITO), silver (Ag) and aluminumzinc oxide (AZO). Crossover frequencies are, respec-tively, 1.32, 1.69, 0.326and 1.3 µm. Courtesy of Alexandra Boltassevaand Paul West, Purdue University.
112_Optics Trends_Layout 1 1/6/12 9:06 AM Page 80
MARTEK POWER can help you to take charge with our innovative power supply designs. We have a full line of
power supplies for Laser Diodes, Gas Lasers and High Energy Lamps.
Our OEM power supplies efficiently and reliably provide power for your laser or light source and give you the power control
you need. Low noise, small size and safety are built in.
Give Martek Power a call today!
Our commitment to our customers is to pursue
excellence in quality, cost, design, delivery and service.
5318 Ranalli Drive, Gibsonia, PA 15044Tel: 724.443.7688 / Fax: 724.444.6430 Email: [email protected]
We have been in business more than 35 years. Our manufacturing quality system is ISO 9001:2008 certified and provides the highest quality products available today.
We are a full service provider of power supply design, manufacturing and support.
© 2011 MARTEK POWER
Precisely Right.
Certified to ISO 9001:2008
LASER DRIVE
112_MartekPowerLD_Pg81_Layout 1 1/6/12 11:12 AM Page 81
Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio sought acontractor to help develop metamaterialsfor optical filters, time-domain opticalcomponents and other areas.
But all current metamaterials sufferfrom a basic problem, said AlexandraBoltasseva, an assistant professor of elec-trical and computer engineering at PurdueUniversity in West Lafayette, Ind. Silver-and gold-based metamaterials suffer highlosses at optical frequencies, so she is ad-vocating – and is now investigating – abasic material change.
“We are trying to move to materials thatcan still provide us with these metallicproperties but that will have lower losses,”she said.
In electronics, when you need some-thing that is metallike but not a metal, youturn to semiconductors. Similarly, Boltas-seva is looking into wide-band semicon-ductors, such as doped zinc oxide or in-dium tin oxide.
Semiconductor fabrication techniquescan create structures well below the wave-
82 Photonics Spectra January 2012
Invisibility through anisotropy: A rolled-up piece of paper sits under a cloak wedge made of calcite, a material with direction-dependent optical properties. The portion of the object inside the wedge is not visible, and the wedge surface appears to be flat, creating a cloaking effect. Courtesy of Baile Zhang and George Barbastathis, SMART Centre, Singapore.
Using sensors, a laser diode (LD), holography and image processing, researchers built a compact, lens-free microscope suitable for field work. Concept is shown in (a),artist’s rendering in (b) and actual device in (c) . Reprinted from Biomedical Optics Express. Courtesy of Aydogan Ozcan, University of California, Los Angeles.
112_Optics Trends_Layout 1 1/6/12 9:06 AM Page 82
length of interest, a metamaterial require-ment. There also is a large semiconductormanufacturing base, potentially allowinginexpensive production of any opticalcomponent.
Another approach is to use new materi-als, one possibility being intermetallicssuch as titanium hafnium nitride. Stackedlayers of alternating materials such asthese could lead to constructs with accept-able losses and negative refraction in thevisible or at 1.5 μm, a wavelength impor-tant in telecommunications. Further downthe road would be metamaterial deviceswith properties that could be adjusted byapplying voltage, a possibility enabled bysemiconductors.
As for applications, some would requireoptimizing devices, but an immediate usewould be in microscope optics. A super-lens offering better-than-diffraction-limitimaging was demonstrated by a groupfrom the University of California, Berke-ley, in 2005 using silver, a current meta-material.¹ But the metallic nature of theconstruct keeps it from being used in anobjective because of high losses and fabri-cation challenges. That wouldn’t be thecase for a superlens constructed with a
transparent semiconductor. That alonemakes the successful debut of a semicon-ductor metamaterial an important event towatch for over the next few years.
“As soon as we can demonstrate such astructure based on semiconductors, therewould be immediate interest and immedi-ate steps toward a real-life application,”Boltasseva said.
Invisibility by another pathThere is, however, another avenue to
invisibility. It exploits optical anisotropyand directional differences in opticalproperties, and it represents another classof novel optical materials. Researchers at MIT in Cambridge and the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technol-ogy Centre in Singapore showed that cal-cite, a common material, could render2-mm-tall objects invisible under theright conditions. They described the setupin a January 2011 Physical Review Letters paper.
The focus now is not on invisibility butrather on a related concept – manipulatingthe trajectory of light – said team leaderGeorge Barbastathis, Singapore researchprofessor of optics and MIT mechanical
engineering professor. This may be forspecific wavelengths, such as those in-volved in telecommunications.
“We’re interested in other applicationswhere you have to shield certain devicesfrom light,” Barbastathis said. “For exam-ple, in integrated optical circuits, veryoften one wants to prevent certain parts of the circuit from being illuminated.”
Although anisotropic materials occurnaturally, they also can be engineered viananopatterning, Barbastathis said. And be-cause the material is otherwise homoge-neous, it should be easier to fabricate thanalternatives.
Finally, a class of novel optical materi-als is not material at all. An example is alensless holography microscope demon-strated by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles. The field-portable device offers lateral resolution of better than 2 μm over a field of view ofabout 24 sq mm. Aydogan Ozcan, an asso-ciate professor of bio- and electrical engi-neering, headed up the project, which wasdescribed in an August 2011 paper.
In one mode of operation, the device re-flects a laser off a specimen, and this lightinterferes with a separate reference beam
83Photonics Spectra January 2012
Optics Trends
112_Optics Trends_Layout 1 1/6/12 9:06 AM Page 83
the right techniques. Pamplona demon-strated that this setup can be used to findcataracts, something done today with amachine developed nearly 50 years agoand that can take months to master. Thefact that a phone can match its perform-ance isn’t that surprising, given the tech-nology available.
“The sensors we have on the phoneright now are pretty good,” Pamplonasaid. “They’re reaching a scientific level, aprofessional level, in the sense it is com-parable with high-end specific tools. Soyou can start building on top of them.”
Because the phones are being used inmedical devices, there are regulatory is-sues to consider that might keep themfrom being deployed soon. Getting ap-proval for a new medical device from theFDA, for example, is expensive and takestime. Thus, phone-enabled devices mightfirst show up in areas where the lack ofaccess to health care makes them morecompelling.
An even wider array of optical materialsand techniques in even more settingslooms on the horizon. Pamplona foreseesa day when 3-D printers make it possibleto whip up a phone attachment on de-mand, allowing users to download neededsoftware and hardware to perform optics-based tasks.
Another example of a smartphone-basedapproach comes from Sebastian Wachs-mann-Hogiu. An associate professor andfacility director of the National ScienceFoundation’s Sacramento-based Center forBiophotonics Science and Technology,part of the University of California, Davis,he has done microscopy and spectroscopyusing phones for point-of-care applica-tions. The work was described in a March2011 PLoS One paper.
Wachsmann-Hogiu has identified variousblood diseases using inexpensive opticalcomponents and a phone. He is workingwith industry partners to commercializethese techniques. Many more applicationsfrom researchers and companies could fol-low, affecting many areas.
“Ten years down the road,” he said,“cell phones will likely play a significantrole in medical diagnosis in general. Mi-croscopy and spectroscopy are only twopossible ways. There are other things thatcan be done.”
Reference1. N. Fang et al (2005). Sub-diffraction-limited
optical imaging with a silver superlens. Sci-ence, Vol. 308, pp. 534-537.
84 Photonics Spectra January 2012
A mobile phone add-on consisting oflow-cost optical materials enables quickand inexpensive eyesight testing. Suchdevices represent a new wave of opticalmaterial applications. Courtesy of MITMedia Lab, Camera Culture Group.
at a digital sensor array. This data is fil-tered to remove unwanted information,and a computer then digitally reconstructsan image of the specimen. The device alsohas a transmission mode.
The light weight and low cost of the de-vice would be particularly beneficial duringfield work in the developing world. Possi-ble applications include screening of bloodfor pathogens or testing of water quality.For such uses, what is needed sometimes isa microscope with adequate resolution buta very wide field of view because what isbeing searched for is not common.
“If you look at malaria slide readings,it’s a rare event problem. Around 1 per-cent of the red blood cells show malariasignatures,” Ozcan said.
He added that extensions to the idea in-volve lens-free fluorescence imaging andresolution improvements at the submicronlevel. Along with others, he has formed acompany, Holomic LLC, to commercializethe concept.
Optical materials and the phoneSuch efforts point the way toward an in-
creasingly important factor that affects opti-cal materials – and vice versa. The adventof smartphones promises to change micros-copy, spectroscopy and other areas becausesmartphones have high-resolution displays,megapixel cameras, storage and connectiv-ity, and they offer powerful local comput-ing. When combined with simple attach-ments, they can make surprisingly capablemicroscopes and other optical devices.
An example can be seen in the work ofRamesh Raskar, an associate professor atthe MIT Media Lab. While developing a
new bar-code system, he realized that itcould be used to make a refraction map ofthe eye, something traditionally done by adoctor when figuring out an eyeglass pre-scription.
This mapping now can be done using asmartphone and an inexpensive attachment.Software creates a carefully arranged pat-tern of lines or dots on the display, and thenit puts the patient to work.
“We ask the user to create changes inthe position of the dots,” Raskar said.
The adjustments reveal refractive dis-tortions in the eye. Because uncorrectedvision problems are a leading cause ofblindness for millions worldwide, such adevice could be very beneficial. That’s theidea behind EyeNETRA, a companyformed to commercialize the concept.Vitor Fernando Pamplona, a graduate stu-dent who was at the MIT Media Lab andis now at Brazil’s Federal University ofRio Grande do Sul in Porto Alegre, devel-oped the smartphone eye doctor techniqueas part of his thesis and is involved withEyeNETRA.
When it comes to getting the deviceinto the field, Pamplona said one ideawould be a microbusiness model, withpeople in large cities in the developingworld paying for the ability to run a set oftests. These buyers would then travel tothe countryside, where they would per-form an eye exam in return for payment.The test itself would likely be an aide,helping people decide whether they needto see a doctor.
Other vision problems also could bediscovered by a similar combination of asmartphone, an attachment, software and
Optics Trends
112_Optics Trends_Layout 1 1/6/12 9:06 AM Page 84
112_IPGPhotonics_Pg85_Layout 1 1/6/12 11:12 AM Page 85
Photonics Spectra January 201286
Medical Marketsand New Niches
Drive Laser Advances
BY LYNN SAVAGE, FEATURES EDITOR
LASER TRENDS
Laser makers increasingly areturning to the medical deviceindustry for innovation – but
don’t discount other interesting applications
on the horizon.
112_Laser Feat Trends Feat_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:21 PM Page 86
87Photonics Spectra January 2012
The past year has been a tumultuousone for makers and users of lasers. Aglobal economic situation that at best
could be considered in the doldrums tem-pered expectations of breakout years forcompanies such as Newport and Coherent.Nonetheless, laser makers have had gener-ally fine years because manufacturing, es-pecially in the US, has begun to pick up –and lasers are the go-to systems for manu-facturing everything from LEDs to auto-mobiles to the latest, greatest personalelectronic devices everyone must have.
The main area, however, in which lasertechnology continues to thrive – andpromises to thrive for years to come – isin medical technology. Many medical devices, of course, must be made with alevel of precision that only lasers canachieve, but lasers that emit a variety ofwavelengths increasingly are being used totreat patients directly, whether to eliminatecancerous tumors, heal wounds or slimpeople’s profiles.
In the clinicLasers have not been perfected for most
clinical operations, but they are steadilygaining ground.
A recent study published in the Archivesof Dermatology, for example, showed thatlaser treatment of varicose veins is notnearly as effective as traditional surgery(involving removal of the offending veins
entirely) but is less invasive and often less expensive.
In a multitude of clinics, especially inthe US and throughout Europe, lasers arebeing used to transform the human body.Nothing is left untouched; the short list in-cludes retinas, waists and hips, thighs andcalves, scalps and forearms. Via recentprogress in femtosecond-pulse lasers, vision is improvable and body shapes areimminently sculptable.
One area picking up marketing steam is laser-based cataract surgery. Cataracts,which are lenses so deteriorated that theycloud over and become yellowed, are re-sponsible for nearly half of all cases ofblindness. More than 18 million peopleare blinded by age-related cataracts (andchildren can suffer from congenital formsof cataracts as well), and millions morehave had their eyesight reduced by severemyopia or loss of color sensitivity becauseof the condition.
Standard cataract care has involved sur-gical removal of the affected lens, which
traditionally has been performed with afinely sharpened scalpel. Lasers, ofcourse, can cut much finer lines than ametal edge, no matter how keenly made,and laser surgery has become sought afterbecause results are better and recoverytime for patients is quicker.
Several companies have been activelypursuing laser technologies suitable foruse in cataract surgery, including Techno-las Perfect Vision GmbH in Munich, Ger-many; Alcon Laboratories Inc. in FortWorth, Texas; LensAR Inc. in Orlando,Fla.; and OptiMedica Corp. in SantaClara, Calif. Each company has a systemon the market for performing the preciseretinal incisions necessary for removingcataracts and inserting replacement lensesas needed. Most are used in combinationwith optical coherence tomography sys-tems that help surgeons guide the beampath. Such systems are mostly availablefor use in Europe thus far, with FDA ap-proval pending in the US.
The regulatory hurdles that any lasersystem must clear in the US are generallymore stringent than in Europe and else-where. Nowhere is this more evident thanin the realm of low-level laser therapy(LLLT) modalities.
LLLT likely was born of the idea thatpointing a light at an unhealthy part of thebody might fix the problem. In the severaldecades since the concept has been
“We believe in lasers.We just couldn’t get the
results with LEDs.”– Charlie Shanks, Erchonia Corp.
112_Laser Feat Trends Feat_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:21 PM Page 87
around, LLLT has been used to addresshair loss, arthritis, chronic back and neckpain, wound healing and body contouring.The typical amount of power used in these
applications is 0.3 to 19 J/cm2 – so low infact that near-IR LEDs are used as an al-ternative by some practitioners. There hasbeen a great deal of controversy over the
effectiveness of LLLT, with proponentsconvinced of the health benefits. Unfortu-nately, there is very little research pub-lished thus far showing repeatable positiveresults.
Despite the lack of verifiable efficacy,however, there is a growing market forLLLT products and services, leading to a potential niche to be filled. ErchoniaCorp. of McKinney, Texas, is an LLLTspecialist that has seen the benefit of clinical trials.
88 Photonics Spectra January 2012
Laser Trends
The Light in Your EyesBMW created a stir in Sep-tember when it announcedit was working to incorpo-rate lasers into its auto-mobile headlight systems.Shown briefly at the 2011Frankfurt Motor Show in-stalled in an i8 conceptcar, the laser headlightsdazzled onlookers.
The system uses threeblue diode lasers in each ofthe car’s four headlights.The triangulated beamspass through lenses imbuedwith yellow phosphors, which change the blue light to white while also diffusing it. Thecombined white light then reflects off a central mirror and onto the road ahead.
BMW sees lasers as a natural replacement for the LED headlamps that are now becoming increasingly popular. The lasers provide more intense light but require half as much electrical power overall. The laser diodes also take up less space than thecomparable LED designs needed today, and should last as long as LEDs.
BMW admits that putting its laser headlights into all of its autos is still several yearsaway, but once that happens, expect a robust laser diode market to crop up as otherautomakers make the switch.
BMW has developed automotive headlights that eschew halogen bulbsand LEDs in favor of diode lasers. Courtesy of BMW.
OptiMedica’s Catalys laser system facilitates a smooth incision into the lens capsule, making cataract removal easy and safe for the patient. Courtesy of BusinessWire.
A single cell was removed from a fruit fly epitheliumusing a novel laser technique in which a single holo-graphically shaped pulse replaced multiple strikeswith the beam. The cell to be isolated is marked with an asterisk in the first frame, and the followingframes are at 6 and 70 s after ablation. Courtesy of Aroshan K. Jayasinghe, Vanderbilt University.
