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All Things Photonics

From space exploration and quantum optics, to biomedical imaging and defense, today’s top scientific minds are using lasers, spectroscopy, sensors, and optics to deliver cutting-edge innovation to our society. In intimate conversations with those pushing the boundaries of human knowledge, “All Things Photonics” spotlights photonics industry progress from beyond the lab.

Hear how 3D printed microscopes — and those developed for a fraction of the cost — offer our best hope for diagnosing disease in the developing world; why spectroscopy might be the most valuable tool in the crime scene technicians’ arsenal; how light can motorize drug delivery; and how the quantum cascade laser, CMOS image sensor, and robot-assisted surgery became realities.

Notable guests include Nobel Prize winner Donna Strickland; Columbia University Eugene Higgins Professor of Electrical Engineering Michal Lipson; inventor of the CMOS image sensor Eric Fossum; serial entrepreneur Jason Eichenholz; co-namesake of the Hockney Falco Thesis Charles Falco; and SPIE President and founder of the Vanderbilt Biophotonics Center Anita Mahadevan-Jansen.

“All Things Photonics”® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. The podcast was a shortlisted finalist in two categories — Best Science & Medical Podcast and Best Technology Podcast — for The Publishers Podcast Awards in 2021. It has again earned shortlist honors in the Best Science and Medical Podcast category for 2022.

