• Back Issues >
  • Laser Focus World >
  • Volume 44, Issue 6
  • Volume 44, Issue 6

    Th 0806lfwintense
    Th 0806lfwintense
    Th 0806lfwintense
    Th 0806lfwintense
    Th 0806lfwintense
    Detectors & Imaging

    New Products

    June 1, 2008
    The Series 8000 793-MFP fiber-coupled diode lasers deliver up to 3 W of CW output power at 793 nm from a 100-µm-core 0.
    Th 0806lfw 60
    Th 0806lfw 60
    Th 0806lfw 60
    Th 0806lfw 60
    Th 0806lfw 60
    Research

    Are controls on exports of high-power lasers hurting U.S. manufacturers?

    June 1, 2008
    It is a painful reality that nations must carefully regulate the export and import of certain “dual-use” technologies that could be used as weapons of war.
    Th Cholton
    Th Cholton
    Th Cholton
    Th Cholton
    Th Cholton
    Optics

    Expanding horizons

    June 1, 2008
    Novel lenses and optics make light-field cameras viable
    Research

    The simple beauty of physics experiments

    June 1, 2008
    What really struck me when reading about these researchers was how necessarily simple many of these experiments were.
    Research

    Driving innovation

    June 1, 2008
    Speaking to attendees at the recent Photonics Europe meeting in Strasbourg, France, Ronand Burgess of the European Commission’s Photonics Unit said that photonics in Europe grew...

    More content from Volume 44, Issue 6

    Research

    LASER INDUSTRY REPORT

    June 1, 2008
    Scientists and engineers across Europe have joined forces in a unique collaborative effort to develop a new generation of high-brightness lasers that will transform the fields...
    Research

    FIBER OPTICS INDUSTRY REPORT

    June 1, 2008
    Planar-lightwave-circuit supplier for the fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), metro, and long-haul telecommunication markets, Enablence Technologies (Ottawa, ON, Canada) signed a definitive...
    Detectors & Imaging

    IMAGING & DETECTOR INDUSTRY REPORT

    June 1, 2008
    Fujifilm Dimatix (Santa Clara, CA), supplier of drop-on-demand inkjet printheads for industrial applications, announced that its cartridge-based Dimatix Materials Printer was ...
    Research

    Science and technical education - Presidential award honors teachers of math and science

    June 1, 2008
    The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is the highest recognition that a mathematics or science teacher can receive for outstanding teaching...
    Optics

    OPTICS INDUSTRY REPORT

    June 1, 2008
    Coherent (Santa Clara, CA) entered into a definitive agreement to sell certain assets of Coherent’s Auburn Optics manufacturing operation to Research Electro-Optics (Boulder, ...
    (Courtesy of Weizmann Institute of Science)
    In a basic configuration for four fiber lasers in a 2-D array, beams are coherently combined by an interferometric combiner in free space, producing two beams. These now linearly oriented beams are then spectrally combined into one beam using a linear diffraction grating, resulting in efficient power scaling.
    In a basic configuration for four fiber lasers in a 2-D array, beams are coherently combined by an interferometric combiner in free space, producing two beams. These now linearly oriented beams are then spectrally combined into one beam using a linear diffraction grating, resulting in efficient power scaling.
    In a basic configuration for four fiber lasers in a 2-D array, beams are coherently combined by an interferometric combiner in free space, producing two beams. These now linearly oriented beams are then spectrally combined into one beam using a linear diffraction grating, resulting in efficient power scaling.
    In a basic configuration for four fiber lasers in a 2-D array, beams are coherently combined by an interferometric combiner in free space, producing two beams. These now linearly oriented beams are then spectrally combined into one beam using a linear diffraction grating, resulting in efficient power scaling.
    In a basic configuration for four fiber lasers in a 2-D array, beams are coherently combined by an interferometric combiner in free space, producing two beams. These now linearly oriented beams are then spectrally combined into one beam using a linear diffraction grating, resulting in efficient power scaling.
    Fiber Optics