112_Laser Feat Trends Feat_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:21 PM Page 88
112_ILXLightwave_Pg89_Layout 1 1/6/12 11:12 AM Page 89
“The market is massive, when you con-sider the desire for noninvasive treatmentswith no side effects,” said Charlie Shanks,the company’s vice president of sales andmarketing. The 15-year-old company hasput its LLLT systems, including the EMLand Zerona instruments, through trialsspecifically to gain FDA clearance andgive them a competitive edge.
The EML has FDA approval for use asan adjunct to liposuction, and the Zeronafor general fat removal performed for
body contouring. Using several laserdiodes emitting at 635 nm, the devices aid the removal of adipose cells from thewaist, hips, thighs and other areas byemulsifying the fatty tissues prior to lipo-suction. In late 2011, Erchonia reportedencouraging results from a clinical trialusing the Zerona device to reduce the cir-cumference of patients’ arms, and is nowalso pursuing the use of LLLT to tacklecellulite, female alopecia (hair loss) andfoot fungus.
“We believe in lasers,” Shanks said.“We just couldn’t get the results [wewanted] with LEDs.”
In the surgical suiteModerately powered femtosecond lasers
are used to surgically remove cataracts, tumors and necrotic tissues as well as forcutting into hard tissues, such as teeth andbone. Ho:YAG, CO2, N2, dye-based andother heavy-duty systems typically areused in surgical suites, but diode and fiberlasers are becoming ubiquitous, helping toshrink costs and footprints as well as mak-ing it easier for a wider variety of techni-cians to use the devices rather than justmedical professionals.
There remain important areas open toimprovement with both devices and tech-niques. For example, soft tissues such asgums, arteries and organ surfaces infusedwith cancerous tumors typically are undertension. When you carve a straight line orcurving path through the tissue with apulsing laser, there is a very quick me-chanical response by the target: The smallamount of material directly in the beampath is vaporized, and any remaining tis-sue recoils from the beam spot. This me-chanical relaxation response is uncontrol-lable and can interfere with the goals ofthe surgery; for example, healthy tissueundergoing relaxation can inadvertentlywander into the beam path and be unnec-essarily ablated by the laser.
“There is a limit to what can be learnedfrom single-shot ablation,” said M. ShaneHutson, an associate professor of physicsat Vanderbilt University in Nashville,Tenn. He added that masking techniquescan be used, for example, for excision ofindividual cells from a tissue section, auseful method for cell biologists in partic-ular. However, using a mask requires a
90 Photonics Spectra January 2012
Laser Trends
Left: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been ap-proved by the FDA in some cases as an adjunct to liposuction because it emulsifies fatty tissues. Right:The LLLT platform Zerona. Courtesy of Erchonia.
Living Lasers Offer Healing TouchThe most surprising new source for lasingpower to arrive in 2011 has to be livingcells. Researchers at the Wellman Centerfor Photomedicine in Cambridge, Mass.,used green fluorescent protein (GFP) – anatural molecule that provides biolumi-nescent light for sea-dwellers in the deep-est parts of the ocean – as the gain mediafor their cell-based laser.
The center’s Seok-Hyun Yun and MalteC. Gather engineered human kidney cellsto express GFP, then placed a single suchcell into a 20-µm-wide cavity formed by parallel dielectric mirrors. When theypumped the cell with an optical para-
metric oscillator (OPO), the light emitted by the GFP reflected from the cavity mirrorsand began to lase.
The cells provide more intense light than cells that simply fluoresce, which meansthey could ultimately be useful for detecting and monitoring intracellular processes, oreven for photonics-based therapies. The resulting beam pulses with only 1 nJ of power,so the cell remains alive after the OPO is shut down.
“We are working on photodynamic therapy (PDT) using biolight as the light source,”Yun said. “If successful, we may be able to activate PDT drugs deep into [diseased] tissue without having to deliver conventional light from outside the body.”
Yun and Gather also have built a prototype microfluidic platform that incorporatesthe cell-based laser. In this system, individual cells flowing in a narrow channel gener-ate laser light as they pass through a pump zone. If successful, they say, the device willoffer a new way to perform cytometry; for example, it could detect subtle changes between normal and cancerous cells that pass through the microfluidic channels basedon their biophysical differences.
Lasing cells can be used to provide a light source inphotodynamic treatments, such as killing tumor cells.Courtesy of the Wellman Center for Photomedicine.
112_Laser Feat Trends Feat_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:21 PM Page 90
112_Intertech_Pg91_Layout 1 1/6/12 11:13 AM Page 91
laser with higher fluence (and thus power)than is prudent.
To avoid the problems inherent withpoint-to-point laser cutting, Hutson andhis colleagues recently developed a tech-nique that reduces the overall effect of
mechanical relaxation. By shaping thebeam profile with a holographic pattern,they encircle a tissue excision target anduse a single UV laser pulse to completethe cut. The technique vaporizes as manyas 30 points simultaneously, and doing so
causes less disturbance in the remainingtissue than would burning one pointthrough at a time, even when moving the beam spot rapidly.
Progress in cell biology, especially regarding the external and internal forcesthat act on individual cells, will dependupon advances in laser technology and developing novel applications for them.Hutson’s group at Vanderbilt will use itsholographic technique to explore cellulardynamics in embryos in a multitude ofmodel organisms, from zebra fish to fruitflies and more, but there remain manymore niches to fill for attentive laser techs.
If the global economic malaise contin-ues, look for both academic and commer-cial enterprises to continue the drive to develop novel ways to use laser technolo-gies and to fill new market niches as theyappear.
Laser Trends
Lynn [email protected]
Lasers at WarIn mid-2011, London-based BAE Systems con-ducted a successful field test of its Mk 38 MOD2 Tactical Laser System, one of several systemsin development to bring to life a practical laserweapon. The high-energy system can identify hostile targets, and track and engage enemyvessels within an actionable range.
In the test, the laser system fired against var-ious maritime targets and faced “swarm tests”that simulate an attack by a large number offast, maneuverable small boats, intermingled withneutral boat traffic.
Later in the year, Raytheon Co. of Waltham, Mass., carried out what it called an op-erational demonstration of its Talon laser-guided rocket, a weapon designed to be launchedfrom Apache Longbow helicopters toward both stationary and mobile targets 1 to 6 kmaway. The perfect performance of the Talon system in the tests ensured that it will beput into production, both in the US and in the United Arab Emirates.
About the time BAE Systems tested its new system in August, it laid off 3000 workers.However, despite continuing threats to the budgets of defense contractors across the globe,look for existing laser-based exploratory programs to continue and for new ones to beenvisioned and put into at least the planning stage.
BAE Systems’ Tactical Laser System couples asolid-state high-energy laser weapon modulewith the existing Mk 38 naval machine gunsystem. Courtesy of BAE Systems
112_Laser Feat Trends Feat_Layout 1 1/6/12 10:51 AM Page 92
ATTEND THE WORLD’S LEADING EVENT FOR
Advancing Optical Solutions in Telecom, Datacom, Computing and More!
780+ PRESENTATIONS
500+ EXHIBITS✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Register for Your Full Conference Package BY FEBRUARY 6 and Save Up to $115!
TECHNICAL CONFERENCE March 4–8, 2012 EXPOSITION March 6–8, 2012
LOS ANGELES CONVENTION CENTERLos Angeles, California, USA
WWW.OFCNFOEC.ORG/TC
SCAN THIS QR CODE TO VIEW VIDEO
DING AELTTEND THE WA
VENT FEDING TTEND THE W
ORVENT FORLD’S
AS, Uainrofila, Cselegns AoLN COITNEVNOS CELEGNS AOL
0, 28–h 6craMNOIITSOPXEECNEREFNOCLACINHCET
RETNEN C
210210, 28–h 4craM
tacDaSolutions in T
ancing Optical dvADING AEL
omputing om, CtacSolutions in T
ancing Optical VENT FEDING
omputing om, elecTTe
ancing Optical ORVENT F
onic intigh-speed photH✓
s netweleswireline-ir W✓
yal efficiencspectrection fent detoherC✓
xingtial multiplepaS✓
orkseen netw Gr✓
ondy 100G and be✓
STIBIHX+ E005
ATNEESRP0+87
tionaegronic int
orkings netw
yor high ection f
ONSITAAT
and Mor
e!and Mor
e!nd MorA✓
orkinger netwentta caD✓
igh-speed phot
orking
egr
112_OSA_Pg93_Layout 1 1/6/12 11:13 AM Page 93
A Brave New World of Photonics
BY GARY BOAS, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
FAR-FLUNG TRENDS
We’ve talked about current trends in the industry, about the
optics of tomorrow. But what about tomorrow’s tomorrow?
What technologies will shape our livesin the next 20 to 50 years?
Photonics Spectra January 201294
112_Far-Flung Trends_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:23 PM Page 94
L et’s just get this out of the way now:We aren’t going to see flying cars in the next 20 to 50 years. I know,
I know, Back to the Future Part II (1989)told us we’d be rocketing around insouped-up DeLoreans within MartyMcFly’s lifetime. But that movie told usall kinds of things – such as faxes wouldbe the preferred form of communicationin the 21st century.
The good news is that we will see abroad range of optics-based innovations in the automotive industry that don’t involve flying. One example: the total elimination of blind spots using camerasand software specially developed to com-bine imaging data, even allowing drivers to see around objects.
Another: autonomous driving. Imagineyour car driving itself around town, know-ing not only where it’s going, but alsowhen the traffic light is about to change,which of the pedestrians on the sidewalkis likely to step into the street, and whythat joker in front of you isn’t driving any faster.
Photonics, interleaved with other typesof technology, will play a key role in en-abling autonomous driving, said ThomasM. Baer, executive director of the StanfordPhotonics Research Center in California.Ranging and imaging systems will providea continuous stream of information aboutthe current status of pedestrians and other
potential obstacles, updating 3-D databases– much like Google Maps – that character-ize the local environment down to a fewcentimeters. At the same time, intercommu-nication with other vehicles through opticalconnects will provide information aboutwhat those vehicles are doing – informationabout when and even why they are acceler-ating or braking, for example.
This isn’t just a fantasy, the subject of some long-forgotten attraction in Disney’s Tomorrowland. “I’m glad youasked about that particular time frame,”said Sven A. Beiker, executive director of the Center for Automotive Research atStanford, when I inquired about automo-tive applications of optics in the comingdecades, “because 20 to 50 years fromnow, we really will see fully autonomousvehicles.”
Beiker and Baer know what they’retalking about. The centers are joiningforces to improve vision-based vehiclesystems even further. Stanford has beenat the forefront of autonomous driving research for some time – famously sosince the Stanford Racing Team and itscar, Stanley, won the 2005 DARPA GrandChallenge, the goal of which is to fundresearch to develop autonomous vehicletechnology that will help to keep soldiersoff the battlefield (see “On the Road withJunior: A tale of optics and driverlesscars,” Photonics Spectra, October 2010,p. 34). Many of the systems that will facilitate autonomous driving in the future can already be found in their research vehicles.
Of course, what works in research vehicles isn’t necessarily appropriate for production cars. For example, bothStanley and Junior, Stanford’s next-generation autonomous vehicle, whichplaced second in the 2007 DARPA UrbanChallenge held at the former George AirForce Base in Victorville, Calif., reliedon arrays of sensors and positioning systems, housed in a mechanical device,that sit atop the cars.
Junior 2’s sensor suite centers on aVelodyne HDL-64E S2 lidar sensor thatprovides 1.3 million returns per secondfrom 64 beams, with a range of ~100 m. It also includes six Bosch production au-
95Photonics Spectra January 2012
Vehicle-to-vehicle andvehicle-to-infrastructure
communication ... couldhelp reduce congestion,facilitating a smooth flowof traffic with an intricate
ballet of cars, trucks and pedestrians.
General Motors’ EN-Vconcept car is based on the two-wheeled Segway platform and can be driven manually or autonomously. ©General Motors Co.
112_Far-Flung Trends_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:23 PM Page 95
tomotive radar units for tracking vehicles,especially at longer ranges, and two SickInc. LD planar lidar scanners for near-field detection on the sides and rear ofthe car. Four Point Grey Research Inc.cameras are used for passive vision: a Ladybug3 spherical vision head mountedjust above the Velodyne with six 2-mega-pixel cameras to provide a full viewaround the car; a pair of 2-megapixel forward-facing cameras for stereo vision;and a 15-Hz 5-megapixel forward-look-ing color camera.
But such a system could not be used in production cars.
“This is where we will need to see a lot of development and improvement ofsystems,” Beiker said, adding that cars ofthe future might rely on scanning laserswith no moving parts, for example.
Although the very idea of autonomousdriving suggests applications such as self-parking cars, which are being tested today,and fighting crime with David Hasselhoff,which, to my knowledge, is not, the im-pact of the technology likely will be mostprofound under normal driving conditions,with considerable improvements in fuelefficiency, safety and traffic congestion.
96 Photonics Spectra January 2012
Future Photonics
OLEDs and Lighting the
“Flying Future”Opinions vary as to whether and
when OLED lighting will replaceconventional incandescent and fluo-rescent bulbs. One recent report pro-jected a relatively anemic OLED light-ing market in 2020, for example, withannual sales of only $58 million; an-other saw a considerably larger $4.6billion market by 2016.
One thing we can say with a de-gree of certainty: With their uniquefeatures, including diffuse lighting,flexibility and color tunability, OLEDswill be more and more widely used indesigner lighting applications, wherecost may not be as important a factoras it is with general lighting applica-tions. Indeed, lighting designers arealready taking advantage of thesefeatures to create a futuristic sort of look.One example: Designer Ingo Maurerproduced the lighting project shownhere, dubbed “Flying Future.”
The DARPA Urban Challenge featured 11 driverless vehicle finalists competing in a race to complete a numberof maneuvers, including passing, parking and negotiating intersections, thus demonstrating the feasibility of autonomous driving. Shown are Stanford Racing Team’s and Team VictorTango’s (Virginia Polytechnic Institute)cars together at an intersection. Courtesy of DARPA.
Photo by Tom Vack, Munich.©Ingo Maurer GmbH, Munich.
112_Far-Flung Trends_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:23 PM Page 96
2 0 1 2 W E B I N A R S E R I E S
Expert BriefingsIn-depth presentations and interactive Q&A featuring top industry experts.
Coming in 2012!
FEBRUARY – CommunicationsSpeakers to include:Jeffrey H. ShapiroMassachusetts Institute of Technology“Quantum Theory of Optical Communications”
APRIL – Defense & Security
JULY – Medicine & Health
SEPTEMBER – Solar
NOVEMBER – Space
RegisterWatch for registration details, coming in February.
Previous webinarsTo access past Expert Briefing webinars, visit:www.Photonics.com/Webinars
To become a sponsor, contact your sales representative at (413) 499-0514, or email [email protected].
112_WebinarAd_Pg97_Layout 1 1/6/12 11:16 AM Page 97
So-called “smart cars” simply will drivemore efficiently than humans do now,using different and more sensible patternsof accelerating and braking. At the sametime, vehicle-to-vehicle communicationthrough optical interconnects will enable“highway trains,” with cars traveling veryclose to one another at high speeds. Thiscould lead to fewer accidents – with vehi-cles slowing automatically if a car brakessuddenly somewhere up ahead – as well as to increased fuel efficiency. Vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructurecommunication also could help reducecongestion, facilitating a smooth flow oftraffic with an intricate ballet of cars,trucks and pedestrians.
Even as optics-based and other tech-nologies take over control, however,driving in the future will involve a sortof partnership between vehicle anddriver, with an ongoing dialogue betweenthe two about where they’re going andhow they’re getting there. “Think of the human as the backseat driver to thecar,” Baer said.
For this reason, any technological developments in autonomous drivingmust be accompanied by research in nontechnical areas such as driver-vehicleinteraction. How much information mustbe exchanged between the people in thecar and the vehicle? If the car suddenlystarts to slow down, for instance, it willhave to explain itself to its passengers. At
98 Photonics Spectra January 2012
Future Photonics
Kenneth McCauley, vice president ofsales, marketing and business devel-
opment at Konarka Technologies Inc. inLowell, Mass., rebuked me ever so slightlywhen I asked him to describe what thesolar power landscape will look like 20or 50 years from now.
