In the realm of modern surveillance tactics, the strategic deployment of counter-optical measures has become indispensable. From visual concealment techniques to sophisticated optical disruption methods, the evolving landscape of counter-optical surveillance presents a multifaceted approach to safeguarding against prying eyes and enhancing operational security.
As technology advances, the imperative for military vehicles to incorporate infrared evasion tactics and anti-reflective coatings has never been more crucial. These advancements not only bolster concealment in diverse environments but also pave the way for enhanced mobility and maneuver warfare strategies.
Overview of Counter-Optical Surveillance Measures
Counter-Optical Surveillance Measures encompass a range of strategies aimed at countering visual detection and reconnaissance efforts. These measures are crucial for enhancing security and operational effectiveness in various domains, including military, law enforcement, and corporate settings. By deploying optical countermeasures, organizations can mitigate the risks posed by intrusive surveillance techniques that rely on visual data collection.
Visual Concealment Techniques form a fundamental component of counter-optical surveillance measures, involving methods to obscure or disguise entities from being visually detected. Such techniques can include camouflage, blending into surroundings, or employing disruptive patterns to reduce visibility and enhance concealment in diverse environments. Visual concealment plays a vital role in minimizing the visual footprint of objects or individuals under surveillance.
Optical Disruption Methods, another key aspect of counter-optical surveillance, focus on disrupting or distorting the visual information captured by surveillance systems. By utilizing technologies such as laser dazzlers or strobe lights, these methods aim to create visual interference that impairs the clarity and accuracy of imaging systems, thereby impeding effective surveillance operations. Optical disruption strategies are designed to introduce ambiguity and confusion into the visual data collected by adversaries.
Visual Concealment Techniques
Visual concealment techniques are strategies employed to hide objects or individuals from optical detection. These methods involve altering appearances to blend seamlessly with the surroundings, making them challenging to visually detect. By utilizing natural elements or specialized camouflage techniques, visual concealment enhances stealth capabilities and reduces the risk of detection by potential threats.
One common visual concealment technique is the use of mimicry, where objects imitate the appearance of their environment to become indistinguishable. This method is particularly effective in natural settings such as forests or deserts, where blending in with the surroundings is crucial for avoiding detection. Additionally, disruptive coloration techniques involve utilizing patterns and colors that break up the outline of an object, making it harder to identify against its backdrop.
Furthermore, incorporating elements of depth perception in visual concealment techniques can create optical illusions that distort the perception of distance and shape. By manipulating shadows, highlights, and textures, objects can be disguised to appear differently than their actual size or location. These advanced techniques play a vital role in military operations, where effective visual concealment can mean the difference between success and compromise in tactical situations.
Optical Disruption Methods
Optical Disruption Methods aim to thwart surveillance efforts by interfering with the visual detection capabilities of potential adversaries. These tactics encompass a range of strategies designed to disrupt the optical signals and sensors used for reconnaissance and intelligence gathering. Key methods include:
Heat Signature Reduction: By minimizing the heat signatures emitted by objects, such as military vehicles or personnel, these measures reduce their detectability through thermal imaging systems.
Thermal Shielding Technologies: Utilizing advanced materials and designs, thermal shielding technologies help to insulate objects from external thermal detection, hence mitigating the effectiveness of infrared surveillance.
In a world where visual intelligence plays a critical role in situational awareness and threat assessment, Optical Disruption Methods serve as a vital component of comprehensive counter-surveillance strategies, especially in military contexts where stealth and concealment are paramount. By leveraging these techniques, operatives can enhance their operational security and reduce the risk of being detected by hostile forces.
Infrared Evasion Tactics
Infrared evasion tactics are critical in avoiding detection by infrared sensors. Heat signature reduction involves technologies like thermal blankets or paints that minimize the vehicle’s thermal footprint, making it harder to detect by heat-seeking devices. Thermal shielding technologies further enhance this protection by insulating the vehicle against infrared detection, enhancing its stealth capabilities. These tactics are particularly valuable in military vehicles where concealment is crucial for operational security.
