OPTICAL COMPONENTS, COATINGS, & MATERIALS INSIGHTS
How Optical Components Improve Performance In Aerospace And Defense Sensing Systems
What does it actually take to keep optical systems performing in space? The answers may surprise even experienced engineers.
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![Accumold - micro optics]( "The Expanding Role Of Micro Molding In Photonics")
The Expanding Role Of Micro Molding In PhotonicsMicro molding drives photonics innovation, enabling the scalable production of small, complex, and optically precise parts, helping OEMs meet shrinking device footprints and demanding performance requirements.
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![GettyImages-121025600-jet-engine]( "Precision In The Heat: Measuring Jet Engine Turbine Blades With Zygo's 3D Optical Profilers")
Precision In The Heat: Measuring Jet Engine Turbine Blades With Zygo's 3D Optical ProfilersZygo’s 3D Optical Profilers deliver nanometer-precision, non-contact inspection of turbine blades, ensuring surface integrity, dimensional accuracy, and reliability under extreme jet engine conditions.
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![GettyImages-1413169099 Aerospace]( "Precision At Altitude – How Zygo Powers Aerospace Innovation")
Precision At Altitude – How Zygo Powers Aerospace InnovationZygo-Navitar delivers aerospace precision through advanced metrology, optical systems, and tailored solutions—supporting manufacturing, MRO, UAV additive manufacturing, and high-performance optics in extreme conditions.
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![idex - advanced microscopes]( "Maximizing The Performance Of Advanced Microscopes By Controlling Wavefront Error Using Optical Filters")
Maximizing The Performance Of Advanced Microscopes By Controlling Wavefront Error Using Optical FiltersOptimizing fluorescence microscopy requires selecting optical filters that minimize wavefront distortion, ensuring high contrast and resolution. Semrock filters provide precise performance for demanding imaging applications.
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![GettyImages-2200128716-software-ai-machine-learning-percentages-code]( "The Benefits Of Customised Optical Filters For Machine Vision")
The Benefits Of Customised Optical Filters For Machine VisionCustomized optical interference filters optimize machine vision performance by tailoring light control for specific tasks—enhancing precision, speed, and reliability in industrial inspection, automation, and quality assurance applications.
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![Accumold - micro optics]( "Why LSR Is A Leading Material For Optical Micro Molding")
Why LSR Is A Leading Material For Optical Micro MoldingLiquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) is redefining optical micro molding with superior durability, design flexibility, and thermal stability—empowering next-generation optical components where traditional thermoplastics fall short.
OPTICAL SOLUTIONS
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![26 - SkyBrite™ Photonic Cleaning Wipes]( "SkyBrite™ Photonic Cleaning Wipes For Optical Components And Equipment Maintenance")
SkyBrite™ lint-free photonic wipes clean optics, connectors, PICs, and machines. Blue color darkens when wet for visual solvent control. 250/case.
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![25 - NOVA™ Workholder for PICs_Waveguides, Fiber Arrays, and Optical Chips]( "NOVA™ Workholder For Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs), Waveguides, And Optical Chips")
NOVA™ Workholder polishes PICs, waveguides, chips, and fiber arrays with 0–45° angle control, multiple position options, and repeatable mounting for consistent results.
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![24 - InSight™ In-line Video Inspection Station]( "Insight™ In-line Video Inspection Station For Process Monitoring")
InSight™ is a dedicated in-line video inspection station that accepts Krell workholders to inspect parts without unloading, reducing handling, damage, and contamination.
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![23 - Gator™ Photonic Component Cleaner]( "Gator™ Optical Fiber And Component Cleaner For Fusion Splicing And Termination")
Gator™ is a reusable, ergonomic cleaner for connectors, ferrules, bare fiber, PICs, and waveguides, supporting dry or wet cleaning. Sold in 50-packs.
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![22 - The Photonic CleanTouch™ Stick _ Solvent-Free Optical Cleaning for Fibers, Connectors, and PICs]( "CleanTouch™ Stick | Solvent-Free Photonic Cleaning For Fibers, Connectors, And PICs")
Photonic CleanTouch™ Stick is a solvent-free, one-touch cleaner for fibers, connectors, PICs, and waveguides, removing contaminants residue-free. Sold in 25-packs.
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![21 - NOVA™ Operation Software Upgrade Kit]( "NOVA™ Operation Software Upgrade Kit With Enhanced Microfeed™ Features")
NOVA™ Software Upgrade Kit adds Enhanced Microfeed with programmable rates down to 5 µm/min, plus pop-up prompts and improved folder/program management.
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![20 - DART Bare Fiber Adapter]( "DART™ Bare Fiber Adapter System With Patent-Pending Adjustable Positioning")
DART™ bare fiber adapter secures fibers with adjustable protrusion via an integrated roller, using a universal 2.5 mm ferrule and interchangeable tips (80 µm–1+ mm).