The industry is difficult to predict yearto year, he said, so looking that farahead can be like a rocket scientist whois a small fraction of a degree off in acalculation: This small error replicated bil-lions of miles downrange in the flightpath can leave you somewhere entirelydifferent from where you anticipatedending up.
“That said,” he continued, “I personallybelieve that 20 to 50 years into the fu-ture, and perhaps much earlier, distrib-uted electrical (and other) power gener-
Stanford’s Junior 2 uses an array of sophisticatedsensors to facilitate its fully autonomous driving.Courtesy of Stanford Artificial Intelligence Lab.
ation, much of it at point of use, will be-come so ubiquitous that we will ceaseto think of renewable energy as somethingnovel or unusual.”
And just as we’ll likely see flexibleOLED lighting integrated into architec-tural and interior designs, he hopesthat we’ll see flexible solar panels – suchas Konarka Power Plastic technology,based on a photoreactive polymer ma-terial that can be printed or coatedonto flexible substrates using roll-to-rollmanufacturing – integrated into auto-mobile surfaces and building envelopedesign elements, for instance. Such tech-nology could serve in any applicationwhere transparency, a color palette, lightweight, flexibility and off-angle energyharvesting are useful design/perfor-mance elements.
Bus Stops Powered by the Sun
Advances in organic photovoltaic technology allow for flexible solar panels, which suggest a range of novelapplications. Examples include a solar bus shelter (above) and the solar curtain that attaches to the outerwall of a building. In the future, we could see much more of such solar panels incorporated into the designof buildings and other structures. Image courtesy of Konarka Technologies. Photo by Ryan Hughes.
112_Far-Flung Trends_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:23 PM Page 98
112_OptronicsCo_Pg99_Layout 1 1/6/12 11:14 AM Page 99
the same time, there must be an intuitivemeans for the driver to communicate hiswishes to the car.
By 2030, 60 percent of the world’s 8 billion people will live in urban areas, putting increasing strain on the cities’ pub-lic infrastructures. With this in mind, Gen-eral Motors has introduced – in crowdedShanghai, appropriately enough – the EN-Vconcept car, based on the two-wheeledSegway platform. The EN-V, short forelectric networked-vehicle, can be driveneither manually or autonomously, the latterby combining global positioning systemand vehicle-to-vehicle communication and distance-sensing technologies. The autonomous driving capability can help reduce traffic congestion, and it even al-lows for self-parking – with the driverhopping out wherever he or she needs tobe and the car zipping off to find the near-est parking spot, returning when the driversummons it using a smartphone applica-tion.
100 Photonics Spectra January 2012
Last year, the US Navy and Northrop Grummantested a laser system that could track and lase moving targets, overcoming challenges including atmospheric conditions and waves.
The future of maritime laser weapons systems, as interpreted by an artist. The actual emission wavelengths will be in theinfrared range, rather than the visible. Courtesy of Northrop Grumman Corp.
112_Far-Flung Trends_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:23 PM Page 100
Arm phaser banks and photon torpedoes!
Admit it: When you think of weaponsof the future, you reflexively think oflasers, don’t you? Laser pistols. Laser rifles. Huge, planet-killing laser cannonshoused in space stations the size of a smallmoon. From Flash Gordon to Star Trek toThe Adventures of Pluto Nash, we havebeen conditioned to identify the future ofweaponry almost exclusively with lightamplification by stimulated emission ofradiation.
But how plausible is this? Are we reallylikely to see, 20 or even 50 years fromnow, soldiers running around like Dukeand Roadblock from the G.I. Joe cartoonof the 1980s, firing pulsed laser guns at allthe bad guys storming their secret base inthe New Mexico desert?
We almost surely will see laser weaponsin the future – a number of systems arebeing tested even as you read this – butthey likely won’t resemble those we’veseen in the movies and on TV. The notionof lasers replacing bullets, for example, isbasically a fantasy, said David C. Brown,founder, president and CTO of Halstead,Pa.-based Snake Creek Lasers. Instead, the applications envisioned for laserweapons include mounting the weaponson Humvees and other vehicles.
It may be some years even before someof these systems are ready to be deployed.Developers of the technology first willneed to address several major challenges,including integrating the many componentsof the weapons systems and managing thethermal effects associated with doing so.
A variety of groups are looking at waysto tackle these challenges. Some are grow-ing thermoelectric coolers in the form ofthin films, others are probing the possibil-ity of implementing massive microchannelcooling, and still others – Snake CreekLasers and MIT’s Lincoln Lab are pio-neers here – are exploring the potential of cryogenic laser systems.
Brown and colleagues at Snake CreekLasers reported a high-sustained-average-power continuous-wave and ultrafastYb:YAG near-diffraction-limited cryogenicsolid-state laser in the November 2010issue of Optics Express. In demonstrationsof the laser, pulses exiting the system ex-hibited a full-width half-maximum pulsewidth of 12.4 ps, an energy per pulse of15.2 μJ, peak power of 1.23 MW and aver-age power >750 W.
The advantages of using such a systemare significant, Brown noted. “One of the benefits of the cryogenic technology,
especially with the Yb-based lasers, is thatthey can be operated not only with highaverage power and perfect beam quality,but also with high average peak power.It’s kind of the ultimate laser weapon, because now you have complete controlover not just the beam quality or the pro-file, but also whether it is CW or pulsed.Effects can be produced that cannot be byCW-only operation.”
Besides relatively portable laser wea-pons systems facilitated by advancessuch as these, the future will bring uslarger ship-based and airborne systems,where thermal management is less of aconcern. Indeed, several are alreadybeing tested.
Last year, for example, the US Navy andNorthrop Grumman Corp. demonstrated a high-energy, solid-state laser defense system at the Pacific Ocean Test Rangenear San Nicolas Island off the coast ofcentral California. Installed on the Navy’sself-defense test ship, the USS Paul Foster,the system – dubbed the Maritime LaserDemonstrator (MLD) – tracked and lasedland targets, then moved on to remotely piloted, unmanned small boats cuttingacross the water, successfully disablingthose as well.
The MLD system, operating at about 15 kW, was built leveraging the solid-statelaser technology that the company devel-oped under the US Defense Department’sJoint High Power Solid State Laser pro-gram, which demonstrated the ability tolase at 100 kW of energy.
Dan Wildt, vice president of directed
energy systems at Northrop Grumman,said: “100 kilowatts is a ‘militarily signifi-cant’ power level because it enables a variety of force protection and strike mis-sions, including self-defense from threatsas diverse as rockets, artillery, mortarrounds, swarming boats, unmanned aerialvehicles and aircraft. It can also enable ultraprecision strikes from a variety ofground-, sea- or air-based platforms, forprosecution of enemy targets, while mini-mizing the risk of collateral damage.”
The open ocean tests also demonstratedthat the MLD can effectively operate in achallenging maritime environment, over-coming obstacles such as atmospheric con-ditions, waves and the motions of both thehost and target vessels, while also meetingprecision tracking and beam delivery re-quirements for self-defense.
If all this is conjuring up images ofStar Trek: Deep Space Nine’s Battle ofWolf 359, where Commander Sisko loseshis beloved wife to the cybernetic Borg,or of Freddie Prinze Jr. piloting the car-rier Tiger Claw against the armada of the catlike Kilrathi in the 1999 box-office flop Wing Commander, well, thatwouldn’t be too far off base.
Programs such as the MLD and theAirborne Laser Test Bed suggest a futurewhere battles are fought with lasersmounted on large, moving platforms, targeting missiles and drones as well asother craft with surgical precision.
It could happen. Indeed, it likely willhappen within our lifetimes.
101Photonics Spectra January 2012
Future Photonics
Researchers at Snake Creek Lasers are exploring the potential of cryogenic laser systems for military applications. Shown is a cryogenic laser in ultrafast mode being converted using a noncritically phase-matched LBO crystal, from 1029 nm in the infrared to 514.5 nm in the green. The company demonstrated more than 200 W of average output power. Without any focusing, the beam drilled through 2 in. of firebrick in 3 s. Courtesy of Snake Creek Lasers.
112_Far-Flung Trends_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:23 PM Page 101
102 Photonics Spectra January 2012
Optics & Optics Fabrication
High-Resolution Board LensesWestech now offers eight-element board lenses for demanding high-MTF applications. Focal lengths are from 2.1 mm with f/2 apertures. Most haveM12 � 0.5P threads and are available with or without IR cutoff. Other HRlenses are available with four- or six-element designs. Apertures start at f/0.8.Don’t pay catalog prices for OEM optics. Call Westech.
(585) [email protected]
www.westechoptical.com
Optical MetrologyMetrology Concepts introduces several new surface andwavefront measurement products. Applications include lathecalibration, injection molding, and form measurement offlats, spheres, conics and aspheres. Optical alignment andwavefront validated from the UV to the LWIR. Please visit our website for more details.
(585) [email protected]
Precision Optical Spanner WrenchesNew SPRO adjustable spanner wrenches are designed for strength, rigidityand safe operation. The SPRO wrench guide feature prevents disengagement,protecting valuable optical equipment from damage. Interchangeable flat orround tip bits are hardened and tempered tool steel, available in a variety ofsizes. SPRO-100 spanner: 9 to 132 mm; SPRO-200 spanner in three models: 9 to 185 mm, 9 to 325 mm and 9 to 510 mm.
(520) [email protected]
InGaAs Detector SeriesAndor’s iDus InGaAs detector series provides the most optimized platform forspectroscopy applications up to 2.2 µm. The TE-cooled, in-vacuum sensorsreach cooling temperatures of �90 °C, where best signal-to-noise ratio can beachieved. Indeed, dark current will improve moderately below �90 °C, wherescene blackbody radiation will dominate, while quantum efficiency of the iDusInGaAs sensor will be greatly impacted at these lower temperatures and willlead to a lower signal-to-noise ratio.
+44 28 9023 [email protected]/ingaas
Precision Optics and FiltersDSI is a premier global supplier of precision optics and the most durable thin-film coatings available. We provide turnkey optical solutions for the photonics industry. Our new IR narrow-bandpass (IR NBP) filters and long-wave pass (LWP) filters made with our patented MicroDyn®
sputtering process increase abrasion resistance relative to evaporated films. Applications include advanced gas sensing, FLIR imaging, medical imaging,biological sciences and spectroscopy.
(707) [email protected]
http://depsci.com
112_Spotlight_Layout 1 1/6/12 9:03 AM Page 102
103Photonics Spectra January 2012
Optics & Optics Fabrication
Unparalleled HP Sodium Light ControllersMercron’s unique line of sodium light controllers (ballasts) precisely regulatesthis most powerful, most rugged, most efficient light source used in machinevision inspection systems. High-pressure sodium lamps vie in longevity withLEDs and simply can’t be beat in B&W applications. Available in five models,ranging from 150 to 575 W and 120 or 230 VAC, all with an onboard powerfactor corrector.
(972) 690-6565technical.director@
mercron.comhttp://mercron.com/
hpSodium.php
Complete Turnkey SolutionsPG&O supplies complete in-house turnkey optics solutions, including precision and commercial components, thin-film coatings, fabrication and a large, readily available inventory of glass. Products include windows,mirrors, prisms and assembled optics from square, rectangular and circularparts to complex shapes and precision optical prisms. Ideal for military/defense, avionics displays, medical, life sciences, imaging, digital cinema,solar, industrial and astronomy applications.
(714) [email protected]
Manufacture of Low-Loss Optical Filters in the UVThe Leybold Optics HELIOS has demonstrated its ability to manufacture low-loss UV coatings for 193- and 248-nm wavelengths. HELIOS uses the PARMS (plasma-assisted reactive magnetron sputtering) deposition technique in conjunction with direct optical monitoring to produce smooth,highly stable, shift-free optical filters. Coatings for UV applications include a 51-layer laser mirror for 193 nm and a 90-layer multiple cavity bandpass filter for 212 nm. Both filters use aluminum and silicon oxides. In separate experiments, a co-sputtering technique was used to optimize the stress andlosses in hafnium oxide films for 248-nm applications. The stress in the mixedfilms was reduced by a factor of 8 compared with single layers.
(919) [email protected]
www.leyboldoptics.com
FluoroSRCH Mobile Fluorochrome Reference GuideUse your smartphone QR reader to learn more about FluoroSRCH, the freemobile fluorochrome reference guide from Chroma Technology. Availablenow for iPhone®, Android™ and Blackberrry®. Search and browse hundreds offluorochromes by wavelength, by A-Z list or by keyword. View spectral graphsfor fluorochromes and their recommended Chroma® filter sets. Share yoursearch results instantly by email.
(800) [email protected]
chroma.com
Hybrid LaserTable-Base™ Vibration Cancellation The latest addition to TMC’s STACIS® iX product line is the LaserTable-Base™
hybrid piezoelectric/air active vibration cancellation system for optical tables.It combines TMC’s patented STACIS technology and air into one integratedsystem to cancel vibration at both very low and high frequencies. The result is unprecedented levels of vibration isolation for the most sensitive researchon the most severe floors. (800) 542-9725
112_Spotlight_Layout 1 1/6/12 9:03 AM Page 103
Optics & Optics Fabrication
Automatic Centering Machine with RobotModel SPCM-M1-AT50 from Mildex centers and bevels lenses or plano workpieces in a fully automatic cycle, including loading and unloading of the workpieces by robot. The machine has two integrated lens holding pallets.Depending upon lens size, up to 600 lenses can be loaded for automatic processing. Once processing parameters are set by the operator, the machinecan run uninterrupted for four to eight hours. The small footprint saves factory floor space.
(585) [email protected]
NEW: High-Definition Spectrum AnalyzerThe new high-definition spectrum analyzer is designed to measure the entirespectral range, from 400 to 900 nm, at once, while analyzing emission spectraof any complexity. Our solid-state technology, with no moving parts, enablesthe HDSA to measure CW and pulsed light sources with absolute accuracy at3 GHz! Once again, demonstrating leading technology!
