Lasers come home

Transcription

Lasers come home

ISSUE 220
FEBRUARY 2012
Safety
developments
Optics for
life sciences
Lasers
come home
Aesthetics market
set to boom
Incorporating
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Contents
LEADER
ROB COPPINGER
Beautified with light
Business
Business News
4
The latest news from the world of photonics
Profile – Lasermet 8
Warren Clark finds out what Lasermet plans for its future
8
Applications
Applications News
10
The latest applications of photonics from around the world
Feature: Cosmetics
12
Nadya Anscombe looks at the home-use laser market
for hair removal or wrinkle reduction
Technology
News from EOS
16
12
An update from the European Optical Society
Feature: Optics
18
Greg Blackman talks to a scientist building highly cost-effective
microscopes from stock optical components
Feature: Safety
22
Rob Coppinger looks at how safety is stepping up to the
challenge of the ever wider use of Class 4 lasers
Product Focus: Spectrometers
26
Rob Coppinger rounds up the latest spectrometer products
18
Products28
The latest photonics products from around the world
Suppliers’ Directory
40
Find the photonics suppliers you need
Technology Focus
Rob Coppinger speaks to the UK government’s Defence
Science and Technology Laboratory about its anti-laser
dazzling filter that can help defend against laser attack
and be used to improve imaging
EDITORIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM
Tel: +44 (0)1223 211170 Fax: +44 (0)1223 211107
Editor Rob Coppinger [email protected]
Feature Writer Greg Blackman [email protected]
Contributing Editor Nadya Anscombe [email protected]
Circulation/readership enquiries Pete Vine [email protected]
42
22
Electro Optics is audited by the
Audit Bureau of Circulations.
ADVERTISING
Advertising Manager Jon Hunt [email protected] +44(0)1223 211158
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Advertising Production David Houghton [email protected] +44 (0)1223 211196 Fax: +44 (0)1223 211107
Recruitment advertising Sarah Ellis Miller [email protected] +44 (0)1223 211289
CORPORATE TEAM
Chairman Dr Tom Wilkie [email protected]
Publishing Director Warren Clark [email protected]
Electro Optics is published 10 times a year by Europa Science Ltd, The Spectrum Building, The Michael Young Centre, Purbeck Road,
Cambridge CB2 8PD, UK Tel: +44 (0)1223 211170 Fax: +44 (0)1223 211107 Web: www.europascience.com ISSN: 0013-4589
As this issue goes to print Photonics West
is underway and the Moscone Center in San
Francisco will be buzzing with activity as the
photonics industry continues its recovery. The
financial results from last year show record
revenues and this issue’s reports of dramatic
profit increases and acquisitions demonstrate
that the laser industry is shining brightly.
With the Electro Optics team in California this
month it is perhaps appropriate that this issue
sees a feature on cosmetics. With home-use
lasers for wrinkle reduction selling now for
about $800 they are products more likely to be
found in Beverly Hills. But Nadya Anscombe has
discovered that there are more products in the
pipeline and the prices are set to fall.
Getting the price down is also the goal
of scientists in Peru in Greg Blackman’s
examination of optics and microscopy.
Inverted microscopes used to diagnose TB
can cost $8,000, unaffordable by the Peruvian
government. In Greg’s feature you can find out
how the research team is building microscopes
for as little as $400 for TB diagnosis.
Our third and final feature is about safety for
the likes of Class 4 laser systems. With power
equalling productivity, more powerful lasers
are becoming more widely used and so safety
technology has got to advance to ensure it is
sufficient for the job. From goggles to laser
enclosures the industry isn’t taking chances.
Whether or not we get a chance to meet in
person at Photonics West, be sure to check
the Electro Optics website for the latest show
news and subscribe to our email newsletters,
EONewsline and EOProductline to get all the
stories from San Francisco neatly packaged.
As always, I can be contacted through my email
[email protected] or you can
phone me on +44 1223 211185.
SUBSCRIPTIONS: Free registrations available to qualifying individuals.
Subscriptions £300 a year for 10 issues to readers outside registration
requirements. Orders to Europa Science, The Spectrum Building, The Michael
Young Centre, Purbeck Road, Cambridge CB2 8PD, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1223
211170. Fax: +44 (0)1223 211107. ©2012 Europa Science Ltd. Whilst every
care has been taken in the compilation of this magazine, errors or omissions
are not the responsibility of the publishers or of the editorial staff. Opinions
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rights reserved. Unless specifically stated, goods or services mentioned are
not formally endorsed by Europa Science Ltd, which does not guarantee or
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Cover image: Alena Ozerova/Shutterstock.com
FEBRUARY 2012
l
ELECTRO OPTICS
3
BUSINESS NEWS
For the latest business news in the photonics industry go to
www.electrooptics.com/business
Jenoptik begins
10 million euro
production
expansion
Building expansion work worth
10 million euros is soon to be
underway at Jenoptik’s BerlinAdlershof site to double its
semiconductor manufacturing
capacity.
Using the latest
manufacturing technology,
gallium-arsenide wafers
(GaAs) will be structured
and processed to create
high-power laser bars at
the expanded facility. The
expanded building, to be
completed in 2013, will see
its floor area increase from
2,000m2 to 3,400m2, with the
production area expanded to
930m2.
The clean room facilities
will be Class 100 and Class
1,000 depending on the
process equipments’ needs.
The complete process line
from epitaxy, wafer processing
and facet coating through
to the manufacture of GaAs
components will be installed
in the clean rooms.
Jenoptik chairman Dr
Michael Mertin said: ‘Germany
is, and remains, a location
for high-tech manufacturing
even though we in the
Jenoptik group are currently
pushing forward the process
of internationalisation in Asia
and North America.’
The financing of the building
will be provided by the Hoesch
Dortmund pension fund,
while the clean rooms and
production equipment will be
paid for by Jenoptik.
4
ELECTRO OPTICS
l
Sofradir awarded its biggest
contract ever with satellite win
Infrared detector manufacturer Sofradir has
Philippe Bensussan said: ‘This is Sofradir’s third
announced that it has been awarded a contract
major space contract win this year and the largest
worth tens of millions of euros
contract win in Sofradir’s history. This is
to provide sensors for Europe’s
a significant achievement on top of the
‘This is Sofradir’s
new generation of meteorological
third major space record 26 flight model infrared detectors
satellites.
we delivered for space missions in
contract win
Sofradir will supply infrared (IR) this year and the
2010.’
detectors for the engineering and largest contract
The IR detectors will be integrated
flight models of the European
into two payloads. They are: the flexible
win in Sofradir’s
Space Agency’s six satellites
combined imager that will take IR images
history.’ Philippe
planned for its Meteosat Third
of clouds and the infrared sounder that
Bensussan
Generation (MTG) meteorological
will analyse the chemical composition of
constellation. Under the five-year MTG contract
the atmosphere. They will operate at wavelengths
Sofradir will deliver to Thales Alenia Space France
that extend from short wave infrared to very
the custom designed IR detectors. Thales Alenia
long wave infrared, in order to better identify and
Space France is the prime contractor for MTG.
measure various types of clouds and chemical
Sofradir chairman and chief executive officer
elements.
FEBRUARY 2012
IAd-19
Newport buys ILX Lightwave
in $9.3 million deal
Newport has bought ILX
Lightwave, a laser diodes and
photonics components test and
measurement company, for $9.3
million.
ILX, headquartered in
Bozeman, Montana, expects to
report 2011 revenues of about
$8 million. The company is
profitable and Newport expects
the acquisition to be accretive to
its earnings immediately. ILX is
now a wholly owned subsidiary of
Newport and will operate as part
of its photonics and precision
technologies division.
‘The addition of ILX, together
with our recent acquisition of
Ophir Optronics, will further
enhance Newport’s position as
the industry’s leading provider
of photonics instrumentation
and measurement equipment,’
said Robert Phillippy, Newport’s
president and chief executive
officer (CEO). ‘With our expanded
portfolio of products and
technology, we will offer our
customers solutions to the
most demanding applications in
both the scientific and industrial
markets.’
ILX offers a range of photonics
instrumentation, including laser
diode controllers and drivers,
temperature controllers, current
sources, and optical power
and wavelength meters. Its
products are distributed in North
America, Europe and Asia, and
its customers include national
research laboratories and
government institutions.
Dr Larry Johnson, ILX’s
president, CEO and founder, said
that joining Newport provides
opportunities for ILX to increase
revenues. ‘Newport’s expansive
global sales and distribution
channel will immediately increase
the exposure of our products,
and collaboration with Newport’s
technical team will enable us to
accelerate the development of
a wide range of next generation
photonics instrumentation.’
1/2 Page Europe
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ES Technology reports
130 per cent profit increase
ES Technology has reported a
130 per cent increase in profit
and revenue growth of 27 per
cent over 2010 with turnover
reaching nearly £3 million for
its financial year that ended 30
September 2011.
The two main drivers of
growth have been sales of
industrial laser machines into
medical device and automotive
markets and subcontract laser
marking services for customers
that need permanent etching
or engraving onto components
made from metal or plastic.
ES Technology’s Tim Millard
operations director, said: ‘These
results are testament to the
hard work of all our staff at
Oxford and demonstrate that
our strategy of focusing only on
industrial laser applications, such
as marking, welding, cutting and
heat treatment, is paying off.’
Because of the growth, ES
is looking to recruit a sales
engineer for its laser marking
job-shop and is leasing a new
unit at Kingston Business Park
for 50 per cent more machine
building space.
www.ophiropt.com/photonics
FEBRUARY 2012
l
ELECTRO OPTICS
5
BUSINESS
NEWS
PHOTONICS
PEOPLE
Edmond Optics founder Norman
Wilson Edmund has died. Edmund
founded Edmund Scientific, which
became Edmund Optics. Starting
his business in the 1940s Edmund
retired in 1975.
Laser marking specialist Electrox
has appointed Owen Jones as
north eastern regional manager for
the USA.
Delta has appointed Dr Oliver Pust
as business development manager
for optical thin film filters. Pust
will be responsible for growing
Delta’s optical thin film filter
business.
Jenoptik has appointed Dr
Dietmar Wagner as general
manager of the company’s
Automatisierungstechnik
subsidiary and head of the lasers
and material processing division’s
laser processing systems business
unit.
M Squared Lasers has appointed
Peter Bordui as chairman. Bordui
has served as a director of fibre
optic component maker Bookham,
now Oclaro.
IN BRIEF
AMS Technologies and Swedenbased Azpect Photonics have
joined forces. This creates a
pan-European consultancy and
solution provider for optical,
power and thermal management
technologies.
Fibre optic spectroscopy specialist
Avantes has opened a new facility
in Leatherhead, Surrey, UK.
Mobius Photonics has been
granted a US patent for its Fibre
MOPA System. The patent covers
an optical fibre-based master
oscillator power amplifier system
that avoids stimulated Brillouin
scattering.
6
ELECTRO OPTICS
l
Global laser industry revenues
expected to hit $9 billion by 2015
Global laser industry revenues are expected to
reach $9.4 billion by 2015 while demand from
machine tools, telecom equipment, and China have
driven sales since 2010 to a growth high of 52
per cent compared to 2009, according photonics
markets consultancy Strategies Unlimited.
Strategies Unlimited’s report Worldwide Market
for Lasers: Market Review and Forecast 2012
makes the 2015 prediction but it also expects
a flat market for 2012, on the heels of 2011.
Last year saw slower growth in the second half,
compared to the first. However, 2013 is expected
to see a return to good
‘Today five
growth to achieve the $9
companies
billion revenues in 2015.
earn over 50
Strategies Unlimited
per cent of the
also claims the outlook
industrial laser
for growth from 2013 is
revenues’
strong because of demand
from tablet computers and
smartphone makers, which use lasers in their
production; the adoption of lasers for conference
room projectors and digital cinema; the use of
lasers for gaming products like Microsoft’s gesture
control gadget Kinect; the semiconductor industry’s
development of soft x-ray lithography processes
that use CO2 lasers; and the telecom industries
investment in 40Gbps transmitters and plans for
100Gbps transmitters.
The consultancy’s report also cites Newport and
CVI Melles Griot as companies to watch because
of their acquisitions in the last year. Newport
bought Ophir Optronics and ILX Lightwave, while
CVI acquired Coherent Imaging Optics.
Today five companies earn over 50 per cent
of the industrial laser revenues, according to
Strategies Unlimited: Coherent, Trumpf, Cymer, IPG
Photonics, and Rofin-Sinar.
The one market Strategies Unlimited cites
as having a weak future is data storage. This is
because prices for laser based storage systems
are declining and users are turning to other forms
of storage, such as solid state.
3S Photonics acquires Manlight
Optical and optoelectronic
components manufacturer
3S Photonics has bought
Manlight, a specialist in fibre
optic amplification and laser
technologies.
The purchase comes after 3S
Photonics reported a year-onyear growth of 64 per cent with
a consolidated turnover of up to
51 million euros in fiscal year
2011, which ended in June this
FEBRUARY 2012
year. Based in Lannion, France,
Manlight has 30 employees and
was founded in 2006 through the
acquisition of Highwave Optical
Technologies assets. Manlight
will become a subsidiary of 3S
Photonics.
3S Photonics president
and chief executive officer
(CEO) Alexandre Krivine said:
‘The Manlight product range
allows us to expand our offer
for our historical telecom
customers [and] to continue the
diversification of our activities
by promoting group components
linked to the lidar and industrial
fibre laser markets.’
Krivine has appointed Eric
Delevaque as Manlight’s general
manager. Delevaque was a
founder of Manlight and before
that CEO of Highwave Optical
Technologies.
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BUSINESS
PROFILE
First in
safety
As Lasermet reaches
25 years old, Warren
Clark explores the
history of this leader
in laser safety
L
asermet is celebrating 25
years in the laser industry,
and has earned a reputation
as one of the leading names
in laser safety in the UK and beyond.
Back in 1987, Professor Bryan
Tozer had taken early retirement
from a career at the Central
Electricity Generating Board (CEGB),
where he had spent 17 years as the
organisation’s laser safety officer.
His involvement and experience
in laser safety led him to become
chairman of the BSI Laser Safety
Committee (a post he held until
2008). He later also be became
chair of the European Laser Safety
Committee for 16 years.
Lasermet (taking its name from
‘laser metrology’) was initially
founded as a supplier of laser
measurement systems, building on
Tozer’s involvement at the physics
research unit of the CEGB, where he
was using lasers to perform optical
inspections inside nuclear reactors to
check for corrosion.
When Bryan’s son Paul joined
the company in 1994 to handle
the sales and marketing, Lasermet
began making the shift towards the
laser safety market, including the
provision of products, consultancy
and training.
Lasermet’s first foray into the
8
ELECTRO OPTICS
l
Photochemical hazard laser output safety testing at Lasermet’s laboratories
supply of products was via the
distribution of eyewear, as it was
a largely untapped market in the
UK. Soon, this was expanded to
include illuminated signs, for which
the only suppliers at the time were
in the US. ‘We looked at what was
around and decided we could
manufacture it ourselves to a better
standard,’ says Paul, now managing
director. ‘Admittedly, it’s not the most
exciting product! But it does have
demand, and we have continued
selling into this market – and have
recently developed some very nice
LED-based signs. Our Mini-LED
sign is designed to be mounted at
eye height, which makes it hard to
miss when placed next to or actually
on a door. Although conceived as
products for laser warning signs, we
do sell these illuminated signs into a
range of industries now.’
The next major development step
in the company’s history came when
it won a contract to design a series of
11 interlock laser safety systems for
a customer. ‘Available laser interlock
systems were pretty poor,’ says Paul.
