Molecular imaging gets a new tool

Sept. 1, 2009
In September of last year I happened to be in Europe on “beam day”–the day on which the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) was turned on for the first time.

In September of last year I happened to be in Europe on “beam day”—the day on which the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) was turned on for the first time. The LHC is a particle accelerator at CERN, the European high-energy physics laboratory near Geneva in Switzerland. There can be few events—and even fewer scientific ones—that have achieved such universal pan-European media coverage as did this firing up of the LHC. It was, I would guess, front-page news in all of Europe’s leading newspapers. And even in the run-up to beam day you couldn’t miss the story–though the focus then was more on the “end-of-the-world” theories (such as whether the LHC would create a Black Hole right here on Earth) than on the successful completion of a multinational “Big Science” collaboration that spanned decades.

Now fast-forward to this September and another Big Science project here in the USA. This month the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (Stanford, CA) will open the world’s shortest-wavelength free-electron laser for use by guest scientists. And while this event is hardly likely to attract anything close to the media frenzy surrounding the LHC, it is nonetheless a noteworthy milestone. The Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) is the first free-electron laser to emit hard x-rays, delivering 80 fs pulses at wavelengths tunable between about 0.15- and 1.5-nm–pulses that can capture images of atoms and molecules in motion.

A different route to nanoscale imaging involves overcoming the optical diffraction limit. Approaches to subwavelength imaging include the use of near-field optics but more recently metamaterials–whose optical properties can be tailored by varying their internal structure–have presented an opportunity for a novel approach based on a negative-refractive-index “superlens.”

Meanwhile, yet another imaging technique–optical coherence tomography (OCT)–is taking aim at new opportunities. Typically considered a medical imaging tool, OCT is finding applications in an industrial setting for nondestructive subsurface imaging of small, 2-D surface areas or 3-D structures.

About the Author

Stephen G. Anderson | Director, Industry Development - SPIE

 Stephen Anderson is a photonics industry expert with an international background and has been actively involved with lasers and photonics for more than 30 years. As Director, Industry Development at SPIE – The international society for optics and photonics – he is responsible for tracking the photonics industry markets and technology to help define long-term strategy, while also facilitating development of SPIE’s industry activities. Before joining SPIE, Anderson was Associate Publisher and Editor in Chief of Laser Focus World and chaired the Lasers & Photonics Marketplace Seminar. Anderson also co-founded the BioOptics World brand. Anderson holds a chemistry degree from the University of York and an Executive MBA from Golden Gate University.    

Sponsored Recommendations

Precision Motion Control for Photonics: 5 Keys to Success

Aug. 30, 2024
Precision motion control is a key element in the development and production of silicon-photonic devices. Yet, when nanometers matter, it can be challenging to evaluate and implement...

Precision Motion Control for Sample Manipulation in Ultra-High Resolution Tomography

Aug. 30, 2024
Learn the critical items that designers and engineers must consider when attempting to achieve reliable ultra-high resolution tomography results here!

Motion Control Technologies for Medical Device Joining Applications

Aug. 30, 2024
Automated laser welding is beneficial in medical device manufacturing due to its precision, cleanliness, and efficiency. When properly optimized, it allows OEMs to achieve extremely...

How to Maximize Machine Building Performance with High-Performance Laser Processing

Aug. 30, 2024
Learn how an automotive high-speed laser blanking machine manufacturer builds machines that maximize throughput for faster processing speeds and improved productivity.

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Laser Focus World, create an account today!