(585) [email protected]
www.toptica.com
112_Spotlight_Layout 1 1/6/12 9:03 AM Page 104
112_Find the Right Vendor_Pg105_Layout 1 1/6/12 11:17 AM Page 105
106
Data Analysis Software �Menlo Systems GmbH is taking orders for theTera-Lyzer terahertz (THz) data evaluationsoftware developed by LyTera. It enables ad-vanced data analysis and brings terahertztime-domain spectroscopy (TDS) experimentsto the next level. It is for the extraction ofsample thickness, enabling investigation ofsub-100-µm samples without the need for adifferential measuring setup. Simultaneously,complex terahertz material parameters of the sample are determined, allowing for a varietyof substances. Another feature enables analysis of multilayer systems in a standard THz-TDSsetup, opening the door for new experiments. TeraLyzer incorporates multistep procedureswhere, in a first step, the experimental THz-TDS data is imported into a time-domain pre-processor, minimizing jitter and amplitude drift-induced errors, removing signal offsets andoffering windowing functionality. Menlo Systems [email protected]
LED Evaluation Services Cree Inc. has unveiled its Tempo (thermal, electrical, mechanical, photometric and optical) services, a comprehensive set of quantitative and qualitative tests and analysesfor LED-based lighting fixtures and lamps. Theservices combine the company’s experience withcustomer LED systems and calibrated test equip-ment to provide LED lighting manufacturers andend users with confidence in product designs.They help lighting OEMs speed time to marketand overcome common design challenges. Theflagship service is the Tempo 21, a LED lumi-
naire test that measures and analyzes a final product design before submitting it for LM-79certification. Tempo 21 examines all aspects of quality that the company has identified ascritical. Test results and performance data are provided through the Tempo report.Cree [email protected]
Intracavity Mirror CoatingOphir Optronics Ltd. has announced that the CO2
Laser Optics Div. of its Optics Group has de-veloped an MMR-P intracavity mirror coating
for use in high-power CO2 laser systemsbased on multimirror-cavity optics. Thecompany says that the coating maximizesreflection (>99.90% for S-Pol), improvesperformance, protects highly sensitivemirror surfaces and prolongs product life.The OEM-approved coating providesgood P reflection (>99.80%) and totalrandom reflection (>99.85%) and is suit-
able for Cu and Si mirrors. It is ultraviolet-resistant and allows for a phase-shift toler-
ance of ±2 at 45° and >70% reflection for630 to 670 nm, for good cutting and cleaning
capabilities. It can be used as a total reflector oras a zero-phase-shift total reflector and can be applied to a level-changingmirror in two-tiered resonator systems.Ophir Optronics [email protected]
� Readout CircuitThe NSC1101 from New Imaging Technologies is a high-dynamic-range readout circuit thatinterfaces with photodiode arrays through flip chip bonding. In VGA format, it has 640 � 512pixels with a 15-µm pitch. It can accept a photodiode array with p-on-n or n-on-p. Because ofits proprietary Native Wide Dynamic Range of more than 120 dB, the sensor does not requireany setting or exposure time control. It can be used with all infrared sensing materials, including InSb, InGaAs and HgCdTe, and it can operate at a cryogenic temperature of 80 K.Another photosensing material that can be used is AsGa for terahertz and x-ray detection.The sampling stage can be ordered in an 8-in.-wafer form.New Imaging [email protected]
Fiber Lasers �NKT Photonics A/S has launched high-power Koheras BoostiK single-mode and single-frequency fiber lasers that offer up to 15-W output withlow phase noise and an ultranarrow linewidth for applications in atomicphysics, sensing, metrology, and light detection and ranging. Fibermonolithic and maintenance-free, they are supplied in an industriallyrugged air-cooled package that can handle 24/7 operation in laboratoryand industrial environments. They provide up to 10 W at 1.55 µm and15 W at 1.06 µm, produce low phase and intensity noise, and are burstnoise- and mode-hop-free. Many wavelengths are available, and fasttuning enables external stabilization. Applications include quantum op-tics/computing and phenomena, nonlinear optics pumping, laser-basedmetrology, and optical heterodyning and coherent communication. NKT Photonics A/[email protected]
Acquisition Drivers for Camera �Andor Technology plc has introduced acquisition driversfor its Neo scalable CMOS (sCMOS) camera within theMeta Imaging series of software for live-cell microscopyfrom Molecular Devices Inc. The drivers support Andor’snew camera technology within the Metamorph andMetamorph NX microscopy software platforms. The ultrasensitive, high-speed Neo sCMOS is a new tech-nology suited to live-cell imaging and offering a combi-nation of 1 e− read noise at 30 fps, a 5.5-megapixelsensor with a 6.5-µm pixel size and dual amplifier tech-nology for extended dynamic range performance. TheMetaMorph software suite from Molecular Devices isused in the bioresearch imaging community. Neo is sup-ported in Metamorph version 7.7.5 and in MetamorphNX, and drivers for each are available for purchase from Andor.Andor Technology [email protected]
IDEASBRIGHT
Photonics Spectra January 2012
�
�
112_Bright Idea Leads_Layout 1 1/6/12 9:04 AM Page 106
Multidetector Accessory
International Light Technologies (ILT) haslaunched the A803 multiplexer/data loggerinput accessory designed for its ILT1700 re-search radiometer. The device enables the ra-diometer to collect and record light measure-ment data from up to eight ILT detectors. Manycombinations of detectors can be used and canbe remotely mounted with custom cable lengthsof up to 100 ft. The included software displaysdata in real time on a PC and can be exportedto text or spreadsheet formats for further analy-sis in external software. A typical system in-cludes the A803, the ILT1700 with a USB con-nector, up to eight ILT detectors and a com-puter. Multiple-detector light measurement ap-plications include photostability (photodegrada-tion), germicidal (UV disinfection), solar radia-tion, phototherapy light source monitoring andplant growth (photobiology).International Light Technologies (ILT)[email protected]
1-Megapixel CCD CamerasPoint Grey Research Inc. has unveiled theGrasshopper Express GX-FW series IEEE 1394b(FireWire-b) digital cameras. The series has thesame compact housing as the original Grass-hopper and offers new features and a newhardware architecture designed to accommo-date a variety of high-speed quad-tap imagesensors. The first available model, the GX-FW-10K3M-C, uses a monochrome version of theKodak KAI-01050 1-megapixel ½-in. CCDimage sensor. The sensor features a broad dynamic range, low smear and a four-outputreadout architecture that allows the camera to
generate 1024 � 1024-pixel images at up to70 fps. Every Grasshopper Express camera isequipped with a 32-MB frame buffer, a 14-bitanalog-to-digital converter, and onboard tem-perature and power sensors to monitor camerastatus. Point Grey Research [email protected]
Raman Spectrometers
Hamamatsu Corp. has introduced two miniatureRaman spectrometers. The C11713CA andC11714CA offer spectral resolution of 0.3 nmand high throughput for Raman spectroscopyand surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.They comprise a back-thinned CCD image sen-sor, a driver circuit and optical elements includ-ing a quartz transmission grating. There are nomoving parts, so stable measurements are ob-tained at all times. The back-thinned CCD haslow etaloning, decreasing the chance of fluctua-tions in sensitivity. The C11713CA’s CCD imagesensor has 2048 pixels and sensitivity from 500to 600 nm, while the C11714CA’s has 1024pixels and 790- to 920-nm sensitivity. The spec-trometers measure 120 � 60 � 70 mm, makingthem easy to integrate into equipment. Theyfeature a slit size of 10 � 1000 µm.Hamamatsu [email protected]
Imaging System UVP LLC has announced that the BioSpectrumimaging system is now configured with the newMegaCam 810 scientific-grade CCD camera.Designed for a wide range of proteomics andgenomics research applications, the camera
enables enhanced imaging with dynamic 8.1-megapixel resolution and high sensitivity. It captures fluorescence gel images and chemi-luminescent Western blots, and its efficient ultracooled technology enables imaging of low-light blot emissions. The BioSpectrum’s Vision-Works LS software allows easy navigation withsimple one-touch controls for dynamic capture.The automated configuration enables selectionof multiple UV, white and blue light sources aswell as control of the motorized platform andchoice of emission filters, including EtBr, SYBRGreen and SYBR Gold as standard, set in a motorized five-position filter tray.UVP [email protected]
Machine Vision Lasers
The FlexPoint MVmicro and FlexPoint MVpicoseries machine vision lasers manufactured byLaser Components GmbH are line lasers forimage processing. The MVmicro models, devel-oped for stand-alone applications, measure 19 mm in diameter and are 65 mm long. TheMVpico devices, suited for integration into smartcameras, measure 10 mm in diameter and are50 mm long. Both are available at differentwavelengths and deliver output power from afew milliwatts up to 100 mW. Due to a specialmeasurement process, the MVmicro and MVpicolasers are classified in a lower class, meaningthat they are available with more power andstill meet laser Class 2 or 2M specifications. Laser Components [email protected]
3-D Video Tracker Specialised Imaging Ltd. has revealed a new
107
bBRIGHT IDEAS
Photonics Spectra January 2012
112_Bright Ideas_Layout 1 1/6/12 9:53 AM Page 107
version of its Trajectory Tracker video trackingsystem to precisely correlate high-speed videodata with 3-D visualization and measurementinformation. Designed to enable engineers andballisticians to fully understand the flight behav-ior of high-speed objects, the SI Tracker 2 buildsupon the performance of its predecessor withnew facility for fully motorized three-axis remotecontrol, pseudo-real-time scan correction andgreater accuracy, all in a compact, lightweightframe. Designed to house modern high-speedvideo cameras, the SI Tracker 2 offers durabilityand ease of use. It provides consistent and ac-curate tracking of objects in flight using a com-puter-controlled triggered rotating mirror posi-tioned in front of a high-speed video camera. Specialised Imaging [email protected]
Laser Beam Profiler
Cinogy Technologies GmbH’s CinCam CMOS isa laser beam profiling system that features anultracompact 1.3-megapixel CMOS sensor andRay-Ci beam profiling software. It provides ac-curate and fast laser beam analysis of continu-ous-wave and pulsed laser systems, with sensi-tivity from 350 to 1100 nm. The Ray-Ci softwareoffers ISO standards and complex analysis, suchas M2 measurements. The CMOS-1201 modelhas a ½-in. sensor with an active area of 6.7 �5.3 mm and a pixel size of 5.2 � 5.2 µm. Thefilter-mount camera outputs 8- or 10-bit pixeldepth and has a dynamic range of >61 dB. Ex-posure time is from 100 µs to 1 s. The CMOS-1202 version has a 1/1.8-in. sensor and an ac-tive area of 6.8 � 5.4 mm. Pixel size is 5.3 �
5.3 µm, dynamic range is >62 dB, and expo-sure time is from 50 µs to 1 s.Cinogy Technologies [email protected]
Laser Diffusers
Holo/Or Ltd. has announced the HM serieshigh-homogeneity laser diffusers. They are de-signed to generate a well-defined beam shape– square, round or any other user choice – witha statistically uniform intensity profile. Theywork with either single- or multimode beams,and incoherent mode overlap further increasesoutput homogeneity. For single-mode lasers,the TH (top-hat) product line is an optimal solu-tion for absolute pixel-to-pixel beam uniformity.The series can be designed for a variety of dif-fusion angles and for any wavelength in the ultraviolet to 10.6-µm spectrum. Other featuresinclude a high damage threshold and high tol-erance to misalignment and input beam quality.Holo/Or [email protected]
Confocal SoftwareVortran Laser Technology Inc. has completedverification of its Stradus laser functionality withµManager open source software that controlsconfocal microscope systems. The software al-lows the user to perform common microscopeimage acquisition protocols such as time lapses,multichannel imaging, Z-stacks and other com-binations of techniques. It works with micro-scopes from Leica, Nikon, Olympus and Zeiss.The flexibility and functionality of the Stradus
laser module allow it to function seamlessly withthis software. The Vortran Stradus-GUI softwaregives complete control of the laser to the user,who can adjust power, monitor key parametersand perform custom program scripts. Vortran Laser Technology [email protected]
CMOS Cameras
For fast and efficient automated optical inspec-tion of solar wafers, Baumer Ltd. USA has intro-duced its HXC20NIR and HXC40NIR CMOScameras, which measure electroluminescenceand deliver high sensitivity in the near-infraredspectrum. The company says that the camerasare twice as sensitive as monochrome technol-ogy at 900 nm, using electroluminescence to ef-fectively detect fractures and failures in the crys-tal structure of the solar wafer. The imagesproduced yield information on the effectivenessand structural integrity of each wafer prior tothe next processing step. The HXC40NIR modeloffers 2048 � 2048-pixel resolution with a 1:1aspect ratio. The HXC20NIR produces 2048 �1018-pixel resolution. Baumer Ltd. [email protected]
Infrared CamerasJenoptik AG’s enhanced VarioCam camera se-ries is available with image resolutions rangingfrom 320 � 240 to 1280 � 960 infrared pixels
108
b BRIGHT IDEAS
Photonics Spectra January 2012
112_Bright Ideas_Layout 1 1/6/12 9:53 AM Page 108
and can be delivered in the equipment pack-ages “head,” “basic,” “inspect” and “research.”The uncooled cameras feature thermal resolu-tion of better than 0.03 K and deliver highmeasurement accuracy. Multiple upgrade op-tions are available. The acquisition and thermalimage synchronous storing of global positioningsystem coordinates at the camera’s location in-crease the efficiency for planning and process-ing extensive inspections. Another feature, de-signed for comprehensive building inspection, is the determination of dew points.Jenoptik [email protected]
Stepper Motor Drive
The Idea stepper motor drive platform fromHaydon Kerk Motion Solutions Inc. now commu-nicates using an RS-485 data protocol thatovercomes the limitations of other methods,rendering the drive module suitable for indus-trial applications. The advantages of RS-485,especially for industrial equipment such as step-per drives, motor drives and servo systems, areits long data transmissions and immunity toelectrical noise. It uses “differential” signal linesfor limiting common mode noise coupling andtwisted pair cabling for cancelling out inducednoise current, enabling the stepper motor driveto communicate over a network of 1000 ft with-out termination resistors. The system architec-ture allows up to 256 addressable device nodes.The platform is small and RoHS-compliant. Haydon Kerk Motion Solutions [email protected]
Microscopy Illumination
Prior Scientific Inc. has released LumenLED, anillumination system for fluorescence microscopy.
It offers two modes of operation. In “constantlight” mode, a photodiode provides a closed-loop feedback mechanism to ensure short- andlong-term stability of illumination intensity, es-sential for quantitative experiments. For moregeneral imaging applications, “constant current”mode assures maximum illumination intensity.The modular system is based on a two- or four-position LED combiner directly coupled to thefluorescence port of the microscope to maximizelight efficiency and to avoid the light loss associ-ated with fiber guides. The system can bemounted onto most major manufacturers’ in-verted or upright microscopes using the appro-priate adapters. Up to 10 LED modules areavailable, mounted in the combiner and provid-ing up to four LED wavelengths. Prior Scientific [email protected]
AFM Automation Software
Asylum Research’s MFP-3D and Cypher atomicforce microscopes (AFMs) require no program-ming to perform advanced imaging and meas-urements. For more advanced, automated andout-of-the-box experiments, the company pro-vides Igor, a user-driven programming lan-guage. The new MacroBuilder interface allowsusers to easily implement Igor customizationwithout writing any code, by simply draggingMacroBuilder modules together to form macrosthat automate many measurements and analy-ses, and that can be saved and used repeatedly.Each module performs a specific operation,such as moving the tip to a position, collectingthermal data or displaying the next saved forceplot. Automation can range from simple taskssuch as making a sequence of measurements to more sophisticated procedures in which theMacroBuilder software makes intelligent deci-sions.Asylum [email protected]
3-D SensorSteinbichler Optotechnik GmbH has launchedthe Comet 5 Eco sensor for high-precision 3-Ddigitization. The modular construction makes itadaptable to various measuring field sizes andenables individual configuration for specificmeasuring tasks. The sensor is designed tomeet the increasing demands of industrial pro-duct development and quality assurance. Com-bining efficiency with user comfort, it featureshigher measuring speed than its predecessor,
bBRIGHT IDEAS
Photonics Spectra January 2012
112_Bright Ideas_Layout 1 1/6/12 9:53 AM Page 109
Comet 5. Data acquisition times for digitizationtasks are six times shorter with the CometPlussoftware, and the measuring speed is four timesfaster. The speed is an advantage in measuringin a vibration-prone industrial environment. Theuse of the latest computer hardware and soft-ware enables fast postprocessing of the mea-sured data. The sensor operates over a widetemperature range and features high stability. Steinbichler Optotechnik [email protected]
Single-Board Cameras
Matrix Vision GmbH’s single-board camerafamily, mvBlueFOX-MLC, is now available witha housing. Named the mvBlueFOX-IGC (indus-trial-grade compact), the series includes twomodels with two different back planes. The firstmodel features one mini USB interface, and thesecond, a further circular connector for the digi-tal inputs and outputs. For both connectors, thecompany provides a choice of cables of variouslengths, including bent and lockable versions,and versions suitable for drag chains. The hard-ware features are the same in the MLC and theIGC. There are CMOS sensors from wide VGAup to 5 megapixels, with global or rolling shut-ter, and C- and CS-mount lens holders are
available. For industrial integration, 1/1 opto-isolated digital inputs are offered. The camerasfeature automatic gain and exposure control. Matrix Vision [email protected]
Handheld Raman Spectrometer
B&W Tek Inc. has launched the NanoRam, ahandheld instrument for materials identificationand verification within facilities that are compli-ant with current good manufacturing practices.It is a compact Raman spectrometer and inte-grated computing system based on an open-systems architecture design that can support avariety of applications in multiple industries. Designed for nonspecialists, it operates single-handedly. The device enables pharmaceuticalcustomers to deploy instruments in volumeamong different sites and to efficiently analyzeactive pharmaceutical ingredients, excipientsand drug products as part of a manufacturingand quality process. It allows rapid developmentof standardized and validated methods to facili-tate 100% inspection for purity and quality, asmandated by government regulators within op-erational guidelines provided by US and inter-national pharmacopeia.B&W Tek [email protected]
Spectrometer Software
Ocean Optics Inc. has expanded its software of-ferings with the launch of Overture, a free spec-trometer operating platform for simple data andspectral collection. It is geared to users new tospectroscopy or to those who do not require themore advanced features of the company’s Spec-traSuite software. For use with most of the com-pany’s spectrometers, Overture’s standard func-tions include absorbance, transmission, emis-sion and intensity modes. Integration time andother spectrometer operating parameters arecontrolled via an intuitive user interface withicons and setup wizards. The 32-/64-bit Win-dows-compatible system allows users to manip-ulate how data is displayed using tools such assmoothing, snapshot and zoom, and it permitssimultaneous viewing of two graphs for compar-ison. Ocean Optics [email protected]
Bandwidth Enhancer Enterprise, campus and dispersed data centernetwork expansions increasingly extend fiberlinks directly to the end user. Cube Optics AGhas recognized the need to upgrade bandwidthsand to implement 40- and 100-Gb/s links,
110
b
Breakthrough, practical,
energy-saving solutions for
OEM customers worldwide!
