Lastek: Photonics Technology Solutions

Following the demand of high output energies in the photoacoustic market for imaging larger volumes of tissue, the Ekspla PhotoSonus, a new high energy tunable laser source for photo-acoustic imaging has been introduced. Time-tested Ekspla nanosecond pump laser, parametric oscillator, power supply and cooling unit are integrated in a single robust housing to provide mobility and ease of use.

Highly flexible PhotoSonus platform makes it easy to be integrated and used in a photoacoustic imaging system: it is fully motorized and computer controlled, have user trigger outputs/inputs and special functions as fast tuning between OPO wavelengths. Parametric oscillator generates output energies up to 200 mJ at peak. Achieving a highly uniform spatial distribution from OPO and adjustable beam diameter helps homogeneously couple various size fiber bundles and deliver balanced energy light to the target. By employing a wide range of other options (like access to OPO idler range, toggling between OPO and fundamental wavelengths through simultaneous output), this laser system can be modified to specific user requirements in order to expand photo-acoustic imaging possibilities. Read more.

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Video Tutorial: Electrochemistry: Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy

AMETEK Scientific Instruments is the global leader in the design, manufacture, and support of instrumentation for both the electrochemical and materials communities.  Comprised of Princeton Applied Research, Solartron Analytical, and Signal Recovery, AMETEK Scientific Instruments delivers solutions to meet performance and price requirements. Princeton Applied Research and Solartron Analytical continue to innovate in both DC and AC measurements to the benefit of users studying energy devices, physical electrochemistry, corrosion, and solid-state materials.  Now, Ametek SI have assembled a library of tutorials and other materials to assist customers to learn about techniques and equipment for electrochemistry. The full library is available online at youtube here.

The video above covers theoretical basics of Electrochemical Theory, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) theory, and Potentiostat Working Theory. Other videos in the series discuss applications, experimental technique, software and hardware. Comprehensive on-line application notes are also made available. For Princeton Applied Research products, this library may be found here. For Solartron Analytical systems, the library may be found here. For further information, please contact Lastek. 

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TOPTICA celebrates 10 years of terahertz activities! At LASER Munich 2007, TOPTICA presented their first continuous-wave terahertz system, having teamed up with researchers at the universities of Frankfurt/Main and Darmstadt. Today, TOPTICA's terahertz products have found their way into both scientific labs and industrial installations in more than 30 countries around the globe. At the same time, TOPTICA has maintained a close collaboration with some of the leading research institutes both in Germany and abroad.

TOPTICA continues manufacturing continuous-wave systems: The TeraScan combines tunable laser technology with state-of-the-art photomixers and carefully designed, high-precision electronics. With a peak dynamic range greater than 90 dB and a frequency resolution on the megahertz level, the TeraScan sets new benchmarks for high-resolution frequency-domain spectroscopy. For time-domain terahertz applications, the TeraFlash enables broadband measurements with an unprecedented bandwidth of more than 5 THz. Whenever measurement speed matters, users can activate a fast-scanning mode and record up to 40 pulse traces per second.

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Attoelectronics Group, MPQ

Ultrafast lasers catch electrons relaxing after brief excitement

Boeing planes could fire lasers from their noses to spot turbulence

Scientists demonstrated 1.3μm submilliamp threshold quantum dot micro-lasers on Si

Lasers Might Beat Alzheimer’s Disease

Graphene-Based Absorbers Could Enable Ultrafast Lasers in THz Range

Credit: Fang et al. ©2016 American Chemical Society

Recent Study Demonstrates Innovative Enhanced Graphene Photodetector with Plasmonic Fractal Metasurface 

Graphene is a very promising material for photo detection due to its unique properties, e.g. ultrabroadband optical absorption, ultrafast electron speed, and wavelength independent absorption. However, single layer graphene - with only single atom depth - exhibits very low optical absorption, which limits its application in photodetection systems.

A recent study by Jieran Fang et al, published in NanoLetters, demonstrates a new path forward for significant photo detection enhancement in graphene.  In this paper, which was also highlighted in the February 2017 issue of the American Physical Society, researchers designed a gold fractal metasurface, similar in shape to a snowflake, and measured its electromagnetic character. As part of this study, a Nanonics MV2000 NSOM system was employed for plasmonic characterization of the snowflake metasurface with near field collection mode NSOM.

The obtained results demonstrated strong plasmonic generation near the branches and the edges of the fractal structure. It was demonstrated that the fractal metasurface integrated in graphene photodetector as source and drain provided enhancement factors of over 8-13. Additional advantages of this new enhanced graphene photodetector are broadband and polarization insensitive. This work indicates the great potential of enhanced graphene photodetectors in photodetection technology.