All Things Photonics

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

Computing with light can enable high-performance compute with dramatically lower energy use and reduced heat. Q.Ant is a Stuttgart-based photonic computing scale-up, leading the way to more sustainable AI and high-performance computing. CEO Michael Förtsch joins us to share his thoughts on the hidden costs of AI, the technology and materials driving Q.Ant’s photonic solutions, and why the future of compute is in need of a fundamental change. "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

In this discussion with Omega Optical’s David Ventola, a leading authority on diffraction technology, "All Things Photonics" navigates the complete gratings value chain, from concept and design, to replication and fabrication, to application and deployment. A mature technology, optical grating innovation is measured today by industry-driven advancements that are found in the marketplace. Omega Optical’s Prism Award-winning DeepUV Transmission Gratings are one such solution. Spotlight from "All Things Photonics"® is a special series of intimate sit-down conversations with preeminent figures in our industry. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com Omega Optical - www.omega-optical.com

"All Things Photonics" is teaming up with the journal Optica to bring you insights on the latest studies leading to breakthroughs in optics and photonics. Quantum key distribution (QKD) allows encrypted information to be distributed without being intercepted. In free-space QKD, however, fluctuations in atmospheric conditions can cause distortions and impair the retrieval of the encoded information. In a study published in the journal Optica, a research team from the University of Ottawa developed a way to alleviate the effects of atmospheric turbulence on spatial mode transmission, creating an all-optical self-correction scheme for turbulence resilience using stimulated parametric down-conversion (StimPDC)-based optical phase conjugation. Aarón Cardoso, a researcher at the University of Ottawa, joins us to explain why he turned to StimPDC to solve this quantum quandary. "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

Before today’s ubiquitous technologies became tangible products, they began with a research proposal. The journal Optica prides itself on publishing high-impact peer-reviewed articles covering a spectrum of fields throughout optics and photonics, and for years, Prem Kumar served as the editor-in-chief for the journal. Even before taking on that title, he was familiar with the journal, having submitted several works himself. Some made the cut; others didn’t quite meet those standards. In our Spotlight conversation, Kumar shares more about his accomplishments with Optica, his work in quantum, and his own journey in photonics. Spotlight from "All Things Photonics"® is a special series of intimate sit-down conversations with preeminent figures in our industry. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com

Messenger RNA (mRNA) technology made headlines five years ago when Pfizer and Moderna vaccines arrived in the fight against COVID-19. Today, mRNA research is expanding into cancer treatments, cardiovascular regeneration, and other areas. Igor Lednev is a distinguished professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University at Albany. His lab is developing a new technique to test mRNA-based therapeutics using lasers. On this episode of “All Things Photonics,” Igor discusses his work to evaluate mRNA vaccines and treatments through Raman spectroscopy, and he explains the role laser spectroscopy will play in advancing modern medicine. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com

Every White House administration has its priorities. Government reform and the elimination of waste are among President Donald Trump's top priorities. Cutting down on waste is not a partisan issue; no one wants to throw away money. But how you define waste can draw a mixed response. The president has targeted scientific grants as an area in need of reform, and according to a piece published by Nature, more than 7,800 grants have been terminated or frozen. Dan Garisto is a freelance physics journalist and is one of the three authors of this piece. On this episode of All Things Photonics, he discusses the biggest findings of his work as he dug into the status of U.S. science one year into the president’s second term. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com

Optikos Corporation CEO and founder Stephen Fantone joins the podcast. In this exclusive interview, Fantone discusses the pathways and opportunities that professional organizations create, and their profound influence on individuals at all stages and in all reaches of professional life. Fantone chairs the board of the Fannie and John Hertz Foundation, is past president of Optica, and chairperson emeritus of the Pioneer Institute. Spotlight from "All Things Photonics"® is a special series of intimate sit-down conversations with preeminent figures in our industry. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com

