Optics / Photonics 101

Schmidt Prism - Definition and Properties

Schmidt prism, also referred to as Schmidt–Pechan prism, is a prism that reverts an image while deviating the line of sight by 45°. It is a type of optical roof prism.

12 Feb 2014

What is the Optical Kerr Effect?

The Kerr effect (also known as quadratic electro-optic effect) is a phenomenon observed in non-linear optic materials where the refractive index of the material changes in response to an electric field.

10 Oct 2013

Argon Laser – Properties and Applications

The argon laser is a unique gas laser, as it uses a noble gas (argon) as the active medium. It is commonly referred to as argon ion laser.

10 Oct 2013

Semiconductor Lasers: AlGaInP (Aluminum Gallium Indium Phosphide) Laser Properties and Applications

The aluminium gallium indium phosphide laser is a type of visible-light diode laser. Visible diode lasers emit wavelengths of red and green in the visible spectrum of electromagnetic radiation.

10 Oct 2013

What is a Metal Halide Lamp?

Metal halide lamps or metal halide arc lamps consist of a high performance arc discharge tube housed in an elliptical reflector that focuses the output into a microscopic optical train. The arc tube is filled with metal halide salts.

8 Oct 2013

Sum Frequency Generation - Non-Linear Optics for Advanced Spectroscopy

Sum frequency generation (SFG) may be defined as a second order non-linear optical process in which a tunable infrared beam is combined with a visible beam, such that that the frequency of the output beam is the sum of the input frequencies.

8 Oct 2013

Acousto-Optical Effects - Principles and Applications

Acousto-optics is a phenomenon which deals with the interaction of light (optics) and sound (acoustics). The existence of an interaction between light and sound was discovered by Brillouin in the year 1922.

8 Oct 2013

Deuterium Fluoride Lasers - Properties and Applications

The deuterium fluoride (DF) laser is a chemical laser formed by a mixture of fluorine and deuterium gas under controlled conditions. The wavelength of light produced by DF laser is longer than that of other conventional HF lasers, and hence it facilitates more effective laser transmission.

From TRUMPF Ltd. 29 Aug 2013

The Pockels Effect

Pockels effect explains the influence of an electric field on a non-linear material in causing birefringence or altering the existing birefringence.

15 Aug 2013

Xenon Arc Lamps - White Light for Photometry and Microscopy

A xenon arc lamp is a specialized gas discharge lamp that emits light when electricity is passed through ionized xenon gas that is maintained at high pressure. Xenon gas is ionized by electric current. These lamps are continuous sources of light of highest luminance and radiance.

24 Jul 2013