JOEL WILLIAMS, ASSOCIATE EDITOR [email protected]In two groundbreaking firsts, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope captured a direct image of an exoplanet, or a planet outside our solar system, as well as the first clear evidence for carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of an exoplanet. The observations, made with the powerful infrared (IR) telescope, provide insight into the formation and composition of planetary objects. More broadly, they also show the advantages that space telescopes hold outside Earth’s orbit. WASP-39 b is the exoplanet on which Webb discovered the presence of carbon dioxide. The planet was itself first...Read full articleRelated content from Photonics MediaArticlesNASA Reveals First Exoplanet Images Taken by Webb TelescopeAstronomers from the University of Exeter in the U.K. used NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope to capture the first direct image of a planet outside our solar system. The image, shown through...Photonics.com 9/6/2022Photonics Technologies at the Fore as First James Webb Space Telescope Images ReleasedThe first images from the James Webb Space Telescope are being released today, following an initial release of a “teaser” image July 7, and a subsequent preview image released July 11...Photonics.com 7/12/2022NASA to Support the ESA's Efforts on Gravitational Wave ObservatoryNASA will collaborate with the European Space Agency (ESA) on a space-based observatory designed to detect gravitational waves. The ESA formally adopted the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA)...Photonics Spectra April 2024 IssueMetalenz Partners with Samsung on Facial Recognition TechMetalenz will use Samsung Electronics’ ISOCELL Vizion 931 technology as the image sensor component for its "Polar ID" imaging system. Metalenz offers the solution for facial biometrics. The...Photonics Spectra May 2024 IssueProductsGimbal MountsOptimal Engineering Systems’ AU270-YPR Three Axis (Yaw, angular Pitch, and Roll) Gimbal Mounts are designed for larger and heavier cameras, telescopes, directional antennas, optics, lasers,...Photonics.com 7/5/2023MicrospectrometersThe Lightblades™ Spectrometers from CRAIC Technologies are specifically designed for microspectroscopy in research, industrial, and academic applications. Covering ultraviolet, visible, and...BioPhotonics May/Jun 2024 IssueEmission Line FiltersTwo Hydrogen Alpha (H-alpha) Emission Line Filters for astronomy applications have been announced by Alluxa Inc. The Five-cavity H-alpha Filter has a 50% B+W of 0.35 nm, a 1% B+W of <0.6 nm,...Photonics Spectra November 2022 IssueInfrared PolarizersCoherent’s family of mid- and long-wavelength infrared wire-grid polarizers were made for use in applications such as laser based metrology and atmospheric remote sensing. Operating over 3 - 5...Photonics.com 2/13/2024Photonics Handbook ArticlesAdaptive Optics: Taming Atmospheric TurbulenceTo 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 HandbookOptical Delay Lines: Key to Time-Resolved MeasurementsOne of the most critical elements of any time-resolved spectroscopy and dynamics experiment is the optical delay line. A typical optical delay line consists of a retroreflector or folding mirrors on...Photonics HandbookFlat Optics: Considerations When BuyingFlat optics generally perform three main functions: They transmit light (windows), reflect light (mirrors), and fold light (prisms). While most optical manufacturers make spherical and flat optics, a...Photonics HandbookAspheric Lenses: Design ConsiderationsAspheric surfaces are powerful tools that combine the optical corrections of multiple lenses into a single element (Figure 1) and affect performance in ways that spherical optics cannot. For example,...Photonics HandbookWhite PapersAntireflection Coatings for Space ApplicationsSpace can be a harsh environment for optical coatings. Optimax has successfully provided antireflection (AR) coatings for a wide range of space applications. This paper outlines the results of...Photonics.com 1/16/2024Advantages of VPH GratingsThe term 'diffraction grating' often brings to mind a surface relief grating, with ruled lines and a delicate surface. A transmission grating, however, opens up many new options for the optical...Photonics.com 9/19/2022Diffraction Gratings - an IntroductionThis paper is ideal for those wanting an introductory guide to the various types of diffraction gratings and understanding their advantages and disadvantages as well as including some useful grating...Photonics.com 8/25/2022Deposition