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#146
October 27 · 21 min
America’s Future in the Semiconductor Supply Chain – With Shankaran Janardhanan, GlobalFoundries
A few years ago, chip shortages elevated semiconductors from an industry focus to a mainstream issue. Those shortages also exposed the dominance China held over the industry. The U.S. has since taken measures to shore up the domestic production of those precious commodities, but has it done enough? Shankaran Janardhanan, the Senior Vice President of Photonics and Radio Frequency Business at GlobalFoundries, joined the All Things Photonics podcast to discuss how companies like GF are expanding production at home, and to explain where America currently sits in the global semiconductor supply chain. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu – www.Hamamatsu.com
#145
October 13 · 25 min
Sophisticated SPAD Sensors Eying More Practical Applications – With Sebastian Bauer
Single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) image sensors have thrived in scientific studies. Now, they’re moving beyond the lab and into the real world for more practical applications. CMOS sensors remain the dominant technology in imaging, finding use in cell phones, automotive cameras, and medical imaging. But recent advances in SPAD could both replace and improve the use of CMOS sensors. Sebastian Bauer is the CEO and co-founder of Ubicept, a provider of SPAD sensor solutions. We caught up with Sebastian during the VISION conference in Stuttgart to discuss the rise of SPAD sensors, and the technological advances behind their growing popularity. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu – www.Hamamatsu.com
#144
October 5 · 21 min
AI, Synthetic Data and Automation Converge at VISION – With Florian Niethammer
The leading conference in image processing, VISION 2026, is about to kick off. Two years ago, AI was discussed on the trade show floor for its potential, but at this year’s event, it has become far more prevalent. Machine vision systems are smarter and more automated than ever, creating a need for better synthetic data for users demanding high-quality training data to advance their own AI ambitions. Florian Niethammer is the head of trade fairs and events at Messe Stuttgart. On this special episode of All Things Photonics, he joins us to discuss the other leading trends in machine vision and to preview the new events and networking opportunities coming to this year’s conference. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu – www.Hamamatsu.com
#143
September 29 · 22 min
In Association with the Journal Optica, Moiré Nanophotonics: from Concepts to Engineering with Haoning Tang
All Things Photonics is teaming up with the Journal Optica to bring you insights on the latest studies leading to breakthroughs in optics and photonics. What do nanophotonics and 18th-century French silks have in common? It’s all in the design. Moiré concepts are creating new opportunities in nanophotonics. In a study published in the Journal Optica, a research team from MIT demonstrated that by using twist, lattice mismatch, and interlayer coupling, moiré photonic systems could offer powerful new ways to control light, engineer optical band structures, and design reconfigurable photonic devices. Haoning Tang, an assistant professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering at MIT, joins us to explain how this work could help further advance work on metasurfaces, photonics crystals, and so much more. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu – www.Hamamatsu.com
#142
September 15 · 30 min
What OEM Photonics Buyers Actually Evaluate During Vendor Selection — Marco Pigozzi, Optotune
Optotune vice president of sales and marketing, Marco Pigozzi, answers the titular question of our episode, introducing a 15-part framework that identifies and answers why photonics vendors and their OEM customers are apt to fall out of alignment on the commercial deals that drive photonics forward. The nature of photonics OEM evaluations, their nuances, and a comprehensive understanding of what OEM purchasers need — and why vendors sometimes fail to align — is unpacked in this conversation. It is a useful guide for all in the industry ecosystem, supporting more meaningful business dealings at a time of rapid industry growth. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu – www.Hamamatsu.com
#141
September 1 · 35 min
Machine Vision, Food Tracking, and Cyclospora – Robb Robles, Zebra Technologies
Cyclospora, an intestinal parasite, has sickened more than 22,000 Americans. The recent outbreak has been linked to contaminated lettuce from central Mexico that was later distributed in the U.S., with some researchers saying sewage contamination is the likely cause. Machine vision could prove to be vital in tracing food issues back to their original source. In this episode of All Things Photonics, BioPhotonics Senior Editor Douglas Farmer is speaking with Robb Robles, director of machine vision product management at Zebra Technologies. Robb discusses how machine vision technologies, with AI assistance, can help prevent widespread contamination of food products in the future by tracking them from the point they are harvested to when they are selected by the consumer. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu – www.Hamamatsu.com
#140
August 18 · 21 min
Recognizing Talent and Sharing Wisdom – Fardin Ahmed, Teddi C. Laurin Scholarship Winner
For young professionals in the optics and photonics industry, it can be hard to feel seen. There are long nights in the lab and big ambitions that drive these individuals to try and leave their mark in this ever-evolving field. Fardin Ahmed is a graduate student at the National Institute of Scientific Research (INRS-EMT) in Montreal. His research focuses on developing deterministic, room-temperature single-photon emitters in gallium nitride (GaN) and it’s already turning heads, earning him the honor of winning the 2026 Teddi C. Laurin Scholarship presented by SPIE. In this conversation, we discuss the moments that steered him towards a career in photonics, the mentors that influenced his work, and the advice he would give to other students who are hungry to prove themselves. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu – www.Hamamatsu.com
#139
August 4 · 15 min
The Rise of the Metalens – John Fijol, Myrias Optics
One of the most exciting technologies being commercialized in the photonics space is the metalens. Metalenses are flat, lightweight optical components that manipulate light with tiny structures on their surface. They're able to replace traditional glass lenses in a lot of applications, making imaging systems lighter and more compact. In this episode, we speak with Myrias Optics’ CEO, John Fijol. The conversation covers some of the immediate applications, some that are a little bit further off, and the timeline to scaled manufacturing. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu – www.Hamamatsu.com
#138
July 21 · 27 min
Sunlight Could Reduce Plastic Waste and Create Clean Fuel – Xiao Lu, University of Adelaide
A light-based process could not only reduce plastic waste, but it could also create a new path towards harvesting the materials needed for clean fuel. Xiao Lu is a Ph.D. candidate in the School of Chemical Engineering at Adelaide University in Australia. Xiao and her colleagues have demonstrated that targeted sunlight can help to break down plastic waste, while also releasing hydrogen gas and other elements that could provide a viable source of renewable energy. She shares the details of her work, and the promise it may hold for future efforts at sustainable waste disposal. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu – www.Hamamatsu.com
#137
July 7 · 14 min
Reimagining Optical and Photonic Design With Ultrafast Lasers – Jie Qiao, Rochester Institute of Technology
Ultrafast lasers are transforming how optical and photonic systems are designed, fabricated, and integrated. This evolving approach to processing offers a fundamentally different method than conventional means like diamond turning and ion-beam figuring. Jie Qiao is the director of the advanced optical fabrication, instrumentation, and metrology laboratory in the Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science at Rochester Institute of Technology. In this episode of All Things Photonics, Qiao explains how ultrafast-laser direct fabrication can serve as a unified platform for shaping and finishing freeform optics. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu – www.Hamamatsu.com
