Blog articles on topics in photonics, particularly laser technology and application. http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight.html en-us RP Photonics Consulting GmbH, 2009 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:16:36 +0100 http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2009_06_29.html The articles explains with some examples how saving a little money at some locations can kill business. In other words, doing certain key things properly is vital for success. Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:16:00 +0100 http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2009_06_29.html http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2009_06_23.html Optical coherence of lasers and other light sources is often treated as a black-or-white issue, although it actually isn't. The article discusses some important considerations. Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:25:00 +0100 http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2009_06_23.html http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2009_06_08.html Recently, the winners of various EPS prizes have been announced. Dr. Paschotta had the honor to serve as the chair of the selection committee. The article also contains some comments on improper behavior in the context of such prizes. Mon, 8 Jun 2009 15:16:00 +0100 http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2009_06_08.html http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2009_06_02.html The 5th anniversary of the company RP Photonics Consulting GmbH calls for a short review of the activities and what has been reached. Tue, 2 Jun 2009 13:22:00 +0100 http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2009_06_02.html http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2009_05_22.html It is explained why strong interference fringes can occur even when two beams with very different intensities are superimposed. Fri, 22 May 2009 14:20:00 +0100 http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2009_05_22.html http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2009_05_13.html It is discussed why the minimum time-bandwidth product of a pulse is said to be reached for an unchirped sech^2-shaped pulse, while quantum mechanics always suggest Gaussian wavepackets to have the smallest uncertainty product. Wed, 13 May 2009 11:36:00 +0100 http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2009_05_13.html http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2009_04_28.html Dr. Paschotta has published two books in the 'Field Guide' series of SPIE: one on Lasers and one on Laser Pulse Generation. Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:42:00 +0100 http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2009_04_28.html http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2009_04_19.html This is a reminder for getting the print version of the Encyclopedia of Laser Physics and Technology at the reduced subscription price. Sun, 19 Apr 2009 09:49:00 +0100 http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2009_04_19.html http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2009_04_17.html Currently, miniature laser projection displays for mobile devices such as mobile phones and media players are developed. Although the cost issue appears to be quite challenging, there seems to be a fair chance that cheap mass production of miniature projectors (containing some kinds of red, green and blue lasers) can start soon. That could also unleash many other laser applications. Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:18:00 +0100 http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2009_04_17.html http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2009_04_06.html Some soccer fans use green lasers to irritate players. The involved safety hazards can be substantial if laser pointers with high powers are used, as are easily available. Mon, 6 Apr 2009 08:15:00 +0100 http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2009_04_06.html http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2009_04_05.html The article discusses different meanings of 'stability' in the context of laser resonators. Sun, 5 Apr 2009 17:36:00 +0100 http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2009_04_05.html http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2009_03_19.html An interesting book is recommended, which illuminates some characteristics of the scientific progress and corrects some common but poorly justified views. Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:40:00 +0100 http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2009_03_19.html http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2009_03_07.html The output of Q-switched fiber lasers often exhibits complicated temporal features such as multiple short spikes. The article shows how can these be understood and simulated with a dynamic fiber laser model. Sat, 7 Mar 2009 10:04:00 +0100 http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2009_03_07.html http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2009_03_02.html The article discusses different types of user interfaces for simulation software, based on input forms, interactive graphical interfaces and on input scripts. There are certain trade-offs concerning the easy of getting started and the flexibility. An intelligent combination of approaches can lead to the best solution. Mon, 2 Mar 2009 12:34:00 +0100 http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2009_03_02.html http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2009_02_13.html The article points out that the product of a change of beam angle and the beam diameter is often more important to know than the change of beam angle itself. That product is directly related to the optical phase change across the beam profile. Fri, 13 Feb 2009 16:56:00 +0100 http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2009_02_13.html http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2009_01_12.html A recent paper in Nature Photonics demonstrates how to use chaotic lasers to generate random numbers at a very high rate. Mon, 12 Jan 2009 16:01:00 +0100 http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2009_01_12.html http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2009_01_05.html The article discusses a recent scientific paper, presenting a mode-locked fiber laser with an extremely long laser resonator. Mon, 5 Jan 2009 15:37:00 +0100 http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2009_01_05.html http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2008_12_16.html This article explains why many fiber laser products are actually fiber amplifiers, or master oscillator power amplifiers. Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:38:00 +0100 http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2008_12_16.html http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2008_11_25.html A kind of superluminal propagation of light occurs simply when a light beam is focused in free space. This results from the Gouy phase shift. Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:25:00 +0100 http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2008_11_25.html http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2008_11_08.html The validation of numerical simulation software, e.g. for simulating the performance of fiber amplifiers and fiber lasers, is a great challenge. The article discusses various aspects which need to be validated, and shows that very different means are required. The comparison between calculated and experimental results is only one part of the game. Sat, 8 Nov 2008 09:48:00 +0100 http://www.rp-photonics.com/spotlight_2008_11_08.html