XR technology has moved from a novelty to something more ubiquitous, with real applications in communication, training, entertainment, and much more. Helping propel these systems is the newly formed AR Alliance. This group recently became a division of SPIE, and together they elevated the advances in XR systems at the AR/VR/MR Expo during Photonics West. With so many industry leaders making the trip to San Francisco for the leading event in our industry, we decided to capitalize on this rare opportunity to bring together six of the brightest minds in XR for a conversation on the future of this market, the emerging tech driving innovation, and the importance of collaboration. In this very special episode of All Things Photonics, and with the assistance of the AR Alliance and SPIE, we’re bringing to the table: Stephane Bellosguardo, VP of Global Product Marketing with Luminus Devices Brian Chen, General Manager of Appotronics Theo Marescaux, Founder and CPO of Swave Jorg Rietterer, CTO of TriLite Technologies Robert Schultz, Vice President of Optics for Vuzix And Barry Silverstein, Director of the Center for Extended Reality at the University of Rochester and former chief technology officer and senior director of optics and display products at Meta Reality Labs All of our guests have unique backgrounds and differing areas of expertise, and they’re sharing their insights on the XR market and the technology at its core on this episode of All Things Photonics.   "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com

Online crooks commit what’s called “harvest-now-decrypt-later” attacks to record data in transit to later decode for all the valuable information. There is a way to stop it, but it takes more than some antivirus software. CyberRidge is a photonic encryption technology and security startup. Its flagship product is a plug-and-play photonic-layer transmission system that integrates with existing fiber to transform your data into encrypted noise as it travels to its destination. In this episode, we’ll chat with Dan Sadot, the founder and CEO of CyberRidge. He shares his thoughts on the crimes driving demand for this tech, the groups likely to use it, and the finer points of post-quantum optical security for data in transit. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com

We are teaming up with the journal Optica to bring you insights into the latest studies driving breakthroughs in optics and photonics. Traditional magnetometers are big and can only operate in extremely cold temperatures. But a new chip-scale magnetometer could offer high-precision readings in an ultra-compact form, while still operating at room temperature. Paolo Pintus from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) and the University of Cagliari, Italy, joins us to talk about the silicon photonics and innovative materials behind this discovery. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com

The interference with satellites actively in use for military operations is a real threat to security and civilian safety. But laser communication could provide a deployable solution to the front lines. Unlike radio-frequency links, laser terminals use narrowly focused optical beams that are difficult to jam or intercept. Pairing lasers with existing systems could prove to be unstoppable. Astrolight, a Lithuanian space and defense company, has already deployed terminals used by NATO forces. In this episode, Dalius Petrulionis, co-founder and CTO of Astrolight, discusses how lasers are advancing communication technology and the real-world turmoil that is driving demand for these systems. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com

The start of the new year means the return of the biggest event in our industry, SPIE’s Photonics West. Returning to the Moscone Center in San Francisco for its 31st year, the showcase promises to be even bigger than ever with more than 1,500 exhibitors from around the world set to display their latest and greatest tech. In this Spotlight conversation, Bob Hainsey, Senior Director of Science, Technology, and Industry for SPIE, previews some of the biggest changes to this year’s event and offers some helpful tips for attendees. Spotlight from "All Things Photonics"® is a special series of intimate sit-down conversations with preeminent figures in our industry. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com

From TVs to AR/VR headsets, tech giants have always pushed for the highest picture resolution. That push may soon come to an end after researchers demonstrate the smallest pixels to date, reaching the very limits of the human eye. Using nanoparticles, those pixels reproduce colors whose dimensions and arrangement control how light is scattered, and its optical properties can be electrically tuned. A new retina e-paper has allowed researchers to create pixels so small that they can correspond to a single photon receptor in the eye. In this episode, Kunli Xiong, an assistant professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Uppsala University, explains how this technology could go beyond AR/VR systems and improve remote collaboration and even accelerate scientific research. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com

We are teaming up with Optica to bring you insights into the latest studies that are leading to breakthroughs in optics and photonics. In this episode, we’re joined by, Jannick Rolland, the Brian J. Thompson Professor in Optical Engineering at the University of Rochester, to explore how freeform optics are reshaping modern optical design. Following her work in a study published in the journal Optica, Rolland discusses her successes and setbacks in her early works with freeform optics and talks about the potential for this technology in a range of applications. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com

