Lasers & Sources

The laserfocusworld.com Lasers & Sources channel features articles and other content that discuss the design and applications of all types of lasers, amplifiers, and other advanced sources like LEDs.

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Laser Processing

Laser cutting machine features smart cutting head

LFW Staff

Nov. 19, 2024

Software & Accessories

Laser safety eyewear features high-optical density lenses

LFW Staff

Nov. 15, 2024

2025 SPIE Prism Award finalists and award recipients will be honored during a January 29th gala evening at SPIE Photonics West.

Executive Forum

SPIE names 2025 Prism Award finalists

LFW Staff

Nov. 12, 2024

Lasers & Sources

Xenon short-arc lamps offer power range of 180 to 320 W

LFW Staff

Nov. 11, 2024

Executive Forum

Photonics IP Update: October 2024

Iain McIntyre

Nov. 6, 2024

Lasers & Sources

LED lightbox provides luminance of 30 to 150,000 lux

LFW Staff

Oct. 18, 2024

Highlights

Cryogenic testing setup in Sweeney’s lab: A solar cell is held under cryogenic conditions (196°C) while being powered by a laser.

Lasers & Sources

Space lasers: What’s up with that?

LFW Staff

Nov. 20, 2024

In a Q&A with Stephen Sweeney, a professor of photonics and nanotechnology at the University of Glasgow, he answers our questions about what’s up with space lasers and his work...

TeraPHY optical I/O chiplet with 4 Terabits/s bidirectional bandwidth.

Optics

A shift to photonics for data center networks and AI is underway

Sally Cole Johnson

Nov. 4, 2024

Ayar Labs’ Terry Thorn, vice president of commercial operations, shares details about the company’s second-gen optical chiplet and light source—with engineering samples out in...

Artist’s impression of LISA Pathfinder, ESA’s mission to test technology for future gravitational-wave observatories in space.

Lasers & Sources

Easier space qualification for laser diodes

Michael Kneier

Oct. 31, 2024

Space qualification is one of the most demanding qualifications within the industry. But there are ways to save time and money by using what space insiders call “heritage.”

FIGURE 1. The refractive index of UV-grade fused silica as a function of wavelength (left); this dispersion can lead to temporal distortion for ultrafast laser pulses. Attempting to focus a white light source through a single lens results in different focal planes for the various component colors (right); this is analogous to how ultrashort pulses experience temporal distortion when passing through a medium.

Lasers & Sources

A guide to group delay dispersion for ultrafast lasers

Olivia Wheeler

Oct. 17, 2024

Managing the ultrashort pulse durations of ultrafast lasers can be a daunting task, especially if you are unfamiliar with their unique temporal characteristics. Understanding ...

Lasers & Sources

Quantum world, meet Chromacity Ltd.

LFW Staff

Oct. 16, 2024

In this Q&A with Chromacity CEO Julian Hayes, he introduces us to the company, and it’ll be nearly impossible for anyone to ever top his company fun facts.