Spectral information enhances our knowledge of astronomy, chemistry, metallurgy, and meteorology, and it contributes to applications in photonics, communications and medical instrumentation. Different specialties may use one of many spectral selection methods, as each has particular advantages. Some applications may require high transmission and a broad field of view for 2-D imaging, while others need narrow spectral resolution or a broad tuning range. Size, cost, aperture, stability, and spectral purity are other filter considerations to be prioritized. Additionally, many applications...Read full articleRelated content from Photonics MediaARTICLESA New Wavefront of Adaptive Optics Promises ImprovementsAdaptive optics (AO) technology enables Earth-based telescopes to take the twinkle out of the stars. The technology also helps in detecting and reversing eye disease, it improves the throughput of...Photonics Spectra November 2021 IssueAdvanced Imaging Rises to the Task of Detecting Space DebrisThe space industry has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years. Once the domain of big-budget government projects, the field has increasingly seen the entry of more and more commercial...Photonics Spectra March 2022 IssueQuantum Entanglement Demonstrated Aboard Orbiting CubeSatAn international research team led by the National University of Singapore (NUS) has generated and detected quantum entanglement onboard a CubeSat nanosatellite weighing less than 2.6 kg and orbiting...Photonics Spectra September 2020 IssuePhotonic Correlator Processes Radio-Frequency Signals, Outperforms Digital MethodsA team at the University of Grenoble Alpes-CNRS has created a radio-frequency (RF) correlator, based on a photonic platform, that is suitable for analog wideband RF signal processing and that enables...Photonics.com 3/31/2022PRODUCTSLightweight MirrorsLightweight mirror design techniques from Optical Surfaces Ltd. can reduce the weight of a mirror by as much as 60%. Lightweight mirrors are designed to provide sufficient rigidity to ensure...Photonics.com 8/4/2020Space Debris sCMOS CameraThe Finger Lakes Instrumentation Kepler KL6060 scientific CMOS camera from IDEX Health & Science is geared toward space debris detection and space situational awareness applications. The...Photonics Spectra August 2020 IssueEMCCD CameraThe Kestrel 1000 Electron Multiplying Charge Coupled Device (EMCCD) Camera from Raptor Photonics Ltd. offers ultralow readout noise while running at 1,000 fps in full frame and up to 1,800 fps with...Photonics.com 6/16/2021Radiation-Resistant Zoom LensesThe 192, 200, and 290 models of radiation-resistant zoom lenses from Resolve Optics Ltd. are nonbrowning devices with minimum geometric distortion from 400 to 750 nm, withstanding a total radiation...Photonics.com 8/17/2020PHOTONICS HANDBOOK ARTICLESCommon Infrared Optical Materials and Coatings: A Guide to Properties, Performance, and Applications: The purpose of this guide is to identify the most common infrared-transmitting materials, pointing out key properties and their typical manufacturing and optical coating options. The information provided within this article is for reference purposes only.The optical materials selected for an optical system depend upon the application, the required system performance and the environment in which the system is to perform; thus the materials’...Photonics HandbookPositioning System Performance: Understanding the Rules: To make the right decisions and to ensure satisfactory performance in a positioning system, it is necessary to first have a grasp of performance parameters and an understanding of their definitions.Abbe Error — Linear off-axis errors introduced by angular deviations coupled to a moment arm at the point of interest on stage mounted devices (θ in Figure 1). The effect of Abbe error...Photonics HandbookDetectors: The Charge Injection Alternative: Charge-injection device (CID) technology provides a means to convert optical signals from 185 nm to 1100 nm to electronic charges that can be read out as a video signal or processed via computer. The CID imagers also are capable of directly (or indirectly) converting particle photons including electrons, ions, x-rays and other forms of ionizing radiation to measurable levels of electronic charge.Charged-injection device imagers are metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) detectors that can be fabricated using PMOS, NMOS and CMOS integrated circuit technology, and may be configured as a...Photonics HandbookNanopositioning: A Step Ahead: It is almost a cliché among students of creativity that innovation occurs at the intersection of fields. Since nanopositioning is a discipline that has enabled swiftly evolving application arenas as diverse as materials