Heat Signature Reduction
Heat signature reduction is a critical aspect of counter-optical surveillance measures, especially in military operations. By minimizing the thermal footprint emitted by vehicles or equipment, heat signature reduction techniques aim to obscure detection by infrared sensors. This decrease in heat emissions makes it challenging for adversaries to pinpoint the exact location of military assets.
Thermal shielding technologies play a crucial role in heat signature reduction by dissipating, absorbing, or redirecting heat to lower the overall thermal output. These specialized materials and coatings are designed to enhance the camouflage effectiveness of military vehicles, reducing their visibility to thermal imaging systems used in surveillance operations. Implementing such technologies can significantly improve the tactical advantage on the battlefield.
Incorporating heat signature reduction techniques not only enhances the stealth capabilities of military vehicles but also increases their survivability in hostile environments. By minimizing the thermal contrast between the vehicle and its surroundings, these measures help evade detection and targeting by enemy forces equipped with infrared surveillance systems. Effective heat signature reduction strategies are indispensable in modern warfare scenarios, where advanced sensor technologies are increasingly prevalent.
Thermal Shielding Technologies
Thermal Shielding Technologies play a vital role in enhancing the survivability of military vehicles by reducing their heat signatures, thus making them less vulnerable to detection by infrared sensors. These technologies involve the use of specialized materials that can dissipate or absorb heat effectively, masking the vehicle’s presence from thermal imaging systems.
By incorporating advanced thermal shielding materials into the design of military vehicles, such as armored personnel carriers and tanks, operators can significantly lower the infrared radiation emitted by the vehicle, making it harder for adversaries to track its movements in the battlefield. This can provide a strategic advantage during reconnaissance missions or combat operations where avoiding detection is crucial.
Moreover, Thermal Shielding Technologies not only improve stealth capabilities but also enhance operational effectiveness in diverse environments. Whether deployed in urban settings with numerous heat sources or rural terrains where natural thermal variations can give away positions, these technologies help maintain a low profile and increase the overall survivability of military assets, aligning with the objective of counter-optical surveillance measures.
In summary, the integration of Thermal Shielding Technologies offers a practical solution to mitigate the risks posed by infrared surveillance, enhancing the stealth and survivability of military vehicles in modern operational scenarios. By leveraging these innovative materials and techniques, armed forces can operate more securely in contested environments, gaining a tactical edge in the ever-evolving landscape of modern warfare.
Anti-Reflective Coatings and Materials
Anti-reflective coatings and materials play a pivotal role in reducing glare and minimizing light reflection in military applications. These coatings enhance optical efficiency by minimizing unwanted reflections, ensuring improved visual clarity and stealth capabilities on military vehicles.
In military vehicles, anti-reflective coatings are commonly applied to optical components like lenses and displays to reduce the risk of detection through glint or flash. By decreasing the amount of light bouncing off surfaces, these coatings help maintain a low profile, especially in urban and rural environments where visibility control is crucial.
These advanced coatings not only enhance camouflage effectiveness but also contribute to reducing the vehicle’s overall signature in different light conditions. By mitigating reflections that could give away a vehicle’s position, anti-reflective materials aid in maintaining operational security and enhancing survivability on the battlefield.
Incorporating anti-reflective technologies in military vehicle design ensures optimal visibility management, aiding in thwarting potential optical surveillance attempts. By investing in these innovative materials, military entities can bolster their counter-optical surveillance measures, enhancing operational effectiveness and mission success.
Applications in Military Vehicles
Incorporating anti-reflective coatings and materials into military vehicles plays a vital role in reducing their visibility to optical surveillance systems. These coatings help minimize the reflection of light, making the vehicles less detectable in various environments, enhancing their stealth capabilities.
By applying these advanced materials, military vehicles can operate with increased effectiveness, especially in urban and rural settings where visual concealment is crucial for strategic maneuvers. The use of anti-reflective technologies not only aids in camouflage but also contributes to the overall survivability and mission success of the military units utilizing them.
Furthermore, the integration of these coatings on military vehicles enhances their ability to blend into the surroundings, providing a significant advantage in evading enemy detection. This technology is paramount in modern warfare scenarios, where maintaining a low profile and minimizing exposure to optical surveillance are paramount for mission accomplishment and troop safety.