Sciences Inc. Bandpass DatasheetWideband or narrowband filters from the VIS to MWIR.Photonics.com 8/1/2023WebinarsPhotonics in Space ApplicationsFREE WEBINAR Webinar Questions and Answers from Dr. Rubenchik: Dr. Alexander Rubenchik Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, Calif. The Promise of Pulsed Lasers in...Photonics.com 11/15/2012Current Status of Solar Photovoltaic Technology Platforms, Manufacturing Issues and ResearchQuestions, Answers & Comments from the Webinar Current Status of Solar Photovoltaic Technology Platforms, Manufacturing Issues and Research Thursday, Sept. 27, 1 p.m. EDT ...Photonics.com 9/27/2012Optics and AstronomyWhat tools and equipment will be needed for 21st century astronomy? In this webinar, you will learn about innovative optical approaches to astronomy to support research at a global level. The...Photonics.com 6/20/2018Battery Research and Failure Analysis Using Vibrational SpectroscopyCombining vibrational spectroscopy with electrochemistry is helpful for studying electrochemical reactions, battery research, and failure analysis. Each molecule has a unique infrared and Raman...Photonics.com 10/11/2022Photonics Dictionary Termsadaptive opticsAdaptive optics (AO) is a technology used to improve the performance of optical systems by reducing the effects of atmospheric distortions. The Earth's atmosphere can cause light passing through it...Photonics Dictionaryoptical phase distortionOptical phase distortion refers to a phenomenon where the phase of an optical wavefront is altered as it propagates through a medium. This distortion can result from variations in the refractive...Photonics Dictionarymid-infrared cameraA mid-infrared camera is a type of imaging device designed to capture images in the mid-infrared (mid-IR) spectral range, typically spanning wavelengths from approximately 3 to 12 µm. This...Photonics Dictionaryoptical design and engineering servicesOptical design and engineering services involve the development, customization, and optimization of optical systems and components to meet specific performance requirements and application needs....Photonics DictionaryMediaOPCO Laboratory, Inc. Facility TourTour of our Fitchburg, MA manufacturing facility.Photonics.com 12/21/2022Supporting the Photonics Industry from the Laboratory - LIGHT MATTERS 01.2018On this month's episode of Light Matters, we take you to central Massachusetts as Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Quinsigamond Community College take on a comprehensive joint photonics laboratory...Photonics.com 1/18/2018Zygo Interferometer - AvantierAt Avantier, we specialize in the design and production of cutting-edge optical solutions and high-performance optics for a diverse range of applications in optical metrology equipment. Our expertise...Photonics.com 7/19/2023Optical Design from AvantierOur optical design team employs DFM principles to ensure optimal performance, cost-efficiency, and timely production of our solutions. Our state-of-the-art metrology ensures thorough testing of each...Photonics.com 8/23/2023Photonics Buyers' Guide CategoriesBroadband AmplifiersAdaptive OpticsAdaptive optics are optical components or assemblies whose performance is monitored and controlled so as to compensate for aberrations, static or dynamic perturbations such as thermal, mechanical and...FTIR SpectrometersAn FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) spectrometer is a powerful analytical instrument used to obtain an infrared spectrum of absorption or emission of a solid, liquid, or gas sample. It operates...Cell Assay Imaging SystemsCompaniesLaCroix Precision OpticsThe LaCroix name is synonymous with quality precision optics. Since 1947, three generations of family leadership have guided LaCroix Precision Optics to become the premier precision optics...Photonics Buyers' GuideShanghai Optics Inc.ISO 9001 & ISO 13485 certified and D&B DUNS # 113515303 Shanghai Optics is an unparalleled custom system solution provider offering advance precision custom optical design, engineering,...Photonics Buyers' GuideReynard CorporationReynard Corporation has been a premier supplier of custom optics and thin-film coatings to a global customer base since 1984. Reynard focuses on manufacturing the highest quality products with...Photonics Buyers' GuideTeledyne Judson TechnologiesTeledyne Judson Technologies (TJT) is a global leader for IR sensors from the Visible to VLWIR spectrum. Two-dimensional FPAs (InGaAs, InSb, and MCT) and Integrated Dewar Cooler Assemblies (IDCAs)...Photonics Buyers' Guide