science, genomics, photonics, defense, biophysics, and semiconductors, it’s unsurprising that its pace of innovation is nothing short of blistering in recent years.By its original definition, a nanopositioning device is a mechanism capable of repeatedly delivering motion in increments as small as one nanometer. Lately demands from industry and research have...Photonics HandbookWHITEPAPERSFused Silica Scan LensesThe S4LFT1655/328 is very suitable for stereolithography applications in the infrared wavelength range. The lens has a scan field of 410 mm x 410 mm which enables the production of very large...Photonics.com 4/1/2022Extreme Metrology: Big Science Requires a Nano-perspectiveExtreme metrology represents the cutting edge in technological demand from the material researchers, astronomers, and other physicists whose work demands nearly unattainable precision. Understanding...Photonics.com 8/19/2020High Performance SWIR Imaging CamerasSilicon based area detectors (e.g. CCDs or CMOS) are widely used in high-performance imaging applications, detecting wavelengths from soft x-ray through to near infrared (NIR). Typically, the quantum...Photonics.com 7/21/2020PDH Technique with Moku:Lab’s Laser Lock Box — An FPGA-based all-in-one Solution for Laser Frequency LockingThe Pound-Drever-Hall (PDH) technique was first introduced by R.V. Pound, Ronald Drever, and John L. Hall in 1983. It is a widely used method to match the emitting optical frequency of a laser to a...Photonics.com 11/10/2020WEBINARSLight Sources for Stimulated Vibrational MicroscopyAdditional questions and answers: Q: What is the power intensity for the adjusted supercontinuum Stokes laser? A: There are at least two PCF modules commonly used for supercontinuum...Photonics.com 4/22/2014Selecting the Right Camera for Your ApplicationJoin us for a FREE webinar! Selecting the right camera for your next project can be a daunting challenge. There are now thousands of different cameras made by numerous companies worldwide. What...Photonics.com 4/7/2016Intelligent Motion Systems Based on Fast Optimization Algorithms and Hexapod 6-Axis MechanismsPART 1: Hexapods are 6-axis parallel-kinematic machines often employed to solve complex multi-axis precision positioning and motion applications in fields such as photonics, optics, metrology,...Photonics.com 10/8/2020Micro-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 3/24/2015PHOTONICS DICTIONARY TERMSnadirIn a remote sensing system, nadir refers to the point on the ground located vertically below the center of the system. 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But fiber optic sensors could give machines a more human sense of touch. See how – this month on...Photonics.com 10/7/2015Deformable Mirrors for Optical Performance - ALPAOALPAO Deformable Mirrors (DM) are based on continuous reflective surface motioned by magnetic actuators. They feature large strokes, high dynamic motion, and an excellent optical quality to meet and...Photonics.com 8/26/2021A 'Smart' Lighting Revolution - LIGHT MATTERS 08.2017In this episode, we take you to a U.S. National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York. Researchers there are leading the charge for "smart"...Photonics.com 8/28/2017Ursula Gibson: Novel Core Optical Fibers and Materials2019 President of The Optical Society and Fulbright Scholar Ursula Gibson details her latest work with novel core optical fibers and their function in expanding applications spanning metrology,...Photonics.com 3/25/2021PHOTONICS BUYERS' GUIDE CATEGORIESAstronomical OpticsAstronomical InstrumentsAstronomical MirrorsAn astronomical mirror is generally a mirror used instead of lenses in astronomical and space applications. It is not limited in size, does not absorb UV or IR radiation, and is usually made aspheric...Optical MountsCOMPANIESLaCroix Precision OpticsOptics that Defend, Build, Cure and Discover The LaCroix name is synonymous with quality precision optics. Since 1947, three generations of family leadership have placed LaCroix Precision Optics...Photonics Buyers' GuideOptolong Optics Co. LtdOptolong Optics Co., Ltd is a manufacturer of fluorescence filters and astronomy filters. We also offer other interference filters such as UV filters, visible filters and near-infrared filters,...Photonics Buyers' GuideAndor TechnologyWe are global leaders in the development and manufacture of high performance scientific digital cameras for academic, industrial and government applications. Through continuous dialogue with our...Photonics Buyers' GuideMicro Laser Systems Inc.We are a manufacturer of Diffraction Limited Fiber Coupled Laser Systems, Optical Systems, and Fiber Optic Systems from 240 nm to 6000 nm. Unique products include various sizes of Fiber Collimators,...Photonics Buyers' Guide