PhotonDelta CEO Eelko Brinkhoff joins the podcast to discuss the recently concluded PIC Summit Europe. It is no secret that the present need to upscale in the PICs sector is top of mind for industry leaders. But do stakeholders at different reaches of the value chain perceive this bottleneck in the same light? Brinkhoff discusses this dynamic challenge and recaps this year’s summit. Spotlight from "All Things Photonics"® is a special series of intimate sit-down conversations with preeminent figures in our industry. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com

The global race to realize the potential of laser fusion is heating up. We’ve already seen ignition; now the question is, how do we get to commercialization? Focused Energy is working to develop Europe's first pilot plant for laser fusion by converting the former Biblis nuclear power plant into a fusion power plant. Thomas Forner, CEO and Co-Founder of Focused Energy, joins us to share details on those plans and to talk about the different paths nations are taking towards laser fusion. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com American Elements - www.AmericanElements.com

While the threat of MPOX may not be making headlines in the U.S., the virus is still present. The World Health Organization says it has been on the rise in more than 40 countries, and the latest strain is more severe and more infectious. Partha Ray and Mete Aslan are part of a research team from the University of San Diego School of Medicine and Boston University. Hear them discuss a newly developed optical biosensor that can quickly detect the virus at the point of care, without the wait for lab results. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com American Elements - www.AmericanElements.com

Detailed digital displays are leaping out of our video games and onto the front lines. Vuzix specializes in AI-powered smart glasses, waveguides, and augmented reality. It just secured a contract to provide customized waveguides for one of America's leading defense contractors. Those waveguides will be designed to operate in new, lightweight, head-up displays for military personnel. This technology could provide men and women with maps, vital statistics, and mission-critical intelligence, right in front of their eyes. Rob Schultz, vice president of optics for Vuzix, joins us to discuss how technology is transforming video game fiction into real tactical equipment. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com American Elements - www.AmericanElements.com

A conversation with Tal Carmon, a professor at Tel Aviv University, who led the team behind the recently unveiled method of photonic origami. The conversation covers the technology’s origins, how it works, and what its potential applications may be. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com American Elements - www.AmericanElements.com

There is an ever-growing demand for power, whether it is to supply electricity for our power-hungry AI servers or to keep the lights on in more homes. Inertial confinement fusion has been referred to as one of the most promising paths to thermonuclear fusion, and it could one day provide a path to more efficient power. Omar Hurricane and Mike Campbell formed a professional relationship and a lasting friendship through their time together at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. In this episode of All Things Photonics, they discuss the progress made in inertial confinement fusion and what this technology will need to reach its full potential. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com American Elements - www.AmericanElements.com

Photonics industry luminary Jason Eichenholz discusses hollow core fiber (HCF). Eichenholz is co-founder and CEO of Relativity Networks, a Florida-based startup pioneering the development and rollout of this transformative technology. It is hardly Eichenholz’s first such undertaking, and the Spotlight conversation looks back at some of his most consequential and influential projects. Spotlight from "All Things Photonics"® is a special series of intimate sit-down conversations with preeminent figures in our industry. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com American Elements - www.AmericanElements.com

In the lead-up to the European Conference on Optical Connectivity 2025 in Copenhagen, “All Things Photonics” chats with OIF board president Nathan Tracy and board member Mike Klempa. The discussion focuses on the Forum’s agenda for the conference, including a multi-vendor demonstration with 35 members from its partner ecosystem. Current networking and connectivity bottlenecks are also featured in the conversation. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com American Elements - www.AmericanElements.com

Professor Graham Reed is a pioneer in silicon photonics. In 1989, he founded the Silicon Photonics group at the University of Surrey, and in 2012, Professor Reed brought his team to the University of Southampton as the deputy director of the Optoelectronics Research Centre. Today, he serves as the director of the Cornerstone Photonics Innovation Center, an open-source, license-free silicon photonics prototyping foundry. In this Spotlight conversation, Professor Reed discusses the future of silicon photonics and the role Cornerstone will play in its advancement in the U.K. and around the world. Spotlight from "All Things Photonics"® is a special series of intimate sit-down conversations with preeminent figures in our industry. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com American Elements - www.AmericanElements.com

