Laser Welding Laser welding dissimilar (and/or disparate) materials shares many considerations with laser welding conventional materials -- for example, considerations to beam profile, pulse width, and peak power. However, the permeance of different and distinct materials, as well as the need to pair them for industrial applications, places added requirements on the systems tasked with performing the welding operation. This article identifies the core applications and ascending trends in industry that necessitate conjoined dissimilar materials. Focus is given to many of the commercially available laser systems and auxiliary components that are leading to improved outcomes for this critical industrial function. Key Technologies: Industrial lasers, Industrial fiber lasers, Laser welding, Beam profiling, Beam positioning, beam scanning, Blue lasers Beam Shaping All lasers for material processing applications use optics to shape the beam. Though static lenses serve that purpose well, dynamic beam shaping solutions are expanding options to match the beam perfectly to the process. For a deeper understanding of these trends, contributing editor Andreas Thoss explores the basics of static beam shaping systems before digging into more advanced systems based on diffractive optical elements. Thoss will further discuss even more advanced beam shaping relays able to manipulate single mode beams to provide a deeper understanding of the options for achieving the optimum beam shape. Key Technologies: Beam shaping, Industrial fiber lasers Advanced Waveguides for AR/VR Sophisticated waveguide designs are rapidly driving AR/VR applications closer to the mainstream. Advanced waveguide architectures are increasingly compact and efficient, leading to a range of head-worn solutions already on the commercial market, with others soon to arrive. With perspectives from waveguide suppliers as well as systems designers and integrators, this article examines the advantages of distinct materials used for fabrication; metrological considerations and advances; current solutions on the market; and performance thresholds engineers still aim to overcome. Key Technologies: AR/VR, Waveguides, Micro-LED, Meta-optics, Diffraction Gratings Space Optics Photonics technology, which enables the miniaturization of space instruments and precise navigation systems, is reshaping the capabilities of NewSpace ventures -- the accelerating domain that encapsulates private space exploration, satellite deployment, and emergent space technologies from high-speed data transfer and enhanced security, to advanced imaging and sensing technologies for Earth observation. This article examines photonics' impact on satellite communication(s), Earth observation, miniaturization, and precision navigation in the space industry, with a focus on nano-satellite constellations. Beyond exploration of the impact of photonics in the realm of NewSpace, the article looks at its potential for future advances. Key Technologies: Satellite communications, space optics On-Chip Spectroscopy As the integration of lasers and other components on-chip continues to support new levels of functionality and complexity, the intersection of PICs and lab-on-a-chip technology is enabling chip-scale spectroscopic and analytical solutions for numerous applications. These include those targeting bio- and nanomedicine, as well as evanescent field sensing. Despite accelerated progress in both technology areas -- integrated photonics and lab-on-a-chip instrumentation -- technical bottlenecks, like CMOS scalability, remain in engineering these compact photonic platforms. This feature spotlights the integrated solutions that support this evolving industry trend, offering insight into the applications that are driving new chip designs and the integration of new on-chip photonic components. Conversely, the article pinpoints how technological developments chart a course for new applications. Key Technologies: PICs manufacturing, Lab-on-a-Chip Instrumentation, Waveguides, Silicon photonics PICs Standardization Though photonics potentially offers critical alternatives to the electronic bottlenecks in modern datacenters, the diversity that characterizes photonic technology is slowing adoption of these solutions. The answer is greater standardization. But rolling out standards requires technical fluency and advanced strategy to govern where, when, and how standards should be applied along the datacenter value chain to maximize efficiency without adverse impact to innovation, flexibility, and competitiveness. In a Q&A with the Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF), Photonics Media editors explore the strategic considerations behind the impetus toward standardization, as well as insights into the timing of new standards. Key Technologies: PICs, pluggable tranceivers, optical interconnect, co-packaged optics, optical networking, Download Media Planner hbspt.forms.create({ region: "na1", portalId: "4478512", formId: "cd1ac50f-b2fe-4ef7-a540-91a3e1782991" });