FEBRUARY 2012
danger with a simple “relay in a box”
set-up is that the relay could fail in
the “on” position,’ says Paul. ‘When
you’ve got powerful lasers around,
you need to be able to do something
a little bit cleverer than that.’
Since the ICS-1 was introduced,
Lasermet has sold more than 1,000
systems, and the product has
evolved through the ICS-5 to the
most recent ICS-15XM.
‘When we first introduced the
system, there was a bit of education
involved,’ says Paul. ‘But once people
see the product – which is clearly
best practice in laser labs – they
instantly see its benefits.’ Such a
reaction has helped cement Lasermet
as a market-leader in the UK and
Europe.
Another successful line has been
laser blocking curtains. ‘Again, these
were largely being imported from
the US,’ says Paul, ‘but we used our
knowledge of lasers to develop our
own range. The blocking material
needs to obviously have properties
that prevent a laser from penetrating
it, and that doesn’t break down or
burn through easily.’
‘They were little more than a relay in
a box, and certainly didn’t conform
to any of the appropriate standards.’
So, the company designed its first
laser interlock safety control system,
the ICS-1, dedicated to the needs
of the laser lab, and conforming to
the necessary Machinery Directive
standards. Its function is to shut
down the laser in the event that,
for example, a technician opens the
door to the lab, and so on. Being a
fully integrated system, it also links
with warning
sign control
We’ve seen significant
etc. Options
year-on-year growth, even
may include
linking the safety
throughout the financial turmoil
control system
Such products are available made
to maglocked doors, or having a
to measure, with options such as
time-limited override facility. There
Velcro fixings and so on, as well
are also various ways of connecting
the interlock system to the laser itself as similar offerings such as laser
blocking roller blinds and screens.
in order to control the shutdown
Its more recent solid screens are
process.
even suitable for use with multi
A significant function of the
kilowatt lasers. Although these are
system is that it is required to retain
fairly standard products, many
a safety function in the event of
of the systems need some degree
internal component failures. ‘The
BUSINESS
of customisation as every lab is
different.
Lasermet now has an extensive
range of laser safety products, to
which it is adding new lines all the
time – indeed, there were seven
product launches in 2011 alone.
On the testing side, it is one of
only two sites in the country that is
UKAS-accredited for testing to the
EN 60825-1 standard for laser safety
(the other is the National Physical
Laboratory (NPL)). The company
also undertakes laser protection
advisory work, principally for
organisations such as hospitals and
cosmetic clinics.
When Paul first joined Lasermet
in 1994, turnover was very low
– under £100k – but last year it
achieved revenues in excess of £2m
and a staff of 18. ‘In recent years,
we’ve seen significant year-onyear growth, even throughout the
financial turmoil of 2008/9,’ says
Paul. Its market is still largely the
UK, but Lasermet has distribution
in the US, Germany, Austria,
Switzerland, France, Italy, Holland,
Belgium, Luxembourg, Sweden,
Australia and New Zealand – and
the network is continuing to develop
rapidly.
Exporting to the US has its own
challenges, particularly in relation to
FDA regulations. ‘Every product that
has a laser in it has to be registered
with the FDA,’ says Paul. ‘We carry
out this process on behalf of the
client to ensure the product can
get into the country without any
problems.’
Going forward, Paul is excited
about Lasermet’s latest products,
which include the Optoblok, an
optical table laser guarding system.
‘When lasers are mounted on
an optical table, if a laser misses
an optic, for example, it could
go firing off around the room,’
explains Paul. ‘Obviously this is
potentially very dangerous, so a
laser guarding system helps reduce
this risk considerably. We worked
with the NPL, who had prototyped
just such a system, to develop
and commercialise it ready for
production.’
Also launched was the Laser
Jailer, an active laser guarding
system, which combines a failsafe detection technique with the
company’s existing interlock system
technology. It has been designed to
contain high power laser beams in a
relatively small and light enclosure.
It has an active inner enclosure,
comprising detector tiles connected
to the Interlock Controller. If a stray
laser beam impacts on one of the
tiles, the Interlock will immediately
switch off the laser. ‘We developed
this specifically for a client that was
using a 16kW laser designed for
drilling through rock,’ says Paul.
‘For this reason, a passive enclosure
simply wouldn’t have been effective
as the laser would have burned
through very quickly. The active
enclosure ensures the laser is shut
PROFILE
down within 50ms.’
Paul is proud of the success of
the company and continues: ‘When
you take into account the extensive
range of laser safety products most of which are designed and
manufactured in Britain - and the
services provided such as laser
safety training, laser testing and
consultancy, Lasermet is certainly a
world leader in its field.’ l
FEBRUARY 2012
l
ELECTRO OPTICS
9
APPLICATIONS NEWS
For the latest applications news from the photonics industry go to
www.electrooptics.com/applications
Titanium racing bikes made
by Sabbath are to get black
durable markings produced by
a multimode Q-switched YAG
laser.
Macclesfield based Sabbath
does not paint or coat its
titanium racing bikes because
the metal does not rust. Decals
can be added to the bikes but
they will degrade over time. So
Sabbath’s founder, Greg Roche,
sought a way of marking the
frames in a way that would
last as long as the titanium.
He approached laser marking
specialist ES Technology.
A multimode Q-switched YAG
laser was selected to mark
the titanium frames. The laser
produces a smooth, black shiny
annealed graphic that will not
degrade or wear off. ES turns
around batches of various
Sabbath frames in its jobshop.
Flir develops Superframing to
avoid camera saturation
Flir has developed Superframing to avoid the problem
of infrared camera saturation where image details are
lost and temperature measurements become invalid.
Infrared camera saturation is where an object or
scene’s temperature is beyond the range the camera
is set to or at its upper end, leading to the areas of
the object or scene, which are at lower temperature,
being obscured. This can be particularly acute with
mid wave infrared (MWIR) cameras.
To overcome this, Superframing is where single
pictures are combined into one to create an image
more detailed than any one picture could be. Each
picture will have been taken with a different exposure
time. In IR cameras exposure time is related to
the smallest temperature difference a camera can
detect. The longer the exposure the greater the
sensitivity, but high temperature areas can overwhelm
the image. To avoid this problem Flir carries out
Superframing by taking a number of images of a scene
with progressively shorter exposure times in rapid
succession.
Image: Flir Systems
Black markings for
Sabbath bikes with
YAG laser
Superframing enables more detailed thermal imaging
Flir has demonstrated this technology by taking
two images of a Hawker Beechcraft King Air aircraft
at 2 milliseconds and 30 microseconds. The images
were taken with a Flir SC7000, a MWIR camera
system, running at 170 frames per second at the
full frame size of 640 x 512 pixels. The two images
are separated by about a 40 millisecond interval,
which means even the propeller movement is barely
perceptible. The outcome is a picture that has far
more temperature detail than with a single image.
ESA turns to Alexandrite laser for satellite-based lidar
A Nd:YAG laser that uses the gem
stone Alexandrite could become a
satellite-based laser radar (lidar)
following European Space Agency
funded work by UK-based Midaz.
Midaz’s Alexandrite laser has
delivered high pulse energy
(>23mJ at 100Hz), which makes
it useful for satellite-based remote
sensing. Midaz develops and
manufactures diode pumped
solid state lasers with very high
pulse repetition rates and high
gain, single stage, amplifier
modules. The Alexandrite laser
10
ELECTRO OPTICS
l
is also expected to be useful for
microscopy for biomedical imaging
solutions and laser induced
fluorescence spectroscopy
for analysing materials at the
molecular level.
‘What is remarkable about this
laser technology demonstration
is its exceptional high efficiency
of greater than 31 per cent slope
efficiency (equivalent to >40 per
cent with respect to absorbed
pump power) in a system still with
considerable scope for further
optimisation towards 60 per cent
FEBRUARY 2012
efficiency,’ Midaz chief technology
officer professor Michael Damzen
said. ‘The demonstrated efficiency
is already an order of magnitude
higher than lamp-pumped versions
of the technology but the real
significance is the opportunity
diode-pumped Alexandrite offers
to supersede Nd:YAG as the
preferred laser source for spacebased lidar remote sensing.’
In 2013 ESA will launch into
orbit its ADM-Aeolus spacecraft
that will use lidar to help measure
global wind profiles from space.
ADM-Aeolus is ESA’s fourth Earth
Explorer mission to be developed
within the agency’s Living Planet
Programme. Aeolus will be the
first-ever satellite to directly
observe wind profiles from space.
The ESA funded work at
Midaz was part of the agency’s
Technology Research Programme
and was overseen by its European
Space Research and Technology
Centre, which is based in the
Netherlands. Midaz was provided
with technical support from Kentbased lidar specialist Hovemere.
APPLICATIONS
AESTHETIC LASERS
Lasers
turn back time
Whether for hair removal or
wrinkle reduction, there are
now laser-based devices for
home use on the market.
Nadya Anscombe looks at
this fast-growing market
Pre-treatments
L
asers have been used for aesthetic
treatments in the clinical environment
for many years for procedures such
as hair removal, skin rejuvenation
and even liposuction. Now, with advances
in miniaturisation, aesthetic laser treatments
are finding their way into the home. The first
application to make the leap from clinic to
consumer was hair removal – light-based homeuse devices for hair removal can now be found
on store shelves next to the hair straighteners,
electric toothbrushes and epilators.
In the last twelve months another procedure
has made the leap from clinic to consumer: skin
rejuvenation. Two companies – first Palomar
in the US and then Philips in the UK and the
Netherlands – have launched laser-based homeuse devices for skin rejuvenation. The devices
promise to improve the overall appearance of
skin, reduce fine lines and smooth out wrinkles.
And there are plenty more companies
developing products who want a share of this
lucrative market.
‘The home-based market is the fastest growing
medical sector for lasers,’ says Matthias Schulze,
director of marketing for OEM components at
Coherent. ‘We are experiencing stellar growth in
aesthetic lasers for the clinical environment and
predict that growth in lasers for the home-use
market will be even higher.’
After four weeks
The PaloVia at-home laser device can be used for periorbital wrinkles. Images courtesy of Palomar
12
ELECTRO OPTICS
l
FEBRUARY 2012
Stuart Nunn, technical sales engineer at
UK company Laser Components, agrees. He
told Electro Optics: ‘We have been receiving an
increasing number of enquiries from customers
looking to enter the at-home laser-based skin
rejuvenation market. The majority of these
enquiries have come from customers already
active in the at-home hair removal market.
This market uses mainly 808nm laser diodes
whereas skin rejuvenation requires diodes
with wavelengths around 1470nm. Laser
manufacturers need to get the cost of these laser
chips down to a level where our customers can
integrate them into affordable products.’
Information on upcoming products in this area
is incredibly hard to come by due to commercial
sensitivities, but industry sources tell Electro
Optics that many of the major clinical equipment
suppliers are developing home-use products.
While this may seem counter-intuitive – homeuse devices could potentially take business away
from the clinics – system manufacturers believe
the at-home market will stimulate the clinical
market. Consumer products are always backed
by expensive advertising campaigns and these
will raise consumer awareness of laser-based skin
rejuvenation in clinics as well as at home.
But the consumer market is a challenging
one for laser suppliers and system developers.
While clinical instruments sell for five- or even
six-figure sums, consumer devices are selling
for under $800, with further price reductions
predicted. While miniaturisation and cost
reduction are major engineering challenges,
developers have the added challenge of
introducing extra safety measures as the devices
will be used without trained supervision.
Palomar, a leader in supplying lasers and
intense pulsed light systems to clinicians, was
the first company to overcome these challenges
and launch its home-use product, the PaloVia,
at the end of 2010. Like other laser equipment
manufacturers who have no experience of selling
directly to the public, Palomar teamed up with
APPLICATIONS
Palomar’s PaloVia was the first to market
and features a 1410nm laser diode
Images courtesy of Palomar
the skin tissue to create a micro-column of
a consumer company, in this case Johnson
treated tissue that extends deeply into the
and Johnson, to develop the device. The two
skin. Consumers using the PaloVia laser use
companies collaborated for five years after which
a stamping action. They place the device on
Johnson and Johnson made the decision to pull
the skin, ensure that the contact sensors are
out of the project for financial reasons. According
engaged, and press the activation button.
to a Palomar statement at the time: ‘With this
The tip is mounted on a precision XY-stage,
decision, Johnson and Johnson avoids having
controlled by a microcomputer in the device.
to make a large commercialisation payment
When the user presses the activation button and
to Palomar and avoids having to commit to
all safety conditions are satisfied, the software
the significant level of funding required to
moves the tip according to the pre-programmed
successfully launch a new product into the mass
two-dimensional pattern, pulsing the laser at
market.’
the desired locations to create the fractional
Palomar successfully gained FDA clearance for
treatment in the skin. Each scan takes about
the PaloVia in 2009, and the device is now sold
three seconds and then the consumer moves
through various consumer channels such as the
the device to another skin location. The device
QVC shopping network.
allows 25 stamps and then automatically shuts
As with Palomar’s clinical systems, the
down for eight hours. ‘This stamping mechanism
PaloVia is based on fractional non-ablative laser
technology (see box). ‘The PaloVia
uses a 1.41µm diode laser in a
System manufacturers believe
package especially developed
by Palomar,’ explains Gregory
the at-home market will stimulate the
Altshuler, senior vice president
clinical market
of research at Palomar. ‘Bringing
costs down to the required level
is ideal for treating delicate areas, such as eye
was challenging at the beginning because the
wrinkles, as it allows the user to be very precise,’
initial quantities required were relatively low. We
says Altshuler. ‘The efficacy of our device is also
had to develop our own laser diode package to
independent of the consumer. It does not rely on
be successful.’
the consumer to get it right.’
Being first onto the market was a risk,
Users of the RéAura, on the other hand, use a
admits Altshuler. ‘But we are very proud of this
more fluid motion when treating their skin. ‘The
accomplishment,’ he says. ‘And it gives us a
RéAura features a high repetition rate fractional
head start and more time to make our second
laser beam delivery system which includes
generation product even better.’
movement tracking,’ says George Frangineas,
The device being marketed by Philips, the
director of laser technology at Solta. ‘It uses a
RéAura, was developed together with laser
control algorithm that delivers a specific and
systems supplier Solta. It is also based on a diode
predictable dose onto each area of the skin. Users
laser (1435nm) and fractionated non-ablative
simply glide the handpiece over their face and
technology. The main difference between the two
the laser automatically delivers the right dose,
devices is the scanning method used to deliver
correcting for the variable movement speed. This
the laser power to the skin.
means the user performs multiple passes over the
The laser in the PaloVia is coupled into
same area of skin, producing a uniform treatment
an optical fibre which has a microlens at its
without printing stamp-zones of demarcation.’
tip. This tip focuses the laser beam beneath
AESTHETIC LASERS
To prevent consumers overusing the device,
Philips advises that they treat their skin in ‘zones’for example, the forehead is one zone and one
half of the lower face is another zone. According
to Philips, the device knows when exactly the
correct dosage has been administered to each
zone and it plays a ‘dose complete’ tune to alert
the user to move on to the next zone. In addition,
to prevent over-treatment, RéAura does have an
automatic cut-off that blocks the device for 24
hours.
Unlike the PaloVia, the RéAura does not yet
have FDA approval, which means it cannot be
sold in the US. However, the PaloVia is only FDA
approved for use on wrinkles around the eyes,
which restricts Palomar’s advertising campaign
as the company is not allowed to make claims
about the efficacy of the device on any other part
of the body. Philips, on the other hand, does
not have these restrictions and its marketing
campaign claims the RéAura is effective for the
whole face, neck, chest, forearms and hands. In a
statement released for Electro Optics, Philips states
that: ‘The RéAura is currently only available for
the European market. Philips is in the process of
receiving 510k approval from the FDA and hopes
to launch RéAura in the US in the coming years.’ ➤
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ELECTRO OPTICS
13
APPLICATIONS
AESTHETIC LASERS
Before
After 24
treatments
Philips’ RéAura
does not yet have
FDA approval and
has been launched
in the UK and the
Netherlands. It
features a 1435nm
laser diode laser.
