TechBlog

Engineers and applied physicists from Harvard University have demonstrated the first room-temperature electrically-pumped semiconductor source of coherent Terahertz (THz) radiation, also known as T-rays. The breakthrough in laser technology, based upon commercially available nanotechnology, has the potential to become a standard Terahertz source to support applications ranging from security screening to chemical sensing.Spearheaded by research associate Mikhail Belkin and Federico Capasso, Robert L. Wallace Professor of Applied Physics and Vinton Hayes Senior Research Fellow in Electrical Engineering, both of Harvard’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), the findings will be published in the May 19 issue of Applied Physics Letters. The researchers have also filed for U.S. patents covering the novel device.

Using lasers in the Terahertz spectral range, which covers wavelengths from 30 to 300å, has long presented a major hurdle to engineers. In particular, making electrically pumped room-temperature and thermoelectrically-cooled Terahertz semiconductor lasers has been a major challenge. These devices require cryogenic cooling, greatly limiting their use in everyday applications.

Continue reading ‘Engineers Demonstrate First Room-Temperature Semiconductor Source Of Coherent Terahertz Radiation’ »

The Keyence ML-Z9500 CO2 Laser Marker features the world’s first simultaneous 3-axis (X, Y, and Z) beam control. Stepped or inclined surfaces, cylinders, cones, or spheres that cause problems for conventional markers can now be marked distortion-free at production line speeds.

Its large 42 mm focal length and variable spot size, which maintains a constant spot size throughout the entire marking area, ensures accurate marking without indexing mechanisms to move the marker or products. A large 300 x 300 mm marking area enables the marking of large numbers of products. Download Specs.

New technology ‘dazzles’ aggressors: “A laser technology weapon will be the first man-portable, non-lethal deterrent weapon intended for protecting troops and controlling hostile crowds.

The weapon, developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Directed Energy Directorate, employs a two-wavelength laser system and is a hand-held, single-operator system for troop and perimeter defense. The laser light used in the weapon temporarily impairs aggressors by illuminating or ‘dazzling’ individuals, removing their ability to see the laser source. “

The Bush administration is seeking to develop a powerful ground-based laser weapon that would use beams of concentrated light to destroy enemy satellites in orbit.

Graphic: Sharpening a Laser Beam to Create a WeaponThe largely secret project, parts of which have been made public through Air Force budget documents submitted to Congress in February, is part of a wide-ranging effort to develop space weapons, both defensive and offensive. No treaty or law forbids such work.

The laser research was described by federal officials who would speak only on the condition of anonymity because of the topic’s political sensitivity. The White House has recently sought to play down the issue of space arms, fearing it could become an election-year liability.

Indeed, last week Republicans and Democrats on a House Armed Services subcommittee moved unanimously to cut research money for the project in the administration’s budget for the 2007 fiscal year. While Republicans on the panel would not discuss their reasons for the action, Congressional aides said it reflected a bipartisan consensus for moving cautiously on space weaponry, a potentially controversial issue that has yet to be much debated.

Continue reading ‘US Administration Researches Laser Weapon’ »

If you could hold a giant magnifying glass in space and focus all the sunlight shining toward Earth onto one grain of sand, that concentrated ray would approach the intensity of a new laser beam made in a University of Michigan laboratory.
“That’s the instantaneous intensity we can produce,” said Karl Krushelnick, a physics and engineering professor. “I don’t know of another place in the universe that would have this intensity of light. We believe this is a record.”

The pulsed laser beam lasts just 30 femtoseconds. A femtosecond is a millionth of a billionth of a second. The beam is twice as intense as one the researchers produced in 2004.

Such intense beams could help scientists develop better proton and electron beams for radiation treatment of cancer, among other applications.

Continue reading ‘Michigan Laser Beam Believed To Set Record For Intensity’ »

Design Results:

• Additive fabrication method builds engine reed valve from CAD data without toolmaking, molding and machining of developmental prototypes.

• New sinterable, powdered materials have sufficient structural properties to enable rapid manufacturing of finished valve components.

• Two-piece part design expedites testing, simplifies tuning of reed valve for racing performance.

Continue reading ‘Focus on Design: The promise of rapid manufacturing’ »

Redondo Beach, CA — Northrop Grumman Corporation has achieved two milestones that helped prepare the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) Airborne Laser (ABL) aircraft for integration of the Northrop Grumman-developed high-energy laser. Both accomplishments contributed to MDA’s success in meeting its fifth and final “Knowledge Point” or milestone for 2007 covering high-power systems integration readiness, continuing recent program progress.

Northrop Grumman’s Space Technology sector completed inspection and refurbishment of the components and parts that compose the Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser (COIL), a megawatt-class laser the company designed and built for the ABL program. In conjunction with The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA), ABL’s prime contractor, Northrop Grumman also completed extensive engineering drawings for the installation of the laser. The drawings incorporate streamlined processes and other improvements learned during ground tests concluded in 2005.

“These achievements represent outstanding progress toward providing our nation with a mobile, speed-of-light capability to attack ballistic missiles during their boost phase,” said Alexis Livanos, corporate vice president and president of the company’s Space Technology sector.

Continue reading ‘Northrop Grumman Achieves Two Milestones Toward Integrating High-Energy Laser With Missile Defense Agency’s Airborne Laser Aircraft’ »

Sunnyvale, CA — Novalux, Inc., developer of Necsel™ laser technology, will demonstrate a proof-of-concept JVC home theater laser projector during the 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), January 7-10 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The demo will illustrate the enhanced image quality Necsel lasers provide when combined with JVC’s proprietary D-ILA® (Digital Direct Drive Image Light Amplifier) high-definition (HD) projection technology.

“We’ve taken JVC’s latest home theater projector, removed the lamp from inside and replaced it with Necsel lasers,” said Greg Niven, Novalux executive vice president of marketing. “What viewers will see is how our lasers are an ideal complement to JVC’s advanced LCOS technology. In the past we’ve shown significant advances in laser TV technology; with this concept demonstration we’ll premiere what we believe will be the next big thing in home theater.”

The demo projector is based on a JVC D-ILA front projector known for its high native contrast ratio. The projector uses a 0.7-inch full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) D-ILA device combined with a high-performance optical engine. For the demo, Novalux replaced the lamp within the optical engine with red, green and blue Necsel lasers. The marriage of D-ILA technology and Necsel lasers further enhanced the projector’s contrast ratio. Necsel technology also provides true laser color and a longer lifetime than the conventional lamp it replaced.

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