2025 in review: Laser Focus World's top-10 most-read stories
Once again, we at Laser Focus World take a look back on what articles piqued your interest the most. In doing so, it not only shines a light on what stories were the most popular—it also helps to guide us on topics where we can expand our coverage in the future.
View each most-read story, all of which were published in 2025, below:
Micrometer-scale precision: Error budgeting for high-throughput laser drilling systems
How can you determine and mitigate total system errors to design a machine that achieves both production throughput and process quality objectives simultaneously for via drilling with lasers?
The battle of LiDAR sensor technologies: FMCW vs. ToF
Among the various light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technologies, frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) LiDAR has emerged as a powerful alternative to time-of-flight (ToF) LiDAR systems.
Waveguide design holds transformative potential for AR displays
Waveguide technology is at the heart of the augmented reality (AR) revolution, and is paving the way for sleek, high-performance, and mass-adopted AR glasses. While challenges remain, ongoing materials, design, and manufacturing advances are steadily overcoming obstacles.
Germanium and gallium supply chain disruption escalates for U.S.
China bans exports of gallium and germanium, critical materials for optics and photonics, to the U.S.
Single-photon avalanche diodes meet embedded intelligence
University of Edinburgh spinout Singular Photonics is redefining single-photon avalanche diode technology by building sensors that integrate computational intelligence directly into their architecture to accelerate advances in medical devices, robotics, quantum technologies, machine vision, and beyond.
Silicon photonics with quantum dot lasers for optical interconnects
How can we scale optical interconnect technology for next-gen systems? One solution is silicon photonics that integrate quantum dot optical gain.
High-speed battery foil laser cutting improves productivity in tabless battery manufacturing
Tabless battery technology offers route to increase the energy density of battery packs, and laser cutting via galvanometer-based scan system offers a manufacturing solution.
Can meta-optics enable mobile-scale hyperspectral imaging?
Meta-optical spectral imaging is transforming hyperspectral imaging from bulky lab systems into scalable, real-world solutions.
Advanced thermoplastics enable microlens arrays for copackaged optics
To reach their potential at scale for copackaged optics, microlens arrays require mass production and assembly of thermally resilient micro-optical components. The key? Thermoplastic resins.
AI drives need for glass and crystalline materials
Glass, in its many forms, is central to our future with artificial intelligence (AI).