Images courtesy
of Philips
Philip’s RéAura is being marketed for use on all areas of the face as well as hands and arms. Images courtesy of Philips
➤
Professor Christopher Zachary is chair of the
Department of Dermatology at the University
of California in Irvine. He sits on the Scientific
Advisory Board for the Solta/Philips project and
works with several laser companies on new
technology. He says: ‘If an at-home device is
powerful enough to do good, then it is powerful
enough to cause complications so any company
entering this market will need to develop safety
mechanisms. Both these devices work and
both are safe. It will be interesting to see what
marketing strategies the companies use.’
Zachary believes the at-home market is not
a threat to the clinical market: ‘I am totally in
favour of the development of home-use devices
so that patients might perform facial rejuvenation
(or other treatments like hair removal) in the
comfort of their own home. It just makes
sense, both economically and for the sake of
convenience. This is not to say that laser surgeons
should be worried they are going to lose any
business. It’s probably a different and more
expanded group of individuals who will buy
these devices.’
FROM HAIR REMOVAL TO SKIN REJUVENATION
There are three types of light-based
cosmetic devices on the market for
use at home
LED-based devices
There are several companies that have
brought LED-based devices onto the market
that claim to help with skin conditions such
as acne or skin rejuvenation. They use a
combination of blue, red and infrared LEDs and
claim the light kills bacteria and stimulates
collagen generation. While several devices on
the market have been FDA approved, many
dermatologists are sceptical about the efficacy
of such devices.
Intense light pulse (IPL) devices
IPL technology uses a broad-spectrum light
source and is cheaper and faster than laser
hair removal. While the precise effectiveness
of IPL compared with Alexandrite and Nd:YAG
laser epilation is debated by scientists,
equipment manufacturers and practitioners, it
is clear that the success of the home-use IPL
market has stimulated the at-home laser skin
rejuvenation market. Some companies, such
as UK company CyDen, are planning to develop
at-home skin rejuvenation products based on
IPL technology.
14
ELECTRO OPTICS
l
FEBRUARY 2012
Laser-based devices
In clinics, laser-based skin rejuvenation has
shown dramatic results. There are two types
of laser-based technologies: ablative, where
the laser removes the top layer of skin; or nonablative, where the laser is scanned across the
skin for a deeper effect. Penetrating deep into
the dermis the laser causes tiny wounds that
trigger the body’s natural healing response.
This process expedites the body’s remodelling
of collagen and elastin, which results in tighter,
fresher, more youthful-looking skin. Because
the treatment is non-ablative and fractionated,
the skin heals faster.
Non-ablative fractional technology uses
microscopic columns of laser power to damage
skin to promote healing.
As consumers become more aware of this
technology, more companies will enter the
market for a slice of the action. UK company
CyDen, who already has a hair removal product
on the shelves of the UK’s largest pharmacy
chain, Boots, has hinted that it is looking into
the skin rejuvenation market. The company
declined to be interviewed, but on its website it
states: ‘Through the work carried out by CyDen
on hair and on port wine blemish removal, it
was discovered that, by altering the length and
intensity of the light pulses, a patient’s skin
became plumper and softer when exposed to
CyDen’s IPL light. CyDen’s founders filed the
first FDA Clearances in this area. Look out for an
exciting announcement on how consumers will
be able to benefit later in 2011.’ As this issue of
Electro Optics went to press, this announcement
had not yet been made.
US laser systems supplier Cynosure is also
known to be working with cosmetics giant
Unilever on a home-use light-based skin
rejuvenation product, but, again, the company
declined to be interviewed.
Pantec Biosolutions, based in Lichtenstein,
is also working on an at-home version of
its professional laser system – Precise Laser
Epidermal System (P.L.E.A.S.E.). Unlike the
other devices on the market, Pantec’s platform
is based on an ablative technology using an
Er:YAG laser at 2940nm. Like the non-ablative
technologies, Pantec’s system uses a laser scanner
to create an array of micropores in a predefined
area. However, its ablative technology can also
be used for transdermal delivery of drugs or
cosmetics. Stefan Summer, product manager at
Pantec, confirmed that the at-home device will
be based on the same platform as its professional
products, ‘meaning a miniaturised diode-pumped
Er:YAG laser (2940 nm)’. Pantec’s professional
platform has been developed together with laser
APPLICATIONS
such as the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare
diode suppler Oclaro, however Summer does
Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) does not
not comment on how Pantec will ensure this
regulate such consumer devices used for hair
technology will be made affordable for home use.
removal or wrinkle treatments as they consider
As with other devices on the market, Pantec
these cosmetic applications and outside of their
aims to get FDA approval for its P.L.E.A.S.E
scope of responsibility. The only requirement is
Private device. ‘We are confident that we will
that such products meet European Directives and
get FDA approval,’ says Summer. ‘By having the
carry the CE mark.
P.L.E.A.S.E. Professional on the market means the
reliability and safety of the device
will be shown. Furthermore,
The at-home light-based device
several other home-use devices
will be on the market by then and market is so new... that regulations
the FDA will have more practical
have not yet caught up
experience with home-use
Currently, there are no British or international
devices.’
standard specifically covering home-use lightMeeting regulation requirements is often
based devices and it is unlikely that any such
one of the biggest hurdles a new product has
standard will be available before the end of 2013.
to overcome. The at-home light-based device
The consumer market is very fragile – one
market is so new and evolving so quickly that
accident or mistake and the whole market’s
regulations have not yet caught up.
reputation could be ruined. To protect this
In the US, the FDA regulates the sale of
fragile market, large companies are taking steps
consumer-use light-based products and treats
to ensure consumers use their products safely,
them as medical devices requiring pre-marketing
despite there being no legal requirement for them
clearance before they can be offered for sale. In
to do so. For example, in the UK the RéAura
Europe however, the equivalent organisations,
AESTHETIC LASERS
is sold through the online cosmetics shopping
site Space NK. Unlike most products on the
site, consumers cannot simply buy the product
online – they must phone Space NK where a
skin analysis is then undertaken as part of the
registration process for online support.
‘Companies such as Philips don’t want smaller
companies coming onto the market and ruining
the reputation of the technology,’ says Godfrey
Town, an UK-based independent laser protection
advisor. ‘That is why they are keen to develop
standards and tighter regulation of the market.’
Town is part of an international task force
of scientists and clinicians from the European
Society for Laser Dermatology which is calling
for tighter guidelines on the safety of light-based
home-use devices. The initiative has the backing
of all the large players in this industry.
‘Europe is tightening its regulations covering
professional providers of light-based therapy but
because the at-home devices are not classed as
medical devices, these tighter regulations will not
impact the consumer market,’ says Town. ‘There
is an urgent need for specific regulation of lightbased devices for use in the home.’ l
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FEBRUARY 2012
l
ELECTRO OPTICS
15
EOS NEWS
All the latest news from the
European Optical Society
www.myeos.org
JEOS:RP section editor Fredrik
Laurell elected Fellow of the Optical
Society of America
With the motivation ‘For
pioneering contributions to the
development of periodically
poled materials and important
contributions to laser physics
and nonlinear optics’, the OSA
has elected Fredrik Laurell as
a Fellow. The chairman of the
Swedish Optical Society, SOS,
and professor for laser physics
at KTH, Sweden, is not a noname within the EOS either.
Since December 2011 he has
Fredrik Laurell
acted as a section editor for
JEOS:RP; before that he held the position as chairman
of the EOS Advisory Committee.
Fredrik Laurell received his MSc (Electrical
Engineering, LTH) and PhD (Physics, KTH) in 1983
and 1990, respectively. During 1990-1991 he was
a visiting research scientist at DuPont Experimental
Station, Wilmington, DE, USA and during 1992-1993
JEOS:RP draws
a positive balance
for 2011
2011 was a very successful
year for the journal. A 33 per
cent increase in the impact
factor along with a 36 per
cent decrease in the time-topublication count among the
most important achievements. At
the same time, the total number
of paper submissions increased
by 25 per cent, while the
acceptance ratio went down by
55 per cent to 31 per cent and
the rejection ratio rose by 111
per cent to 38 per cent rejected
papers.
JEOS:RP is therefore on
track to meeting its goal of
being an important platform
for publication in the fields of
classical and quantum optics.
16
ELECTRO OPTICS
l
a project manager at the Institute
of Optical Research, Stockholm,
Sweden. He was employed
as research associate at KTH
in 1993, lecturer 1999 and
professor of physics in 2001.
Since 2006 he has been the
Deputy Head at the Department
of Applied Physics at KTH. He
also chairs the Optics section at
the Royal Academy of Science
and is Deputy Director for
ADOPT, the Linneus Centre in
Photonics. Besides he initiated
the foundation of PhotonicSweden 2010.
Laurell’s research spans studies of optical
materials, nonlinear optics and laser physics. He has
authored or co-authored more than 200 journal papers
and holds 13 patents. He has also founded four
companies and received the Göran Gustafsson Prize in
Physics 2003.
EOS Affiliated Society SEDOPTICA calls for
applications for Justiniano Casas Prize
The Spanish Optical Society
Committee for Image Techniques
awaits applications for the third
edition of the Justiniano Casas Prize
for Research in Optical Imaging (a
deadline of 29 February 2012). The
main objective of this SEDOPTICA
committee is to encourage the
development of knowledge in the
field of imaging techniques and
related areas, in particular, in the
fields of scientific research, education
and industrial and commercial
applications.
The award will be presented to a
member of SEDOPTICA whose PhD
thesis is related to research in optical
imaging and who has achieved the
highest grade in the defence of his/
her work. The oral thesis examination
must have taken place between 1
January 2009 and 31 December
2010. An amount of 1,000 euros
for the winner and an amount of
500 euros for the runner-up will be
awarded by the five-person jury.
Read more in the call for
applications at http://sedoptica.
cfmac.csic.es/ComiteImagen/
index.htm.
Call for nominations for the EOS Board of Directors
2012 is an election year for the EOS
Board. Five seats will have to be
filled; all EOS members are entitled
to nominate up to three candidates.
FEBRUARY 2012
Nominations may be made either
by letter or by e-mail until 31 March
2012. Detailed instructions are to be
found at www.myeos.org.
LATEST PAPER
PUBLICATIONS
IN JEOS: RP
Several papers were recently
published in JEOS:RP,
the online Journal of the
European Optical Society:
Rapid Publications. To read
the full papers please go
online at www.jeos.org.
Development and experimental
validation of a versatile prototype
Swing Arm Profilometer for
measuring optical surfaces
H. Jing, Z. Lin, L. Ma, S. Wu, F. Wu
[11052]
Contrast transfer characteristics
of the light sword optical
element designed for presbyopia
compensation
K. Petelczyc, S. Bará, A. Ciro López,
Z. Jaroszewicz, K. Kakarenko, A.
Kolodziejczyk, M. Sypek [11053]
Power smart in-door optical
wireless link design
P. J. Marraccini, N. A. Riza [11054]
Effect of fill-factor on the Talbot
effect of diffraction gratings
F. J. Salgado-Remacha, L. M.
Sanchez-Brea, E. Bernabeu [11055]
Scalar Readout Model for SuperRens Focused Spot
A. C. Assafrao, S. F. Pereira, H. P.
Urbach [11056]
Three-dimensional imaging and
force characterization of multiple
trapped particles in low NA
counterpropagating optical traps
T. B. Lindballe, M. V. Kristensen, A. P.
Kylling, D. Z. Palima, J. Glückstad, S.
R. Keiding, H. Stapelfeldt [11057]
High pulse energy and symmetrical
far field from an optical parametric
oscillator in the red spectral range
G. Rustad, O. Farsund [11058]
Computation of Hopkins’ 3-circle
integrals using Zernike expansions
A. J. E. M. Janssen [11059]
Digital in-line holography with a
spatially partially coherent beam
S. Coëtmellec, C. Remacha, M.
Brunel, D. Lebrun, A. J. E. M.
Janssen [11060]
HOURS
6000
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ORCA-Flash4.0 simultaneously delivers high sensitivity (over 70% QE at 600nm),
very low noise (1.3 electrons) and fast frame rates (100 full frames/s) with continuous
high speed acquisition at full resolution. This unique combination of high QE and low
readout noise allows the ORCA-Flash4.0 to outperform all other cameras traditionally
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Hamamatsu’s brilliantly designed ORCA-Flash4.0 is truly a game changer in the world
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TECHNOLOGY
LIFE SCIENCES
Life
through a lens
Greg Blackman on the
importance of optics for
those working in the field
of life sciences, from
microscopy to measuring
fluorescence with ultrafast
spectroscopy
18
ELECTRO OPTICS
l
FEBRUARY 2012
M
odern microscopes are highly
advanced pieces of equipment
allowing scientists to probe
deeper into tissue and resolve ever
finer structures. Super resolution microscopy
techniques, such as photoactivated localisation
microscopy (PALM) or stimulated emission
depletion microscopy (STED), are the current
state-of-the-art, providing higher resolution
than standard confocal microscopes. Confocal
microscopes are typically diffraction limited to
around half the wavelength of the illumination
source.
While the technology surrounding microscopy
continues to be refined at the cutting-edge, the
challenges facing those building lower-spec
microscopes with a limited budget remain
considerable. Researchers at the Universidad
Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH) and the
Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería in Peru, led
by Dr Mirko Zimic, have developed a lowcost inverted microscope from stock optical
components. The team hope to improve the
diagnosis of endemic diseases in poverty-stricken
areas with the device. Dr Zimic and his team are
currently trialling one of the prototype systems at
a health centre in Trujillo in the north of Peru for
diagnosing tuberculosis.
The researchers built the system from optical
components from Edmund Optics (EO); the
work won first place in Edmund Optics’ 2011
higher education grants, with the team receiving
$10,000 worth of EO products.
‘The project began with tuberculosis,
although it can be expanded to other diseases,’
explains Dr Zimic. ‘This is not a state-of-the-art
system, but a simple microscope comprised of
affordable standard optical elements. It doesn’t
have tremendous capacity, but has enough
functionality for TB diagnosis. We hope the
microscope will reduce diagnosis of multi-drugresistant TB in Peru from 10 months to seven
days.’
Tuberculosis is a major public health
problem in Peru and most developing countries.
Early diagnosis of the disease is not common
in Peru and multi-drug-resistant strains take
even longer to diagnose. In 2000, Dr Gilman’s
tuberculosis laboratory at UPCH developed a
method to culture TB in a liquid rather than a
solid medium (microscopic observation drug
susceptibility). This allows TB to be diagnosed
and to capture digital images of the slides,
in seven days directly from a sputum sample
which can be sent for automated analysis at the
plus the determination of multi-drug resistance.