#136
June 23 · 38 min
Advanced Imaging Blasts Off with Artemis II — With Petko Dinev, Imperx
In April, Artemis II launched on a 10-day voyage around the moon. It was humanity’s first crewed lunar flyby in more than 50 years. Along with its four astronauts, it carried a series of photonic systems with it. On the core of its space launch system rocket, Imperx charge-couple device cameras monitored engines and provided measurements vital to ensuring a safe and successful launch. Petko Dinev is the Founder, President, and CEO of Imperx. He shares his thoughts on the role optics and photonics will play in the emerging “space economy,” and he explains how advances in imaging can enable advances in space exploration on this episode of All Things Photonics. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu – www.Hamamatsu.com
#135
June 9 · 23 min
Proposed Budget Cuts Threaten America’s Place in Scientific Research – With Jennifer O'Bryan
Leading groups among the scientific community are expressing their concerns over proposed White House budget cuts. America may sit on top of the mountain when it comes to research efforts, but other nations are catching up, and funding cuts could lead to there being a new global leader in R&D. SPIE has issued a call to action, asking Americans to contact their government officials to express their concern over proposed cuts. Jennifer O'Bryan is the Government Affairs Director for the society. In this episode of All Things Photonics, she shares her own concerns with President Trump's attitude towards science and what SPIE is doing to help protect research efforts. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu – www.Hamamatsu.com
#134
May 26 · 25 min
A High-Speed Heterogeneous Lithium Tantalate Silicon Photonics Platform — Featuring Bart Kuyken
imec and Ghent University researcher, Bart Kuyken, discusses his group’s recent Nature Photonics paper. The micro-transfer printing process, material platforms utilized, and prospects to innovate upon existing silicon photonics process and workflows are discussed. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu – www.Hamamatsu.com Omega Optical - www.omega-optical.com
#133
May 19 · 34 min
Spotlight: Material Innovation in the Spotlight — With Xavier Lafosse
Xavier Lafosse, commercial technology director, precision glass solutions at Corning, discusses how data center dynamics are ushering in a new era for optical materials — centered as much on demand as on innovation. As leading companies optimize their partnerships, drive research breakthroughs, and unveil commercial product, meeting the moment necessitates deep understanding of the market, but at present and in the future. Lafosse, an expert in optical materials, offers his perspective in this exclusive conversation. Spotlight from "All Things Photonics"® is a special series of intimate sit-down conversations with preeminent figures in our industry. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu – www.Hamamatsu.com Omega Optical - www.omega-optical.com
#132
May 12 · 38 min
The Photonic Ecosystem of Counter Unmanned Systems — With Ganesh Balakrishnan
Unmanned aircraft, like drones, have become a weapon of choice. They are effective and cheap to produce, but the systems to stop them are not. Laser- and microwave-based systems are slowly coming online, but there are still hurdles to overcome before they become a staple defense on the front lines. Ganesh Balakrishnan, or “Gunny" as he’s known, is a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of New Mexico. He sat down with the All Things Photonics team to discuss how molecular beam epitaxy, VCSELs, PCSELs, and other photonic tech all play a part in the wider ecosystem behind counter unmanned systems. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu – www.Hamamatsu.com Omega Optical - www.omega-optical.com
#131
April 28 · 25 min
The Hidden Cost of AI — With Michael Förtsch, CEO of Q.Ant
Computing with light can enable high-performance compute with dramatically lower energy use and reduced heat. Q.Ant is a Stuttgart-based photonic computing scale-up, leading the way to more sustainable AI and high-performance computing. CEO Michael Förtsch joins us to share his thoughts on the hidden costs of AI, the technology and materials driving Q.Ant’s photonic solutions, and why the future of compute is in need of a fundamental change. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu – www.Hamamatsu.com Omega Optical - www.omega-optical.com
#130
April 21 · 35 min
Spotlight: All Things Gratings — With Dave Ventola, Omega Optical
In this discussion with Omega Optical’s David Ventola, a leading authority on diffraction technology, "All Things Photonics" navigates the complete gratings value chain, from concept and design, to replication and fabrication, to application and deployment. A mature technology, optical grating innovation is measured today by industry-driven advancements that are found in the marketplace. Omega Optical’s Prism Award-winning DeepUV Transmission Gratings are one such solution. Spotlight from "All Things Photonics"® is a special series of intimate sit-down conversations with preeminent figures in our industry. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu – www.Hamamatsu.com Omega Optical - www.omega-optical.com
#129
April 14 · 15 min
In Association With the Journal Optica, Protecting Quantum Data From Turbulence — With Aaron Cardoso
"All Things Photonics" is teaming up with the journal Optica to bring you insights on the latest studies leading to breakthroughs in optics and photonics. Quantum key distribution (QKD) allows encrypted information to be distributed without being intercepted. In free-space QKD, however, fluctuations in atmospheric conditions can cause distortions and impair the retrieval of the encoded information. In a study published in the journal Optica, a research team from the University of Ottawa developed a way to alleviate the effects of atmospheric turbulence on spatial mode transmission, creating an all-optical self-correction scheme for turbulence resilience using stimulated parametric down-conversion (StimPDC)-based optical phase conjugation. Aarón Cardoso, a researcher at the University of Ottawa, joins us to explain why he turned to StimPDC to solve this quantum quandary. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu – www.Hamamatsu.com Omega Optical - www.omega-optical.com
#128
March 31 · 39 min
Spotlight: Optica, Research, and Quantum with Prem Kumar
Before today’s ubiquitous technologies became tangible products, they began with a research proposal. The journal Optica prides itself on publishing high-impact peer-reviewed articles covering a spectrum of fields throughout optics and photonics, and for years, Prem Kumar served as the editor-in-chief for the journal. Even before taking on that title, he was familiar with the journal, having submitted several works himself. Some made the cut; others didn’t quite meet those standards. In our Spotlight conversation, Kumar shares more about his accomplishments with Optica, his work in quantum, and his own journey in photonics. Spotlight from "All Things Photonics"® is a special series of intimate sit-down conversations with preeminent figures in our industry. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu – www.Hamamatsu.com
#127
March 17 · 33 min
Advancing Modern Medicine Through Laser Spectroscopy – With Prof. Igor Lednev, University at Albany
Messenger RNA (mRNA) technology made headlines five years ago when Pfizer and Moderna vaccines arrived in the fight against COVID-19. Today, mRNA research is expanding into cancer treatments, cardiovascular regeneration, and other areas. Igor Lednev is a distinguished professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University at Albany. His lab is developing a new technique to test mRNA-based therapeutics using lasers. On this episode of “All Things Photonics,” Igor discusses his work to evaluate mRNA vaccines and treatments through Raman spectroscopy, and he explains the role laser spectroscopy will play in advancing modern medicine. "All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. Sponsored by: Hamamatsu – www.Hamamatsu.com

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