Products are suitable for long life dedicated applications, OEM, built into an instrument or portable systems.
Products You Trust ... Performance You Deserve ... Prices You Expect
BRIGHT IDEAS
Photonics Spectra January 2012
See us at Photonics West, January 24-26, 2012, Booth #2533
112_Bright Ideas_Layout 1 1/6/12 9:53 AM Page 110
while participating in setting the IEEE 802.3bastandard for pluggable 40- and 100-G trans-ceivers. The Network Cube optical layer multi-plexing solutions are a means of adding neededbandwidth while preserving continuous and un-encumbered operation of legacy services. In-stalling the new 40- and 100-G Base-LR4 trans-ceivers over existing multiple 10-Gb/s densewavelength division multiplexing metro links defeats the intended bandwidth augmentation,leading to a bandwidth decrease. Cube Optics [email protected]
Terahertz SpectrometerEmcore Corp. has released its PB7200 portablefrequency domain terahertz spectrometer for re-searchers and application developers who needto study the properties of materials at terahertzfrequencies with high resolution. Key applica-tions are explosives characterization and detec-tion, and nondestructive materials inspection.The spectrometer can sweep from 100 GHz to>2 THz in a single rapid scan with high-fre-quency resolution. It uses precisely tuned fiber-coupled semiconductor lasers with photomixersfor signal generation and detection, and it fea-tures sophisticated digital control hardware and
software to provide a fully turnkey portable in-strument. The spectrometer can support single-or broadband-frequency-range operation inspecific spectral regions of interest with varyingdegrees of resolution. Emcore [email protected]
LED Prototypes for Headlights
Osram Opto Semiconductors has developed twoLED prototypes for headlight manufacturers thatcombine new chip and package technologies toprovide high light output, even at high currents;a uniform light pattern; thermal stability; and agood contrast ratio. The Oslon Black Flat isequipped with a ceramic converter and a quadflat no-lead package. Typical thermal resistanceis 5 K/W. The black package represents highstability because the coefficient of thermal ex-pansion of the LED matches that of the metalcore board. The flattop, lens-free design is suit-
able for the close coupling required for light-guide designs. The Ostar Headlamp Pro meetsa variety of requirements in terms of output andadaptability to ambient conditions.Osram Opto Semiconductors [email protected]
Frame Grabber
Epix Inc.’s PIXCI E8 frame grabber supports fastCamera Link cameras and more than 900 ex-tended, full, medium, base, dual-base andpower over Camera Link configurations. The in-strument offers 64-bit addressing, enabling cap-ture of images to terabytes of computer memoryor disk drives. Multiple PIXCI E8 frame grabberscan be used in a computer to capture from mul-
111
bBRIGHT IDEAS
Photonics Spectra January 2012
112_Bright Ideas_Layout 1 1/6/12 9:53 AM Page 111
tiple cameras or to capture from cameras withmore than two Camera Link connectors. Theframe grabber is supplied with the XCAP-Liteimaging program.Epix [email protected]
Wedge Prism Pairs
REO is offering a family of matched Risley(wedge) prism pairs to enable high-accuracylaser beam steering in military, industrial andinstrumentation applications. Beam steering ac-curacy with the coated optics is dependent uponclose matching of the prisms in a pair. The com-pany matches prism pair wedge angles to <0.5arcsec and bulk material indices of refraction,and controls internal coating layer stresses toguarantee that the deposition process does notdegrade the transmitted wavefront perform-ance, which is specified at <�/10 at 632.8 nm.The Risley prism pairs also feature low scatter,low-loss surfaces with 10-5 scratch-dig surfacequality to maximize throughput and laser dam-age threshold. [email protected]
Plasma System
Plasma Etch has introduced a plasma systemthat incorporates two individual plasma etch-ing/cleaning-type-mode technologies into onecomplete stand-alone plasma etching/cleaningsystem. The PE-100 Convertible allows the user
to switch between reactive ion etch anisotropic-type etching mode applications and isotropic-type etching/cleaning mode applications. Thesystem is suitable for use in research and devel-opment, medical devices, solar cells, optics,printed circuit boards, microelectromechanicalsystems, nanotechnology, life sciences, waferlevel packaging and laboratory applications as well as many other related semiconductorprocesses.Plasma [email protected]
UV Centrifuge Cell Windows
Sapphire and single-crystal quartz cell windowsfor Beckman and other centrifuges are availablefrom Meller Optics Inc. The windows are madefrom sapphire to resist chemicals and scratchingand to withstand high pressure. The single-crys-tal quartz types are for less demanding applica-tions. Measuring 19.03 ±0.03 mm in diameterand 0.5 mm ±0.10 mm thick, the ultravioletcell windows are scribed on their edges with theprojection of the optic axis to simplify align-ment. Suitable for OEM and replacement appli-cations, they are available wedged 1° or 2° andplano, with chamfers 0.20/0 mm/0.50 mm �45° in two places. Surface finishes are 30-5scratch-dig for sapphire windows and 10-5 forsingle-crystal quartz, within a central clear aper-ture of 16 mm. Meller Optics [email protected]
Thermal Imaging Camera
The SC660 thermal imaging camera manufac-tured by Flir Advanced Thermal Solutions offersgood thermal and visual image quality, spot
112
b BRIGHT IDEAS
Photonics Spectra January 2012
112_Bright Ideas_Layout 1 1/6/12 9:53 AM Page 112
size resolution and temperature measurementaccuracy. Suitable for laboratory, engineeringand field applications, it includes a high-defini-tion 640 � 480-pixel infrared detector that de-livers high sensitivity and high resolution. Pro-prietary “dynamic detail enhancement” tech-nology improves the sharpness of thermal im-ages. An integrated 3.2-megapixel digital videocamera aids in data presentation. Infrared andvisual images can be stored in standard jpegformats. A 5.6-in. wide-screen LCD enableseasy on-camera viewing of images. Using aFireWire interface, the SC660 can transfer 14-bit radiometric data directly onto high-capacitySD cards or to a PC for real-time analysis ofcaptured images. Flir Advanced Thermal [email protected]
Shape Analysis Library
The SAL3D enhanced 3D Shape Analysis Libraryfrom Aqsense SL is a standard software libraryfor range maps and cloud-of-points acquisitionand processing, fully oriented to 3-D machinevision applications such as quality assurance,surface inspection, object detection, reverse en-gineering and volume measuring. The angulartool enables easy calibration for rotating cam-era-laser systems, providing a way to integratevision systems on robotic arms or angularmovement arrangements. It can be further im-proved with the new lens distortion add-on formetric and angular metric calibration, whichcorrects the distortion introduced by the cam-era’s lens. The area tool module computes thevolume of a scanned object, and the geometrictool provides functions such as angle measure-ment and plane fitting.Aqsense [email protected]
Scientific CMOS Camera
For high-speed live-cell fluorescence imaging,QImaging has announced the Rolera Bolt scien-
tific CMOS camera. Designed for low-light ap-plications, it is suited for biomedical imaging asmore research moves toward live-cell andwhole-organism studies at video frame rates.This includes motility studies where dynamicevents (e.g., zebra fish heart contractions, C. elegans tracking) must be captured with highspatial and temporal resolution. The cameraalso is suitable for life sciences applications thatuse fluorescent labeling, such as immunofluo-rescence, ratiometric imaging, high-speed cal-cium imaging, time-lapse fluorescence and fluo-rescence in situ hybridization. It also performsmachine vision and industrial imaging. Featuresinclude a high-quantum-efficiency 1.3-megapixel sensor with 3.63 � 3.63-µm pixelsize, read noise of about 3 e− and 30-fps full-resolution simultaneous readout. [email protected]
Thickness Measurement
Lumetrics Inc. has begun shipment of itsLumetriScan fully automated noncontact thick-ness measurement system for the medical in-dustry. The LumetriScan 360 can be used onmedical tubing up to 36 in. long, and on bal-loons of almost any size. The system is intendedto reduce inspection and scrap costs, improveyields and satisfy FDA requirements. Data ob-tained from the system ensures higher qualityand more consistent products and improvessafety, according to the company. The systemallows a product to be rotated 360° and scansthe length of an item, mapping the thickness ofthe entire body. The technique can be used totake a series of measurements along the lengthof a medical balloon at multiple pressures. Lumetrics [email protected]
Right-Angle Prisms
Edmund Optics’ TechSpec broadband antireflec-tion (BBAR)-coated right-angle prisms are suit-able for use with low-power lasers for a varietyof applications. Exhibiting a ray deviation of90°, they feature tight tolerances and a preci-sion N-BK7 substrate. When compared with un-coated or metallized right-angle prisms, those
bBRIGHT IDEAS
Photonics Spectra January 2012
112_Bright Ideas_Layout 1 1/6/12 9:53 AM Page 113
with BBAR coating greatly improve transmissionefficiency. They are used most often to bendimage paths or to redirect light at a 90° angle.They also can be used in combination forimage/beam displacement applications. Broad-band coatings enable the prisms to be used inapplications that employ multiple low-powerlasers. They are available in numerous sizesand multiple BBAR coatings to meet customerneeds.Edmund [email protected]
Laser Turnkey System
Integrated with the AL1500W or AL600W laserdirectly on the gantry, the X-Y-Z laser turnkeysystem manufactured by Alkras LLC includes aDell desktop computer preconfigured with CADand driver software as well as a secure steel
cabinet with access to computer, monitor andkeyboard. Integrated with the AL1500W CO2
laser, the system offers low maintenance andhigh reliability. Its cost is comparable to that ofwater jet or plasma cutting systems. It can han-dle heavy-duty operation with precision cuttingof sheets and pipes for processing materialssuch as metals, woods, plastics, ceramics andglass. The AL1500W produces high-quality edgecuttings for construction steel up to 10 mmthick, stainless steel up to 5 mm thick and aluminum up to 4 mm thick.Alkras [email protected]
Inspection Camera Teledyne Dalsa’s BOA Pro smart camera hasadvanced Sherlock inspection software for in-dustrial inspection applications. The compact vision camera provides an interface that offersmaximum design flexibility, a field-proven toolset, a JavaScript-based scripting tool, flexible in-dustrial communications and support for customoperator interfaces. It also offers a full-featuredoff-line emulator, a small form factor suitablefor tight-fit applications and an IP67 enclosurethat withstands harsh environments. Teledyne [email protected]
Systems ProcessorLaserLinc has introduced µLinc, a processor de-signed for integration with laser and ultrasonic
measurement systems. Its connectors, for allsystem input/outputs, are conveniently locatedon the back of the unit for scanning laser mi-crometers, encoder input and the UltraGauge+wall thickness system. Adding Linc to one of thecompany’s measurement and control packagesresults in a turnkey system that can be installedcleanly and quickly. The processor includes de-tachable screw terminals for digital inputs, relayoutputs, and analog input and output. It usesstandard computer components and runs onproprietary Total Vu software. Other options in-clude dual-video output, dual-LAN ports (withUltraGauge+ installations), internal 24-VDC
114
b
www.lacroixoptical.com870-698-1881 • Batesville, AR
ISO 9001:2008ITAR Registered and Compliant
• • • •
www.lacroixoptical.com870-698-1881 • Batesville, AR
ACHROMATS
Made in the U.S.A.
istyy ilauQerPngidonB
qP
.77.4479 1ecndnaionsice
evinsetxh etis weititnauqemulov-hgio he tpytotorP
9N6IW0W7•7 8•la.wwwLiq
N9I6W W6-0•78S TAMORHC A•S ENSEL
RWA•eSlMlMiMvMsSeItRaPB P1S8W1O8D9N vSeR81W8OD8N , • -Oomc.laictopxiorcla
!tcejort pxer nuoe ytous qt ueL.seitilibpaag cnitae cosuoh-n
evinsetxh etis weititnauq
SGEDEWR•AMS elliSvsIRet PaB•S W81O81D-N89
8020:1009SOIITAR Registered and Compliant
81 81-896-078orcla.www
RA, ellivsetaatB• omc.laictopxi
SCITPN OOISICERF PORERUTCANUFAMOMTSUC
.A.S.Ue htn ie daM
BRIGHT IDEAS
Photonics Spectra January 2012
112_Bright Ideas_Layout 1 1/6/12 9:53 AM Page 114
power and fault-tolerant storage. Mounting kitsinclude rack, DIN-rail, handles and rubber [email protected]
Ultrafast Laser
Vitara from Coherent Inc. is a widely tunableone-box ultrafast laser that delivers pulse widthsshorter than 12 fs. It offers hands-free and fullyautomated operation, including wavelength tun-ing from 755 to 860 nm and push-button band-width adjustment from 30 to 125 nm. The out-put power peaks at >450 mW because of thefully integrated and compact Verdi G 5-W pumplaser, which is based on proprietary opticallypumped semiconductor laser technology. The
125-nm maximum bandwidth delivers a speci-fied pulse width of <20 fs, with a typical pulsewidth of 15 fs directly from the laser output. Coherent [email protected]
Telecentric Lenses
Lensation GmbH’s TC5M series telecentriclenses are for tasks that require high precision.Designed for use in 2⁄3-in. CCD sensors with 5-megapixel resolution, they are available in vari-ous models for working distances of 110, 130and 150 mm. They are suited for inspection andmeasurement tasks with varying distances to thecamera, where conventional lenses could pro-vide different results, depending upon the dis-tance. The lenses provide low distortion andhigh resolution, rendering them suitable for usein metrology applications. Telecentric lenses en-able users to improve measuring accuracy. Onthe object side and/or on the image side, they
create an optical path parallel to the opticalaxis. Object-space telecentric lenses can detectobjects without any perspective distortion.Lensation [email protected]
Interface Standard Cameras
Imperx has announced a series of cameras thatuse the CoaXPress interface standard. The pub-lic royalty-free standard, administered by theJapan Industrial Imaging Association, supportsimage data rates up to 6.25 Gb/s using a singlecoaxial cable. The company’s new ICX camerasare based on the interface. Providing resolutionsranging from VGA to 29 megapixels, they cap-ture images at up to 260 fps. The CoaXPress interface offers high-speed, point-to-point serialcommunications for transmitting still images orvideo from a camera to a host system, typically
115
bBRIGHT IDEAS
Photonics Spectra January 2012
112_Bright Ideas_Layout 1 1/6/12 9:53 AM Page 115
a frame grabber. It provides a 20-Mb/s uplinkfor communications and control from host tocamera. The interface offers precise triggeringcapability and fixed low latency, and it can pro-vide up to 13 W of 24-V power to the camera. [email protected]
Extra Large Slide Scanning
Leica Microsystems GmbH’s SCN400 andSCN400 F line scanners capture the largestarea in digital pathology. This release in thecompany’s total digital pathology portfolio pro-vides a new level of flexibility, enabling thescanning of a wide range of samples on a sin-gle system. The scanners can capture traditional26 � 76-mm, double 52 � 76-mm and nowjumbo 113 � 76-mm slides in either bright fieldor fluorescence. Users of the SCN400 digitalslide scanner range can implement large slidescanning without hardware changes or physical
updates to their scanners. This advancement issuitable for research in neuroscience, toxicologi-cal pathology and for anyone dealing with largetissue sections.Leica Microsystems [email protected]
LED Design
RSoft Design Group Inc. has released its LEDUtility for LED designers. Because LEDs are usedin many applications, there is a demand for op-timized structures with higher extraction effi-ciency and improved color uniformity. The toolcan shorten processing time and save develop-ment cost by providing accurate computer-
based simulation and design optimization. Itsimulates novel LED structures and all materialsinvolved. With its flagship simulation tool Full-Wave, it uses the company’s CAD environmentto describe the geometry and material proper-ties. The CAD interface is a parametric designenvironment with 3-D editing capabilities tosimplify the description of complex LED geome-tries. The FullWave simulation is based on thefinite-difference time-domain algorithm, whichmakes it suitable for modeling the intricacies ofan LED structure.RSoft Design Group [email protected]
FLCPA SystemCalmar Laser’s Cazadero femtosecond fiberlaser chirped pulse amplifier (FLCPA) systemprovides users with full control of pulse repeti-tion rates and pulse energies to meet their ap-plication requirements. To run the gamut fromprecision surgical procedures to micromachiningprocesses, pulses also can be delivered in cus-tomizable burst mode sequences or in single-shot mode. The system was introduced for pre-cision materials processing applications in med-icine and microelectronics manufacturing. Itprovides up to 20-µJ pulse energies and offersmegahertz repetition rates with a typical pulsewidth of <500 fs. It delivers good pulse-to-pulse stability, a low-pedestal pulse shape, andan output beam with roundness better than80% and M2 <1.2. The laser is air-cooled and
116
b
PHONE: 415.883.0128 | FAX: 415.883.0572 EMAIL: [email protected] | WWW.SUTTER.COM
LAMBDA VF-5Tunable fi lter changer
Introducing the world’s fi rst fi lter changer to use tunable thin-fi lm optical fi lters. The Sutter LAMBDA VF-5 allows you to quickly access any center bandpass from 330 to 800nm in nanometer increments. Building on the VersaChrome® fi lters from Semrock®, the LAMBDA VF-5 maintains transmission over the tuning range of each fi lter.