    FIBER LASERS: Fiber-laser power scales coherently and spectrally

    June 1, 2008
    Two methods for combining the output of several fiber lasers for the purpose of power scaling are spectral addition and coherent addition.
    (Courtesy Harvard University)
    The experimental setup for the zone-plate tweezer (inset), which is activated by the 976 nm laser-diode source, includes a second optical trap at 633 nm to load the zone-plate trap effectively, and a 532 nm laser to excite fluorescence in the trapped particles for the purpose of imaging.
    The experimental setup for the zone-plate tweezer (inset), which is activated by the 976 nm laser-diode source, includes a second optical trap at 633 nm to load the zone-plate trap effectively, and a 532 nm laser to excite fluorescence in the trapped particles for the purpose of imaging.
    The experimental setup for the zone-plate tweezer (inset), which is activated by the 976 nm laser-diode source, includes a second optical trap at 633 nm to load the zone-plate trap effectively, and a 532 nm laser to excite fluorescence in the trapped particles for the purpose of imaging.
    The experimental setup for the zone-plate tweezer (inset), which is activated by the 976 nm laser-diode source, includes a second optical trap at 633 nm to load the zone-plate trap effectively, and a 532 nm laser to excite fluorescence in the trapped particles for the purpose of imaging.
    The experimental setup for the zone-plate tweezer (inset), which is activated by the 976 nm laser-diode source, includes a second optical trap at 633 nm to load the zone-plate trap effectively, and a 532 nm laser to excite fluorescence in the trapped particles for the purpose of imaging.
    Optics

    OPTICAL TRAPPING: Zone-plate optical tweezer can integrate with microfluidics

    June 1, 2008
    The forces exerted by tightly focused laser beams can create optical tweezers for the purpose of manipulating small particles.
    (Courtesy of Colorado State University)
    Triangular patterns containing varying amounts of oxides of Co, Fe, Al, and Cs were fabricated on glass; each triangle contains a different single-metal oxide at each corner, with varying mixes elsewhere in the triangle (top). A triangle consisting solely of copper oxide is an experimental reference. Under 532 nm laser light, certain regions in the triangles show high p-type photocurrent response (bottom)—an indicator of the high effectiveness of those particular multimetal oxide mixes as solar-photoelectrolytic materials.
    Triangular patterns containing varying amounts of oxides of Co, Fe, Al, and Cs were fabricated on glass; each triangle contains a different single-metal oxide at each corner, with varying mixes elsewhere in the triangle (top). A triangle consisting solely of copper oxide is an experimental reference. Under 532 nm laser light, certain regions in the triangles show high p-type photocurrent response (bottom)—an indicator of the high effectiveness of those particular multimetal oxide mixes as solar-photoelectrolytic materials.
    Triangular patterns containing varying amounts of oxides of Co, Fe, Al, and Cs were fabricated on glass; each triangle contains a different single-metal oxide at each corner, with varying mixes elsewhere in the triangle (top). A triangle consisting solely of copper oxide is an experimental reference. Under 532 nm laser light, certain regions in the triangles show high p-type photocurrent response (bottom)—an indicator of the high effectiveness of those particular multimetal oxide mixes as solar-photoelectrolytic materials.
    Triangular patterns containing varying amounts of oxides of Co, Fe, Al, and Cs were fabricated on glass; each triangle contains a different single-metal oxide at each corner, with varying mixes elsewhere in the triangle (top). A triangle consisting solely of copper oxide is an experimental reference. Under 532 nm laser light, certain regions in the triangles show high p-type photocurrent response (bottom)—an indicator of the high effectiveness of those particular multimetal oxide mixes as solar-photoelectrolytic materials.
    Triangular patterns containing varying amounts of oxides of Co, Fe, Al, and Cs were fabricated on glass; each triangle contains a different single-metal oxide at each corner, with varying mixes elsewhere in the triangle (top). A triangle consisting solely of copper oxide is an experimental reference. Under 532 nm laser light, certain regions in the triangles show high p-type photocurrent response (bottom)—an indicator of the high effectiveness of those particular multimetal oxide mixes as solar-photoelectrolytic materials.
    Research

    SOLAR CELLS: Inkjet printer helps find photoelectrolytic material

    June 1, 2008
    While silicon and other photovoltaic solar cells get much press and are widely used, another lesser-known approach to solar-cell technology holds great promise, in particular ...
    (Courtesy of Stanford University)
    FIGURE 1. Serving as the core structure of a focal-plane array, a plane of silicon is made flexible by the addition of slots. Shaped properly, the slots result in thin springs that link each array element to its four neighbors.
    FIGURE 1. Serving as the core structure of a focal-plane array, a plane of silicon is made flexible by the addition of slots. Shaped properly, the slots result in thin springs that link each array element to its four neighbors.
    FIGURE 1. Serving as the core structure of a focal-plane array, a plane of silicon is made flexible by the addition of slots. Shaped properly, the slots result in thin springs that link each array element to its four neighbors.
    FIGURE 1. Serving as the core structure of a focal-plane array, a plane of silicon is made flexible by the addition of slots. Shaped properly, the slots result in thin springs that link each array element to its four neighbors.
    FIGURE 1. Serving as the core structure of a focal-plane array, a plane of silicon is made flexible by the addition of slots. Shaped properly, the slots result in thin springs that link each array element to its four neighbors.
    Research

