Optics / Photonics 101

Waveguide - Definition and Applications

Waveguide is an optical structure which directs the electromagnetic waves of an optical spectrum. Some of the common types of waveguides include rectangular waveguides and optical fibers.

30 Apr 2014

Toric Lens - Definition and Applications

Toric lens is a special type of lens having two different focal length and optical power in orientations that are perpendicular to each other.

30 Apr 2014

What is a Halogen Lamp?

A halogen lamp is an incandescent light source consisting of a tungsten filament enclosed in an environment of an inert gas and a small amount of a halogen (bromine or iodine).

25 Apr 2014

Krypton Fluoride Excimer Laser – Properties and Applications

The krypton fluoride (KrF) laser is an excimer laser which emits deep ultraviolet wavelengths. It consists of two elements, namely krypton and fluorine, as the lasing medium.

25 Apr 2014

Xenon Chloride Excimer Lasers – Properties and Applications

Xenon chloride (XeCl) excimer laser consists of xenon, a noble gas, and chlorine, a halogen, combined to act as a lasing medium.

25 Apr 2014

Xenon Fluoride Excimer Lasers – Properties and Applications

Xenon fluoride (XeF) excimer laser consists of xenon, a noble gas, and fluorine, a halogen.

25 Apr 2014

Chromium Doped Zinc Chalcogenide Lasers – Properties and Applications

Chromium belongs to the group of transition elements in the periodic table; its ions of various charges are often used as dopants of the active lasing mediums.

25 Apr 2014

Promethium Doped Phosphate Glass Lasers – Properties and Applications

Phosphate glass lasers are glass materials that are based on phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5) along with added chemicals. They are used as the gain medium in optical and bulk lasers.

25 Apr 2014

Sagnac Interferometer - Definition and Applications

The Sagnac interferometer uses counter-propagating beams in a ring path. This is realized by either using multiple mirrors or with an optical fiber. Generally, three or more mirrors are used, so that the counter-propagating light beams follow a closed path such as a triangle or square.

12 Feb 2014