UPCH-Bioinformatics laboratory servers with the
However, the diagnostic test requires an inverted
algorithm. The algorithm takes 15 seconds to run
microscope, which is not a cheap piece of
on a standard PC and is 99.4 per cent sensitive
equipment and not many laboratories can afford
and 99.7 per cent specific, according to Dr Zimic.
it, especially not Peru’s ministry of health. The
‘We proved that there was no significant
MODS reading also requires skilled technicians
difference between results from our system and
to interpret the patterns and correctly classify
a $10,000 Nikon inverted microscope,’ Dr Zimic
TB. Both of these reasons have meant it’s not
comments. After the seven-day culture period,
been feasible to implement this equipment to
the plate can be read under the microscope, the
any large degree in Peru, although this method
image from which is processed by the automated
is now being used in other countries including
algorithm at the University servers to make
Singapore, Thailand, South Africa, Bangladesh,
the analysis. ‘The physician will know in seven
Ecuador and Bolivia.
days, with high accuracy, if the patient has TB
‘We wanted to find a way of replacing a
costly microscope as well as the
skilled technician to make the
We hope the microscope will
diagnosis,’ states Dr Zimic. In
Peru, most newly-diagnosed
reduce diagnosis of drug-resistant TB in
patients are automatically put on
Peru from 10 months to seven days
a 10-month regime of first-line
empirical drugs. If the patient
and simultaneously if that patient is multi-drug
doesn’t respond to the treatment, they are
resistant,’ he continues. ‘This test cuts out the
declared to have a multi-drug-resistant strain and
10-month empirical treatment of TB sufferers
put on a course of second-line drugs. During this
with first-line drugs by determining multi-drugtime the patient remains ill and can transmit the
resistant strains initially, which means treatment
disease.
can immediately commence with second-line
Dr Zimic’s team took a two-pronged approach
drugs.’
to the problem: firstly, building an inexpensive
The microscope can be built for as little as
digital microscope and secondly, developing a
$400-500 using a simple dichroic lamp as the
mathematical algorithm to automatically identify
illumination source. Nikon or Olympus inverted
the Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a digital
microscopes cost from $8,000 upwards.
microscope image. The prototype microscope
The components from Edmund Optics were
used optical components from Edmund Optics,
used to demonstrate the proof-of-concept system.
including stages, lenses and a 45° mirror to
‘We bought different sets of lenses and stages
deflect the light beam at 90°. The system was
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TECHNOLOGY
LIFE SCIENCES
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and cost-effective combination
of optical components. We could
economise on the design further by
removing the 45° mirror, but we
wanted to have the dual ability to
look through the eyepiece as well
as capturing digital images of the
slide,’ Dr Zimic says.
‘The Peruvian health system
pays for TB treatment and all the
indirect costs associated. If we can
reduce the time of TB diagnosis
and determination of multi-drug
resistance from 10 months to one
week, we will have a very important
impact on the prevalence of the
disease,’ he concludes.
Although this project began
with TB, Dr Zimic explains that the
same principle can be applied to
any disease that could be diagnosed
with pattern recognition on digital
images. ‘We’ve developed other
image recognition algorithms
for intestinal parasites, malaria,
and are currently working on
cervical cancer to create automatic
Papanicolau-smear slides,’ he says.
Cervical cancer is a common
form of cancer in women and,
especially in rural areas in
developing countries, diagnostic
equipment is not available.
Therefore, slides have to be shipped
to designated laboratories, which
takes time. Women might have
to wait 4-5 months after a sample
was taken before receiving the
diagnostic results.
‘We want to do exactly the
same thing [with cervical cancer]
as we’re doing with TB,’ states Dr
Zimic, ‘to bring the diagnostics
of smears directly to the health
centres. We’re currently developing
the optical system and algorithm, in
collaboration with the University of
Washington in Seattle, for screening
samples to reduce the number
sent to pathology labs. This would
help reduce the time taken for a
complete diagnosis.’
Ultrafast spectroscopy
Leaving the topic of microscopy
for the moment and moving
onto spectroscopy, researchers
20
ELECTRO OPTICS
l
The KTN high-speed spectrometer, developed by NTT Photonics and supplied by AMS
Technologies, scans a wide optical spectrum in microsecond-order timescales, ideal for
observing ultrafast luminous phenomena
at NTT Photonics in Japan,
which conducts photonics R&D
mainly for telecommunications,
have developed an optical beam
scanner that’s used in a high-speed
spectrometer. The spectrometer’s
rapid scanning properties make
it ideal for observing ultrafast
luminous phenomena in
bioanalytical science, among other
potential applications.
The scanner-based spectrometer,
fabricated from potassium tantalate
niobate (KTN), can measure
a wide optical spectrum in
microsecond-order timescales. AMS
Technologies, based in Martinsried,
Germany, will supply the KTN
spectrometer, the technology
surrounding which, as Dr Torsten
Ledig, sales manager at AMS,
explains is still under development.
NTT Photonics based its scanner
on a KTN crystal, a nonlinear
crystal that can be used to deflect
light beams from point to point
at high frequency (megahertz)
modulation. ‘The scanner operates
at faster scanning frequencies
compared to commercially
available spectrometers,’ states Dr
Ledig. ‘Solid-state spectrometers
using CCD lines cannot make
measurements over these
timescales. Likewise, spectrometers
using a slit and rotating the prism
mechanically would also be much
slower.’
With a standard spectrometer,
the incident beam travels through a
FEBRUARY 2012
prism or diffraction grating to split
the light into different wavelengths.
The dispersed light then passes
through a slit and the wavelengthdependent signal is measured,
typically either with a CCD line or
a photomultiplier detector. This,
however, is not very fast. NTT
looked to develop an optic that
would scan the beam in front of
the dispersion element to achieve
a different angle of incidence on
the prism over time. ‘The slit and
detector are in the same position
and by scanning the incident light
in front of the prism, the result is
disposal. Fluorescence provides
a means of viewing proteins and
cellular components; the expression
of a fluorescently labelled protein,
for instance, can be seen and
tracked over time.
When excited by one
wavelength of light, fluorescent
proteins, such as GFP, emit
photons at a longer wavelength.
‘Fluorescence microscopes have
to be able to separate the very
intense excitation light from the
very faint emitted light,’ explains
Nicolas George, director of
product marketing at US optics
manufacturer Semrock. In modern
microscopes, the excitation and
emission light pass through part
of the same optical system and are
separated by a dichroic mirror. The
mirror reflects the shorter excitation
wavelengths coming back through
the system and transmits only the
longer emission signal.
Semrock, the sister company
of CVI Melles Griot, both of which
are owned by Idex Corporation,
supplies excitation filters, emission
filters and dichroic mirrors used
in fluorescence microscopes. The
filters have very high blocking
(optical density of six or seven)
in all regions of the spectrum
The scanner operates at faster
scanning frequencies compared to
commercially available spectrometers
a wavelength-dependent signal
detected over time,’ explains Dr
Ledig.
The system developed by NTT
is only a proof-of-principle device
at the moment, according to Dr
Ledig. So far, laser beams at specific
wavelengths have been used as
a light source to test the device,
whereas, in reality, the spectrometer
would be used to measure a
fluorescence signal.
Fluorescence studies
In the life science arena,
fluorescence is one of the major
tools scientists have at their
apart from a narrow band (approx
±10nm) around the wavelength of
interest. The dichroic mirror has to
have high reflectivity in the shorter
wavelengths and then switch to
high transmission in the longer
wavelengths – the transmission
profile is like a step function.
Semrock supplies hard-coated
filters for fluorescence microscopes.
These are fabricated using ionbeam sputtering to deposit metal
oxides on the glass. The technique
produces a very dense and uniform
coating. ‘Soft-coated filters are less
expensive but have to be replaced
over time,’ comments George. ‘The
TECHNOLOGY
hard-coated filters can be cleaned
with acetone and are much more
robust to changes in humidity.’
Fluorescence is relatively
inefficient; the protein will fluoresce
in all directions but only that light
passing through the eyepiece will be
detected. Also, microscope optics
will have some losses. ‘Because the
process is relatively inefficient, a
powerful laser light source is used
to illuminate the sample,’ explains
George. ‘Therefore, there’s a lot
of excitation light contributing to
the background noise that needs
to be attenuated by the optics.
Hard-coated filters are particularly
advantageous as they are robust
enough to handle the intense laser
light sources.’
The latest technology
surrounding microscopy mean the
optics have to work even harder.
Super resolution microscopy
techniques like PALM and STORM
take advantage of photoactivation
at different wavelengths to activate
and deactivate different subsets
of labelled proteins. ‘Traditionally,
the dichroic mirror would only
have to contend with a single laser
wavelength,’ explains Jim Passalugo,
product manager at Semrock,
‘whereas, with these techniques,
the dichroic beam splitter has
to have wider transmission and
reflection bands to accommodate
the various different excitation and
emission wavelengths. This can
be challenging when you want to
maintain all the other properties of
the mirror.’
Another big market for
photonics in life sciences, according
to Dr Matthias Schulze, director
of marketing at Coherent, is
flow cytometry, used in clinical
applications such as testing blood
samples of HIV sufferers. Flow
cytometry requires a non-circular
beam overlap to make the counts
and beam shaping optics, such
as a Powell lens, are often used to
translate a Gaussian beam profile
into a line or custom profile for flow
cytometry equipment. Coherent
provides beam shaping optics for
flow cytometry applications.
‘The market is asking for
a laser with integrated beam
shaping optics,’ Schulze says. ‘By
incorporating the beam shaping
capabilities into the optics for the
laser, instrument builders no longer
have to do this themselves. The
life science instrument community
always wants to simplify complex
subsystems from an engineering
perspective.’
Coherent has also released the
OBIS family of lasers, combining
laser diode and OPSL solutions in
the same package. OBIS lasers are
suitable for flow cytometry, confocal
microscopy, and DNA sequencing,
among other applications.
Schulze notes that DNA
sequencing for patient care and
personalised medicine is another
important area for photonics
UV
VIS
LIFE SCIENCES
within life sciences. ‘Currently, the
growth rate in DNA sequencing
has been slow due to a variety of
considerations surrounding the
technology, such as data handling,
but this could be very important
market for photonics in the future,’
he says. ‘If disease treatment could
be improved simply by sequencing
a patient’s DNA, that will open the
door to massive growth.’ l
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FEBRUARY 2012
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ELECTRO OPTICS
21
TECHNOLOGY
SAFETY
Maximum power,
maximum safety
Rob Coppinger
investigates how the
industry is containing
lasers as powerful
as Class 4
Sensors in the upper half of TruLaserCell 7040 will detect movement. Image courtesy of Trumpf
‘C
lass 3B and Class
4 lasers represent
a serious hazard
to the eyes and
skin. Additionally, Class 4 lasers
have the potential to damage
surrounding infrastructure,’ says
Paul Tozer, managing director of
laser safety solutions company
Lasermet. Rising to the challenge
of these increasingly powerful
lasers with more comprehensive
protection for users and their
facilities is driving advances in the
safety market. The range of laser
safety products now span any
Safety glasses are
becoming more stylish
for a wider range of
wavelengths. Image
courtesy of Laser
Components
22
ELECTRO OPTICS
l
FEBRUARY 2012
industry where lasers are used,
from research science laboratories,
to universities and engineering
design institutions, to dentistry,
the medical and beauty sectors
and manufacturing facilities.
Manufacturing is a leading user
of the higher power Class 3B and
Class 4 lasers.
One of the latest challenges
for the industry is the design,
development and manufacture of
active laser guarding systems to
protect personnel and building
infrastructure against the
destructive results of stray multikilowatt lasers.
Various companies have been
designing passive enclosures for
many years so customers can fully
enclose their lasers safely and cost
effectively. Today enclosures are
now advancing to active systems.
One company’s patented active
laser guarding system is called
the Laser Jailer. That company is
Tozer’s Lasermet. Lasermet was
formed in 1987 and was run by its
chairman, professor Bryan Tozer,
who at the time had 25-years
involvement in lasers. His son Paul
is now MD and he explains that
‘the use of proven, CE certified
laser blocking materials with their
specified rating, ensures that laser
beams are kept safely within the
laser controlled area.’
A number of Lasermet’s Laser
Jailer installations have already
been completed in the UK and
one of the larger ones has been
installed at the University of
Manchester. The company won
the contract to supply and install
active laser safety enclosures for
three 16kW fibre laser robotic cells
at the University of Manchester’s
school of mechanical, aerospace
and civil engineering.
The contract was to design and
build three laser safety enclosures
with active and passive shielding
that meet the standard EN608254. Lasermet developed the Laser
TECHNOLOGY
Jailer under BS EN ISO 138491:2008 so it was fail safe. These
type of enclosures are for lasers,
often employed with robots, for
cutting and welding operations.
At the school of mechanical,
aerospace and civil engineering
an IPG 16kW fibre laser with
multiple outputs is used to deliver,
through fibre, the laser light to
three processing heads for cutting,
welding and deposition processes.
These three processing heads are
mounted on three six-axis Kuka
robots. Safety enclosures were
required for each of the robotic
processing cells.
The dimensions of the
enclosures at Manchester are 4 x
3.5 x 2.5m and one of them has
double wide doors at the entrance
to accommodate large workpieces using manual forklifts.
Lasermet’s system is modular and
as such can be installed on almost
Solid state
lasers have more
stringent needs
compared to CO2
lasers
any scale; from small enclosures
measuring around a cubic metre
up to large rooms typically 10m
x 10m x 3m. Lasermet’s fail safe
technology cuts power to lasers
producing stray beams in less
than 50ms, preventing damage
to the surrounding enclosure and
possible injury to its users. Its
dual channel ICS-15XM interlock
control system is also linked
to the relevant robot motion
control circuitry. Lasermet’s
safety system is hardware reliant
and not dependent on software
avoiding the problems of bugs and
upgrades.
Family owned German laser
system manufacturer Trumpf
provides machines with extensive
safety measures akin to Lasermet’s
Laser Jailer. The company’s Ralf
Kohlloeffel spoke to Electro Optics
about how CO2 lasers were once
all anyone had to worry about but
the increasing range of powerful
lasers meant enclosure safety has
had to advance. For Trumpf’s
latest product Kohlloeffel says:
‘At the end of 2009 we released
the new generation of the 7000
series, offering solid state laser
integration, higher optical energy
efficiency and lower cost per part
and higher performance with
lower laser power compared to
CO2 lasers.’ The changes seen
with the 7000 series in the design
of the enclosure and peripheries
are because solid state lasers have
more stringent needs compared
to CO2 lasers due to the different
wavelength of solid state lasers.
‘For that reason gaps where laser
light can directly or indirectly
SAFETY
penetrate the enclosure are totally
forbidden for the use of solid state
lasers,’ Kohlloeffel explains.
The rotary changer is a turning
table and brings the part from the
working area so the operator can
safely start loading and unloading.
However, Kohlloeffel admits that
the rotary changer takes up a lot
of space and so it is probably not
appropriate for a job shop.
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FEBRUARY 2012
l
ELECTRO OPTICS
23
TECHNOLOGY
SAFETY
Trumpf’s latest enclosure has reflective and laser absorbing materials.
Image courtesy of Trumpf
➤
Another addition related to
tackling the challenge of securing
solid state laser beams with
mechanical roof tops or shutters
is the use of materials that absorb
the energy from the solid state
laser. ‘We started combining
materials and now we know ways
that are not working but we also
know which are working. With
this combination the entire roof
of the enclosure is equipped and
covered,’ Kohlloeffel tells Electro
Optics.
In the enclosure the sides
are reflective, guiding the laser
radiation to the top, while the roof
has an absorber to reduce the laser
power dramatically to below the
limits set by law.
Another safety measure is
ensuring that any operator that
steps on the machine’s table is not
struck directly by laser radiation.
For this problem Trumpf installed
two laser scanners, located two
metres above the floor. If someone
is scanned in this area at a height
above two metres inside the
TruLaserCell while the laser is on
and processing on the other side
the machine stops automatically.
Trumpf’s latest development
for machines with solid state lasers
is the TruLaserCell 7040. It has
been commercially available from
the second quarter of 2011. One
of Trumpf’s customers received
it in January 2011 for testing. It
is using the system in the dual
station mode with its 3kW solid
state laser from Trumpf, in a three
shift operation.
24
ELECTRO OPTICS
l
Any operator will also wear
protective eyewear. Lasermet
is a distributor of laser safety
eyewear in Europe. ‘We have
been providing the optimum
solution for eyewear for many
years – to the appropriate standard
– by sourcing from several
manufacturers,’ says Tozer.