Easy Wavelength Selection Wavelength range as wide as 330-800nm Keypad or computer interface (USB or serial)
Flexible Suitable for excitation or emission Easily switch between fl uorophore combinations Optional liquid light guide offers absolute vibration isolation Images pass through fi lters
Thin fi lter advantage High transmission Steep spectral edges High out-of-band blocking Polarization independence (s and p nearly identical)
NEW!
BRIGHT IDEAS
Photonics Spectra January 2012
112_Bright Ideas_Layout 1 1/6/12 9:53 AM Page 116
designed for stable operation in demandingOEM applications. Calmar [email protected]
DVI/HDMI Output for Cameras
For its Linux-based intelligent cameras, VRmagicoffers a back end with Picoblade connectors forEthernet, USB 2.0 Host, RS-232 and general-purpose input/output and analog video output.A printed circuit board (PCB) with digital videointeraction (DVI) or high-definition multimediainterface (HDMI) output can be connected to thecameras. The external board is connected withthe PCB stack via a flexible cable. Synchronizedimage recording and display is possible via DVIor HDMI up to 60 Hz. All of the company’s in-telligent cameras are equipped with the DaVinci
processor from Texas Instruments, featuring a300-MHz ARM9 processor running the Linux op-erating system, and a 600-MHz digital signalprocessor with 4.8 billion instructions per sec-ond that is entirely available for image process-ing tasks. [email protected]
Raman Microscope
BaySpec Inc. has announced enhancements toits fully automated Nomadic Raman microscope,extending its wavelength range to the 1700-nmnear-infrared. At the touch of the keyboard,customers can select 532-, 785- or 1064-nm orcustom wavelengths with automated laserswitching. The system features proprietary high-throughput Volume Phase Gratings and is con-figured with optimal cooling of the detector arrays to enable improved low-light spectral
117
bBRIGHT IDEAS
Photonics Spectra January 2012
See us at Photonics West, Booth #639
112_Bright Ideas_Layout 1 1/6/12 9:54 AM Page 117
measurements. The microscope offers a disper-sive design with no moving parts, an integratedresearch-grade confocal microscope, and com-plete software for data and image analysis. BaySpec [email protected]
Evaluation Module
Texas Instruments has released the DLP Light-Crafter evaluation module for integrating pro-jected light into industrial, medical, scientific in-strumentation and security applications. It wascreated to provide developers with componentsfor using reliable digital light processing (DLP)technology in new ways. It combines compo-nents with enhanced processing speed andpower in a compact form. Developers can cre-ate, store and display high-speed pattern se-quences through the system’s USB-based appli-cation programming interface and graphicaluser interface. At the system’s core is the refer-
ence design for the company’s 0.3-in. WVGA-resolution DLP chip set, which enables high-speed spatial light modulation. It has two maincomponents: the DLP3000 microelectromechan-ical systems device comprising 415,872 micro-scopic mirrors, and the DLPC300 controller,which provides a convenient user interface andensures high-speed operation of the micro-mirror array.Texas [email protected]
Reference Flats Working with high-stability materials such asglass, Zerodur and silica, Optical Surfaces Ltd.supplies high-precision reference flats that areused to measure the surface accuracy or thetransmitted wavefront of flat surfaces or optics.Benefiting from a thermally stable manufactur-ing environment, the company achieves a sur-face accuracy of �/20 peak-to-valley and sur-face roughness of <1 nm on reference flats upto 600 mm in diameter. The reference flats areused in high-precision applications in astron-omy, laser beam steering, inspecting gaugeblocks, and interferometric flatness testing ofprisms, filters and optical windows. Optics up to450 mm in diameter are provided with a Fizeauinterferometric test report, and larger flats andspheres are quality assured using the Ritchey-Common test.Optical Surfaces [email protected]
Mini Viewing Cabinet
The compact, lightweight CM-10MP mini view-ing cabinet manufactured by Spectronics Corp.is suitable for life sciences applications that re-quire high-contrast fluorescence analysis, forviewing thin-layer chromatography plates, andfor quality control inspection of printed circuitboards. Weighing 1.8 kg, it can be convenientlycarried from place to place. With its compact dimensions of 22.2 × 25.4 × 11.4 cm, the unit can fit easily into cramped areas. Made ofmolded high-impact plastic for rugged durabil-ity, it features a contoured eyepiece with abuilt-in ultraviolet-absorbing window for safeviewing. Openings on top of the cabinet accom-modate one or two MiniMax series UV lamps.The user places the cabinet over the lab sam-ples being examined, turns on the UV lampsand observes the bright fluorescence response. Spectronics [email protected]
118
b
Schneider Compact C-Mount lenses lockin calibrated settings, so focus and boresightstay true no matter now harsh the conditions.Offering virtually indestructible constructionand visible through near IR performance.
As small and robust as������������ can be.
Schneider KreuznachCompact C-Mount Lenses
In the USA: +1 631 761-5000Outside the USA: +49.671.601.205
www.schneiderindustrialoptics.com
BRIGHT IDEAS
Photonics Spectra January 2012
112_Bright Ideas_Layout 1 1/6/12 9:54 AM Page 118
Fiber-Coupled QCW Modules
Dilas has added 500-W water-cooled stackswith a numerical aperture of 0.22 to its line offiber-coupled laser modules. Providing a quasi-continuous-wave (QCW) operating mode with aduty cycle of up to 30%, the stacks deliver scala-ble output power up to 500 W at 808, 940 and976 nm from an 800-µm-core-diameter fiber,resulting in high coupling efficiency. Customwavelengths are available upon request. Thestacks are suitable for medical applications suchas hair removal. After a stack is installed in a
laser system, the fiber delivers light to the hand-piece, rendering it less sensitive to shock andeasy to handle. Devices are available with op-tional features, including an integrated pilotbeam, a fiber interlock and a user-exchange-able protection window. [email protected]
IQ Laser Module
Power Technology Inc. has announced an IQ(instrument quality) violet laser diode modulewith 250 mW of output power at 405 nm. Themodule delivers the accuracy and powerneeded to solve complex scientific problems andis designed to better serve the increasing needfor power, temperature and wavelength stabil-ity. Applications include laser-induced fluores-cence, microscopy, spectroscopy, lithography,data storage, flow cytometry, cancer detection,
remote optical sensing, holography and illumi-nation. Power Technology [email protected]
Digital Cameras
For bright-field and fluorescence microscopy im-aging applications, Olympus Europa HoldingGmbH has released the ultraresolution DP73and DP73WDR digital cameras. The multipur-pose microscope cameras leverage the com-pany’s expertise in pixel-shift sensors and high-end consumer digital single-lens reflex cameradesigns to generate detailed and true-color-reproduction images, achieved using 3-CCD
119
bBRIGHT IDEAS
Photonics Spectra January 2012
See us at Photonics West, Booth #5201
112_Bright Ideas_Layout 1 1/6/12 9:54 AM Page 119
mode and fine-detail process technologies. TheDP73WDR uses proprietary WiDER (wide dy-namic range) technology to ensure that eachimage area is always optimally exposed, re-gardless of any differences in intensity. Bothcameras include a high-definition live modethat renders sample browsing comfortable andfluid using the monitor. Active Peltier coolingprovides high resolution, accurate and vibrantcolor reproduction, and effective fluorescenceperformance. An improved sensor chip and apixel-shifting mechanism produce maximumresolution of 17.28 megapixels. Olympus Europa Holding [email protected]
Specialty Cameras and Software
PPT Vision Inc. has announced the addition oftwo Gigabit Ethernet-compatible specialty cam-eras as well as the release of Version 10.3 ofthe Impact software suite to support all camerasin its M-Series embedded machine vision sys-tem. The industrial-grade 8-megapixel, 4⁄3-in.progressive-scan camera, with 3296 � 2472-pixel resolution and operation at 10 fps, is suit-
able for inspections that require a high-resolu-tion, high-quality image and a wide field ofview. For color inspection, the three-CCD colorcamera has a prism-block assembly that sup-ports three 1/1.8-in. CCDs to provide 1620 �1236-pixel resolution, operation at 15 fps andgood light gathering. The cameras were devel-oped by JAI, the company’s strategic partner.PPT’s Impact 10.3 software offers a mode to automatically trigger a camera based on a user-defined time period.PPT Vision [email protected]
Laser Distance Sensors
The LDS30 laser distance sensors from Jenoptikare designed for applications that require in-stantly triggered and very fast data acquisition.
The compact sensors provide measurementrates as fast as 30 kHz at up to 250 m and ab-solute accuracy in the centimeter range. Themaximum range is achieved for measurementon special targets such as common retroreflec-tors. For natural surfaces with 10% reflectivity,the measurement range still covers 30 m. Thesensor operation is eye-safe, emitting invisiblelaser light at 905 nm. Applications include ob-ject detection, proximity sensing and altimeteroperation. The distance sensors can be used for2- and 3-D object scanning systems in industrialautomation. Constructed for system integration,they are available in a ready-to-install housedor module version. [email protected]
Active Coherence Stabilization Toptica Photonics Inc. has expanded its Blue-Mode diode laser family product portfolio to in-clude GreenMode and RedMode. The new mod-els deliver high power and high coherence froma single diode across the visible spectrum. Allmodels are available with proprietary CHARM(coherence-advanced regulation mode) technol-ogy for active coherence control. The BlueModedevices, used in inspection and metrology tasks,combine high power (up to 50 mW at 405 nm)and single-frequency operation. The BlueModewavelengths of 405, 445 and 488 nm are nowcomplemented by the GreenMode (515 nm, 25mW) and RedMode (638 nm, 30 mW; 685 nm,
b BRIGHT IDEAS
112_Bright Ideas_Layout 1 1/6/12 9:54 AM Page 120
25 mW) models. Blue/green wavelengths aresuitable for Raman spectroscopy and quantumcryptography, and red wavelengths are a com-mon choice for interferometry. Toptica Photonics [email protected]
Optical Measurement Microscope
Vision Engineering’s Kestrel Elite two-axis opti-cal measurement microscope, designed for useby engineers, is rugged enough to withstandconditions on the shop floor. The high-accuracysystem combines high-resolution, high-contrastimages with intuitive microprocessors to deliveraccuracy and simplicity for a variety of measur-
ing applications. It offers simple single-featureoperation, carries out complex componentmeasurement and performs noncontact sub-10-µm measurements. Small, intricate parts anddifficult-to-view samples, such as black or whiteparts or transparent plastics, can be viewed inmicroscope-resolution detail through the opticalviewing head. With a variety of new softwareoptions, the microscope can be used with a microprocessor or a PC tablet, incorporatingtouch-screen technology and part view mea-surement for simple feature-to-feature mea-surement. Vision [email protected]
Laser Diode Driver
Analog Modules Inc. has released its Model 784continuous-wave and pulsed laser diode driver,suitable for use in compact industrial and med-ical laser applications. The 50-A, 2.5-V driverrequires only 5-VDC input power. Pulse widthsare variable from 600 ns to continuous wave,with power capabilities up to 125 W with ade-
121
bBRIGHT IDEAS
Photonics Spectra January 2012
112_Bright Ideas_Layout 1 1/6/12 9:54 AM Page 121
quate cooling. The pump laser diode driver ismanufactured as a RoHS-compliant assembly,and military versions also are available.Analog Modules [email protected]
Surface Imaging Software
Digital Surf sarl’s MountainsMap 6.2 surface imaging and metrology software integrates Chinese GB/T standard references for surfacetexture parameter families, extending the “rightparameters wherever you are” feature to in-clude eight national references and ISO refer-ences. It also supports the new ISO 25178-72(OpenGPS) X3P data format and six others foroptical and scanning probe microscopes. Newfeatures speed up the creation of surfacemetrology reports and provide enhanced sur-face imaging and analysis. A new applicationallows users to install optional modules for ad-
vanced surface analysis and to try them free ofcharge for up to 30 days. A variety of modulesare available, including ones for advanced sur-face texture analysis in accordance with the lat-est ISO 25178 and ISO 16610 standards. Digital Surf [email protected]
Modulated Dual Combiner
Laser Lines Ltd. is offering a modulated dual-linelight engine manufactured by Cobolt AB and op-timized for high-end optogenetics research. Thisversion of the Cobolt dual combiner offers twoemission wavelengths for light-activated proteins– 473 nm (up to 50 mW) and 594 nm (up to100 mW) – from one small box. Via an inte-grated silent shutter, the output beam can bemodulated at up to 100 Hz with a rise time of<350 µs, with maintained 3% power stabilityand an rms noise of <0.3%. Each line can be individually addressed through a software appli-cation provided with the lasers, or through RS-232/USB communication interfaces. The
combiner is suited for optogenetics applicationswhere a high level of power stability and controlof the delivered energies are required. Laser Lines [email protected]
LED Flat Panel Downlights
Global Lighting Technologies Inc. has intro-duced a 2 � 2-ft sq LED flat panel downlightassembly that it says provides a brighter,lighter-weight and more efficient replacementfor the 2 � 2-ft fluorescent lay-in troffers usedin recessed ceiling lights. The OL2 series ceilinglights are UL-certified for the US and Canada.The downlights employ proprietary edge-light-ing technology, with 100 LEDs spaced alongtwo sides of the lightguide for optimal light dis-persion. Four models are available, with colortemperatures ranging from warm white to coolwhite (3000, 4000, 5000 and 6000 K). Bright-ness (luminous flux) ranges from 2050 to 2840
122
b BRIGHT IDEAS
Photonics Spectra January 2012
See us at Photonics West, Booth #817
112_Bright Ideas_Layout 1 1/6/12 9:54 AM Page 122
lm, with efficiencies from 45.5 lm/W at 3000 Kto 62.8 lm/W at 6000 K. Color rendering index is ≥75%.Global Lighting Technologies [email protected]
Digital Cameras
Vision Research has unveiled its line of Phan-tom Miro M-Series digital high-speed cameras,including the M110, M310 and M120. The 1-megapixel Miro M110 and M310 include acustom-designed 1280 � 800-pixel CMOS sen-sor with a wide-screen format that allows usersto keep objects in the frame longer and to seemore of the event they are recording. The M110offers throughput of 1.6 gigapixels per second,enabling image capture at up to 1600 fps at fullresolution. The M310 offers throughput of 3.2gigapixels per second and can capture up to3200 fps at full resolution. Reduced-resolutionimages are available at up to 400,000 fps forthe M110 and up to 650,000 fps for the M310.
