Lastek: Photonics Technology Solutions

• Measures pulse duration in 10 fs – 20 ps range
• Single set of optics for 500 – 2000 nm range
• High resolution voice coil driven delay line
• Non‑collinear intensity and collinear interferometric autocorrelation traces
• Onboard pulse‑analysis software for pulse duration measurements
• Integrated controller and computer
• Non‑dispersive polarization control
• FROG and FTIR ready

Operation of the Light ConversionGECO autocorrelator is based on noncollinear second harmonic generation in a nonlinear crystal, producing intensity autocorrelation trace directly related to the input beam pulse duration. One arm of the fundamental pulse is delayed by means of a magnetic linear positioning stage, providing fast, reliable motion with < 0.15 fs resolution. GECO can acquire a full intensity autocorrelation trace of 10 fs to 20 ps pulses and covers the full 500 nm to 2000 nm wavelength range.

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Abberior Instruments announce DyNIM STED: Dynamic Minimum intelligent light dose management for live cell imaging.

Key Benefits of DyMIN STED:

• The only live-cell superresolution microscope with resolutions down to 25 nm* (*only depending on the sample) - DyMIN STED dramatically reduces the light irradiation on your sample (up to two orders of magnitude) and features the lowest light dose of all superresolution methods.
• Resolution truly down to 25 nm - As demonstrated by separating two fluorescent point-structures being 30 nm apart.
• Volume / time-lapse imaging with easy3D STED resolution - DyMIN STED substancially reduces photobleaching and enables long term measurements over volumes or over dozens and dozens of frames.

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Nature recently published a Technology Feature about DNA nanotechnology including the big names of the field from Seeman to Rothemund, Shih, Douglas and many more. So we are very happy that GATTAquant – with the first commercial application of DNA origami worldwide – is mentioned amongst them, citing their CSO Max Scheible:

One popular adornment to nanostructured DNA is light-emitting materials called fluorophores. GATTAquant DNA Nanotechnologies in Braunschweig, Germany, for instance, makes nanorulers from DNA origami structures and fluorescent molecules to validate super-resolution microscopes. Super-resolution microscopy allows researchers to take images beyond the resolution limit set by the diffraction of light, but “there is no standard to measure the resolution of the system,” says Max Scheible, head of research and development at GATTAquant. “DNA nanotechnology really enabled this.”

GATTAquant attaches fluorescent molecules at precise distances on an origami structure and mounts them on glass slides. These nanoscale rulers allow researchers to verify the resolution of sub-diffraction-limit microscopes."

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The Belgian artist Christoph De Boeck uses a FEMTO voltage amplifier for his acoustic installation "Golfvorm“. He reveals the inaudible sounds of stressed metal.

Ultra Acoustic Emissions are ultra high and short acoustic waves that arise when materials under stress are degrading. 

In “Golfvorm” (“Waveform”) a salt vapor corrodes a steel sheet that bends under a load. Acoustic emissions are captured, amplified in real time by FEMTO`s HVA-10M-60-F to be finally slowed down by a computer program for reproduction. As pitting corrosion progresses, acoustic bursts from microscopic cracks will pierce the silence and carry visual tension into the acoustic space.

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This new line of All-in-One detectors from Gentec-EO combine a detector and a meter with Bluetooth connectivity in one convenient product. The small but powerful meter of the BLU Series presents a Bluetooth connection so you can display the results on your mobile device with the Gentec-EO BLU app available for both iOS and Android systems. Need to use it with a PC? Simply plug in the included Bluetooth receptor and be ready to make power or energy measurements within seconds!

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Artist’s rendering of the first CMOS laser achieved with a monolayer of molybdenum ditelluride over a cavity of silicon. 
(Source: Arizona State University)

Room-temp Laser-on-CMOS Achieved

NASA and Norway to develop Arctic laser-ranging station

Florida man is world's fastest flasher: Just 53 quintillionths of a sec

Laser technique turns wood into graphene

National Ignition Facility recreates the interior of heavy stars

Russia wants to put 200kW LASERS on its nuclear 'combat icebreakers' to smash through 5ft of sea ice

New 'Laser SETI' Approach Seeks Crowdfunding to Seek Out Alien Life

With the latest product releases, TOPTICA is able to offer a complete laser wavelength coverage from deep-UV (190 nm) to terahertz radiation (0.1 THz, corresponding to 3 mm). These lasers support a multitude of applications in biophotonics & microscopy, materials & metrology and quantum technology.

Deep-UV wavelengths as small as 190 nm are now accessible with TOPTICA’s frequency-converted diode lasers. By providing essential wavelengths like 193 nm, 213 nm or 407 nm in pure cw TEM00-mode quality, the DLC TA-SHG/FHG pro (pictured above) is an ideal solution for testing and inspection or advanced material processing, e.g. lithography patterning for holographic applications. The new lasers provide the necessary power levels that are required for these applications. On top of that, they are much easier to handle at considerably lower operating costs.

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LG Motion have recently launched a new piece of software to make laser machining and 3D printing easier.

The release of new CAD/CAM software from Polaris enables a machine operator to be able to design parts, import part files run by the machine and inspect the finished product. The single piece of advanced software also controls the laser source, positioning stage, galvoscanner and machine vision camera.

Working closely with a number of specialist motion control specialists we are able to offer complementary products that enable our engineering team – and our clients – with a comprehensive range of motion control solutions.

Polaris Motion specialises in the design and development of control solutions for CNC machines in laser-based manufacturing, diamond tool cutting and grinding of optical surfaces and for other specialised CNCS used in high-performance applications.

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CoolLED will launch a fast controllable LED illumination system for ratiometric calcium imaging in September 2017 – the pE-340fura.  

Peter Tinning of The University of Strathclyde has been working in partnership with CoolLED to develop LED technology in fluorescence and will be presenting his poster “A 340/380 nm light emitting diode illuminator  for Fura-2 AM ratiometric calcium imaging of live cells with better than 5 nM precision” at MMC in Manchester this year.

Intracellular calcium plays an important role in many biological processes including the release of neurotransmitters in the brain, triggering insulin release in the pancreas, and the regulation of muscle contractions. Measuring the response of calcium concentration in response to external stimuli is critical in determining the role of calcium in biological processes. Use of ratiometric calcium indicators, such as Fura-2, allows quantification of intracellular calcium concentration but relies on efficient excitation or detection at two separate wavelengths. This work describes the use of a bespoke 340/380 nm LED illumination system for Fura2 calcium imaging.

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YSL Photonics’ SC-Pro-7 is their latest high power supercontinuum source with enhanced visible content. It delivers a wide spectral output ranging from 400nm to 2400nm with over 20W total power, with external triggering from 1-80MHz.

The SC-Pro-7 offers >1.5uJ pulse energy,  making it the ideal source for super resolution microscopy. The 10mW/nm power density is also highly suitable for various applications including fluorescence spectroscopy, nanophotonics, flow-cytometry, OCT and more.

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