Optics & Photonics News

RSS

The Dream of Making Solar Cells More Popular is One Step Closer to Reality

A new study by researchers at the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science has shown that the dream is one step closer to reality. Reporting in the Nov. 26 edition of the Journal of the American Chemical Society, Yang Yang, a professor of materials science and engineering, and colleagues describe the design and synthesis of a new polymer, or plastic, for use in solar cells that has significantly greater sunlight absorption and conversion capabilities than previous polymers.

26 Nov 2008

Harnessing "Force of Light" to Drive Machines

Science fiction writers have long envisioned sailing a spacecraft by the optical force of the sun's light. But, the forces of sunlight are too weak to fill even the oversized sails that have been tried. Now a team led by researchers at the Yale School of Engineering + Applied Science has shown that the force of light indeed can be harnessed to drive machines - when the process is scaled to nano-proportions.

26 Nov 2008

Coating Uses Sunlight to Clean Building Exteriors

Imagine the exterior of your house always looking good, without cleaning or giving it a new coat of paint. This is now possible with paint that can maintain itself and get rid of accumulated dirt on its own.

26 Nov 2008

PI Selects Avago Technologies' Miniature Reflective Encoder for Its Ultrasonic Piezomotors

Avago Technologies has announced that Physik Instrumente (PI), a German manufacturer of piezo ultrasonic drives, has selected its miniature AEDR-8320 high resolution reflective encoder for use in their M-664KCEP vertical drive used in bio-handling dispenser applications.

26 Nov 2008

Blind Via Measurement in Si and GaAs using CHRocodile IT

With semiconductor devices becoming smaller and smaller and between-level interconnects requiring the production of blind vias with high aspect ratios there is a need to be able to perform measurements on such features.

25 Nov 2008

Thermo Fisher Scientific Introduces Cost-Effective Diffuse Reflectance Accessory

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, today announced a new Thermo Scientific Diffuse Reflectance Accessory, specially designed to complement the powerful Evolution(TM) 300 UV-Visible spectrophotometer.

25 Nov 2008

Defense Appropriation will Accelerate Development of UV-LED Devices for Water and Air Purification

Crystal IS, Inc., the world's leading manufacturer of ultraviolet light emitting diodes (UV LEDs) based on aluminum nitride (AlN) substrate technology, today announced it will receive an $800,000 appropriation from the U.S. Department of Defense to advance development of large AlN crystals for effective deep ultraviolet sources.

25 Nov 2008

New Method for Measuring the Optical Properties of High Power LEDs

The lack of common measurement methods among light-emitting diode (LED) and lighting manufacturers has affected the commercialization of solid-state lighting products. In a recent paper, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) proposed a new, economical method to allow LED and lighting manufacturers to obtain accurate, reproducible, and comparable measurements of LED brightness and color.

25 Nov 2008

Astronomers Combined Three Telescopes in Hawaii Using Advanced Computer Techniques

Astronomers have succeeded in combining three telescopes in Hawaii using advanced computer techniques. This virtual telescope, with a diameter of 782 metres, studies the formation of new stars and planets using light with a short wavelength (submillimetre).

25 Nov 2008

Rice University Nanophotonics Pioneer Wins High-Profile National Security Award

Rice University nanophotonics pioneer Naomi Halas has been named a National Security Science and Engineering Faculty Fellow (NSSEFF) by the Department of Defense. Halas is one of just six fellows chosen from more than 650 nominees this year for the prestigious program.

25 Nov 2008

Industry's First Optically Isolated Sigma-Delta Modulators for Use in Industrial Motor Apps

Avago Technologies, a leading supplier of analog interface components for communications, industrial and consumer applications, today announced one of the industry's first optically isolated sigma-delta modulator using an external clock to provide direct measurement of motor phase currents in power inverters.

25 Nov 2008

Laser Technology Enhances Metallurgical Properties and Extends Product Life

Laser Cladding Services, Inc. today announced the introduction of LaserHeatTM Pinpoint Treating, a high-powered laser pin-point heat treating process, to their vast array of laser capabilities that extends the lifecycle of critical parts.

24 Nov 2008

Aurora Systems Introduces New Integrated LCOS Driver ASIC Designed for Mobile Projection Applications

Aurora Systems Incorporated announced today the introduction of a new integrated LCOS driver ASIC designed for mobile projection applications.

24 Nov 2008

2010 Ford Mustang Features OSRAM LED-powered JOULE Signal Lighting

When the new 2010 Ford Mustang cruised onto the stage at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show, Nov. 19, practically everything that lit it up, inside and out, was powered by OSRAM products. America's pony car includes innovative lighting from front to back including the unique sequential rear turn signal powered by OSRAM JOULE(TM) standardized automotive LED system.

24 Nov 2008

High Performance Z-power LED 'Z1' With 1.2 mm of Thickness and Max. 120 Lumens

Seoul Semiconductor, a leading LED manufacturer, ranking 6th worldwide and 1st in Korea, announced it released a 1.4W ultra-slim Z-power LED series 'Z1'; Warm White (part # : NZ10150) and Pure White (part # : WZ10150).

24 Nov 2008