Overall, the application of anti-reflective coatings and materials on military vehicles underscores the importance of visual concealment as a strategic asset in counter-optical surveillance measures. The continued innovation and adoption of such technologies will undoubtedly shape the future of military operations, ensuring a higher level of operational security and tactical advantage on the battlefield.
Benefits in Urban and Rural Environments
In both urban and rural environments, the application of anti-reflective coatings and materials on military vehicles offers substantial benefits. By minimizing the visual signature, these technologies enhance stealth capabilities, making it challenging for potential threats to detect and target the vehicles effectively. This advantage is particularly critical in densely populated urban areas where concealment and camouflaging play a crucial role in operational security.
Moreover, in rural settings characterized by varying terrain and vegetation, such materials contribute to blending military vehicles seamlessly into the surroundings. This integration enhances the vehicles’ capacity to operate covertly, avoiding detection by hostile forces or surveillance systems that rely on optical surveillance methods. In these environments, the use of anti-reflective coatings and materials underscores the strategic advantage of maintaining a low profile while conducting missions or maneuvers.
Additionally, the reduced reflection and visual presence of military vehicles achieved through anti-reflective technologies not only increase survivability but also support mission effectiveness. In scenarios where maintaining a tactical advantage is paramount, the ability to operate without attracting undue attention ensures operational success and minimizes the risks associated with potential threats. Thus, the strategic deployment of such counter-optical surveillance measures significantly bolsters the overall security and efficiency of military operations in diverse urban and rural environments.
Signal Deception and Misdirection
Signal deception and misdirection play a pivotal role in thwarting surveillance efforts by manipulating or obscuring transmitted signals, including radar pulses or communication frequencies. By emitting false signals or redirecting existing ones, this technique confuses adversaries, leading to inaccurate targeting or compromised intelligence gathering.
In military operations, signal deception involves techniques such as spoofing, where false information is generated to mislead enemy sensors or surveillance systems. Misdirection, on the other hand, involves altering the perceived location or movement of assets to create a false trail or disorient the enemy, leading to confusion and strategic advantage.
By implementing signal deception and misdirection effectively, military forces can disrupt enemy reconnaissance efforts, protect vital assets, and create opportunities for successful counterattacks. These tactics are not only instrumental in modern warfare but also continually evolving with advancements in technology to stay ahead of sophisticated surveillance techniques.
Surveillance Radar Jamming
Surveillance Radar Jamming involves disrupting enemy reconnaissance efforts by emitting signals that interfere with their radar systems, rendering them ineffective. This technique confuses and misleads adversaries, providing crucial cover for military operations.
Key methods in Surveillance Radar Jamming include:
- Emitting false radar signals to deceive enemies.
- Jamming radar frequencies to create interference.
- Applying advanced electronic warfare tactics for sustained disruption.
Effective Surveillance Radar Jamming enhances operational security, concealing troop movements and thwarting enemy detection. By integrating this strategy into counter-optical surveillance measures, military forces gain a significant advantage in combat scenarios.
Mobility and Maneuver Warfare
In modern warfare, Mobility and Maneuver Warfare play a pivotal role in evading optical surveillance and gaining a tactical advantage. Military units utilize rapid movement and strategic positioning to outmaneuver adversaries, making it challenging for optical surveillance systems to track and target them effectively. By constantly changing positions and utilizing diverse terrain features, troops can disrupt the enemy’s visual surveillance capabilities.
For instance, military vehicles equipped with advanced mobility capabilities such as high speed, off-road maneuverability, and stealth features like visual concealment techniques can effectively evade optical detection. These vehicles can quickly traverse varied landscapes, blending into surroundings and minimizing their optical signature, thus enhancing their chances of avoiding detection by surveillance systems seeking to target them.
Moreover, the integration of Mobility and Maneuver Warfare tactics with other counter-optical surveillance measures like Infrared Evasion Tactics and Signal Deception can create a synergistic effect, complicating the adversary’s surveillance and targeting efforts further. This coordinated approach enhances operational security and increases the survivability of military assets in increasingly complex battlefield environments, showcasing the importance of adaptability and agility in modern warfare strategies.