Photonic technologies are already being used to battle cardiovascular disease, but emerging technologies could further advance the treatment and diagnosis of the world’s leading cause of death. Yuqi Zhou is an assistant professor at the University of Tokyo and the lead author of a study on photonics and cardiovascular health. Sitting down with All Things Photonics, she discusses the potential of these systems and the hurdles they still face. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com American Elements - www.AmericanElements.com

Mike McKee, undergraduate advisor at the University of Central Florida's College of Optics and Photonics (UCF CREOL), and high school student Griffin Whiteside, a rising sophomore, discuss UCF CREOL’s Laser and Photonics Summer Camp. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com

We may not all be experts in the field of quantum nonlinear photonics, but we can all appreciate the applications it could advance. Whether it is in medical diagnostics or LIDAR systems, quantum technology has the potential to lead to life-altering breakthroughs. Yannick Salamin is an associate professor of optics at UCF CREOL. His research has focused on the exploration of the quantum properties of light, and now he is reaching out to the next generation to help grow this field of study. In our Spotlight conversation, Salamin gives us a crash course on quantum nonlinear photonics and discusses how his newly formed research group aims to advance it. Spotlight from "All Things Photonics"® is a special series of intimate sit-down conversations with preeminent figures in our industry. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com

Jasper Stackawitz, a rising senior at Pennsbury High School in Pennsylvania and recipient of the 2025 Teddi C. Laurin Scholarship, discusses his path to the world of photonics research, his work with phase change materials, and how we might reach a new generation of photonics professionals. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com

Garrett Cole, associate professor at the Wyant College of Optical Sciences, has returned to academia after working with famed research labs and turning his own work into a successful startup. His focus today is on using semiconductor materials and processing techniques to make ultra high-performance optics for optical metrology systems. In this spotlight conversation, Cole takes us through his professional journey and shares how he hopes to inspire the next generation of photonics professionals. Spotlight from "All Things Photonics"® is a special series of intimate sit-down conversations with preeminent figures in our industry. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com

Søren Friis, head of sales and business development at NLIR, breaks down the technique of MIR spectroscopy, overviewing technology, applications, and instrumentation. As a key addition to the end user’s toolkit for industrial tasks that strain many familiar methods, MIR spectroscopy may be best explained by its applications. But, Friis explains, innovative system architectures and rising trends also help tell the story. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com

Long thought of as a technology of the future, holographic displays are now making their way to the commercial market. In this episode, Avalon Holographics CEO Wally Haas explains how the technology works, and where his company’s NOVAC display is finding use. The conversation also offers a look to the future, where these displays can be produced at lower cost and find much broader use. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com

Reza Chaji, CEO of VueReal, discusses current challenges in micro-LED display technologies, and the potential of VueReal’s MicroSolid Printing platform to address them, as well as to push the technology further. Our conversation covers manufacturing, sensor integration, and the applications in mobile devices, augmented reality, medical diagnostics, and safety technologies. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com

Laser World of Photonics is one of the top trade shows for the laser and photonics industry. Tens of thousands of visitors from around the world will travel to Munich to take part in this year’s event. Anke Odouli is the exhibition director for the trade show. She says they’re expecting record attendance this year with nearly 1,400 exhibitors filling the halls. Odouli tells us what else we can expect to see in this year’s show, in our spotlight conversation. Spotlight from "All Things Photonics"® is a special series of intimate sit-down conversations with preeminent figures in our industry. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com

Aldas Juronis, CEO of EKSPLA, discusses key parameters in the design and manufacture of industrial laser systems in this final episode before the start of Laser World of Photonics 2025. EKSPLA’s direct refrigerant cooling system highlights the company’s capabilities in delivering highly repeatable systems while pushing the bounds of performance and innovation. Additional talking points include emerging applications, application drivers, designing for OEMs, and Lithuania’s dynamic laser ecosystem. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com

A group of bipartisan lawmakers formed the Optics and Photonics Caucus back in 2020. At that time, the U.S., along with the rest of the world, was grappling with the pandemic and the disruptions to the supply chain it created. The legislators on that committee hoped to use this new platform to address America’s reliance on Eastern nations and boost the domestic production of photonic goods. Democratic Rep. Joe Morelle of New York is the co-chair of the Optics and Photonics Caucus. In this Spotlight conversation, Morelle offers his insight on the policies impacting our industry and shares the concerns of New York’s leading photonics companies. Spotlight from "All Things Photonics"® is a special series of intimate sit-down conversations with preeminent figures in our industry. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com Editor’s Note: The team at "All Things Photonics" reached out to Morelle’s Republican counterpart, Rep. Brian Mast of Florida, to take part in the conversation. Mast and his team did not follow up with us for this podcast.

