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With new laser sources and detectors coming onto the market, terahertz imaging is starting to become a valuable tool for non-destructive testing, process control and quality inspection.
Digital holographic microscopy's ability to reconstruct three-dimensional surface topography from a single measurement without the need for any scanning makes it extremely robust and immune to vibrations. Its applications range from bioimaging through to analysing micro-electromechanical systems devices and quality-assurance tasks.
Two-photon polymerization is a 3D nanoscale manufacturing tool that offers great potential for rapid prototyping and the manufacture of photonic devices, tissue scaffolds and biomechanical parts.
With efficiencies continually improving, polymer solar-cell technology is now leaving the lab and entering the marketplace. Many challenges remain, however, including the development of reliable manufacturing processes and improvement of the lifetimes of these low-cost, flexible cells.
Eighteen years after the development of the first polymer-based LED display, the technology has finally matured and polymer OLED televisions are just around the corner.
With its intense power and flexibility, the laser has revolutionized sintering technology and made possible the rapid manufacture of prototypes and components from electronic data.
Laser welding of plastics is now a convenient and flexible technique that is proving popular for joining automotive parts and medical equipment as well as consumer products.
Laser shock peening is a surface treatment process for increasing the strength and reliability of metal components. Traditionally applied to aircraft parts, the technology also shows great potential for automotive and medical applications.
The commercialization of long-wavelength vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) is gaining new momentum as the telecoms market shifts from long-haul applications to local and access networks. These small, power-efficient devices offer several advantages over traditional edge-emitters.
The unique structure and properties of the quantum cascade laser have enabled scientists to gain access to a valuable region of the electromagnetic spectrum — the mid-infrared.
The world's first full-scale production-line for quantum dot lasers is due to come on-stream this year, promising to deliver devices, which, unlike conventional semiconductor sources, will function at high temperatures.