Laser Components also
distributes eyewear. Its Bernhard
your eyesight will be destroyed
in a fraction of a second. It is
important that people get the right
level of safety.’
A lot of eyewear is designed
for a range of wavelengths. Some
will filter out 780-840nm, others
315 to 400nm and then there are
those that filter 800 to 950nm and
above. The glasses with the wider
range, from 700nm up to 1100nm
have darker filters. ‘The more
blocking you put on, the more the
visibility is reduced. So instead
of 50 per cent plus visibility you
get 17 or 18 per cent,’ explains
Russell. ‘Safety levels are creeping
up now. Whereas before there
was just a level of five, that is
now six or seven. We are also
finding [levels of] eight and [some
products], one or two, at nine.’
Another aspect to eyewear
design that arises when providing
the greater protection needed
with Class 4 lasers is the use of
People keep glasses longer than they
should... scratches, even on a £400 pair,
mean the eyewear is giving less protection
Russell spoke to Electro Optics
about the pros and cons of
eyewear selection and use. ‘I used
to replace my [safety] glasses every
six months, they have a polymer
frame and they get thrown on
benches. The scratches thin the
filter and it might still be eye safe
but it is taking that risk, you’re
thinning the material,’ he explains.
‘With Class 4 [lasers] your
reactions aren’t quick enough and
glass. ‘With CO2 [lasers] you will
end up with glass filters in them.
But unfortunately glass makes
them very, very heavy. A lot of
people don’t like that. When
you’re looking down at something
you need something that is very
sturdy, and they don’t tend to
be very comfortable’. Because of
this, companies have been trying
to reduce the weight. ‘We have
found a trend in people wanting
Polymers mean glasses can become lighter. Image courtesy of
Laser Components
FEBRUARY 2012
lighter, more comfortable eyewear.
We have started seeing changes;
where you could only find glass
we’re now finding there is a
polymer equivalent,’ Russell says.
‘Something polymer, a lighter
[lens], if you’re wearing them
all day it will make a big, big
difference to your work’.
Russell explained that a lot of
the new developments in eyewear
have been developing technology
to get away from glass but that ‘in
certain circumstances you’ll never
get away from glass’.
Russell has seen product
changes over the last 10-15
years with glasses that were
uncomfortable and bulky and
heavy for a high level of protection
are now becoming sleeker and
more ‘wrap around’ in style.
‘We have several ranges ideal for
people with prescription lenses,’
he adds.
Users have also demanded
better visibility and there is a
much wider range of clear options
where there is a visibility of 90 per
cent but still giving the blocking at
the wavelength users need.
Prices for basic glasses through
to the sleeker wrap around styles
range from £25 to £300-£400.
Russell warns that people keep
glasses longer than they should
and that scratches, even on a
£400 pair, mean the eyewear is
giving the users less protection
than it should. ‘If you have a
cluster of scratches then replace it
immediately, it is not worth taking
the risk. [But] safety glasses should
be the last line of defence. There
should be other safety measures in
place,’ including the enclosures. l
Some applications will still require heavy glass eyewear for
protection. Image courtesy of Laser Components
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h:
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icro-Optica
tics and M
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-O
ro
ic
M
Congress
Organizer:
Research in Optical Science:
OSA Optics and Photonics Congress
Max-Born-Institut
TECHNOLOGY
SPECTROMETERS
Tripping the light fantastic
Rob Coppinger rounds up the latest products for analysing light
LTB Lasertechnik Berlin has
expanded the scope of possible
applications for its high-resolution
Aryelle spectrometers by integrating
the latest USB and GigE cameras.
Mobile instruments as well as
fast online process control can be
realised with the Aryelle. Due to
their particular optical design, these
Echelle spectrometers provide the
opportunity to measure a large
simultaneous wavelength range at
a very high spectral resolution (20
pm). To be able to detect the typical
number of approx. 50 grating orders
with about 50,000 data points, the
systems are equipped with image
detectors. So far, such detectors had
a maximum frame rate of 3 fps. The
usage of the new GigE detectors
in conjunction with the Aryelle
spectrometers enables the recording
of up to 12 images now. Intelligent
software algorithms transform these
images in full spectra.
www.ltb-berlin.de
Hamamatsu Photonics has
announced the newest members of
its TG series of mini-spectrometers,
the C11713CA and C11714CA.
The new TG spectrometer modules
expand on the existing Hamamatsu
range and adopt a high sensitivity,
silicon back-thinned CCD image
sensor, specially selected to match
the optical arrangement. As well as
having very high sensitivity, both
modules offer a very narrow spectral
resolution of 0.3nm, making them
26
ELECTRO OPTICS
l
appropriate for Raman spectroscopy
applications. The C11713CA works
over the spectral range of 500nm
to 600nm, while the C11714CA
operates from 790nm to 920nm.
The C11713CA and C11714CA
use Hamamatsu’s low etaloning
back-thinned CCDs. Conventional
back-thinned CCDs can exhibit
etaloning in the near infrared region,
which is problematic in certain
Raman applications. Hamamatsu’s
new series of back-thinned CCDs
has been specifically designed to
reduce this etaloning effect. This
makes it suitable for a wider range
of applications, with a particular
emphasis on improving the
performance of current Raman
spectrometer systems.
www.hamamatsu.eu
Thermo Fisher Scientific has
announced the launch of a new
imaging attenuated total reflectance
(ATR) accessory for improved
spatial resolution and high speed
data acquisition capabilities for
Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR)
chemical imaging applications. ATR
is a popular sampling technique
for infrared spectroscopy allowing
direct contact sampling of solids and
liquids without further preparation.
The Thermo Scientific imaging
ATR accessory has been designed
to integrate with the company’s
range of FT-IR microscopes to
enable efficient, fast and reliable
chemical imaging of challenging
FEBRUARY 2012
samples. When coupled with an
FT-IR microscope, ATR provides
a unique capability for exploring
the microscopic structure of
heterogeneous samples. The Thermo
Scientific imaging ATR accessory
provides a more rapid method
because it requires the sample to be
compressed only once against an
extended area of contact.
www.thermoscientific.com
McPherson has supplied the
Laboratory of Radiation Physics at
Belgorod State University with a
Model 248/310 spectrometer. The
grazing incidence spectrometer will
help the university’s spectroscopy in
the soft x-ray and extreme vacuum
ultraviolet wavelength region. Their
research includes new x-ray sources
in the 0.1 to 50nm region, methods
for researching electron interactions
with structured targets, and a new
topic, guiding fast electrons.
www.mcphersoninc.com
Specialist optical spectroscopy
company Gilden Photonics is
offering Richardson Gratings
products in the UK and Ireland,
exclusively. This partnership
expands both company’s product
and service offering, allowing them
to meet their customers’ technology
needs in both OEM and end-user
applications. Gilden Photonics
spectroscopy systems feature spectral
instruments and detectors controlled
through software. Individual
components include, a variety of
different light sources for ultraviolet
(UV), near infrared and far infrared;
ruled and holographic diffraction
gratings and photodetectors with
a spectral coverage from UV to
infrared.
www.gildenphotonics.com
Elliot Scientific has announced
that the CRAIC Technologies
flagship product – the 20/20
Perfect Vision UV-visible-NIR
microspectrophotometer – is now
offered with kinetic spectroscopy
capabilities to scientists and
researchers in the UK and Ireland.
This time-resolved spectroscopy
package allows the system to
monitor the full range of spectra
from a microscopic sample. Analysis
of such samples can be done by
absorbance, reflectance and even
optical emission from the deep UV
to far into the near infrared spectral
regions. Applications are numerous,
from biological analysis to measuring
the degradation of LED’s over time
and much more. The ability to
analyse the time resolved spectra
of microscopic sample areas with
multiple spectroscopic techniques
makes the kinetic package for the
20/20 Perfect Vision the cutting-edge
micro-analysis tool for any laboratory
or manufacturing facility.
www.elliotscientific.com
Optical and scanning probe
microscope manufacturer Witec
is offering its confocal Raman
imaging system alpha300 R that
offers the ability to acquire chemical
information non-destructively. It
has a spatial resolution down to the
optical diffraction limit (~200nm).
Because of the confocal setup, it is
not only possible to collect Raman
information from the sample
TECHNOLOGY
surface, but also to look deep inside
transparent samples and even obtain
3D images. A complete Raman
spectrum is acquired at each image
pixel, resulting in images consisting
of tens of thousands of spectra. The
acquisition time for one spectrum
is only in the range of milliseconds,
resulting in complete images being
collected in a matter of minutes.
When analysing dedicated peak
characteristics of the spectra, a variety
of images can be generated using only
a single set of data. This allows you
not only to image the distribution
of chemical compounds, but also to
analyse, for example crystallinity or
material stress properties.
spectrometer chip, the Solo
Spectroscopy technology offers
the only spectrometer where both
dispersion and detection functions
are co-located within a single
structure. It uses a high-Q microdisk
resonator etched into a monolithic
chip. Since photons do not need to
travel between a grating (or mirror)
and a detector, the opportunity for
stray light is reduced. The main
benefit of monolithic chip-based
spectrometry is its robustness: it
can sustain extreme temperatures
and conditions, has no electrical or
mechanical moving parts and has low
power and footprint requirements.
www.zinir.com
www.witec.de
Edinburgh Instruments’ photonics
Photonics product development
company ZiNIR has unveiled its
Solo Spectroscopy, next generation
spectrometer at Photonics
West. Based on the concept of a
resonator-based, diode-integrated
division demonstrated its LifeSpec
II fluorescence spectrometer at
Photonics West. Designed for
both fundamental research and
routine laboratory applications, the
LifeSpec II utilises Time Correlated
Single Photon Counting for the
measurement of fluorescence
lifetimes from a single measurement.
Its novel optical design produces
zero temporal dispersion, allowing
the instrument to measure ultrafast decays down to 5ps. This
fully automated spectrometer was
equipped with a high repetition-rate
picosecond laser for the show, and
visitors were able to see profiles
build live on screen, thanks to the
integrated ultra-fast data acquisition
and analysis software.
www.edinburghphotonics.com
Newport has announced the
OptoFlash, a miniature, multichannel, spectrometer engine
for applications requiring the
detection of light energy at multiple
wavelengths. OptoFlash is ideal
for spectroscopy instruments
designed for applications such
as immunodiagnostic testing,
environmental monitoring,
SPECTROMETERS
colorimetry, and other applications
where a single component is required
for easy integration into a new
or existing OEM discrimination/
detection system. This new,
demultiplexing optical engine is
easy to customise and configure
with as many as 10 wavelength
channels, selected from 24 standard
wavelength options ranging from
200-900nm. It is also available
in 16 standard configurations
that are commonly used in
immunodiagnostic instrumentation.
Originally developed for clinical
chemical analysers, the OptoFlash
provides high speed and high
linearity with minimal stray light.
It provides simultaneous optical
transmission information for each
wavelength channel, making it an
ideal solution for OEM applications
that require a small (51 x 16 x
25mm), and lightweight (only 30g),
single-package device.
www.newport.com
FEBRUARY 2012
l
ELECTRO OPTICS
27
TECHNOLOGY
PRODUCTS
Product update
More products now online at www.electrooptics.com/products
Sensors and detectors
sCMOS sensor has 30,000:1
dynamic range
Andor Technology
has announced
several
performance
enhancements
to its Neo
camera, based on
next-generation
scientific CMOS
(sCMOS) technology.
The enhancements include faster
sustained frame rates, better image
quality, hardware pixel binning, flexible
region of interest capability with single
pixel granularity, an accurate timestamp
and improved global snapshot exposure
performance.
Neo’s 5.5 Megapixel sCMOS sensor,
with 6.5µm pixel size, achieves a 1
electron read noise at 30fps. Its dual
amplifier architecture facilitates a wide
dynamic range of 30,000:1. Neo delivers
deep vacuum cooling down to -40°C,
which is critical to maintaining the low
noise advantage and a minimal pixel
blemish specification across all exposure
conditions.
The camera offers comprehensive FPGA
intelligence for superior image quality and
quantitative stability. Coupled with a 4GB
on-head image memory, it has the ability to
acquire extended kinetic bursts at frame
rates that are faster than variable hard drive
write speeds. This therefore overcomes
the need for expensive and complex PC
solutions.
www.andor.com
Radiometer offers USB enabled
remote control
Gooch & Housego has announced the release of
the OL 730E radiometer, photometer.
This newest model in the OL Series 730
line boasts a smaller footprint and reduced
cost while providing similar research-grade
precision and accuracy. The OL 730E has an
internal preamplifier and a sensitivity of 1 x
28
ELECTRO OPTICS
l
FEBRUARY 2012
Single photon counting becomes
more accurate
Aurea Technology is launching its newly-designed
SPD_AT, an all-in-one high-performance near
infrared time-resolved single photon counting
module for Time Correlated Single Photon
Counting (TCSPC) applications.
The SPD_AT is an ultra-low-noise, high
quantum efficiency and low timing jitter near
infrared (900-1700nm) single photon counter
with 50ps timing correlation feature. The SPD_AT
includes a Geiger-mode InGaAs avalanche
photodiode and thermoelectric coolers that
Multiple functions possible with high
sensitivity thermal detector
Ophir Photonics has announced its BeamTrack
3A-Quad, a high sensitivity thermal detector
that combines multiple functions, power, energy
and position in a single, compact sensor.
The 3A-Quad accurately measures power
from 100µW to 3W and energy from 20µJ to 2J.
In addition, the sensor tracks beam position
down to 0.1mm. This provides increased
ensure detection efficiency up to 25 per cent, a
very low dark count rate <5.10-6 per ns gate, and
a low timing jitter of <180ps.
The SPD_AT is supplied with an easy-to-use
and ergonomic GUI compatible with LabView and
C++.
A dual version, the SDP_AT_M2, with two
photon detectors is also available. The SPD_AT
time-resolved single photon counter family
is suitable for use in fluorescence lifetime,
photoluminescence, spectroscopy and time
correlated single photon counting applications.
www.aureatechnology.com
measurement accuracy for high sensitivity
applications where it can be difficult to centre
laser beams on sensors with small apertures
and recessed surfaces.
The 3A-Quad has a small 9.5mm aperture
and measures a broad spectral range from
190nm to 20µm. The integrated beam position
measurement function also allows tracking of
beam wander.
www.ophiropt.com
10-14 amperes. It can be virtually controlled via
the USB interface, and claims a response time
as fast as 0.1 seconds and a full-scale range
of 2 x 10-10 to 2 x 10-3 amperes. Also being
offered with the radiometer will be a series of
TE-cooled detectors, which will provide enhanced
temperature stability over time while utilising a
smaller control unit.
www.goochandhousego.com
PicoQuant
for
Laser Systems
Life Sciences
Modular approach offers
all-in-one system
Rofin’s new Modular Processing System (MPS)
is a medium-sized, multi-purpose workstation
for a wide range of automated laser material
processing applications.
Designed as an all-in-one system, the MPS
integrates laser sources, motion modules and
control units within a single compact housing.
This flexible and modular concept allows the
system to be configured for welding, cutting,
drilling and structuring applications.
Four different motion systems are available
ranging from the basic module, with a single
z axis, up to a high-precision granite setup
featuring a cross table with linear servo driven
axes. Each solution can be combined with either
fixed optics or galvo scanners.
The MPS also allows integration of a wide
choice of Rofin laser sources comprised of
femto, fibre, pulsed solid state and diode lasers.
Laser control software is accessible via the
integral 17-inch colour MPS touch screen.