The 2-megapixel M120 includes a CMOS sensorwith a throughput of 1.6 gigapixels.Vision [email protected]
Optical Fiber Identifier
AFL Telecommunications has introduced theNoyes OFI-400HP, an optical fiber identifier designed to simplify installation, maintenance,
rerouting or restoration tasks in high-power op-tical networks. It detects traffic, tones and haz-ardous core power levels with low insertion loss,enabling technicians to positively identify fiberswithout disrupting services. It also incorporatesan optical power meter designed for use wherepower levels up to 33 dBm are present. When-ever power levels above 23 dBm are detected,the device warns users of the potential eye haz-ard and fiber damage associated with discon-necting, cutting or breaking the optical circuit. Itis suitable for long-haul, metro core and metroaccess networks carrying coarse wavelength di-vision multiplexing and dense wavelength divi-sion multiplexing, analog video or other high-power signals. AFL Telecommunications [email protected]
Fiber Optic Switches
Agilent Technologies Inc.’s new optical switchesenable more cost-effective optical transceivermanufacturing tests and higher efficiency in op-tical component and cable verification. TheN7731A dual 1 � 4 and the N7734A 1 � 13
123
b
OSA Optics and Photonics Conferences and Meetings
Lasers, Sources, and Related Photonic DevicesOSA OPTICS & PHOTONICS CONGRESS29 January - 3 February 2012San Diego, California, USA
Advanced Solid-State Photonics (ASSP) www.osa.org/assp
Advances in Optical Materials (AIOM) www.osa.org/aiom
Fiber Lasers and Applications (FILAS)www.osa.org/filas
Laser Applications to Chemical, Security and Environmental Analysis (LACSEA)www.osa.org/lacsea
Research in Optical SciencesOSA OPTICS & PHOTONICS CONGRESS19-21 March 2012Berlin, Germany
High Intensity Lasers and High Field Phenomena (HILAS) www.osa.org/hilas
Quantum Information and Measurement (QIM) www.osa.org/qim
International Conference on Ultrafast Structural Dynamics (ICUSD)www.osa.org/icusd
Biomedical Optics and 3D ImagingOSA OPTICS & PHOTONICS CONGRESS29 April-2 May 2012Miami, Florida, USA
Biomedical Optics (BIOMED)www.osa.org/biomed
Digital Holography & 3-D Imaging (DH)www.osa.org/dh
Advanced PhotonicsOSA OPTICS & PHOTONICS CONGRESS17-21 June 2012Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
Access Networks & In-house Communications (ANIC) www.osa.org/anic
Bragg Gratings, Photosensitivity and Poling in Glass Waveguides (BGPP)www.osa.org/bgpp
Integrated Photonics Research, Silicon, and Nano-Photonics (IPR) www.osa.org/ipr
Nonlinear Photonics (NP)www.osa.org/np
Photonic Metamaterials and Plasmonics (META) www.osa.org/meta
Signal Processing in Photonics Communications (SPPCom)www.osa.org/sppcom
Specialty Optical Fibers and Applications (SOF) www.osa.org/sof
Imaging and Applied OpticsOSA OPTICS & PHOTONICS CONGRESS24-28 June 2012Monterey, California, USA
Applied Industrial Optics: Spectroscopy, Imaging, & Metrology (AIO) www.osa.org/aio
Computational Optical Sensing and Imaging (COSI) www.osa.org/cosi
Imaging Systems Applications (IS) www.osa.org/is
Optical Fabrication and Testing (OF&T) www.osa.org/oft
Optical Remote Sensing of the Environment (ORS) www.osa.org/ors
Optical Sensors (SENSORS) www.osa.org/sensors
Renewable Energy and the EnvironmentOSA OPTICS & PHOTONICS CONGRESS11-15 November 2012Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Optical Instrumentation for Energy & Environmental Applications (E2) www.osa.org/e2
Optical Nanostructures and Advanced Materials for Photovoltaics (PV) www.osa.org/pv
Optics for Solar Energy (SOLAR)www.osa.org/solar
Solid-State and Organic Lighting (SOLED)www.osa.org/soled
Visit www.osa.org/meetings for more information on OSA meetings.
For information about exhibiting at or sponsoring any of these targeted OSA events, please contact the OSA Sales Team at [email protected] or +1.202.416.1474.
BRIGHT IDEAS
Photonics Spectra January 2012
112_Bright Ideas_Layout 1 1/6/12 9:54 AM Page 123
optical switches are available for single- or mul-timode fiber optic connections. They make accu-rate measurements and render automation eas-ier with fast switching time and flexible controlwith LAN, USB 2.0 and GPIB (general-purposeinterface bus) connections. Features and specifi-cations include repeatability of ±0.01 dB, with±0.004 dB typical; switching time of <20 ms;lifetime of >1 billion cycles; 816 × VXI plug-and-play driver support; and an N77xx GUI(graphical user interface). The N77 series instru-ments are built on a common platform and pro-vide a common PC-based user interface. Agilent Technologies [email protected]
Quantum Random Number Generator
The PQRNG 150 from PicoQuant GmbH gener-ates provable randomness at high bit rates. Thefast photonic quantum random number genera-tor delivers a bit rate of up to 150 Mb/s, deliv-ered over USB, and long-term statistical dataquality. It is based on measuring the arrival
times of single photons, governed by the inher-ent indeterminism of quantum physics. Random-ness is an important resource in many areas ofscience and technology, including Monte Carlosimulations and secure data encryption meth-ods. Although randomness generated by a com-puter algorithm is predictable, quantum physicsprovides true randomness and unpredictabilityrooted in the laws of nature. The new numbergenerator provides access to this source of ran-domness at high speed by exploiting advancedphoton timing instrumentation and data pro-cessing in hardware.PicoQuant [email protected]
CMOS Image SensorPanavision Imaging LLC’s newly launched 3.2-megapixel CMOS image sensor, the Dynamax-11, offers global shutter technology that im-proves image quality for indoor and outdoorapplied industrial imaging applications. Thetechnology will be the basis for a full CMOSimage sensor product portfolio, targeting mar-kets such as machine vision, intelligent trafficsystems, security, surveillance, life sciences, sci-entific imaging, biometrics and high-definitionTV (HDTV) camcorders. The sensor offers ultra-high frame rates, a wide dynamic range, ultra-low noise, and global or rolling shutter opera-tion modes. Proprietary and patented ActiveColumn Sensor technology has advantages overCCD and CMOS active pixel sensor technology,
the company says. The imager features a 5-µm-pixel, 2⁄3-in. optical format with regions ofinterest in a 16:9 HDTV format. Panavision Imaging [email protected]
Digital Color Sensors
TAOS has announced the TCS3x71 and theTCS3x72 digital color RGB sensors with an in-frared blocking filter and a proximity sensor.The sensors provide color measurement and,when coupled with an IR LED, offer proximitydetection over a wide range of lighting condi-
124
b BRIGHT IDEAS
Photonics Spectra January 2012
112_Bright Ideas_Layout 1 1/6/12 9:54 AM Page 124
tions and through a variety of attenuating mate-rials. The IR blocking filter is integrated directlyon-chip and localized only to the color sensorphotodiodes. High-accuracy color sensing re-quires eliminating errors caused by the IR spec-tral component in light sources. The on-chip IRblocking filter minimizes these effects, elimi-nates requirements for external IR filtering, andenables the devices to perform ambient lightsensing (ALS). ALS instruments are used in dis-play-based devices to enable automatic back-light brightness control based on lighting condi-tions for optimum viewing and energyconservation. TAOS [email protected]
Spectroradiometers ASD Inc.’s FieldSpec 4 line of portable spectro-radiometers is designed for fast, precise spectraldata collection. The instruments operate from350 to 2500 nm and allow researchers to covermore ground faster and obtain high-qualitydata. The company says that improvements inthe short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) region en-able users to cover twice the area in half thetime. For applications requiring high precision,the new configuration provides good signal-to-noise performance, resulting in precise spectraldata with no increase in measurement time. Re-searchers looking at materials with features atthe longer wavelengths will benefit from the improved performance in the SWIR region. The
line consists of the FieldSpec4 Standard-Res, Hi-Res and Wide-Res models. ASD [email protected]
CCD CameraThe redesigned Infinity2-1 USB 2.0 microscopycamera has been unveiled by Lumenera Corp.Engineered for documentation and imageanalysis in life sciences, clinical and materialssciences applications that require high resolu-tion and sensitivity, the 1.4-megapixel CCDcamera offers low dark current noise. The com-pany says that the camera offers a significantperformance increase for quantitative and low-light applications over its predecessor. Reducedoperating temperatures combined with a higherdynamic range and 14-bit data output result ina versatile entry-level research camera thatmanages seconds of exposure time with a darkcurrent rating of <1 e–/s. For lower light appli-cations, the Sony HAD ICX205 CCD sensor hasa dynamic range of 64 dB, allowing users toimage unevenly lit samples. Lumenera [email protected]
TERS-Ready AFM System Bruker Corp.’s Nano Surfaces Div. has releasedthe Innova-IRIS, an integrated system for corre-lated atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Ramanspectroscopic imaging. Its ultralow closed-loopnoise, no-drift mechanical stability and wide-
open optical access make it a suitable platformfor tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) re-search. With hardware integration designed toaccelerate a TERS setup, and an IRIS softwaremodule that offers automated mapping, the sys-tem transforms AFM and Raman instrumentsinto TERS-enabled research platforms. It pro-vides a solution for routinely correlating AFMnanoscale property maps with Raman chemicalimages to address nanoscale materials analysisapplications. It leverages the performance andAFM head design of the Innova platform to pro-vide TERS-ready AFM-Raman integration suitablefor sensitive interrogation of opaque samples.Bruker [email protected]
bBRIGHT IDEAS
b ANOTHER BRIGHT IDEA
Advertise your new product in Photonics Showcase or in the Spotlight section of Photonics Spectra.
Reach all of our readers in these low-cost, lead-generating features.
Call Kristina Laurin at (413) 499-0514, or e-mail [email protected].
112_Bright Ideas_Layout 1 1/6/12 9:54 AM Page 125
Bringing light to life science.
BioPhotonics magazine presents the latest
global developments and techniques to
improve metho dology and solve problems
for researchers, physicians, product developers
and others in the fields of medicine, biology
and biotechnology.
Subscribe at www.Photonics.com/Subscribe
The perfect companion to Photonics Spectra magazine.
MICROSCOPY
SPECTROSCOPY
IMAGING
OPTICS
LASERS
112_BIO promo ad_Pg126_Layout 1 1/6/12 11:17 AM Page 126
FEBRUARYSPIE Medical Imaging (Feb. 4-9) San Diego.Contact SPIE, +1 (360) 676-3290; [email protected]; spie.org.
10th Asia-Pacific Microscopy Conference(APMC-10), the International Conference onNanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICONN2012), and the 22nd Australian Conferenceon Microscopy and Microanalysis (ACMM-22) (Feb. 5-9) Perth, Western Australia. Contact EECW Pty Ltd., +618 9389 1488; [email protected]; www.iconn-2012.organd www.apmc-10.org.
OPTRO 2012: Fifth International Sympo-sium on Optronics in Defence and Security(Feb. 8-10) Paris. Contact Anne Venables, 3AFExecutive Secretary, +33 1 5664 1230;[email protected]; www.optro2012.com.
SPIE Advanced Lithography (Feb. 12-16)San Jose, Calif. Contact SPIE, +1 (360) 676-3290; [email protected]; spie.org.
Biophysical Society 56th Annual Meeting(Feb. 25-29) San Diego. Contact BiophysicalSociety, +1 (240) 290-5600; [email protected]; www.biophysics.org.
Laser Safety Officer Training Course (Feb.27-29) Phoenix. Contact Laser Institute ofAmerica, +1 (407) 380-1553; www.lia.org.
DO 2012: Eighth EOS Topical Meeting onDiffractive Optics (Feb. 27-March 1) Delft,Netherlands. A European Optical Society event.Contact Renate Rebmann, EOS – Events & Services GmbH, +49 511 277 2676; [email protected]; www.myeos.org/events/do2012.
MARCHOFC/NFOEC (March 4-8) Los Angeles. The
Optical Fiber Communication Conference andExhibition and the National Fiber Optic Engi-neers Conference. Contact +1 (202) 416-1907;[email protected]; www.ofcnfoec.org.
SIAF Guangzhou, SPS – Industrial Automation Fair Guangzhou (March 7-9)Guangzhou, China. Contact GuangzhouGuangya Messe Frankfurt Co. Ltd., +86 203825 1558; [email protected];www.siaf-china.com/english.
Pittcon 2012 – Laboratory Science Equipment Conference and Exposition(March 11-15) Orlando, Fla. Contact The Pittsburgh Conference, +1 (412) 825-3220(local) or +1 (800) 825-3221; [email protected];www.pittcon.org.
SPIE Smart Structures/NDE (March 11-15)San Diego. Contact SPIE, +1 (360) 676-3290;[email protected]; spie.org.
CREOL @ 25 Symposium and Industrial Affiliates Program (March 15-16) Orlando,Fla. Contact Denise Whiteside, CREOL, the College of Optics & Photonics, University ofCentral Florida, +1 (407) 823-6800;[email protected]; www.creol.ucf.edu.
Research in Optical Sciences: OSA Opticsand Photonics Congress (March 19-21)Berlin. Includes High Intensity Lasers and HighField Phenomena (HILAS), International Confer-ence on Ultrafast Structural Dynamics (ICUSD),and Quantum Information and Measurement(QIM). Collocated with Laser Optics Berlin. Contact Optical Society of America, +1 (202)223-8130; [email protected]; www.osa.org.
Laser Optics Berlin: International TradeFair and Congress for Optical & Laser Tech-nologies (March 19-21) Berlin. Contact Messe
HAPPENINGSPAPERSAdvanced Photonics Congress (June 17-21) Colorado Springs, ColoradoDeadline: paper submission, February 14, noon EST (17:00 GMT)The Optical Society of America invites papers for its Advanced Photonics Congress, which will include:Access Networks and In-house Communications (ANIC); Bragg Gratings, Photosensitivity and Poling in Glass Waveguides (BGPP); Integrated Photonics Research, Silicon, and Nano-Photonics (IPR); Photonic Metamaterials and Plasmonics (META); Nonlinear Photonics (NP); Specialty Optical Fibers & Applications (SOF); and Signal Processing in Photonic Communications (SPPCom). Contact OSA, +1 (202) 223-8130; [email protected]; www.osa.org.
2012 Ultrafast Phenomena (July 8-13) Lausanne, SwitzerlandDeadline: paper submission, February 15Organizers of the 18th International Conference on Ultrafast Phenomena are accepting papers on pulse generation and measurement, novel ultrafast spectroscopic techniques, electro-optical sampling and detectors, and applications of ultrafast technology, including ultrafast near-field, nonlinear and confocal microscopy, and high-speed communication. Contact European Physical Society, +33 3 89 32 94 48; [email protected]; www.up2012.org.
Imaging and Applied Optics (June 24-28) Monterey, CaliforniaDeadline: paper submission, February 22, noon EDT (16:00 GMT)Papers are encouraged for the Imaging and Applied Optics: OSA Optics and Photonics Congress,which will include: Applied Industrial Optics: Spectroscopy, Imaging and Metrology (AIO); Computational Optical Imaging and Sensing (COSI); Imaging Systems Applications (IS); Optical Fabrication and Testing (OF&T); Optical Remote Sensing of the Environment (ORS); and Optical Sensors (SENSORS). Contact OSA, +1 (202) 223-8130; [email protected]; www.osa.org.
