Aviation & Aerospace News

81. Bright Ideas — Quantum Inertial Sensors Could Save Communications, China To Open First Photonic Chip Fab 10/26/2022

    Bright Ideas presents the most captivating news and innovations in optics and photonics. This week, China is reportedly ready to break ground on the nation's first photonic chip manufacturing facility. And one researcher and his team at Sandia are trying to transform bulky quantum inertial sensors into smaller, more rugged packages to back up lost GPS signals. 

82. Fast Steering Mirrors For Free Space Optical Communications – New Piezo & Voice-Coil Driven Solutions 10/25/2022

    Fast fine steering mirrors keep laser beams stabilized and pointed in the right direction, making sure they reach their targets exactly, over thousands of miles.

83. New Way To Make Telescope Mirrors Could Sharpen Our View Of The Universe 10/20/2022

    Researchers have developed a new way to use femtosecond laser pulses to fabricate the high-precision ultrathin mirrors required for high-performance x-ray telescopes. The technique could help improve the space-based x-ray telescopes used to capture high-energy cosmic events involved in forming new stars and supermassive black holes.

84. VIPC Selects Quantum Computing Inc. As A Partner For Risk-Based Flight Trajectories 10/6/2022

    In a newly announced partnership, QCI will apply its quantum photonic systems to a critical risk-management use case involving the selection of flight trajectories for unmanned aerial vehicles.

85. Bright Ideas — NASA's DART Deemed A Success, Cockroaches Get Their Comeuppance 10/5/2022

    Bright Ideas presents the most captivating news and innovations in optics and photonics. This week, NASA's first attempt at using kinetic force for planetary defense was a success — and it was caught on camera by two of the most reputable space telescopes. Plus, researchers try once and for all to rid the world of cockroaches — with lasers. 

86. Bright Ideas — Defense Prime CEOs Sanctioned By China, DARPA To Give Small Biz 'Classified' Access 9/21/2022

    Bright Ideas presents the most captivating news and innovations in photonics. This week, China sanctioned two defense prime contractors' CEOs, DARPA opens a new program to give small businesses access to classified endeavors, and SPIE Startup Challenge is now accepting applications. 

87. TRUMPF VCSELs To Fly To Space In Quantum Sensors 8/31/2022

    TRUMPF Photonic Components, a global leader in VCSEL and photodiode solutions, develops a high-power, single-mode VCSEL to be implemented in an altitude gyroscope sensor suitable for use in space. In few years the satellite with the quantum-based gyroscope should fly into space to generate highly precise attitude determination.

88. I Want You: The Second Space Race Is Underway 8/25/2022

    The second Space Race is underway. Perhaps it’s not creating all the hubbub of the quest to put a “man on the Moon” ahead of the Russians, but it should be. Learn why there's an urgent need to being the best when it comes to exploration — and habitation. 

89. Bright Ideas — HELIOS Headed to Navy, "Sun Glint" Reveals Offshore Methane Emissions 8/24/2022

    Bright Ideas presents the most captivating news and innovations in photonics. This week, "sun glint" offers more precise look at offshore methane emissions, Lockheed Martin prepares to deliver its HELIOS laser weapon to the U.S. Navy, and scientists pursue replacement for LEDs.

90. Bright Ideas — NIF Celebrates 1 Year Since 1.4 MJ Achieved, Laser-Mounted Strykers Headed For Fort Sill 8/17/2022

    Bright Ideas presents the most captivating news and innovations in photonics. This week, three new peer-reviewed papers chronicle the journey and incredible results of the National Ignition Facility's Aug. 8, 2021 shot that generated 1.3 megajoules. Plus, Army Stryker vehicles affixed with 50-kW lasers will soon be en route to a Midwest air defense battery, and DARPA picks 11 teams to enable LEO-based optical communications terminal.