He talked recently with Host Justine Murphy about Waters Biosciences and his role there, the innovations he and his team have led, and what the future holds for the bio realm.

In this episode, he talks about his numerous accomplishments and accolades, he reflects on his career and lessons learned along the way, and he offers some advice and insight for the next generation researchers and entrepreneurs.

That means the coating stack changes with the job: dielectric-enhanced aluminum or silver for UV and visible mirrors, protected gold or silver for near-IR, and gold for long-wave IR thermal imaging. Filters and AR coatings get the same rigor, tested in sequence against ASTM, ISO, and MIL specs before anything is cleared for flight.

With satellites now losing orbital lifespan faster than expected due to an intense solar cycle, lighter, more durable coatings matter more than ever.

Host Justine Murphy talked all about it recently with Matthew Balkonis, senior account manager at precision optical components specialist Omega Optical, and Joe Howe, Omega's Industrial/Semiconductor/MilAero sales director—both experts in this sector who qualify coatings for full-mission performance.

He has numerous accolades under this belt, experience as an entrepreneur in startups and major corporations, and has spent years as a researcher and applied scientist, including at Lawrence Livermore National Lab.

In this fun, interesting, and rather enlightening talk with Host Justine Murphy, he discusses his current role in academia, his several decades in the industry, and the unconventional path that led him here.

In this episode, PI Physik's Nikta Jalayer explores how precision motion, intelligent alignment, and automation technologies are enabling that transition by transforming photonics manufacturing from a serial, labor-intensive process into a highly automated, high-throughput production environment, making large-scale deployment of optical interconnects both practical and economically viable.

In this really interesting chat she had recently with Host Justine Murphy, Jennifer talked about the diverse path that led her to where she is now, her research and technology developments, and what inspires her. 

He talked recently with Host Justine Murphy about the company and the role of optical data centers and photonics components in the world’s ever-advancing technology landscape.

In this episode, Host Justine Murphy examines the increasing number of technician training programs around the country, and talks with a few of those who remain motivated to help alleviate the industrywide struggle.

He talked with Host Justine Murphy about his different experiences, what he’s learned along the way, and his thoughts on the future.

This installment focuses on the emerging relationship between photonics and AI. Host Justine Murphy chatted recently with two experts to get their thoughts: Oriole CEO James Regan and Vickram Vathulya, CEO of Sivers Semiconductors.

Here, he offers his perspectives on ever-advancing technologies and his thoughts on the future, and shares some lessons he’s learned throughout his storied career.

They discussed her work and experiences in the industry, as well as her passion for enriching the world via technological advancements.

In this episode of Following the Photons, FAMES coordinator Dominique Noguet talks with Host Justine Murphy about the initiative and related educational training programs, as well as its role in Europe’s ever-advancing semiconductor industry.

Giacomo also offers an update on current happenings, what the future holds, and Kinetic River’s place in it.

In this episode, he and Host Justine Murphy delve into his background and many notable technology developments and accomplishments, and they take a look back at the experiences he says have helped shape his career.

With a background in engineering, he says he's always thrived at the intersection of cutting-edge research and real-world innovation. 

He talked recently with Host Justine Murphy about his work at CEA, and his team’s potentially game-changing development of the first dynamically channeled electro-optical router for photonic interposers.

She talked with Host Justine Murphy about the exciting work her team is doing, as well as her vast research experience and the remarkable path that led to where she is today.

They recently discussed things like the importance of training technicians in hands-on laboratory skills, and he also offered some perspectives on the future of optics and the crucial role technicians will play.

Talking with Host Justine Murphy, Aerotech Business Development Manager Justin Bressi explains how monitoring multiple optical channels at once and searching in all six degrees of freedom can improve alignment outcomes and reduce scrap.

The conversation also touches on the broader data center and semiconductor ecosystem, where demand for faster, more efficient photonic systems is driving new investment and partnerships.

They discussed her work as a computational and organic chemist and professor, unconventional ways to boost the next generation of scientists, and her contributions toward bridging theory with real-world application.

He talked about his engineering background and entrepreneurial spirit, as well as his thoughts on the education and workforce initiatives he calls crucial for the future of STEM.

He has nearly two decades of experience in the silicon photonics sector, including at Intel. 

In this chat, he talks with Host Justine Murphy about Xscape Photonics and its innovative work, as well as the role silicon photonics will play in the future of AI.

He has more than 18 years of research and development experience in materials and new technologies for photonics and cleantech, and a career that spans entrepreneurship, academia, and national labs. 

Listen now to this really interesting conversation from the Photonics West show floor!

In this chat, we covered his current work and initiatives at SCRONA, his involvement in organizations like the Plug and Play Tech Center, and some lessons learned throughout his extensive career.

He’s also a board member of the Montana Photonics and Quantum Alliance, and works closely with the Photonic and Laser Technology program at Montana State University’s Gallatin College.

In this fun chat, he talks with host Justine Murphy about Lattice Materials and some recent accolades, as well as workplace culture, the company’s ever-advancing role in the photonics industry, and the growing photonics hub in Montana.

He talked with host Justine Murphy about the Center and its mission, and delved into the future of AR, VR, and AI.

He recently sat down with our host Justine Murphy at the SPIE Photonics West exhibition in San Francisco to talk about the company and its innovative products, as well as his thoughts and insight into the industry overall, what the future may hold, and Aerotech’s place in it.