The spacious working chamber, accessed
via a large pneumatically operated door,
Coherent cuts down metal costs
Coherent has introduced the Metabeam 1000,
a turnkey, laser-based machining tool that
enables cost effective cutting of sheet metal
including stainless steel, mild steel, aluminium
and brass.
The Metabeam 1000 uses a 1000W CO2
laser, Coherent’s Diamond E-1000, which is
the world’s only completely sealed-off kilowatt
CO2 laser that has a peak power greater than
2500W, an M2 less than 1.2, and is completely
maintenance-free for its entire lifetime. The
Metabeam tool offers substantially lower
acquisition and operational costs when
compared to legacy systems based on fast flow
CO2 lasers.
Fluorescence
Lifetime Systems
and Components
offers enough room for large work-pieces and
clamping units etc. At the heart of this highly
flexible system is a high performance CNC, PLC
controller.
www.rofin-baasel.co.uk
The long wavelength infrared CO2 laser
output and added power enables the system
to cut a wide range of metals as well as
organic materials such as wood and plastic.
The Metabeam 1000 is available with either
a 50 x 50-inch (1.27m x 1.27m) or 50 x 100inch (1.27m x 2.54m) cutting table, and offers
a cutting accuracy of ±0.001 inches (25μm)
over its entire range.
The system is a full feature machine tool
that includes a capacitive height sensor
to maintain constant spacing between the
cutting nozzle and metal surface, and comes
standard with auto focus to deliver consistent
clean cuts.
www.coherent.com
Photonics design automation software specialist
RSoft Design Group has announced the release
of its new LED utility.
RSoft’s LED utility can shorten processing
time and save development cost by providing
accurate computer-based simulation and design
optimisation. The LED utility accurately simulates
novel LED structures and all the materials
involved. LEDs are widely used in a range of
applications and there is increasing demand
for optimised structures with higher extraction
Spectrometers
Microscopes
FLIM & FCS Upgrade for LSMs
Picosecond pulsed diode lasers
Multichannel ps event timers
Modules for TCSPC
Single photon sensitive detectors
FLIM • FRET • FCS • Single molecule
spectroscopy • Protein dynamics •
Anisotropy • Binding • ...
Software
LEDs provided with accurate
computer-based simulation
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
efficiency and improved colour uniformity.
The complexities of LED optical design arise
from various factors including: multiple interfaces
with widely differing sizes, the use of novel
materials and structures, dispersion, surface
roughness, the use of gratings to enhance
extraction efficiency, and the incoherent nature
of the output light. The LED Utility accounts for
all these situations and performs all necessary
pre- and post-processing to generate the desired
results including extraction ratio and radiation
patterns.
www.rsoftdesign.com
Leading in Single Photon
Counting Applications
PicoQuant GmbH
www.picoquant.com
Meet us at
analytica, Munich
April 17-20, 2012
booth #A2.510
TECHNOLOGY
PRODUCTS
Lasers and diodes
Picosecond laser to excite more
fluorescent dyes
Edinburgh Instruments’ Photonics Division
has announced the availability of the EPL 515
picosecond pulsed diode laser.
The EPL 515 is a compact, robust,
maintenance-free, fully integrated system. It
is pre-adjusted for an optimum pulse width
of 150ps at 10MHz and features 10 pre-set
repetition frequencies from 20kHz to 20MHz.
Emitting at a nominal 512nm wavelength, this
is the latest addition to the comprehensive
range of EPL diode lasers which are
optimised for Time Correlated Single Photon
Counting (TCSPC).
The new EPL 515 brings an additional
wavelength into the range, allowing more
fluorescent dyes to be excited and further
extending the range of applications, which
include fluorescence lifetime measurements
that use TCSPC as the measurement
technique. Typical instrumentation in which
the EPL 515 may be used are fluorescence
lifetime spectrometers and fluorescence
lifetime multiwell plate readers for
spectroscopy applications in biochemistry,
biology, photophysics, semiconductor
physics, bio-chemical assays etc. Customised
versions of the diode laser can be also
supplied for integration within various types of
analytical instrumentation.
www.edinst.com
The sky is the limit with BlueMode
Toptica Photonics has expanded the product
portfolio of its BlueMode diode laser family to
include green and red modes.
The new GreenMode and RedMode models
transfer the original concept – high power and
high coherence from a single diode – across the
visible spectrum. All models are now available
with Toptica’s Charm technology, a technique for
active coherence control.
Toptica’s BlueMode has rapidly gained
acceptance in demanding laser based inspection
and metrology tasks. Researchers and engineers
benefit from the combination of high power (up
Ti:Sapphire lasers gets more
compact
Re-development spurs continuous
wave lasers
During the last 12 months Klastech has
embarked on a re-development of its continuous
wave lasers.
To complement the 1064nm and 532nm
units, Klastech has introduced a true 442nm
30
ELECTRO OPTICS
l
FEBRUARY 2012
to 50mW at 405nm) and single frequency laser
operation.
The established BlueMode wavelengths (405,
445 and 488nm) are now complemented by
new GreenMode (515nm, 25mW) and RedMode
(638nm, 30mW and 685nm, 25mW) models.
Blue and green wavelengths are well suited to
Raman spectroscopy and quantum cryptography,
whereas red wavelengths are a common choice
in interferometry. Applications requiring multiple
laser lines will benefit from the option of running
two lasers simultaneously with the same set of
driver electronics.
www.toptica.com
Laser maker Femotlasers’ new ultrafast laser
class Integral core offers what the company
calls ‘leading Ti:Sapphire technology’ in a
compact and robust package.
This Ti:Sapphire laser combines handsoff operation with state-of-the-art output
parameters. Turnkey performance and low cost
of ownership make the Integral core the choice
for everyday use, according to Femtolasers.
The compact high repetition rate laser
cavity (patent pending) enhances the passive
stability by effective environmental isolation.
Limitations in output parameters are no longer
necessary. From scientific labs or medical
facilities to factory floors, core performance
is now available from the ultrafast Ti:Sapphire
compact laser.
www.femtolasers.com
He-Cd replacement laser together with a 100mW
488nm unit. This re-development has seen major
design changes to the laser heads improving
their efficiency and ensuring they exhibit longevity
in high usage environments. This work has
resulted in lasers that achieve <1 per cent power
stability over 24 hours.
The Klastech lasers can also be preprogrammed in the factory to work with most
industrially standard communication buses so
there are no longer any barriers to integrating
these lasers to modern industrial production
environments.
www.klastech.com
TECHNOLOGY
PRODUCTS
Lasers and diodes
Pico laser gets smaller for
3D imaging
Welding gets boost with kilowatt
power range
Jenoptik has introduced its high beam quality
laser source within the kilowatt power range, the
JenLas fibre CW 1000.
The fibre laser features high power stability
and a long service life of the beam source.
Compared to other beam sources such as CO2
lasers, fibre lasers are more energy-efficient
and thus more cost-effective. The OEM laser
The Flexpoint MVpico series is Laser
Components smallest line laser that is used
in industrial image processing.
Due to its small dimensions of just 53mm
in length and 10mm in diameter, the lasers
are optimally suited for integration in 3D
image processing sensors. The MVpico
is available at four wavelengths, 635nm,
650nm, 660nm, and 785nm. The maximum
output power is 100mW.
Flexpoint requires a supply voltage
between 4.5 and 30V DC for operation.
Optionally, the power can also be adjusted
using a control wire. The laser modules can
be triggered using a second control wire. The
line generated is focused without having to
remove the line optic and, furthermore, the
power distribution is homogeneous along
the line.
www.lasercomponents.co.uk
source is offered in a compact 19-inch housing,
including the corresponding operating software.
Operational safety is ensured by a safety
lock made of certified components. The laser
comes with several user interfaces such as
RS232, EtherCAT and USB port. In addition, a
parallel customer-specific interface can be used.
Some of the possible applications are industrial
processing such as metal cutting and welding.
www.jenoptik.com
Novel crystalline silicon is focus of
next generation laser
Photonics Industries International has extended
its Nd:YVO4 based DSH Series laser to include
50W of green and 30W of UV average power in a
diode-pumped solid state laser.
Now available from UK distributor Laser Lines
these efficient, high power lasers are for novel
next generation crystalline silicon or thin film
ITO patterning/FPD processing; and other novel
micromachining applications.
Photonics Industries International has added
several new models to its DSH Series intracavity
harmonic lasers. All these new high power
DSH Series operate at a rep rate up to 300kHz
with pulse widths ~40ns while still maintaining
TEM00 mode quality.
www.laserlines.co.uk
based solar cell processing; glass cutting; thin
or low K wafers and LED substrates scribing
and dicing; via hole drilling; flex circuit cutting;
Lasermet_Safety_Ad_2_213x85mm.qx8_(v) 17/01/2012 11:45 Page 1
Keeping an eye on laser safety
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are made from Lasermet’s specially
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Part 4: Laser Guards)
Active (Laser Jailer)
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For Laser Safety think
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Laser safety eyewear, power meters, optical table laser guard, laser product testing, training and consultancy
FEBRUARY 2012
l
ELECTRO OPTICS
31
TECHNOLOGY
PRODUCTS
Lasers and diodes
Robustness is byword for laser
diode modules
Cobolt has announced the release of the
Cobolt MLD Series lasers, high performance
laser diode modules covering a spectral range
between 405 and 660nm.
The lasers offer optimum beam quality
and modulation performance from a small
and compact package. Manufacturing using
Cobolt’s HTCure technology ensures excellent
quality, reliability and lifetime, as well as
unmatched robustness.
The lasers provide a spectral complement
to the company’s lines of high performance
CW DPSS lasers for demanding fluorescence
analysis applications such as confocal
microscopy and flow cytometry.
In addition, the Cobolt MLD lasers have
the feature of direct intensity modulation
capability, allowing fast and deep modulation
from versatile input signals. The selection of
wavelengths combined with direct intensity
modulation capability make the Cobolt MLD
lasers a perfect choice for applications
including optogenetics, microlithography or
metrology.
Cobolt has designed an easy-to-integrate
compact diode laser module with all control
electronics fully integrated in a laser head of
industry standard size. An optional external
control box allows CDRH compliant operation
with a key-switch and emission indicators.
The Cobolt MLD Series lasers are intended
for stand-alone use in laboratory environment,
or for integration as an OEM component
in analytical or metrology instrumentation
equipment.
www.cobolt.se
Solar cells get homogeneous
illumination
Limo has announced that its L³ Line Laser
generates a very homogeneous illuminated line
for scanning a solar cell 156mm by 156mm in
size.
The L³ Line Laser’s wavelength of 790 or
808nm makes the spectral separation of the
laser beam and photoluminescence signal
easier. This property allows photoluminescence
to be measured quickly and reliably with the
laser illumination. Unlike electro-luminescence
32
ELECTRO OPTICS
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FEBRUARY 2012
Lasers get US and Canadian safety
standard approval
Lasertechnik Berlin has been authorised by
Intertek to apply the ETL Listed Mark confirming
that LTB’s MNL 300 series lasers have been
tested and deemed compliant to US and
Canadian product safety standards.
The main applications for the lasers are
MALDI imaging, fluorescence excitation and the
pumping of dye lasers. The MNL 300 lasers are
Bright future for single mode
laser diodes
Semiconductor lasers, systems and solutions
developer Intense has released a 300mW
version of its Series 6030 and Series 6130
ultra high power, high brightness single mode
laser diodes.
Designed for defence, medical, and print/
imaging applications such as spectroscopy and
industrial coding, the diodes are available in
characterised by a long operational and shelf
lifetime, low energy decay and high precision
due to the patented sealed cartridge in metalceramics technology.
The MNL 300 comes in 20Hz, 50Hz, 80Hz and
300Hz versions. The air-cooled laser is supplied
with a low voltage of 24V DC. A wide range power
supply (100-240V, 50-60Hz) can be obtained
from LTB.
www.ltb-berlin.com
980, 830, 808, 785, and 780nm wavelengths.
Custom packaging and wavelengths are
available on request.
Part of Intense’s Series 6000 family of single
mode lasers, the Series 6030 and Series 6130
are based on the company’s patented Quantum
Well Intermixing technology, which increases
the brightness and reliability of laser diodes
while avoiding optical mirror damage.
www.intenseco.com
systems, photoluminescence is a contactfree testing system and thus destruction-free.
This measuring method reduces the costs for
mechanical setup and prevents damage.
At the same time Limo offers beam shaping
modules that homogeneously illuminate a
complete field under a certain angle. The
Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems
in Freiburg has already tested the interaction
between high-performance diode lasers and the
beam shaping modules.
www.limo.de
Lasers and diodes
Biophotonics and terahertz
technology get their own lasers
Toptica Photonics has introduced the
FemtoFiber smart family of fibre lasers, which
are dedicated to applications ranging from
biophotonics to terahertz generation and twophoton polymerisation.
Based on polarisation-maintaining fibres
and saturable absorber (SAM) modelocking
technology, the new FemtoFiber smart family
transfers the FemtoFiber pro concept into
more compact systems, designed for specific
ultrafast applications. The FemtoFiber smart
family product line are compact ultrafast lasers,
measuring 122 x 202 x 69mm, which includes
all optics and control electronics in a single
package. All models with wavelengths above
1000nm have fibre-coupled outputs and offer
either FC/APC receptacles or fibre pigtails as
standard.
The family includes the FemtoFErb 780nm
(<230fs, >50mW); PicoFYb 1030/1064nm
(<10ps pulse duration, >10mW average);
FemtoFYb 1030nm (<800fs, >0.5mW);
FemtoFErb 1560nm (<100fs, >100mW, 20cm
fibre pigtail); and FemtoFErb FD6 1560nm
(<120fs, >100mW).
www.toptica.com
Pyroelectric Detectors
single & multi-colour
Lithium tantalate
Spectral range 2 ... 25 µm
Extensive Detector Range
Single-channel
Multi-channel
Multi-element detector
Built-in Fabry-Pérot filter
Capabilities
‘No tools required’ for diode laser
Laser diode module manufacturer ProPhotonix
has announced the launch of its InViso Micro,
an extension to its InViso laser diode module
product line.
InViso combines a flat form factor with a ‘no
tools required’ external focus to produce an
extremely uniform laser line. Its unique form
factor provides instant alignment and expedites
integration while ensuring a high-degree of
repeatability. InViso Micro incorporates all the
existing InViso features, while delivering fine
line widths down to 16µm at a working distance
of 120mm.
Both InViso models are available in a range
of wavelengths and power levels up to 100mW.
InViso and InViso Micro were designed and
developed at the company’s research and
development center in Cork, Ireland.
www.prophotonix.com
Optical, mechanical and
electronic support
Full simulation capability of
detector performance
Full traceability by 100%
serialisation
660nm DPSS laser delivers diode
laser power
Laser Quantum has launched the Lux laser that
delivers up to 1W of 660nm laser power in a
compact head design.
This high power is achieved with the high
beam quality and long lifetimes expected from
a diode-pumped solid state (DPSS) laser. With
an M2 of less than 1.2, RMS noise levels of 0.6
per cent and power stability of one per cent,
the Lux offers all the advantages of a DPSS
laser and now the power available from diode
lasers.
www.laserquantum.com
InfraTec GmbH
Dresden - GERMANY
InfraTec Infrared Ltd.
Chesterfield - UK
Call us at +44 1246 267562
E-Mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.infratec.co.uk
TECHNOLOGY
PRODUCTS
Lasers and diodes
Boresight accuracy is cool
Z-Laser, a manufacturer of lasers and laser
systems, has announced the release of its
re-designed ZQ family of laser sources.
The new versions offer higher power and
outstanding beam and laser line quality
for several types of projections: fibre,
homogeneous lines, collimated beam and
structured light. The new ZQ2 high-precision
laser source system boasts a boresight
accuracy of less than 3mrad and outputs up
to 7000mW at wavelengths between 6001100nm.