    FOCAL-PLANE ARRAYS: Curved sensor array to help simplify cameras

    June 1, 2008
    As every camera-lens designer knows, the need to produce flat image planes drives up the mass and complexity of camera optics.
    (Courtesy of V. Zéninari)
    The QCL spectrometer measured concentrations of atmospheric N2O as the air temperature varied between 9ºC and 15ºC. Gray points correspond to measurements taken every 5 s while black points correspond to results averaged over 30 successive results.
    The QCL spectrometer measured concentrations of atmospheric N2O as the air temperature varied between 9ºC and 15ºC. Gray points correspond to measurements taken every 5 s while black points correspond to results averaged over 30 successive results.
    The QCL spectrometer measured concentrations of atmospheric N2O as the air temperature varied between 9ºC and 15ºC. Gray points correspond to measurements taken every 5 s while black points correspond to results averaged over 30 successive results.
    The QCL spectrometer measured concentrations of atmospheric N2O as the air temperature varied between 9ºC and 15ºC. Gray points correspond to measurements taken every 5 s while black points correspond to results averaged over 30 successive results.
    The QCL spectrometer measured concentrations of atmospheric N2O as the air temperature varied between 9ºC and 15ºC. Gray points correspond to measurements taken every 5 s while black points correspond to results averaged over 30 successive results.
    Test & Measurement

    SPECTROSCOPY: Quantum-cascade-laser spectrometer measures gases in atmosphere

    The ability to measure the gases that contribute to global warming, such as methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and nitrous oxide (N2O), is important...
    (Courtesy of University of California, Berkeley)
    A matter-wave cloaking system involves super-cooled Rb atoms within a three-dimensional laser-based optical lattice. The system causes matter waves traveling through the medium to bend around the atoms inside as though they aren’t there.
    A matter-wave cloaking system involves super-cooled Rb atoms within a three-dimensional laser-based optical lattice. The system causes matter waves traveling through the medium to bend around the atoms inside as though they aren’t there.
    A matter-wave cloaking system involves super-cooled Rb atoms within a three-dimensional laser-based optical lattice. The system causes matter waves traveling through the medium to bend around the atoms inside as though they aren’t there.
    A matter-wave cloaking system involves super-cooled Rb atoms within a three-dimensional laser-based optical lattice. The system causes matter waves traveling through the medium to bend around the atoms inside as though they aren’t there.
    A matter-wave cloaking system involves super-cooled Rb atoms within a three-dimensional laser-based optical lattice. The system causes matter waves traveling through the medium to bend around the atoms inside as though they aren’t there.
    Research

    QUANTUM OPTICS: Optical-lattice model shows cloaking of matter waves

    Invisibility cloaking of matter on the scale of the Romulans and Harry Potter is still firmly science fiction, but recent experiments have demonstrated optical metamaterials with...
    (Courtesy University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)
    The limit for quantum dense-coding techniques using linear optics and the polarization state of a pair of entangled photons is 1.58 bits. However, if both polarization and orbital angular momentum are applied to entangled photons using nonlinear crystals in a process called hyperentanglement, the channel capacity of a quantum-information network can be increased to 1.63—above the standard dense-coding scheme.
    The limit for quantum dense-coding techniques using linear optics and the polarization state of a pair of entangled photons is 1.58 bits. However, if both polarization and orbital angular momentum are applied to entangled photons using nonlinear crystals in a process called hyperentanglement, the channel capacity of a quantum-information network can be increased to 1.63—above the standard dense-coding scheme.
    The limit for quantum dense-coding techniques using linear optics and the polarization state of a pair of entangled photons is 1.58 bits. However, if both polarization and orbital angular momentum are applied to entangled photons using nonlinear crystals in a process called hyperentanglement, the channel capacity of a quantum-information network can be increased to 1.63—above the standard dense-coding scheme.
    The limit for quantum dense-coding techniques using linear optics and the polarization state of a pair of entangled photons is 1.58 bits. However, if both polarization and orbital angular momentum are applied to entangled photons using nonlinear crystals in a process called hyperentanglement, the channel capacity of a quantum-information network can be increased to 1.63—above the standard dense-coding scheme.
    The limit for quantum dense-coding techniques using linear optics and the polarization state of a pair of entangled photons is 1.58 bits. However, if both polarization and orbital angular momentum are applied to entangled photons using nonlinear crystals in a process called hyperentanglement, the channel capacity of a quantum-information network can be increased to 1.63—above the standard dense-coding scheme.
    Optics