127Photonics Spectra January 2012
112_Happenings_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:50 PM Page 127
Berlin GmbH, +49 30 3038 2159; [email protected]; www.laser-optics-berlin.de.
Phosphor Global Summit 2012 (March 20-22) Scottsdale, Ariz. Contact Rebecca Kotsimpulos, +1 (207) 781-9616; [email protected];www.intertechpira.com/phosphor-global-summit-2012.aspx.
Laser World of Photonics China 2012(March 20-22) Shanghai. Contact MMI (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., +86 21 2020 5500;[email protected]; www.photonicschina.cn.
ETOP 2012: Education and Training in Optics and Photonics (March 29-31)Tunis, Tunisia. Contact +216 7185 6240;[email protected]; www.esprit-prepa.com/etop.
PSDM 2012: First EOS Topical Meeting on Photonics for Sustainable Development– Focus on the Mediterranean (March 31-April 3) Tunis, Tunisia. Contact Julia Dalichow,EOS – Events & Services GmbH, +49 511 2772673; [email protected]; myeos.org.
APRILFocus on Microscopy 2012 (April 1-4) Singa-pore. Contact Fred Brakenhoff, University ofAmsterdam, +31 20 5255 189; brakenhoff@
focusonmicroscopy.org; www.focusonmicroscopy.org.
Photonix 2012 Expo & Conference (April 11-13) Tokyo. Contact MitsuruTakazawa, Reed Exhibitions Japan Ltd., +81 3 3349 8549; [email protected];www.photonix-expo.jp/en.
SPIE Photonics Europe (April 16-20) Brussels.Contact SPIE, +1 (360) 676-3290; [email protected]; spie.org.
SPIE Defense, Security + Sensing (April 23-27) Baltimore. Contact SPIE, +1 (360) 676-3290; [email protected]; spie.org.
Optics and Photonics International 2012Congress & Exhibition (April 25-27)Yokohama, Japan. Includes Laser Expo 2012.Contact The Optronics Co. Ltd., +81 3 32693550; www.optronicsjp.com.
Biomedical Optics and 3-D Imaging: OSAOptics and Photonics Congress (April 29-May 2) Miami. Contact Optical Society ofAmerica, +1 (202) 223-8130; [email protected];www.osa.org.
MAYCLEO: 2012 – Laser Science to Photonic Applications (May 6-11) San Jose, Calif. Conference on Lasers and Electro-optics. Con-
tact Optical Society of America Customer Serv-ice – CLEO Management, +1 (202) 416-1907;[email protected]; www.cleoconference.org.
The Vision Show (May 8-10) Boston. ContactAutomated Imaging Association, +1 (734) 994-6088; www.machinevisiononline.org.
Mfg4 (Manufacturing 4 the Future) Conference & Exposition (May 8-10)Hartford, Conn. Contact Society of Manufactur-ing Engineers, +1 (800) 733-4763; [email protected]; www.mfg4event.com.
Quantum Interfaces: Integrating Light,Atoms and Solid-State Devices (May 14-15)Milton Keynes, England. Contact Jon Mackew,Institute of Physics, +44 20 7470 4800;[email protected]; www.iop.org.
Sensor + Test 2012 (May 22-24) Nuremberg,Germany. Contact AMA Service GmbH, +49 50 33 96 39 0; [email protected];www.sensor-test.com.
OPTATEC 2012 (May 22-25) Frankfurt, Ger-many. Contact P.E. Schall GmbH & Co. KG,+49 7025 9206 0; [email protected];www.optatec-messe.com.; www.convention.bio.org.
128
h HAPPENINGS
Photonics Spectra January 2012
For complete listings, visitwww.photonics.com/calendar
Lasers, optics, imaging, lighting and solar covered in every issue – in addition to our special content focus – targeted to
our 95,000 qualified subscribers.
April Content Focus: Defense & SecuritySpotlight: Optics & Optics FabricationSneak Preview: SPIE Defense, Security
& Sensing
Webinar: Defense & SecurityAd close: Feb. 24, 2012
May Content Focus:Consumer Electronics
Spotlight: Lasers, Laser Accessories& Light Sources
Sneak Preview: CLEO
Ad close:Feb. 24, 2012
Advertise in Photonics Spectra
Contact your sales representative at (413) 499-0514 or [email protected]
112_Happenings_Layout 1 1/5/12 3:50 PM Page 128
aADVERTISER INDEX
129Photonics Spectra January 2012
Photonics Media Advertising Contacts
Please visit our websitePhotonics.com for all your marketing needs.
Ken TyburskiDirector of SalesVoice: +1 (413) 499-0514, Ext. 101Fax: +1 (413) [email protected]
New England, Southeastern US, FL, Midwest, Rocky Mountains, AZ & NMRebecca L. PontierAssociate DirectorVoice: +1 (413) 499-0514, Ext. 112Fax: +1 (413) [email protected]
NY, NJ, PA & Eastern CanadaTimothy A. DupreeRegional ManagerVoice: +1 (413) 499-0514, Ext. 111Fax: +1 (413) [email protected]
Northern CA, AK, NV, Pacific Northwest,Yukon & British Columbia Joanne C. GagnonRegional ManagerVoice: +1 (413) 499-0514, Ext. 226Fax: +1 (413) [email protected]
Central CA, Southern CA & HI Tracy L. ReynoldsRegional ManagerVoice: +1 (413) 499-0514, Ext. 104Fax: +1 (413) [email protected]
Europe, Israel & South Central USOwen BrochRegional ManagerVoice: +1 (413) 499-0514, Ext. 108Fax: +1 (413) [email protected]
Austria, Germany & LiechtensteinOlaf KortenhoffVoice: +49 2241 1684777Fax: +49 2241 [email protected]
Asia (except Japan)Hans ZhongVoice: +86 755 2872 6973Fax: +86 755 8474 [email protected]
JapanScott ShibasakiVoice: +81 3 5225 6614Fax: +81 3 5229 [email protected]
Reprint ServicesVoice: +1 (413) 499-0514Fax: +1 (413) [email protected]
Mailing addresses:Send all contracts, insertion orders and advertising copy to:Laurin PublishingPO Box 4949Pittsfield, MA 01202-4949
Street address:Laurin PublishingBerkshire Common, 2 South St.Pittsfield, MA 01201Voice: +1 (413) 499-0514Fax: +1 (413) 443-0472Email: [email protected]
4D Technology Corporation .....................92www.4dtechnology.com
Aero Research Associates Inc. ................127 www.aeroese.com
Andor Technology .................................102www.andor.com
APOMA ...............................................122www.apoma.org
Applied Scientific Instrumentation........................................44www.asiimaging.com
Argyle International .................................30www.argyleoptics.com
Arroyo Instruments LLC ............................12www.arroyoinstruments.com
Asahi Kasei E-Materials Corp...................48www.asahi-kasei.co.jp
B&W Tek ..................................................7www.bwtek.com
Bristol Instruments Inc.............................113www.bristol-inst.com
Cambridge Technology Inc.......................15www.cambridgetechnology.com
Castech Inc. ..........................................121www.castech.com
China Daheng Group Inc.......................117www.cdhcorp.com
China International Optoelectronic Exposition.......................125www.cioe.cn/cioe/eindex.html
Chroma Technology Corp. .....................103www.chroma.com
Coherent Inc. ..........................................13www.coherent.com
Cooke Corporation Ltd. .........................CV3www.cookecorp.com
CVI Melles Griot................................18, 38www.cvimellesgriot.com
Dataray Inc.............................................63www.dataray.com
Delta Light & Optics...............................109www.delta.dk
Deposition Sciences Inc....................25, 102www.depsci.com
Directed Energy Inc. ................................22www.ixyscolorado.com
DRS Technologies Inc...............................53www.drs.com
Edmund Optics........................................23www.edmundoptics.com
Electro-Optical Products Corp.................110www.eopc.com
EMD Chemicals Inc..................................47www.emdchemicals.com
Energetiq Technology Inc. ........................28www.energetiq.com
Esco Products Inc.....................................24www.escoproducts.com
Fit Tools Inc...........................................102www.fittoolsinc.com
Fresnel Technologies Inc.............................6www.fresneltech.com
G-S Plastic Optics Inc. .............................46www.gsoptics.com
Gooch & Housego.................................108www.goochandhousego.com
GT Crystal Systems LLC ..........................116www.gtsolar.com
Hamamatsu ............................................27www.sales.hamamatsu.com
Hellma USA......................................8, 122www.hellmausa.com
Horiba Scientific......................................45www.picocomponents.com
ILX Lightwave Corp..................................89www.ilxlightwave.com
Imaging Solutions Group .......................112www.isgchips.com
Infratec Infrared LLC ................................20www.infratec-infrared.com
Intertech-Pira...........................................91www.intertechpira.com/phosphor-global-summit-2012.aspx
IPG Photonics Corp..................................85www.ipgphotonics.com
ISP Optics ...............................................61www.ispoptics.com
Jenoptik Optical Systems..........................37www.jenoptik.com/photonics-west
KDF Electronic & Vacuum Services Inc. .....40www.kdf.com
Kurt J. Lesker Co. ..................................115www.lesker.com
L-3 Communications SSG-Tinsley..............19www.asphere.com
La Croix Optical Co. .............................114www.lacroixoptical.com
Leybold Optics USA Inc. ........................103www.leyboldoptics.com
Lightworks Optics Inc. ..............................33www.lwoptics.com
Mad City Labs.......................................121www.madcitylabs.com
Martek Power Laser Drive LLC ..................81www.laserdrive.com
Master Bond Inc. .....................................50www.masterbond.com
Meadowlark Optics .................................14www.meadowlark.com
Mercron Inc. .........................................103www.mercron.com
Messe Berlin GmbH...............................104www.laser-optics-berlin.com
Messe Stuttgart........................................56www.lasys-fair.com
Metrigraphics LLC..................................119www.drc.com
Metrology Concepts...............................102www.metrologyconcepts.com
Mightex Systems......................................44www.mightexsystems.com
Mildex Inc.............................................104www.mildex.com
Newport Corp. .........................21, 57, CV4www.newport.com
nm Laser Products Inc. ...........................118www.nmlaser.com
Nova Sensors, a Teledyne Majority Owned Company.....................111www.novasensors.com
Novotech Inc...........................................50www.novotech.net
Nufern....................................................75www.nufern.com
Nusil Technology.....................................31www.nusil.com
Ocean Optics..........................................11www.oceanoptics.com
OFS Specialty Photonics...........................26www.ofsoptics.com
OPCO Laboratory Inc. .............................41www.opcolab.com
The Optical Society of America ................93www.ofcnfoec.org/home.aspx
The Optical Society of America ..............123www.cleoconference.org/
Optimax Systems Inc. ..............................83www.optimaxsi.com
The Optronics Co. Ltd. ............................99www.optronicsjp.com/laser
Photonics Media .............97, 105, 126, 128www.photonics.com
Photonis USA Inc.....................................76www.photonis.com
PI (Physik Instrumente) L.P.......................107www.pi.ws
Pico Electronics Inc. .................................36www.picoelectronics.com
Polymicro Technologies, a Subsidiaryof Molex .................................................77www.polymicro.com
Power Technology Inc. .............................54www.powertechnology.com
Precision Glass & Optics..................49, 103www.pgo.com
Prior Scientific Inc....................................30www.prior.com
Qioptiq Inc. ............................................43www.qioptiq.com
Reed Exhibitions Japan Ltd.....................120www.photonix-expo.jp/en/
Research Electro-Optics............................65www.reoinc.com
Rolyn Optics Co. .....................................52www.rolyn.com
RSoft Design Group...................................9www.rsoftdesign.com
Scanlab AG............................................29www.scanlab.de
Schneider Optics Inc..............................118www.schneiderindustrialoptics.com
Schott North America Inc. Advanced Optics.....................................39www.us.schott.com/advanced_optics
Schott North America Inc. Lighting and Imaging Division .................51www.us.schott.com/lightingimaging
Sensors Unlimited Inc. Goodrich ISR Systems ..............................35www.sensorsinc.com
Society of Vacuum Coaters ....................124www.svc.org
Stanford Research Systems Inc....................3www.thinksrs.com
Sutter Instrument....................................116www.sutter.com
Swift Glass Co. Inc. ...............................128www.swiftglass.com
Sydor Optics Inc....................................117www.sydor.com
Synopsys Inc. ..........................................71www.synopsys.com
Technical Manufacturing Corp................103www.techmfg.com
Tohkai Sangyo Co. Ltd...........................121www.peak.co.jp
Toptica Photonics Inc. ......................73, 104www.toptica.com
Trioptics GmbH .......................................32www.trioptics.com
Trumpf Inc...............................................67www.us.trumpf.com
Westech Optical Corp. ..........................102www.westechoptical.com
Yokogawa Corp. of America....................42www.us.yokogawa.com
Zygo Corp............................................CV2www.zygo.com
112_Ad Index_Layout 1 1/6/12 4:55 PM Page 129
p PEREGRINATIONS
To seek out the soft glow of new life and new civilizationsT he search for life on alien planets focuses largely on radio
signals – on keeping an ear out for transmissions from far-off civilizations. But what if we kept an eye out instead, in
the hope that the aliens literally have left a light on?If intelligent beings have indeed evolved around distant stars,
they likely have developed artificial lighting systems for the darkhours, and those systems could help us spot them, say AbrahamLoeb of Harvard University and Edwin Turner of Princeton Uni-versity.
Humans have moved from exclusive use of radio and televi-sion signals to broadcasting through cable and fiber optics aswell. If aliens have done the same, their signals might not be aseasy to pick up as before. So, as long as they haven’t evolved tosee in the dark, artificial lighting might be a better way to spotthem.
Loeb and Turner have proposed a mathematical method thatcould use ground- and space-based telescopes to detect light pat-terns from other planets. All we would have to do is measure thechanges in light from a planet as it moves around its star.
Artificial light sources such as incandescent lightbulbs, LEDsand fluorescent lamps have different spectral properties than sun-light, they said, and such emissions could show up right away ifwe only look for them, lighting the way to alien life.
When the planet is in its dark phase, more artificial light from
the night side would be visible from Earth than reflected lightfrom the day side. The total flux from a planet with city lightingwould vary in a way that is measurably different from a planetwith no artificial lighting.
Today’s state-of-the-art telescopes should be able to pick upthe light from a Tokyo-size city as far away as the Kuiper Belt, soif the aliens are that close, we already have the technology to findthem. “It’s very unlikely that there are alien cities on the edge ofour solar system,” Turner said, “but the principle of science is tofind a method to check.”
The key to extending the search beyond our solar system willbe next-generation telescopes that can detect phase modulation.But the artificial brightness of a planet’s night side would have toequal the natural brightness of the day side, which means thataliens outside our solar system would have to use brighter, moreextensive artificial lighting than we do on Earth if we ever hopeto find them.
If unusual light patterns should appear, the findings can be fol-lowed up with a complementary sweep for artificial radio signals,Loeb and Turner point out in their article titled Detection Tech-nique for Artificially-Illuminated Objects in the Outer Solar System and Beyond, which has been submitted to the journal Astrobiology.
130 Photonics Spectra January 2012
Caren B. [email protected]
Looking for artificial lighting instead of radio signals could help scientists spotextraterrestrial civilizations such as those depicted in this artistic representation.Courtesy of David A. Aguilar, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.
Tokyo glows a cool blue-green color at night, thanks to widespread use of mercury vapor lighting. Today’s telescopes could spot a Tokyo-size city in theKuiper Belt. Courtesy of NASA; photo taken by International Space Station astronaut Daniel Tani in 2008.
112_Peregrinations_Layout 1 1/6/12 9:05 AM Page 130
112_CookeCorp_PgCVR3_Layout 1 1/6/12 10:26 AM Page CVR3
112_Newport_InSight_PgCVR4_Layout 1 1/6/12 10:26 AM Page CVR4
