Optical Design and Simulation
Modeling and simulation are critical tools in photonics design, prototyping, and performance evaluation. However, high-fidelity models are often computationally and time intensive, creating bottlenecks in the process. This article explores a range of different tools that can help streamline how users can leverage modeling and simulation, including the use of synthetic data and surrogate models -- and the best ways to take advantage of them. When used correctly, these tools enable faster simulation results, while also enabling access to simulation data across a variety of use cases either through digital twins, engineers in the field, or even demonstrations for customers. The article also walks through a step-by-step example (a color filter simulation application) to show how this can be done using available tools and methods.
Key Technologies: Optical design and sim, optics fabrication, software, optical component design
Laser Diodes
The current state-of-the-art (and the future) of laser diodes are driven by the "Five Evers": Ever more powerful, ever brighter, ever cheaper, ever smaller and lighter, and everlasting. These driving forces apply to laser diode bars, single- or multi-mode single emitters, fiber-coupled packages, or coherent arrays. Each laser diode core technology, their current art, and their likely direction of evolution will be touched upon in this industry-authored article. Distinctions in the driving factors for each diode technology, along with key design considerations, will be described to motivate the proposed direction of future and anticipated development.
Key Technologies: Laser diodes, emitters, fiber-coupling, laser-driven fusion, diode arrays, multimode fibers.
Hyperspectral Imaging
Falling costs and greater availability have made hyperspectral imaging (HSI) an accessible, practical tool across mainstream manufacturing, where traditional point-based measurement methods have become established. HSI captures both spatial data and real-time chemical composition over large areas — enabling fast, detailed, and non-destructive inspection. This article identifies and examines these industrial applications, spotlighting use-cases and overviewing deployments in the semiconductor, display manufacturing, thin films, and energy materials sectors -- where precision and yields are paramount. How advancements in computing and data science/machine learning are leading to increased adoptions, even in mainstream quality control and manufacturing, is explored.
Key Technologies: Hyperspectral imaging, semiconductor inspection, thin films, battery manufacturing, quality control
Laser Ignition
A team from Fraunhofer IOF, with academic and industrial partners, has reached an industry-first: the integration of a four-laser spark plug system into a four-cylinder gas engine built for co-energy production. Over 17 hours of continuous operation, the laser ignition system proved its durability while delivering measurable reductions in NOx emissions and fuel consumption — critical metrics for meeting tightening environmental standards. Beyond conventional applications, the technology shows strong potential for igniting difficult alternative fuels like ammonia, opening new pathways for e.g. sustainable marine and heavy-duty engines. As laser ignition matures, it could reshape efficiency benchmarks across multiple sectors. Photonics is a key enabler for laser ignition, providing compact pump power lasers for creating high energy pulses for ignition, as well as components and packaging technologies for harsh combustion engine environments. As a result, laser ignition is now entering real-world testing for gas engines.
Key Technologies: Laser Ignition
Lidar: Industrial Use Cases and Applications
Beyond the realm of (autonomous) road vehicles, lidar systems are critical enablers to safe and reliable mobility in a range of industrial settings. Offering faster speeds, increased levels of autonomy, and greater stability than comparable methods, contemporary lidar systems also benefit from a high degree of integrability. This quality makes them strong candidates to operate in multi-sensor systems (sensor fusion) for both factory and extreme environment applications. Contributing editor James Schlett looks at lidar's burgeoning utility in deep-sea and underwater detection, where quantum and single-photon detection lidar systems are pushing the technology into a host of new and sophisticated markets. Benefitting these lidars are advancements in laser sources and control optics. While many of these maritime applications originate underwater, lidar's utility extends to unmanned aerial vehicles, which offer benefits of their own for certain maritime sensing and detection tasks.
Key Technologies: Lidar, bathymetric lidar, single-photon detection, quantum lidar, underwater imaging, airborne lidar, environmental monitoring
EPIC Insights: AI and Optical Design
AI is revolutionizing optical design, enabling smarter, faster, and more precise solutions for complex challenges in photonics and optics. By integrating AI-driven tools, engineers can accelerate prototyping, optimize system performance, and explore expansive solution spaces with unprecedented efficiency. This article highlights the transformative impact of AI in areas such as lens design, adaptive optics, and wavefront sensing. From automating routine tasks to predicting system behavior and enhancing design trade-offs, AI-powered advancements are reshaping the optical design landscape. As these intelligent tools continue to evolve, they promise to redefine innovation and elevate the capabilities of optical engineering.
Key Technologies: AI, optical design, adaptive optics, lens design
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