Photonics Spectra Preview - December 2023

Ultrafast Imaging

The life sciences are increasingly deploying high-speed and ultrafast imagers to capture critical processes. As technological advancements push price/performance ratios of lower-end imaging models into the field’s realm of affordability, insights into bio and industrial processes alike are coming to light in unprecedented detail — and with high frequency. Contributing editor James Schlett explores the drivers behind ultrafast imaging’s increase in utility for the sector, with consideration given to the future of the technology and pricing.

Key Technologies: ultrafast imaging, ultrafast imaging, imaging ultrafast phenomena, high-speed motion cameras, camera illumination, controlled illumination, CMOS cameras, sCMOS cameras, CMOS image sensors, sCMOS image sensors, high-speed motion cameras, microscope cameras, image intensification, data acquisition (software), videography

Terahertz Thickness Measurement

Thickness measurements of thin webs and thin films — and especially paints and coatings — are important to industrial applications like process monitoring and production quality assessments. For example, thickness measurement allows users to characterize the physical, electrical and/or mechanical properties of thin films. Unlike other methods, including those that are well established, THz radiation offers a non-contact (and, as a result, nondestructive) measurement option for thickness measurement. THz radiation allows users to penetrate and resolve the internal structure of optically opaque materials like semiconductors, polymers, and ceramics at a sub-millimeter spatial resolutions. Contributing editor Marie Freebody “taps” into the THz to introduce how this often-overlooked portion of the electromagnetic spectrum could transform the way manufacturers measure material thickness for sectors including pharma and automotive.

Key Technologies: terahertz sources , terahertz spectroscopy (esp. time domain and ToF), THz detectors, quantum cascade lasers, coatings test and inspection

Interferometry

New technologies enable the measurement of elusive mid-spatial frequency features for improved optical performance. Mid-Spatial frequencies, which have been largely ignored by the bulk of optical manufacturing until recently, are of high significance: MSF's may limit AR/VR, semiconductor optics, autonomous vehicles, and standard video and camera performance. As a solution for optical manufacturing, a new-style interferometer, with diffraction-limited 9 MP imaging, and spatial and temporal coherence control, enables picometer repeatabilties, which can be used to pull out nm-sized ripples so they can be quantified and then removed.

Key Technologies: interferometry, optics manufacturing, optical polishing, metrology, T&M, white light interferometry

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