The Z1000Q1-F-808 has an output of
1W at 808nm and is accurate to 300μm
(FWHM; in 1500mm focus), making it ideal
for applications that require high measuring
resolutions. The internal design of the
ZQ1 is laser coupled with an integrated
thermoelectric cooler that allows a high level
of stability and minimum bore sight error.
Both products feature integrated optics,
electronics and active temperature control
in a self-contained enclosure and support a
variety of communication interfaces: RS-232,
USB, Ethernet, PLC, each of them galvanically
isolated.
www.z-laser.com
Compact heads are name of
the game
Laser Quantum has announced a redesign
of its popular Ventus laser range into more
compact heads with significant improvements
in beam quality.
Noise levels are down from two per cent to
0.5 (0.15 per cent for the higher powers) and
power stability from 2 per cent to 0.4 per cent.
M2, divergence, and weight have also been
improved.
The Ventus was first launched in 2001
as a mid-powered green laser for scientific
laboratories. The family has grown to offer
Gaussian light distribution lasers get
homogeneous
Laser and laser system manufacturer Z-Laser
has announced that its ZM12 family of small
lasers now supports homogeneous light
distribution (HLD).
Following the integration of the new Powell
lens technology into its ZM18 laser family,
Z-Laser has adapted the improved HLD
technology for these products, which were
previously only available with Gaussian light
distribution.
a range of power from 50mW to 1.5W in a
number of different laser heads.
Encased in a 45mm housing, the ZM12 laser
projects a line with +/-5 per cent homogeneity
of light distribution. The homogeneous light
distribution means machine vision algorithms
will produce results with greater accuracy than
with Gaussian light distribution.
When using slightly longer camera exposures
for applications that previously might have
required a speckle-reduced laser this kind of
homogeneity can produce excellent results,
according to Z-Laser.
www.z-laser.com
Spectroscopy
Triggers at the ready for CCD
miniature spectrometer
Supercontinuum could have
modular future
Ocean Optics has added triggering
functions to its Maya2000 Pro backthinned CCD miniature spectrometer
to provide accurate timing and
synchronisation between the
spectrometer and other devices.
Triggering provides precise timing
between devices. The Maya2000 Pro
can be triggered so that sending the
spectrometer a pulse causes it to
do something such as turn off or on
a light, activate a pulse in a pulsed
light source or start or end spectral
acquisition in the spectrometer. For
example, in the External Triggering
mode, an event outside the sampling
system (such as a button push,
lever activation or laser) electronically pulses the
spectrometer’s trigger pin and starts acquisition
of the spectra with microsecond accuracy.
With the triggering functions, three low-jitter
trigger and normal operating modes are now
possible. Applications include pulsing a light
source to occur when acquiring a spectra and
synchronising spectral acquisition to coordinate
with samples moving through a process stream
Newport has
introduced
its SCG-02
Wavelength
Extender to its
line of nonlinear
microscopy and spectroscopy application
solutions.
The Wavelength Extender is specifically
designed as a modular solution for
supercontinuum generation when used with
femtosecond Ti:Sapphire lasers, such as
Newport Spectra-Physics’ Tsunami, MaiTai
DeepSee, and MaiTai ultrafast oscillators. The
SCG-02 is pre-aligned and can be integrated
easily into ultrafast light sources.
The laser input is split into two parallel
beams, the fundamental pump, and the
parallel, unfiltered broadband supercontinuum.
This flexibility allows for both the external
selection of particular spectra of interest, and
the independent use or recombination of both
beams. The fundamental beam passes through
an integrated attenuator to enable precise
control of the output power.
www.newport.com
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ELECTRO OPTICS
l
FEBRUARY 2012
or sensors reaching a certain temperature level.
In addition to triggering, Ocean Optics has
enhanced Maya2000 Pro performance with
support for RS-232 communications and
improved optoelectronics that increase dynamic
range (to 15,000:1), lower trigger jitter (to
100ns) and decrease dark noise (to 6 RMS
counts).
www.oceanoptics.eu
TECHNOLOGY
PRODUCTS
Spectroscopy
Wide optical spectrum possible in
microseconds
Spectroscopy investigates
interplanetary science
Spectrometer maker McPherson has announced
that the Lockheed Martin Solar and Astrophysics
Laboratory is using its high resolution, long focal
length spectrometer.
Based in Chelmsford, Massachusetts,
McPherson manufactures a variety of
instruments that measure and tune specific
wavelengths of light for many disciplines of
spectroscopy. The company supplies research
instrumentation to domestic and international
universities and research laboratories.
Lockheed Martin Solar and Astrophysics
Laboratory is a department of the Lockheed
Martin Advanced Technology Center in Palo Alto,
California. It is manned by a group of scientists
and engineers who design, build, and operate
solar and astrophysical observing instruments.
www.mcphersoninc.com
AMS Technologies has unveiled a new
spectrometer using a combination of a
KTa1-xNbxO3 (KTN) optical beam scanner and a
wavelength dispersion element.
This spectrometer can measure a wide
optical spectrum in microsecond-order time
because of the fast scan response of KTN
optical beam scanner. The spectrometer will
be used to measure microsecond optical
pulses. The KTN scanner is expected to
observe ultrafast luminous phenomena such
as those found in fluorescence studies.
This is because the Japanese company
and AMS Technologies’ partner, NTT-AT,
successfully assembled a KTN scanner as
a compact module with a fibre pigtailing.
The module is 20 x 30 x 60mm in size.
The temperature of the KTN scanner chip
is controlled by TEC. The scanning angle is
10 degrees (±5 degrees) and the response
speed is less than 1 microsecond.
www.amstechnologies.com
SPECTROGON
Optical filters • Coatings • Gratings
Check our new website! Spectral curves
for nearly 1000 listed service stock filters
Optical Filters 220-15000 nm
• Bandpass
• Longwave-pass
• Shortwave-pass
• Broad-bandpass
• Neutral Density
• Service stock
Diffraction Gratings UV-NIR
• Pulse compression
• Telecom
• Laser tuning
• Monochromators
• Spectroscopy
• Stock available
Spectrogon’s headquarters and production
facilities are located in Stockholm, Sweden
Filter products:
We manufacture filters for
range 220-15000 nm.
Common coating sizes
are Ø12.7, Ø25.4, Ø50.8,
Ø75.0, Ø100.0 and Ø200.0
mm. Most of these filters
can be diced to custommade sizes, down to as
small as 1.0x1.0 mm
Grating products:
We are a world leading
manufacturer of high efficiency pulse compression
gratings. Manufacturing
Sweden: [email protected] • Tel +46 86382800 sizes from a few millimeUK: [email protected] • Tel +44 1592770000
ters square up to
US: [email protected] • Tel +1 9733311191
120.0x140.0 mm.
www.spectrogon.com
FEBRUARY 2012
l
ELECTRO OPTICS
35
TECHNOLOGY
PRODUCTS
Cameras and imaging
Gas industry gets better control
with imaging
Available now from Flir Advanced Thermal
Solutions, the Flir GF320 is an optical gas imaging
camera designed to help the oil and gas industry
better control hydrocarbon emissions.
The Flir GF320 Optical Gas Imaging camera is a
real-time infrared camera designed for use in harsh
industrial environments. The Flir GF320 takes
advantage of a state-of-the-art focal plane array
detector and optical systems that are tuned to
very narrow spectral infrared ranges. This enables
the camera to image infrared energy absorbed by
hydrocarbon gas leaks. Images are processed and
enhanced by the Flir High Sensitivity Mode feature
to clearly show the presence of gases against
stationary backgrounds. Gases that are detectable
by the Flir GF320 camera appear on screen as
smoke plumes.
www.flir.com
Deep cooled focal plane offers NIR
and SWIR imaging
Panasonic points to gesture
control future
After seven years of extensive research and
development, Panasonic Electric Works has
announced its D-IMager 3D image sensor.
The D-IMager uses near-infrared LEDs to
emit light into a given area, which is reflected
by objects and detected by a specially designed
Princeton Instruments has released its PIoNIR:640
camera that uses a deep-cooled indium gallium
arsenide (InGaAs) focal plane array.
The PIoNIR is designed for use in low-light
near infrared (NIR) or shortwave infrared (SWIR)
imaging and spectroscopy applications that require
high sensitivity from 0.9µm to 1.7µm. PIoNIR
applications range from nanotube fluorescence
imaging to photovoltaic (PV) inspection.
Previous InGaAs cameras required liquid
nitrogen to achieve deep cooling but vacuum
technology developed at Princeton means
the PIoNIR:640 can reach minus 90°C using
thermoelectric cooling. The PIoNIR:640 uses a
640 x 512 InGaAs array with a peak quantum
efficiency greater than 80 per cent with the
thermoelectric cooling. It also has low-noise
readout electronics to deliver the highest possible
sensitivity.
www.princetoninstruments.com
charge-coupled device (CCD). When an object
draws nearer or moves away, the delay between
when the light is emitted and detected varies.
By comparing such image data on a pixel-bypixel basis, the D-IMager ascertains changes
in distance precisely and in real time. This is
known as the time-of-flight principle.
Processing such 3D data and sensing
motion accurately makes the D-IMager perfect
for a wide range of applications, from gesturecontrolled digital games to remote control
to building security. Panasonic’s patented
background light suppression allows the
D-IMager to be used even under strong ambient
light conditions.
www.panasonic-electric-works.co.uk
Accessories
Kjellberg Systems get new Centricut consumables
Manufacturer of advanced metal cutting systems Hypertherm
has announced the launch of an expanded line of Centricut brand
consumables for Kjellberg systems.
The new consumables are designed for high amperage stainless
steel cutting using Kjellberg’s FineFocus 800, FineFocus 800 Plus,
FineFocus 900, PA-S70, or PA-S75 systems. They include features that
eliminate leaking compared to the OEM version and better cooling
technology in the form of Hypertherm’s patented CoolFlow nozzle.
This guarantees longer consumable life, enabling customers to
lower their operating costs without sacrificing cut quality or productivity.
www.hypertherm.com
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ELECTRO OPTICS
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Phoenix Photonics announces 2μm fibre coupler
UK-based fibre optics specialist Phoenix Photonics has introduced 2μm fibre
couplers. With growing demands for products in the 2000nm range, Phoenix
Photonics has addressed the market by extending the operational wavelength
of its current selection of all-fibre based components and introducing 2μm
couplers available in 1x2, 2x2, tap, and cascaded configurations.
The company’s proprietary in-house technology facilitates the step to offer
components built on single mode fibre specifically designed for optimised
operation in the 2000nm wavelength band.
www.phoenixphotonics.com
TECHNOLOGY
PRODUCTS
Cameras and imaging
Get a fuller picture with Flir’s High
Definition thermal cameras
Flir Systems has released the SC8400 and
SC6500 series thermal imaging cameras,
designed to provide excellent measurement
performance together with advanced connectivity.
Equipped with a cooled Indium
Antimonide (InSb) detector, the
cameras produce HD, 1,280 x
1,024 pixel thermal images.
This is four times more thermal
data than standard 640 x 512
pixel images, enabling fine
details to be resolved.
In terms of sensitivity, a
SC8400 or SC6500 series
camera can detect temperature
differences smaller than 25mK
(18mK typically). Temperature differences as
small as 1mK can be made visible using Flir’s
proprietary lock-in facility. The cameras can
measure temperatures up to 3,000ºC with an
accuracy of +/- 1ºC or +/- 1 per cent.
The SC8400 series offers an adjustable
frame rate of up to 100Hz full frame, while the
SC6500 series provides up to 125Hz full frame.
Both series cameras can deliver images at
speeds up to 3,000Hz. The cameras integrate
advanced high performance optical design with
lens recognition and automatic measurement
adjustments. A temperature probe in the lens
assembly provides leading-edge measurement
accuracy and drift compensation. A choice of
lenses is available for use on all cameras.
Each camera offers an excellent range of
connectivity options. These include Gigabit
Ethernet for simple connectivity, Camera Link
medium for full bandwidth data
acquisition, DVI-output compatible
with 1080p, and Wi-Fi to enable
image transfer and control the
camera wirelessly via a smart
phone (iPhone) or a tablet PC
(iPad). In addition, standard BNC
connectors are included for features
such as detector synchronisation,
acquisition triggering, analogue lock-in input and
composite video output.
The LCD touch screen can be removed
from the camera when space is at a premium
allowing the camera to be installed in a hard
to reach position. An integral LED light on the
camera ensures clear visual images even in dark
environments. The visual image can be used as
a reference against the thermal image.
www.flir.com
Find your
opponents at
distances of
1.5km
Headwall Photonics
has released its
Hyperspec Recon,
providing discrete
target identification
and hyperspectral scene rendering for
reconnaissance applications at distances of
1.5km.
Ruggedised, portable, and field-deployable,
Hyperspec Recon rapidly and accurately
scans the field of view utilising either the
customised wide or narrow field of view
optics. It can also be deployed in unattended
stationary situations, making this sensor
exceptionally flexible across a wide range of
environments.
Other advantages of Hyperspec Recon
include its optical sensing capabilities, simple
push-button operation and the ability to offer
flexible mission objectives and target sets
that are quickly downloaded to the sensor.
www.headwallphotonics.com
FEBRUARY 2012
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ELECTRO OPTICS
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TECHNOLOGY
PRODUCTS
Lenses and optics
Short-wave infrared is filtered for
improved performance
Optics Balzers Jena is offering customised
all-dielectric band-pass filters for the short
wave infrared spectral region with a unique
self-blocking filter design.
All filters are deposited by in-situ monitored
plasma-assisted sputter and evaporation
processes. They combine a wide blocking
range and high pass-band transmittance in
a single all-dielectric interference coating.
Short-wave infrared (SWIR) optical sensing
applications in the spectral region between
900 and 3000nm require band-pass filters
with high transmittance in the pass band,
blocking ranges over full detector response.
Potential application fields are
optical remote sensing, NIR and Raman
spectroscopy, blood analysis and atmospheric
greenhouse gas monitoring. Optics Balzers
Jena is delivering filter and beam-splitter
components for the multispectral instrument
of EADS Astrium’s Sentinel-2 mission, part of
Europe’s Global Monitoring for Environment
and Security programme.
www.opticsbalzers.com
Plastic Hybrid Acylinder Lenses are
one dimensional
Edmund Optics has introduced Techspec Plastic
Hybrid Acylinder Lenses providing diffractionlimited focusing performance in only one
dimension.
Designed at 587.6nm, the lenses are
excellent for visible wavelengths and similar
to both aspheric lenses and cylinder lenses.
Techspec Plastic Hybrid Acylinder Lenses reduce
spherical aberration along the focusing axis. This
is ideal for creating precise thin line profiles with
broadband sources.
The innovative hybrid lens design offers
negative optical dispersion and excellent colour
correction. They also feature a high numerical
Sputtered coatings get more sensitive
Precision Photonics (PPC) has announced the
availability of its ultra-low absorption line of thin
film coatings.
Using in-house metrology and ion beam
sputtered deposition PPC is able to produce antireflection coatings with losses less than 0.5ppm,
and high-reflection coatings with losses less than
2ppm.
These losses are achieved with a measurement
aperture that allows the lenses to be used with
divergent light sources such as laser diode bars
and LEDs.
www.edmundoptics.com
sensitivity of less than 0.1ppm for optical
materials like fused silica. The sensitivity is
attained using photothermal common path
interferometry combined with proprietary
calibration methods.
