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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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