The Photonic Ecosystem of Counter Unmanned Systems — With Ganesh Balakrishnan

Unmanned aircraft, like drones, have become a weapon of choice. They are effective and cheap to produce, but the systems to stop them are not. Laser- and microwave-based systems are slowly coming online, but there are still hurdles to overcome before they become a staple defense on the front lines. Ganesh Balakrishnan, or “Gunny" as he’s known, is a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of New Mexico. He sat down with the All Things Photonics team to discuss how molecular beam epitaxy, VCSELs, PCSELs, and other photonic tech all play a part in the wider ecosystem behind counter unmanned systems. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com Omega Optical - www.omega-optical.com