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![19 - NOVA™ Surface Inspection Module]( "NOVA™ Surface Inspection Module For In-Line Optical Quality Verification")
NOVA™ Surface Inspection Module enables in-line surface inspection while parts stay loaded, reducing handling and determining polishing/spec compliance in a single workcell.
OPTICAL NEWS
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![QuickShipScreenShot-small]( "The Right Filter, Right Now")
IDEX Health & Science offers Quick Ship Semrock optical filters, delivering critical research and prototyping components in 1–3 days to keep your projects on schedule.
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![3 specs optical filters]( "3 Costliest Optical Filter Spec Mistakes")
Over-specifying optical filters increases cost. Focus deep OD only where needed, allow wider transitions, and use average transmission (Tavg) instead of strict Tabs to optimize performance and reduce expenses.
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![Maximum-Throughput]( "From Sources To Sensors We Have You Covered")
IDEX Health & Science delivers fully integrated imaging subsystems, optimizing resolution, throughput, and reliability by combining lasers, optics, filters, sensors, and mechanics in a cohesive, design-through-manufacturing approach.
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![Vision Systems Shrink As Intelligence Moves To The Edge GettyImages-1367070651]( "Vision Systems Shrink As Intelligence Moves To The Edge")
Vision is moving closer to the edge – and shrinking fast.
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![endless design loop]( "How To Avoid The Endless Design Loop")
Scaling life science instruments from prototype to production requires resolving source-to-sensor trade-offs through custom optical integration that balances performance, cost, and long-term reliability.
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![7 essential custom illumination]( "7 Essentials Of Custom Illumination")
High-performance illumination demands more than power—custom wide-field modules deliver uniformity, reliability, flexibility, and seamless integration for next-generation life science, diagnostic, and medical imaging systems.
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![GettyImages-2006338804 conference]( "6 Conference Tracks, 60 Courses Anchor Photonics West 2026")
Photonics West 2026 offers over 100 technical conferences, 60 courses, and networking events spanning biomedical optics, lasers, quantum tech, and Vision Tech.
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![2025-26 GettyImages-2226305414]( "AI, Quantum, And Materials Innovation: How 2025 Set The Stage For Photonics In 2026")
Photonics surged in 2025 through telecom, AI, and health advances. In 2026, AI-driven design, quantum sources, thin films, and sustainability lead the next innovation wave.
OPTICAL VIDEOS
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![April Newsletter - Spotlight on Lasers & Sources]( "Large Diameter Bare Fiber Polishing With In-Line Inspection")
Large Diameter Bare Fiber Polishing With In-Line InspectionSee how KrellTech’s SpecPro™ Polishing System supports stable, repeatable polishing of large diameter bare fibers for laser and source applications. Using our LD/cannula workholder and SpecVision™ video scope, this process combines polishing and in-line inspection in one system to help reduce handling, support endface quality, and improve workflow efficiency.
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![April Newsletter - Spotlight on Defense & Security]( "Portable Polishing Where It Matters Most")
Portable Polishing Where It Matters MostIn defense and security environments, fiber optic connector polishing often needs to happen in the field and under demanding conditions. KrellTech’s Proton™ Field and FTTX Polisher is a handheld, battery-operated system designed to deliver controlled polishing and Telcordia-compliant UPC and APC finishes. With features such as independent suspension, optically aligned polishing, adjustable pressure, interchangeable connector workholders, and random orbital motion, Proton™ is well suited for military, aerospace,
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![Spotlight on Sensors, Detectors & Imaging]( "Precision Polishing For Optical Sensors")
Precision Polishing For Optical SensorsDiscover how KrellTech’s modular equipment platform provides precision bare fiber shaping for medical, aerospace, and industrial optical sensing devices. Watch our video demonstrating a 110° chisel tip creation on a 600µm fiber using the scalable NOVA polishing system.
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![Spotlight on OpticsOptical Components]( "Polishing Films And Pads: Choosing The Right Combination For Your Application")
Polishing Films And Pads: Choosing The Right Combination For Your ApplicationChoosing the right lapping film and polishing surface combination is critical for achieving the desired finish, geometry, and repeatability in optical component polishing. In addition to abrasive selection, proper film application to soft rubber pads can also affect polishing consistency and final results.
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![Spotlight on High-Speed Communications & Data Transport]( "Advanced MicroFeed Polishing For High-Speed Communications")
Advanced MicroFeed Polishing For High-Speed CommunicationsOvercome insertion loss and reflectance in your photonic integrated circuits (PICs) and waveguides. KrellTech’s Advanced MicroFeed technology delivers precision micron-level material removal to optimize performance for components consisting of silicon, TFLN, InP and other substrates used in high-speed communication networks.
