New research in plasmonics could yield useful applications in terahertz-regime spectroscopy and communications.HANK HOGAN, CONTRIBUTING EDITORResearchers are putting electron oscillations, or plasmons, to work and paving the way for instruments that could improve food safety and devices for future mobile communications. Additionally, plasmonic-enabled nanolasers could provide a means to link chips or subsections of chips, which would enable computers to become faster, smaller, and more efficient. However, scientists and engineers must first overcome challenges related to nanomanufacturing, high optical intensities, and optical losses. Possibilities and obstacles both arise from the interaction between photons and plasmonic...Read full articleRelated content from Photonics MediaARTICLESLaser-Driven Semiconductor Switch Pushes Speed Capabilities of Next-Generation CommunicationsA laser-driven semiconductor switch design can theoretically achieve speeds and voltages higher than existing photoconductive devices — potentially enabling communication speeds beyond 5G if...Photonics.com 6/23/2021Metal-Wire Waveguides Deliver Unparalleled Terahertz Network EfficiencyA research group at Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) in Quebec has achieved broadband terahertz (THz) signal processing by directly engineering the wire surfaces of metal-wire...Photonics Spectra May 2022 Issue4-channel Silicon Multiplexer to Advance Terahertz-Based CommunicationsAn ultra-small silicon chip called a multiplexer is poised to increase data processing speeds and the next generation of communications — 6G and beyond — as a result. The chip, developed...Photonics Spectra July 2021 IssueTerahertz Quantum Cascade Laser Light Propogates Beyond Laboratory WallsResearchers at MIT and the University of Waterloo (Canada) created a high-power quantum cascade laser (QCL) capable of generating terahertz radiation outside of a laboratory environment. The laser...Photonics Spectra January 2021 IssuePRODUCTSFemtosecond Ytterbium LaserThe YLMO-Seed Femtosecond Ytterbium Laser from Menlo Systems GmbH is a fiber laser oscillator with low amplitude and phase noise. The laser’s figure 9® technology delivers reliable...Photonics.com 11/9/2020Cavity Ring-Down AnalyzerThe HALO Max QCL line of Cavity Ring-Down Spectroscopy (CRDS) analyzers from Tiger Optics LLC are based on mid-IR Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) technology. Tiger’s QCL-CRDS enable...Photonics Spectra May 2021 IssueTE-Series CCD CamerasIntroducing the TE-series, which utilizes the powerful scientific CCD sensors from Teledyne e2v. This advanced camera series has low-read noise and exceptional full-well depth. Combined with a high...Promoted Content February 2022 IssueFiber Frequency CombThe FFC-100 erbium-based fiber frequency comb from Vescent Photonics LLC features the MLL-100 mode-locked laser with a semiconductor saturable-absorber mirror (SESAM) mode locker for longevity. ...Photonics Spectra October 2020 IssuePHOTONICS HANDBOOK ARTICLESQCL Primer: History, Characteristics, Applications: The versatility of quantum cascade lasers make them a good choice for the mid-infrared region.Since its first successful operation in 1960 at Hughes Research Labs, the laser technology has been at the center of innovation and research. Semiconductor lasers first made their appearance in 1962...Photonics HandbookIntegrating Spheres: Collecting and Uniformly Distributing Light: The integrating sphere is a simple, yet often misunderstood, device for measuring optical radiation.An integrating sphere’s function is to spatially integrate radiant flux (light). However, before one can optimize a sphere design for a particular application, it is important to understand how...Photonics HandbookSpectroscopy: Mastering the Techniques: Spectrochemical analysis employing optical spectroscopic methods is used to monitor the water we drink, the food we eat, the status of human health, and the quality of the environment. Such methods are also crucial to the development of safe and valuable industrial processes.The scope of optical spectroscopic instrumentation is indeed very broad. Many analytical methods rely on the interaction of radiation with matter and are often described in the context of quantum and...Photonics HandbookAdaptive Optics: Taming Atmospheric Turbulence: For more than three centuries, the Earth’s atmosphere has frustrated astronomers. The layer of gases that we breathe also distorts the images formed by telescopes. This means that conventional telescopes of more than a few centimeters in diameter cannot reach the resolution limit set by their optics.To Isaac Newton the problem was clear, and in 1704 he realized the effects of atmospheric turbulence on image formation. Just as heat waves shimmering above a hot patch of ground can distort our...Photonics HandbookWHITEPAPERSMultiband Optical Filters Are Telecom Networks' MultitaskersThe ability to combine