And for this work, and his many other contributions to the field of silicon photonics, Dr. Paniccia was inducted into the National Academy of Engineers in 2021.

Thank you all for your continued support! Cheers to a happy and prosperous 2026!

In this episode, Michele shares her perspectives on the state of the industry and where it’s headed, as well as some thoughts and hopes for the future.

He talks with host Justine Murphy about his more than 30 years of experience in the design, development, and integration of micro-optical components and systems, his work with Focuslight, and his thoughts on the future.

This first of a two-part episode dives into some interesting aspects of his work and experiences in the photonics industry.

In this episode, he talks with host Justine Murphy about his years in the optics industry, finding the right balance between career and family life, and what the future holds for Esco Optics’ lasting legacy.

She’s heavily involved in the scientific community via organizations like the American Physical Society and Optica, and active participation in outreach programs like SPIE’s Women in Optics.

Sargis is a multilingual laser physicist who has long focused in solid-state femtosecond and semiconductor laser development.

Together, they're working to revolutionize the use of organic LEDs and metasurfaces in a plethora of applications.

They discuss the International Summer School on Biophotonics that Peter and Stefan co-founded more than 20 years ago, which is now supported by SPIE, with a continued mission of what they say is simply "excellence, excellence, excellence."

In this episode, she talks with host Justine Murphy about some of the experiences she’s had throughout her schooling and career, and offers some expert insight into the future of the photonics and optics industry, and the overarching R&D umbrella.

She is now CEO of Galxyz LLC, a company she founded with her husband, Dan Hawk, where they’re developing next-generation technologies like nuclear diamond-powered ultraviolet quantum photonics platforms, end-to-end optical network systems, and nuclear-electric power systems.

In this episode, she talks about her extensive background in the industry, and her experiences working alongside some of the world’s most renowned researchers and scientists.

******************************

If you’ve got a novel, innovative product or system, let us know! Laser Focus World’s Innovator Awards can help shine the spotlight on your work that it deserves! Click here to learn more and to start your entry or nomination today! The deadline is August 8.

Hamed has more than 15 years of experience in the field, and aims to continue moving the next generation of photonics technology into the future.

Here, he talks with host Justine Murphy about his experiences in the industry, from research to academia and beyond.

In this chat, she shares some of the really interesting perspectives she’s gained from her years as a researcher, educator, and mentor.

They cover his 20+ years of experience that spans a unique range of technology, finance, and business., as well as his perspectives on a number of issues impacting the industry.

Their chat covers everything from Cicely's expertise in science and her experiences in the photonics industry to her thoughts on the future.

Their discussion focuses on a recent collaboration on a solution for optoacoustic imaging: a VCSEL-based subsystem that can replace current photonic systems that developers are calling a game changer for routine clinical use that’s applicable to a wide range of diseases.

Before founding this startup a decade ago, he was a professor at the Australian National University and a Directors Fellow at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab. He's a physicist, an engineer, and an entrepreneur with many years of expertise in optical and electronic instrumentation, ultimately helping accelerate research and development across industries.

Olivia met up with host Justine Murphy during Photonics West back in early February, where they talked about things like her work at Edmund, being a mentor, and the importance of diversity in optics.

In our chat, we talked about many things impacting the industry, including the growing relationship between AI and optics, thoughts on the CHIPS Act, and what motivates his dedication.

The pair talked about Dr. Armani's career venture with the Ellison Medical Institute, her love of teaching and mentoring engineering students, her perspectives on the photonics industry, and what the future holds.

She has many years of experience in tech industries, and offers the unique perspectives she’s gained since joining the photonics realm, including on the growing and evolving roles of women in STEM.

In this edition, EPIC’s Dr. Ivan Nikitski talks with Pim Kat, CEO of Amazec Photonics, and Eelko Brinkhoff, the incoming CEO of PhotonDelta.

• Funding advances photonics technologies
• Thermal metasurface design controls itself
• Laser tech boosts greenhouse gas detection
• Team bridges standard and quantum internet

• Recent acquisitions and mergers impacting the photonics industry
• Development of a chip-based tractor beam for bio imaging
• SLAC National Accelerator Lab's high-energy upgrades for LCLS
• LightPath Tech advancing the military’s F-35 combat aircraft program

• University of Bonn researchers can now imprint a simple lattice structure on a super photon, which could someday make communication tap-proof
• A team at Synopsys has designed a first-of-its-kind comprehensive virtual prototyping platform for system-level imaging
• IPG Photonics has officially sold its Russian subsidiary, IRE-Polus, and Lightwave Logic has named two new members to its Board of Directors
• A chip-scale photonic modulator that can control light on a silicon photonic microchip is addressing an evolving national security risk

Dave is a subject matter expert in infrared detectors, radiometry, and electro-optical infrared systems engineering who has worn many hats in the optics and defense industries.

We talk about his more than 40 years of experience in the microwave, telecommunications, and fiber optics industries—including as founder of both Optium Corporation and later ARM Consulting—as well as his travels and thoughts on the future.

Their combined years of experience in academia provide a very interesting perspective on the optics and photonics industry.

With a background in physics research - a passion that dates back to his elementary school years - Andrei has a super interesting perspective on the quantum industry, and what the future holds.

Join us as we bring you the latest news and insights from the forefront of the photonics industry. Our episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your journey in photonics, this podcast is your go-to resource for staying informed and inspired. Tune in and stay laser-focused on the future of light-based technologies.