From The Editor

1. The Future of Photonics: What to Expect at SPIE Optics + Photonics 2025 6/16/2025

   SPIE Optics + Photonics 2025 in San Diego is the leading event for photonics engineers, featuring innovative research, exhibitions, and professional development.

2. How Photonics Are Used In The Manufacturing Of Sporting Goods 6/11/2025

   Photonics technologies revolutionize sporting goods manufacturing through laser cutting, 3D printing, optical metrology, and precision measurement systems.

3. What You Need To Know About The Physics And Engineering Of Nanolasers 6/4/2025

   Nanolasers are revolutionizing photonics by enabling ultra-compact, tunable, and efficient light sources, though challenges in fabrication, loss mitigation, and integration remain.

4. How LiDAR-Enabled Robots Benefit The Defense, Aerospace, And Biotech Industries 6/2/2025

   Adding LiDAR to robots can significantly improve their capabilities and performance across various applications by enhancing their perception and understanding of the surrounding environment.

5. Hyperspectral Imaging In Forensic Investigations: Applications And Case Studies 5/22/2025

   Hyperspectral imaging is a powerful tool for forensic investigations, offering a non-destructive, highly sensitive, and comprehensive approach to evidence analysis.

6. Did Spectroscopy Help Find Signs Of Life 124 Light Years Away? 5/19/2025

   Using advanced spectroscopy, JWST detected potential biosignature gases in K2-18b’s atmosphere, sparking debate about life beyond Earth.

7. Out In The Neon Light: Quantum Sensing's New Dawn For Photonics 5/15/2025

   Recent quantum breakthroughs overcome decoherence and enable mass production, driving photonics innovation across medical and environmental applications.

8. Fiber Optic Cables: How Far Is Too Far? 5/14/2025

   With ideal conditions and amplification, optical fiber can transmit petabit speeds globally, but real-world limits depend on fiber type and network design.

9. Inside the Vera C. Rubin Observatory's Quest To Map The Universe 5/13/2025

   The Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile will revolutionize astronomy with its massive digital camera, real-time data, and a decade-long sky survey, hunting Planet 9.

10. Photonic Gap Band Materials: Engineering The Flow Of Light 5/7/2025

    Photonic gap materials, or photonic crystals, are structures with a periodic dielectric profile that prevent light from propagating at certain wavelengths. This creates a "gap" where light cannot travel, offering potential for optical devices like filters and waveguides.