Feb. 27, 2025
Interferometry
Accurate control over film thickness and uniformity is critical for a wide variety of applications, including flexible electronics, MEMS manufacturing, advanced packaging, energy technology, and optics. White-light interferometry (WLI) is the only characterization method that provides film thickness, coating uniformity, and roughness information for both film and substrate over large areas, all in a single measurement that takes only a few seconds to obtain. This method provides distinct advantages for performing non-destructive, rapid, and comprehensive film coating measurements and analyses. WLI is a non-contact optical profiling method, making it free from mechanical damage. It images large areas at once rather than point-by-point or spot inspection, so it is fast and comprehensive while enabling S-parameter analyses. It also has the unique ability to access the substrate surface in addition to the top surface of nonopaque films, providing information about the initial surface texture that the film was deposited onto. WLI is an ideal metrology solution for both small-scale research and high-throughput industry environments where understanding film coatings is essential for quality control, reliability, and performance optimization.
Key Technologies: (White Light) interferometry, (thin film) coating analysis, optical coatings, optics manufacturing, profilometry, rugged/harsh environment coatings, nondestructive testing, optical test and measurement, packaging optics, micro-optics evaluation
Quantum Integrated Photonics
Historically, PIC platforms have focused heavily on operating wavelengths in the O and C bands (1310 and 1550 nm, respectively) due to their applicability to datacom and telecom. Many quantum applications, however, demand working with wavelengths in the visible and UV. Against this backdrop, AIM Photonics introduces the Quantum Flex (QFlex) platform — under development and poised to be the first 300-mm foundry fabrication platform for quantum systems. The initiative broadly address the present lack of a PIC foundry process capable of meeting the demanding requirements of atomic, ionic, and optical quantum systems. QFlex will incorporate passive photonics, active components, and sources with devices that will be validated in quantum systems by the project’s collaboration partners and Institute membership from across the quantum industry.
Key Technologies: PICs, quantum integrated photonics, manufacturing PICs, optical waveguides, PIN photodiodes, ring modulators, Mach-Zehnder modulators, quantum networking, optical networking
Liquid Crystal Optical Devices
Liquid crystals aren’t just for displays. These durable materials are also important components for polarization and phase control in precision optical systems and laser systems, including those with high power. They enable beam steering, polarimetry, wavefront shaping and correction, polarization switching for shuttering and variable flux control. With liquid crystals, all these functions can be achieved non-mechanically with no moving parts, making liquid crystal optics ideal for rugged environments. In addition to uniform, single-pixel devices, a host of applications are enabled by spatial light modulators consisting of a million or more individually electrical addressable pixels. In this article, we describe configurations and applications illustrating the state-of-the-art in precision liquid crystal optics.
Key Technologies: Liquid crystal photonics, spatial light modulators, wavefront sensing, polarimetry, beam steering, AR/VR lenses, phase control, LCoS, optical shutters, waveplates
Surface-Emitting Semiconductor Lasers
Contributing editor Andreas Thoss explores the development and prominent applications of the photonic crystal surface-emitting laser (PCSEL). Through interviews with the developers of this semiconductor laser, introduced in 1999, the distinct architecture of the laser; applications in lidar and coherent and free-space optical communications; and comparisons to the VCSEL, VECSEL, and TCSEL point to a broader theme of innovative semiconductor laser designs thriving on the desire for compact and discrete sources and evolving material systems.
Key Technologies: Surface-emitting semiconductor lasers, PCSELs, Bragg Reflectors/Mirrors, lidar, spaceborne laser ranging and detection, semiconductor materials
Laser Safety
Laser safety officer and Photonics Spectra columnist Ken Barat takes a macro-view on the state of laser safety. Barat focuses on the evolution of the field, recruitment needs, and the influence of standardization both in practice and in theory. He discusses how advancing laser technology is integrated into a growing number of commercially available products -- a key development that is taking the need for laser safety and related standards out of the lab and into daily life. That the field of laser safety is adapting through those tasked with overseeing and ensuring the safe use of sources is central to Barat's message.
Key Technologies: Lasers. laser safety
Download Media Planner