    QUANTUM INFORMATION: Hyperentanglement beats photon-communications limit

    June 1, 2008
    Quantum dense coding allows a sender of digital information (Bob) to communicate a maximum of two bits of classical information to a receiver (Alice) by transmitting only a single...
    A 50 mW analog modulated green laser links the Anglican and Catholic cathedrals in Liverpool, England, as part of the European City of Culture 2008. The laser will carry audio between the two buildings as well as being a visible link between the two faiths.
    A 50 mW analog modulated green laser links the Anglican and Catholic cathedrals in Liverpool, England, as part of the European City of Culture 2008. The laser will carry audio between the two buildings as well as being a visible link between the two faiths.
    A 50 mW analog modulated green laser links the Anglican and Catholic cathedrals in Liverpool, England, as part of the European City of Culture 2008. The laser will carry audio between the two buildings as well as being a visible link between the two faiths.
    A 50 mW analog modulated green laser links the Anglican and Catholic cathedrals in Liverpool, England, as part of the European City of Culture 2008. The laser will carry audio between the two buildings as well as being a visible link between the two faiths.
    A 50 mW analog modulated green laser links the Anglican and Catholic cathedrals in Liverpool, England, as part of the European City of Culture 2008. The laser will carry audio between the two buildings as well as being a visible link between the two faiths.
    Research

    LASER MODULATION: Fast drivers offer fine control of green lasers

    June 1, 2008
    Controlling green lasers with the kind of finesse with which red lasers are routinely run is no mean feat.
    (Courtesy of Stanford University)
    The liver of an anesthetized nude mouse is imaged using Raman spectroscopy and Raman-active nanoparticles that are trapped specifically in the liver cells.
    The liver of an anesthetized nude mouse is imaged using Raman spectroscopy and Raman-active nanoparticles that are trapped specifically in the liver cells.
    The liver of an anesthetized nude mouse is imaged using Raman spectroscopy and Raman-active nanoparticles that are trapped specifically in the liver cells.
    The liver of an anesthetized nude mouse is imaged using Raman spectroscopy and Raman-active nanoparticles that are trapped specifically in the liver cells.
    The liver of an anesthetized nude mouse is imaged using Raman spectroscopy and Raman-active nanoparticles that are trapped specifically in the liver cells.
    Research

    RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY: Raman technique improves imaging 1000 times

    June 1, 2008
    A new noninvasive Raman-spectroscopy technique could enable the detection of even the most minute malignant tissues if applied to human use in surgical or endoscopy applications...
    (Courtesy of Australian National University, Canberra)
    FIGURE 1. A nonlinear tunable metamaterial (for microwaves) is based on a series of printed-circuit boards with split-ring resonators and wires arranged to form a superlattice.
    FIGURE 1. A nonlinear tunable metamaterial (for microwaves) is based on a series of printed-circuit boards with split-ring resonators and wires arranged to form a superlattice.
    FIGURE 1. A nonlinear tunable metamaterial (for microwaves) is based on a series of printed-circuit boards with split-ring resonators and wires arranged to form a superlattice.
    FIGURE 1. A nonlinear tunable metamaterial (for microwaves) is based on a series of printed-circuit boards with split-ring resonators and wires arranged to form a superlattice.
    FIGURE 1. A nonlinear tunable metamaterial (for microwaves) is based on a series of printed-circuit boards with split-ring resonators and wires arranged to form a superlattice.
    Optics

    MATERIALS RESEARCH: Researchers demonstrate nonlinear tunable metamaterial

    June 1, 2008
    A research team at the Nonlinear Physics Centre of the Australian National University in Canberra, reports that it has produced the first nonlinear tunable metamaterial and, using...