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Optical grinding and polishing plays an important role when optimizing the quality of an imaging system or minimizing unwanted reflections in a fibre-optic assembly.
Using high-frequency sound waves to make tunable optical filters, modulators and Q-switches is a well-established and convenient technological solution for many applications, reports Neil Savage.
The development of efficient and convenient mid-infrared sources based on quantum cascade lasers and nonlinear optics is creating possibilities for spectroscopy and sensing, reports The Scott Partnership.
The ability to capture and analyse complex, high-speed electronic signals makes the oscilloscope one of the most useful and powerful tools in an engineer's laboratory, reports The Scott Partnership.
The design of complex and high-performance optical assemblies is greatly simplified by the availability of a wide range of sophisticated software packages, reports The Scott Partnership.
Optical parametric oscillators simultaneously generate two beams of coherent light that are widely tunable in wavelength. This flexibility makes them a popular tool in various areas of scientific research, reports Neil Savage.
The detection of light at the single-photon level is important for tasks ranging from fluorescence imaging to quantum information processing, reports Neil Savage.
Analysis of the spectral content of light is important in countless applications, ranging from biomedicine to material analysis and product quality control, reports Neil Savage.
Cooling and stabilizing the temperature of optoelectronic devices, such as semiconductor diode lasers and photodetectors, is often important for optimizing their performance. Neil Savage looks at thermoelectric coolers based on the Peltier effect that are designed for this task.
The encapsulation of LEDs, termination of optical fibres and assembly of complex lens systems are all tasks that can be accomplished by the use of special optical adhesives, explains Neil Savage.
Convenient and reliable joining of optical fibres is essential for building optical networks. Neil Savage reports that the machines performing the task are becoming smaller and increasingly sophisticated.
Pulse measurement equipment is now easier to use than ever before, with many devices offering easy-to-align solutions and plug-and-play computer operation, reports Neil Savage.
Spatial control of the phase and amplitude of a laser beam is useful for applications ranging from imaging and holography to interferometry and optical tweezers, reports Neil Savage.
The emergence of convenient sources of broadband light spanning the visible and near-infrared is proving increasingly useful for applications involving spectroscopy, imaging and metrology, reports Neil Savage.
The use of deformable mirrors to correct unwanted optical aberrations in real time is helping applications ranging from astronomy to biophotonics and data storage, reports Neil Savage.
The ability to align optical components to tighter tolerances and in less time is the continual goal of designers of manipulation equipment, reports Neil Savage.
Protecting your eyes is of course important when using lasers. The good news is that safety eyewear is becoming increasingly comfortable and stylish. Neil Savage reports.
Optical crystals with a strong nonlinear response to light are important tools in photonics, enabling applications ranging from wavelength conversion to short-pulse generation. Neil Savage surveys some of the materials on offer and their uses.
The increase in laser-diode sales has had a knock-on effect on activity in the diode-driver market. Neil Savage gives an update of the latest products on offer.
Sensitive optical experiments and high-resolution microscopes often need to be mounted on vibration-control platforms to avoid unwanted disturbances to measurements. Neil Savage describes a selection of products designed for the task.