Latest Articles
Fraud Prevention and Detection Using Optical Techniques
Today’s blog post is sponsored by Horiba – a leading supplier of analytical and measurement systems. We often like to employ optics and optical systems to see imperfections we normally cannot. Sometimes, ...
LED Based Insect Traps: Perfecting the Choice of Wavelengths
Why are insects attracted to light? We often see insects buzzing around light fixtures outside, or find their remains in light fixtures when replacing a lightbulb. However, seldom we wonder why they are so ...
Fiber Lasers: Following their Rise from Invention to Today
Fibers lasers are a very commonly used type of laser. Whether they are being used for communication purposes, materials processing, or medicine, they have come a long way from their humble beginning. This ...
Applying Holographic Optical Technology to Virtual Reality
The Beginnings of Virtual Reality The definition of virtual reality (VR) has changed throughout history. In 1929, the first iteration of a flight simulator was invented. This allowed pilots to train, ...
Optical Trapping: Method Used in Atomic Cooling Experiments
Optical trapping is a way of cooling atoms to the point where they are no longer in motion—or are trapped. One may instantly think of optical tweezers when hearing the mention of optical trapping. While ...
Everything You Should Know About Thermal Imaging Cameras
Today’s post on thermal imaging cameras is prepared by a guest blogger – Amanda Wilson – a technical blogger specializing in the electrical and electronic test equipment and measurement ...
Hubble Space Telescope and Planetary Formation
History of Telescopes When students begin to learn about space, astronomy, and the telescope in school, one of the first names that stands out is Galileo’s. Galileo Galilei was the first to point a ...
Detector Types: What to use for Measuring Optical Power
Having the proper detector is just as important (if not more so) as having the proper laser source. Determining which type of detector best suits one’s needs is essential to successfully report the most ...
Organic Light Emitting Diodes: Brightness in Lighting and Display Technologies
What’s Organic about Organic LEDs? Organic Light-Emitting Diodes (OLED) are similar to LEDs, but have organic layers between the conducting layers. These organic layers are the emitting layer. The thin ...
Optical Networking vs Electronic Networking Energy Consumption
Optical networking and the use of optical fiber have been omnipresent for decades. From the usage of fiber optics in communications in the 1970s for transmitting telephone traffic to the implosion of the ...