Time travel is not just theoretical, it’s proven. But that doesn’t mean we are anywhere close to a functioning time machine just yet. Professor Ron Mallett has been fascinated with the idea of time travel since he was a little boy. A year after his father passed away, he discovered a Classics Illustrated edition of H.G. Wells’ “The Time Machine.” That comic sparked the imagination of 10-year-old Mallett, convincing him to pursue a career in science and to learn more about controlling the clocks. Decades later, he believes he has cracked the code on time travel. It just requires circular lasers and some cosmic intervention. On this episode, Mallett shares with us the science behind his theories, what it will take to traverse the past and present, and which Hollywood movies actually got time travel right. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com LightPath Technologies Inc. –  www.LightPath.com

Free space optical communication could offer high speed connectivity without the need of optical fibers. That's where groups like Attochron come in. They are actively working to develop the next generation of light waves for free space optical communications. Using short coherence length optical sources, including ultrashort pulsed lasers, they believe they have found a way to overcome the hurdles holding these systems back from hitting the mainstream. On this episode, we are joined by Tom Chaffee, founder and CEO of Attochron, Jim Olson, senior VP of sales and marketing, and Wayne H. Knox, professor of Optics at the University of Rochester and consultant at Attochron.  Some materials referenced by our guest could be found on our YouTube channel. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com LightPath Technologies Inc. –  www.LightPath.com

No one can be sure how this current trade war between the U.S. and China will end. But we’re feeling its impacts every day. While no person or business can escape the effects of this volatile market, semiconductor manufacturers have a unique challenge to deal with. Not only must they handle rising costs and taxes, but they also must figure out how to advance forward facing export restrictions from China. Rare earths vital in the production of semiconductors come primarily from China, but new controls will limit American companies’ access to those materials. In this Spotlight, we talk with TECHCET CEO and Founder, Lita Shon-Roy, to learn more about the origins of this trade war, how it impacts the semiconductor industry, and what it will take to bring this chapter of turmoil to a close. Spotlight from "All Things Photonics"® is a special series of intimate sit-down conversations with preeminent figures in our industry. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com LightPath Technologies Inc. –  www.LightPath.com

Additive manufacturing garners considerable attention — but the methods and underlying technology often take a back seat to the remarkable designs and properties of finished works. Lukas Hoppe, R&D director at Meltio, offers insights into the current laser-based additive manufacturing ecosystem. Hoppe discusses Meltio’s blue laser innovations as well as wire-laser metal 3D printing methodology. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com LightPath Technologies Inc. –  www.LightPath.com

Graphene’s recent and ongoing ascent into commercial applications and consumer devices is the focus of our conversation with Andy MacInnes, chief development officer at Paragraf. The Cambridge, England-based developer of graphene-enabled sensors offers custom foundry services, placing it in a distinct location on the semiconductor manufacturing value chain. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com LightPath Technologies Inc. –  www.LightPath.com

Dr. Frank Winkler, at Heidelberg University focuses on the emerging field of cancer neuroscience, and the way brain cancers proceed. Winkler has used two-photon imaging to confirm that glioma cells link through microtubes, similar to typical neurons in the brain. His groundbreaking work has earned him the 2025 Brain Prize by the Lundbeck Foundation, alongside Dr. Michelle Monje. And in this spotlight conversation, Winkler discusses the journey he and Dr. Monje took to arrive at their conclusions, and how the shape of cancer research, particularly under the umbrella of neuroscience, is changing. Spotlight from "All Things Photonics"® is a special series of intimate sit-down conversations with preeminent figures in our industry. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com LightPath Technologies Inc. –  www.LightPath.com  

