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  • Volume 57, Issue 07

    • Volume 57, Issue 07

    FIGURE 1. A freeform surface id defined in PROSurf by importing a CAD model.
    Optics

    Efficiently manufacturing precision freeform optics, from start to finish

    Pat Bechtold
    July 21, 2021
    The process of manufacturing a freeform optic relies on the interplay between sophisticated fabrication and metrology tools, both hardware and software.
    FIGURE 1. Side view of laser welded interface (a); the dark spots indicate voids due to mass transport. A serpentine channel is seen in (b) and a close-up plan view of the serpentine channel with weld lines on either side is seen in (c). The dark spots in the center of the weld line in the close-up are voids located above the interface.
    Optics

    3.5D laser printing opens the door to low-cost, precision glass components

    John Wasserbauer
    July 21, 2021
    Two new techniques, laser welding and fast 2D processing, can be combined to make complex and functional vertical structures from glass and add economical singulation, paving ...
    A spectroscopic gemstone-screening instrument allows rapid separation of natural from synthetic diamonds. Shown are the experimental fluorescence spectra from natural, HPHT-grown, and CVD-grown diamonds. N3 fluorescence at 415 nm was only detected in natural diamonds.
    Test & Measurement

    Spectroscopic gemstone screener rapidly identifies natural and synthetic diamonds

    John Wallace
    July 21, 2021
    A UV-fluorescence spectroscopy-based instrument with a handheld probe identifies various types of diamonds, as well as diamond fakes such as corundum, spinel, and beryl.

    More content from Volume 57, Issue 07

    (Courtesy of Lei Xu, Nottingham Trent University)
    The new proof-of-concept technology is ultracompact, ultralight, and may one day enable IR imaging on standard glasses.
    Detectors & Imaging

    Nonlinear metasurfaces make enhanced IR imaging possible

    Justine Murphy
    July 21, 2021
    Researchers have found that ultrathin and transparent semiconductor nanocrystals can convert IR light into the visible more efficiently than conventional methods.
    2107 Lfw Nb 2
    Test & Measurement

    Researchers demonstrate 2D magnet control using light

    Justine Murphy
    July 21, 2021
    Controlling van der Waals magnets on demand, which could pave the way toward significantly more efficient data storage and processing, has historically been difficult. But a new...
    FIGURE 1. An optical data transmission protocol inspired by ultra-wideband pulsed data coding has demonstrated the ability to communicate at 300 Mbit/s through 3.5 mm of porcine skin.
    Bio&Life Sciences

    Optical tools open windows to the brain

    Richard Gaughan
    July 21, 2021
    Brain-machine interfaces are giving researchers a better look at the fundamental relationship between physiology and cognition, as well as neuropathology and neural plasticity...
    New Image 2
    Industrial Laser Solutions

    2021 industrial laser revenues look positive

    David Belforte
    July 21, 2021
    It’s beginning to look like year-end reviews of the global manufacturing economy will marvel at how the industrial laser industry survived COVID-19 restrictions and went on to...
    FIGURE 1. A deep-UV laser contains a blue pump diode laser, the praseodymium laser crystal, a second-harmonic-generation (SHG) crystal, and a cavity output mirror (a); the result is a very compact device (b).
    Lasers & Sources

    Compact deep-ultraviolet CW lasers lead to new commercial applications

    Scott Buchter
    July 21, 2021
    A small laser based on a diode-pumped praseodymium crystal and second-harmonic generation is rugged and ready for applications in the field.
    A structured array of photoluminescent nanopillars is a sensitive measure of force on a subcellular scale, here indicating the force applied by an adhered cardiomyocyte.
    Bio&Life Sciences

    Piezophototronics quantify subcellular force distribution

    Richard Gaughan
    July 21, 2021
    A novel piezophototronic light nanoantenna array enables quantification of force on a subcellular level for true understanding of cardiomyocyte function.
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    Bio&Life Sciences

    Printable biosensor could be invaluable tool for surgeons

    Justine Murphy
    July 21, 2021
    A new 3D-printed biosensor is allowing the simultaneous recording and imaging of tissues and organs, which could potentially help surgeons to localize critical regions during ...
    (Courtesy of Lin Lab, Imperial College London)
    High-speed camera image of a common darter dragonfly righting itself from an upside-down position.
    Detectors & Imaging

    Dragonflies: A blueprint for drones

    Justine Murphy
    July 21, 2021
    The flight maneuvers of dragonflies could potentially boost the development of small aerial vehicles, ultimately enhancing applications including search and rescue efforts.
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    Detectors & Imaging

    New material turns regular microscopes into superresolution

    Justine Murphy
    July 21, 2021
    A newly developed light-shrinking material has the potential to take conventional light microscopes to a new level, and with minimal effort.
    Reprinted from reference 3, with authors’ permission
    FIGURE 1. Comparison of droplet formation rate and signal intensity for three speeds using each flow generation technique measured for a 500 nM resorufin solution on an epifluorescence microscope. Droplet streams for a syringe pump (red trace), a peristaltic pump (black trace), and a Venturi pump (blue trace) are shown.
    Test & Measurement

    Advances in environmental sensing help improve water quality

    Robert V. Chimenti
    July 21, 2021
    Agencies worldwide are pushing higher water quality standards; technological advances in systems using UV LEDs are helping hit the mark.
    (Courtesy of S. Bancelin et al.)
    Multiphoton STED microscopy enhanced by adaptive optics captures the fine details of neuronal dendrites.
    Bio&Life Sciences

    Superresolution brain imaging gets boost from novel tuning approach

    Justine Murphy
    July 21, 2021
    A newly developed calibration method is bringing researchers deeper into biological tissue and at more precise levels than conventional STED microscopy technology.
    2105 Lfw Lpms Supp 9a
    Commentary

    Optical manufacturing unabridged

    John Lewis
    July 21, 2021
    Precision freeform optics manufacturing, 3.5D laser printing of glass components, and environmental sensing are just a few of the topics that can be found in the July 2021 issue...
    2107 Lfw Ils Gab 1
    Industrial Laser Solutions

    Pulsed nanosecond fiber lasers excel as versatile cutting tools

    Jack Gabzdyl
    July 21, 2021
    Best known for laser marking, pulsed nanosecond fiber lasers can also be used for cutting both metals and nonmetallic materials.
    Image originally printed in BioOptics World, March/April 2014 [3]
    FIGURE 1. Schematics demonstrate the setups of a typical FTIR microscope (a) and a QCL IR-SI microscope (b).
    Lasers & Sources

    QCL technology poised to transform IR spectroscopy, microscopy

    Robert V. Chimenti
    July 13, 2021
    The industry is on the verge of an infrared (IR) microscopy and spectroscopy revolution fueled by developments in quantum cascade laser (QCL) technology.
    Courtesy of Lumenisity
    FIGURE 1. Fabrication of a hollow-core NANF fiber.
    Fiber Optics

    Hollow-core fiber at OFC 2021: Optimizing for applications and ruggedness

    Jeff Hecht
    June 30, 2021
    Hollow-core fibers were in the spotlight again at the 2021 virtual Optical Fiber Communications Conference (OFC), but the focus has broadened.