PPC will also provide measurement services
to customers wishing to measure absorption in
their own coatings or substrates. Two dimensional
mapping of surfaces is also available.
www.precisionphotonics.com
RegisteR now
cleo:2O12
Laser science tO PhOtOnic aPPLicatiOns
cleo: QeLs–FundaMentaL science
cleo: science & innovations
cleo: appLications & technoLogy
6–11 May 2012
San JoSe convention center
San Jose, ca, USa
AdvAnced RegistRAtion deAdline:
19 March 2012
viSit www.cleoconference.org
sponsored by:
featuring:
cleo: expo
cleo: Market Focus
38
ELECTRO OPTICS
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FEBRUARY 2012
TECHNOLOGY
PRODUCTS
Lenses and optics
Water cooling delivers smaller HAZ
AdlOptica’s new Focal-piShaper has been
optimised to operate with high power (>1kW)
fibre lasers.
This water cooled Focal-piShaper combines
functions of collimation and beam shaping
converting, with nearly 100 per cent efficiency.
For example, a divergent Gaussian laser beam
focused into a collimated beam can be optimised
to create flat top, donut, and inverse gauss
profiles near the lens’ focus.
Its advantages include efficient laser energy
usage, reduced heat affected zone, higher
quality materials processing, compactness, easy
integration in existing equipment, and operation
Good CO2 laser drilling conducted
by copper
Precision optical solutions manufacturer Reo
now offers a range of copper high reflectors
ideal for beam delivery and beam shaping
tasks involving high power CO2 lasers.
These mirrors offer a combination of
high reflectivity (>99.7 per cent at 10.6µm),
excellent surface quality (40-20) and low
scatter (surface roughness <50Å). They are
produced from oxygen free, high thermal
Cut price deformable mirrors widen
availability
Boston Micromachines has reduced the
price of its deformable mirrors. The compact
and affordable Mini-DM is ideal for low
order wavefront control. Its mirror surface is
controlled by 32 electrostatic actuators which
Fixed focus lenses get new
focal length
with scanning optics. Potential applications
include marking, selective laser melting, welding,
scribing, dicing, micromachining, photovoltaics
and drilling.
www.pishaper.com
conductivity copper
to deliver superior
optical performance
and maximum laser
damage threshold.
These CO2 laser
mirrors can be produced with plano, spherical
or cylindrical surfaces over the 6mm to 150mm
size range. Additional mechanical features can
be easily accommodated.
www.reoinc.com
are individually commanded to achieve a
desired shape. The Mini-DM is available in both
continuous and segmented surfaces for adaptive
optics or spatial light modulator applications.
Mini-DM pricing now starts at $5,000.
These new prices lower the barrier to entry
for educators and allow them to demonstrate
ELECTRO-OPTICAL PRODUCTS CORP.
TEL: (718) 456-6000 • FAX: (718) 456-6050 • www.EOPC.com
Resolve Optics
has introduced
a new 15mm
focal length lens
expanding its
range of fixed
focus radiation tolerant lenses.
Designed for cameras and sensors used
in environments subject to radiation, the
new f2 lens delivers high image resolution
and minimal geometric distortion from 400750nm. Manufactured from cerium doped
glass or synthetic silica, the Resolve Optics
fixed focus radiation tolerant (non browning)
lens range is able to withstand radiation
exposure of up to 53kGy (53,000,000rads)
and temperatures up to 55°C without
discoloration.
Available now in 6mm, 9mm, 15mm and
25mm fixed focus formats, Resolve Optics’
range of high performance radiation tolerant
lenses have been designed for use with
½-inch, 2/3-inch and 1-inch closed circuit
television cameras as well as Newvicon and
Chalnicon tubes.
www.resolveoptics.com
adaptive optics in their classrooms. In addition,
research labs will now be able to utilise MEMS
technology with a reduced impact on their
budget, which is hoped will stimulate innovation
in applications including microscopy, retinal
imaging and laser beam shaping.
www.bostonmicromachines.com
Breakthrough, practical,
energy-saving solutions for
OEM customers worldwide!
Scanners & Deﬂectors
• Resonant Scanners
• Beam Deﬂectors
• Scanning Systems
• X,Y Raster Scanners
Choppers & Modulators
• Tuning Fork Choppers
• Low Frequency Choppers
• Rotating Choppers
• AO & EO Modulators
• AOTF
• Chopping Systems
• Modulating Systems
Sub-Miniature Scanners:
The Smallest
Non-MEMs Scanners
Tuning Fork
Choppers
Optical, X-ray
Low Cost Laser
Safety Shutters
Motorized Filter
Selectors
Products are suitable for long life dedicated applications, OEM,
built into an instrument or portable systems.
Products You Trust ... Performance You Deserve ... Prices You Expect
FEBRUARY 2012
l
ELECTRO OPTICS
39
TECHNOLOGY
SUPPLIERS
Suppliers’ directory
Find the suppliers you need quickly and easily. Also available online at www.electrooptics.com
ACCESSORIES
AMPLIFIERS AND
POWER SUPPLIES
Wavelength Electronics, Inc.
001 406-587-4910
[email protected]
www.teamwavelength.com
ANALYSIS, TEST AND
MEASUREMENT
Hamamatsu Photonics
Freephone Europe
00 800 800 800 88
[email protected]
www.sales.hamamatsu.com
Frankfurt Laser Company
+49 (0) 6172.27978-0
[email protected]
www.frlaserco.com
IPG Photonics
+1 508 373 1100
[email protected]
www.ipgphotonics.com
Hamamatsu Photonics
Freephone Europe
00 800 800 800 88
[email protected]
JENOPTIK I Lasers & Material
Processing
+49 3641 65-3053
[email protected]
www.jenoptik.com/lm
JGR Optics inc.
+1 613 599 1000
[email protected]
www.jgroptics.com
KLASTECH-Karpushko Laser
Technologies GmbH
+ 49 231 47730648
[email protected]
www.klastech.de
LASER SYSTEMS
Scitec Instruments
+44 (0)1225 864 200
[email protected]
www.scitec.uk.com
CAMERAS AND IMAGING
DILAS Diodenlaser GmbH
+49 (0) 6131-9226-0
[email protected]
www.dilas.de
Edmund Optics
(Corporate headquarters)
1-856-573-6250
[email protected]
www.edmundoptics.co.uk
+49 (0) 6172.27978-0
[email protected]
www.frlaserco.com
Edmund Optics UK
+44 (0) 1904 788600
[email protected]
JENOPTIK I Lasers & Material
Processing
+49 3641 65-3053
[email protected]
www.jenoptik.com/lm
Hamamatsu Photonics
Freephone Europe
00 800 800 800 88
[email protected]
Modulight, Inc.
+358 20 743 9000
[email protected]
www.modulight.com
DISPLAYS
Pacer
+44 (0) 118 9845280
[email protected]
www.pacer.co.uk/jkcm/home
ELECTRONICS
Wavelength Electronics, Inc.
001 406-587-4910
[email protected]
www.teamwavelength.com
FIBRE OPTICS
ELECTRO OPTICS
DILAS Diodenlaser GmbH
+49 (0) 6131-9226-0
[email protected]
www.dilas.de
+49 (0) 6172.27978-0
[email protected]
www.frlaserco.com
Hamamatsu Photonics
Freephone Europe
00 800 800 800 88
[email protected]
Avantes
+31 313 670 170
[email protected]
www.avantes.com
40
LASERS AND DIODES
l
FEBRUARY 2012
Laser Lines
+44 (0) 1295 672500
[email protected]
www.laserlines.co.uk/index.htm
Laser Quantum Ltd
+44 161 975 5300
[email protected]
Laser Support Services Ltd
+44 (0)1333 311938
[email protected]
www.laser-support.co.uk
LIMO Lissotschenko Mikrooptik
GmbH
+49 231 22241 0
[email protected]
www.limo.de
Modulight, Inc.
+358 20 743 9000
[email protected]
www.modulight.com
Pacer
+44 (0) 118 9845280
[email protected]
www.pacer.co.uk/jkcm/Home
ProPhotonix
+1 603-893-8778
[email protected]
www.prophotonix.com
Pacer
+44 (0) 118 9845280
[email protected]
LENSES AND OPTICS
Armstrong Optical Ltd
+44 (0) 1604 654220
[email protected]
www.armstrongoptical.co.uk
Cambridge Technology Inc.
001 (781) 541-1600
scanners@cambridgetechnology.
com
www.camtech.com
Crystran Ltd
+44 1202 307650
[email protected]
www.crystran.co.uk
Edmund Optics
1-856-573-6250
[email protected]
Edmund Optics UK
+44 (0) 1904 788600
[email protected]
Imagine Optic SA
Tel +33 (0)1 64 86 15 60
[email protected]
www.imagine-optic.com
Knight Optical (UK) ltd
+44 (0)1622 859444
[email protected]
www.knightoptical.com
LASEROPTIK GmbH
00 49 5131 4597-0
[email protected]
www.laseroptik.de
LEDS AND ILLUMINATION
LIMO Lissotschenko
Mikrooptik GmbH
+49 231 22241 0
[email protected]
www.limo.de
AP Technologies Limited
+44 (0) 1225 780400
[email protected]
www.aptechnologies.co.uk
OPCO Laboratory, Inc
001 978.345.2522,
[email protected]
www.opcolab.com
TECHNOLOGY
ULO Optics Ltd.
+44 (0) 1438 767 500
[email protected]
www.ulooptics.com
MATERIALS
Roditi International
Corporation Ltd
+44 20 7819 8080
[email protected]
www.roditi.com
MICROSCOPY
Edmund Optics
1-856-573-6250
[email protected]
Edmund Optics UK
+44 (0) 1904 788600
[email protected]
POSITIONING EQUIPMENT
Cambridge Technology Inc.
001 (781) 541-1600
[email protected]
www.camtech.com
Edmund Optics (Corporate
headquarters)
1-856-573-6250
[email protected]
Edmund Optics UK
+44 (0) 1904 788600
[email protected]
Laser Support Services Ltd
+44 (0)1333 311938
[email protected]
www.laser-support.co.uk
SAFETY
Lasermet Ltd
+44 (0) 1202 770 740
[email protected]
www.lasermet.com
SENSORS AND DETECTORS
AP Technologies Limited
01225 780400
[email protected]
www.aptechnologies.co.uk
Hamamatsu Photonics
Freephone Europe 00 800 800
800 88
[email protected]
InfraTec - Infrared Sensor &
Measurement Technology Ltd
+44 (0) 1246 267562
[email protected]
www.infratec.co.uk
Pacer
+44 (0) 118 9845280
[email protected]
Lambda Research Corporation
+1 978 486 0766
[email protected]
www.lambdares.com
Synopsys, Optical
Solutions Group
+1 626-795-9101
[email protected]
www.opticalres.com
VPIsystems
+49-30-398058-0
[email protected]
www.vpiphotonics.com
SPECTROSCOPY
Avantes
+31 313 670 170
[email protected]
www.avantes.com
KLASTECH-Karpushko Laser
Technologies GmbH
+49 231 477 30 648
[email protected]
www.klastech.com
SOFTWARE
RSoft Design Group
001 914-923-2164
[email protected]
www.rsoftdesign.com
SUPPLIERS
Find the
suppliers you
need quickly
and easily.
Also available
online at
23–27 April 2012
Register Today
Location
Conference dates
Technologies
Baltimore Convention Center
Baltimore, Maryland, USA
23–27 April 2012
spie.org/aboutdss
24–26 April 2012
- Military and Industrial Imaging and Sensing Systems
- Visible to IR to Terahertz devices and systems
- Sensors: Networks, Data Analytics and Displays
- Signal and image processing
- Unmanned and Robotic Technologies
- Global and Homeland Health and Security
Exhibition dates
FEBRUARY 2012
l
ELECTRO OPTICS
41
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS
LIQUID CRYSTAL FILTERS
Visible improvement
C
ameras, eyes, telescopes, binoculars
and night vision goggles can all
be dazzled and damaged by high
energy light pulses, but a new
liquid crystal filter could block that while still
providing enough light for good picture quality.
Over recent years the availability of high
power portable laser torches has increased
dramatically. Today anyone can buy a burning
laser for less than £150 which is a blinding
hazard at ranges of over 250m. This increase in
the availability of lasers has led to a dramatic
increase in the number of incidents in which,
for example, pilots have been illuminated with
dangerous green laser radiation.
However, the liquid crystal filter is not for
pilots, who would prefer to have self-activating
windows.
The researchers behind the filter set
out to develop a single solution to protect
military and civilian sensors from all types of
optical radiation. Several governments have
continued the development of purpose-built
laser weapons capable of causing permanent
blindness from hundreds of miles away.
Traditional methods of dealing with laser
radiation rely on strongly absorbing filters,
which block certain wavelengths of light.
While these filters work well against these
known laser threats, they are useless against
novel lasers emitting multiple frequencies or
white light such as that from the Sun.
Light valve
The new light activated filter that is optimised
for laser protection is called an Optically
Activated Light Valve. A valve because it
can control the range of brightness/intensity
reaching an optical sensor, whether it is in
Lasers can dazzle a target blinding people or
incapacitating cameras. Image courtesy of Defence
Science and Technology Laboratory
42
ELECTRO OPTICS
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FEBRUARY 2012
Rob Coppinger discovers
how liquid crystal defence
technology could put an
end to blinding lasers and
improve imaging
The intensity of the bright source can be
diminished allowing other features in the scene
to be seen. While a typical camera iris would
close to reduce the light level stopping dimmer
objects in the same scene as the bright one
being seen, the filter would allow all the objects
to be visible, irrespective of their brightness
levels.
Behind the lens
According to Burgess the filter could go behind
the lens of night vision goggles or a telescope
or between binoculars’ lenses. The filter is a
special layer of liquid material called a twisted
nematic. It is sandwiched between a glass slide
and a light sensitive crystal, both of which have
thin electrodes deposited on their surfaces. A
twisted nematic is a polarisation modulator.
Polarised light passing through the material
twists as it goes. By applying a strong electric
field to the twisted nematic layer the ordered
cameras, telescopes, binoculars or night vision
goggles. Its potential commercial applications
include CCTV defence and automatic number
plate recognition in all light conditions. This is
because CCTV can be defeated with very bright
lights and a car’s headlights while driving on
a dark road can stop cameras from seeing the
licence plate.
Scientists at the UK government’s Defence
Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL)
have developed the filter.
Developed by DSTL scientists
The filter would allow all the
Christopher Burgess and Mark
Herrington, the research is
objects to be visible, irrespective of their
referred to as broadband dazzle
brightness levels
protection technology. Burgess
is the technical lead for the
work and he is also a senior electro-optical
structure of the liquid crystal molecules can be
protection scientist. He says: ‘This grew out
broken down undoing the light twisting effect.
of laser protection. It is still in development.
The combination of a light sensitive material
It’s a light valve and by changing the voltage
with a liquid crystal material creates a system
you can pick which intensity you want to
whose transmission of light changes depending
start blocking. If you have zero volts on it
on the strength of the light. The interaction
you would see everything and as you increase
of the light and the photosensitive layer is
the voltage you block [the more intense light
governed by complex nonlinear equations that
sources].’
are solved using a computer.
The filter effectively allows a user to take
Burgess and Herrington have prototypes
a picture of anything that is very bright.
that work and can produce the filters in their
laboratory. DSTL, in conjunction with its
technology transfer company, Ploughshare
Innovations Ltd, are working with a potential
UK manufacturer that could produce the
device commercially. However, it looks like the
filter may not be made in the UK. Burgess says:
‘There isn’t much UK capability in the area of
liquid crystal manufacture as far as I am aware.
There’s a lot in other countries. The scale of
it [that we would need], would be one lab
and two or three guys. It wouldn’t need much
With the filter on lasers can no longer dazzle.
Image courtesy of Defence Science and Technology
setting up and the technology is there, it’s all
Laboratory
known science.’ l
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Lasers come home

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