Martin Richardson, director of the University of Central Florida’s Center for Directed Energy, joins us to discuss the progression of directed energy technology, from historic uses to its emergence in today’s battlefields, and where we might see it in the future. The conversation covers the multidisciplinary nature of the technology, its challenges, and potential use cases beyond the battlefield, and beyond the planet. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com LightPath Technologies Inc. –  www.LightPath.com

Iñigo Artundo, CEO of photonic test and design house VLC Photonics, breaks down the function of test as it relates to PICs and integrated photonics. How developers advance chip and wafer architectures through the design stage and toward productization cannot happen without adequate testing. But the sophistication of current and future designs does not always align with established test protocols. This episode explores that dynamic and discusses how the gap can be bridged. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com LightPath Technologies Inc. –  www.LightPath.com

John Ballato is a professor of materials science and engineering at Clemson University. He knows the importance of glass in the photonics industry, even if some downplay its importance. Across his more than 200 published papers, his research focuses on new optical materials and structures for photonic and optoelectronic applications. In this spotlight conversation, he shares his thoughts on what’s driving a resurgence in glass, and its future in our industry. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com LightPath Technologies Inc. –  www.LightPath.com

For this episode, we are joined by Brad Booth, CEO of NLM Photonics, the developer of a hybrid electro-optic technology combining high-performance organic materials with semiconductor photonics platforms. The conversation covers some recent research advances, the part played by materials in optical networking, and a look at what the future may hold for NLM Photonics. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com LightPath Technologies Inc. –  www.LightPath.com

Lightmatter is pushing the envelope of AI interconnect and networking standards. It’s all in an effort to bring AI infrastructure into a photonic era. MIT graduate Nick Harris founded Lightmatter in 2017. In this Spotlight conversation, he offers a look into the formation, and the future of his company, as well as the breakthroughs driving the photonic supercomputing group today. Spotlight from "All Things Photonics"® is a special series of intimate sit-down conversations with preeminent figures in our industry. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com LightPath Technologies Inc. –  www.LightPath.com

Discussions around packaging — the art, the challenge, and the roadmap — have ramped up over the last 18 months. A bona fide industry trend, packaging is commanding the focus of leading companies and individuals. Abdul Rahim, ecosystem manager at PhotonDelta, joins the "All Things Photonics" podcast to discuss microelectronics packaging and how the concept applies in and for photonics. Also in this episode, Carlos Lee, director general of the European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC), checks in with Joost van Kerkhof, COO of PHIX Photonics Assembly, and Michal Nejbauer, CEO of Fluence. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu –  www.Hamamatsu.com LightPath Technologies Inc. –  www.LightPath.com

The photonics industry is booming. Technological advancements and increasing demand are driving this growth. But in America, the workforce needed to drive this boom is struggling to keep up. In this Spotlight conversation with Tara Fortier of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), we discuss the need to attract more bright young minds to this field to build the next generation of photonics professionals. Along with discussing ways to expose students to this field, we also talk about the importance of networking and what those already in the workforce need to know to advance their own careers in this area. Spotlight from "All Things Photonics"® is a special series of intimate sit-down conversations with preeminent figures in our industry.  

In the premiere episode of Spotlight, from "All Things Photonics," Dr. Andrew Brown with SPIE joins us to preview this year's Global Business Forum at Photonics West in San Francisco. Brown predicts that it will once again be a packed house for the forum. As we approach the biggest event in the photonics industry, hear Brown give us some insights on the biggest names set to speak, and some of the trending topics he expects to take center stage.

In season ten’s finale, "All Things Photonics" speaks with its first knighted guest: Sir David Payne, Director of the Optoelectronics Research Centre at the University of Southampton. Sir David is recognized as a pioneer in fiber laser research, having broken the kilowatt output barrier, and in fiber optics research, where he contributed to the development of the erbium-doped fiber amplifier. Later, we speak with Tara Fortier, project leader at the Time and Frequency Division at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Fortier’s research is focused on precision optical and microwave metrology, and the development of optical clocks. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: PolyScience –  www.PolyScience.com Thorlabs Inc. –  www.Thorlabs.com Avantes –  www.Avantes.com LightPath Technologies Inc. –  www.LightPath.com