more than one spectral band into a single optical filter can enable flexibility of system design and reduce the number of components and the costs needed to achieve a desired...Photonics.com 1/6/2022Novel Hyperspectral Cameras for Low Light ApplicationsThe white paper presents HERA, a novel hyperspectral camera, and a series of results obtained in different applications (agri-tech & food, plastic sorting, remote sensing, and microscopy). The HERA...Photonics.com 3/2/2022Curing of an Optical Adhesive by UV Irradiation by DSCOptical adhesives are used in many industries such as semiconductors and chip manufacturing where solvents are undesirable. Power compensated instruments are the best choice for fast analysis of the...Photonics.com 4/7/2021Life Sciences Instrumentation - The Key to Health Care TransformationThe World Health Organization estimates that the number of people over age 60 will increase from 1 billion in the year 2019 to more than 2 billion in 2050, with life expectancy rising as well. Most...Photonics.com 1/25/2022WEBINARSNovel Sources of Tunable Laser Light for Quantum Center SpectroscopyWidely tunable continuous-wave optical parametric oscillators (CW OPOs) have matured into versatile laser light sources. Presenters Niklas Waasem and Korbinian Hens take a closer look at CW OPO...Photonics.com 1/10/2022Characterization of Light Emitters and Detectors from the Visible to the Terahertz Spectral RangeThe development of a new generation of optical components that emit, modulate, and detect light across multiple spectral ranges requires accurate tools and techniques for the characterization of...Photonics.com 3/30/2021Micro-Spectroscopy: Enabling Research From Novel Nano-Devices To Clinical DiagnosisMicro-spectroscopy is an ever developing modality for new and exciting research in the areas of nano-technology and bioscience. This webinar will look at modular approaches to microspectroscopy and...Photonics.com 3/24/2015Raman Spectroscopy for Research and IndustryFREE WEBINAR Additional Questions and Answers from the Webinar are below: Speakers to include: David J. Brady, Duke University Computational and Compressive Raman Spectroscopy ...Photonics.com 6/24/2013PHOTONICS DICTIONARY TERMSterahertz (THz)A unit of frequency that equals 1012 cps.EDU.photonics.com 9/8/2009photoconductive antennaPhotoconductive antenna (PCA) is a semiconductor element that generates or detects high-frequency electromagnetic signals. Compact PCAs based on gallium arsenide (GaAs) or indium gallium arsenide...EDU.photonics.com 3/5/2018terahertz radiationElectromagnetic radiation with frequencies between 300 GHz and 10 THz, and existing between regions of the electromagnetic spectrum that are typically classified as the far-infrared and microwave...EDU.photonics.com 9/8/2009Rowland ghostsIn spectroscopy, the false images arranged symmetrically on both sides of the true line and caused by irregularities in the ruling of diffraction gratings.EDU.photonics.com 9/8/2009MEDIALaser Classroom & Spaghetti SERS - LIGHT MATTERS 09.04.2013-Spaghetti SERS -Light Heart -Laser Classroom This week on Light Matters: a spaghetti-like surface makes for stronger SERS sensors, light might replace electricity blasts to restore healthy...Photonics.com 9/4/2013Advances in Terahertz Optoelectronics — With Mona JarrahiUCLA researcher Mona Jarrahi breaks down critical achievements in the terahertz domain, with particular focus on terahertz optoelectronics. Biomedical, plasmonic, and imaging applications are...Photonics.com 3/29/2022Capasso Group's Optical Harmonic Combs Could Operate as THz SourceResearchers at Harvard's John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) have discovered a new phenomenon of quantum cascade laser frequency combs, which would allow the devices to...Photonics.com 8/10/2018Photonics Answers the Call of Duty – LIGHT MATTERS 04.29.2015. This week we travel to Baltimore for a look at the latest photonics technologies for defense, security and sensing. We'll also learn about how a new kind of invisible ink could save you from buying...Photonics.com 4/29/2015PHOTONICS BUYERS' GUIDE CATEGORIESTerahertz SpectrometersFrequency CombsTerahertz CrystalsTerahertz LasersCOMPANIESOZ Optics LimitedEstablished in 1985, OZ Optics is a leading worldwide supplier of fiber optic components, test equipment and sensors. OZ Optics manufactures its products in three locations, Ottawa (Canada),...Photonics Buyers' GuideLUCID Vision Labs Inc.LUCID Vision Labs™, Inc. designs and manufactures innovative machine vision cameras and components that utilize the latest technologies to deliver exceptional value to customers. Our...Photonics Buyers' GuideAvantes BVPhotonics Buyers' GuideCascade Optical CorporationCascade Optical Corporation has more than 35 years of expertise in custom vacuum-deposited thin-film coatings, specializing in IAD, low temp, low stress coatings for laser crystals and fiber optics....Photonics Buyers' Guide