Integration of Sensor Fusion Technologies
Integration of Sensor Fusion Technologies involves merging data from multiple sensors to enhance situational awareness and provide comprehensive surveillance capabilities. This approach combines information gathered from various sources such as visual, infrared, and radar systems to create a complete picture of the environment. The fusion of sensor data enables real-time analysis and interpretation, offering valuable insights for identifying potential threats and implementing effective countermeasures.
Incorporating Sensor Fusion Technologies improves the accuracy and reliability of surveillance systems, enhancing the ability to detect and track optical threats effectively. By integrating data from different sensors, including those focused on counter-optical surveillance and visual concealment, operators can optimize decision-making processes and respond promptly to emerging situations. This technology enables seamless coordination between disparate sensor systems, facilitating a holistic approach to monitoring and countering optical surveillance attempts.
Benefits of Sensor Fusion Technologies in counter-optical surveillance include increased operational efficiency, reduced false alarms, and enhanced target recognition capabilities. The integration of diverse sensor data provides a more comprehensive understanding of the environment, enabling security personnel to adapt strategies proactively and mitigate potential risks effectively. Sensor fusion plays a crucial role in modern defense strategies, particularly in enhancing the resilience of military vehicles and improving overall situational awareness in challenging operational environments.
Future Trends in Counter-Optical Surveillance
• Advancements in Nanotechnology: Nano-engineered materials will enhance visual concealment and anti-reflective capabilities, revolutionizing optical countermeasures.
• Integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI algorithms will improve real-time threat detection and response, optimizing counter-optical surveillance strategies.
• Enhanced Sensor Fusion Technologies: Integration of multiple sensor data streams for comprehensive situational awareness, enabling more effective counter-surveillance operations.
In an era of evolving optical surveillance techniques, staying ahead demands embracing innovative technologies and interdisciplinary approaches. The future landscape of counter-optical surveillance pivots on technological breakthroughs that outpace adversarial optical advancements. By leveraging emerging trends like nanotechnology, AI, and sensor fusion, security forces can proactively adapt to dynamic surveillance challenges, ensuring strategic superiority in an increasingly complex optical environment.
Infrared Evasion Tactics play a vital role in countering optical surveillance by reducing the heat signature emitted by military vehicles. Heat signature reduction involves strategic design elements like minimizing exhaust temperature to evade detection by thermal imaging systems. Additionally, Thermal Shielding Technologies are utilized to manage heat dispersion effectively, mitigating the likelihood of detection.
Anti-Reflective Coatings and Materials form another crucial aspect of optical countermeasures, particularly in military vehicle applications. By reducing reflections off surfaces, these coatings enhance visual concealment, rendering the vehicles less conspicuous in both urban and rural environments. The benefits extend to improved operational security, minimizing the risk of detection in varied settings.
Implementing Signal Deception and Misdirection techniques contributes significantly to obscuring the optical signatures of military assets. By manipulating signals to mislead surveillance systems, this countermeasure confuses adversaries, leading to inaccurate assessments. Combining these tactics with Surveillance Radar Jamming enhances the overall effectiveness of countering optical surveillance, providing a multifaceted approach to stay concealed.
In the realm of modern warfare and security, the realm of counter-optical surveillance is a critical domain that continues to evolve. From the intricate visual concealment techniques to the innovative application of anti-reflective coatings, the arsenal of optical countermeasures plays a pivotal role in enhancing operational security and strategic advantage. As military vehicles traverse diverse terrains, the integration of these technologies not only ensures stealth and camouflage but also bolsters survivability in urban and rural settings. With a keen eye on the horizon, the fusion of sensor technologies and strategic mobility emphasizes the proactive stance in countering surveillance threats, paving the way for enhanced operational effectiveness and mission success.
In a landscape where technological advancements and adversarial intentions intersect, the future trends in counter-optical surveillance not only underscore the imperative of adaptation but also resonate with the essence of staying steps ahead in the intricate dance of surveillance and countermeasures. As we navigate the intricacies of optical disruption and signal misdirection, the synergy of innovation and practical application remains the linchpin for maintaining superiority in an increasingly dynamic and complex operational environment.


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Novel High-Resolution Lateral Dual-Axis Quad-Beam Optical MEMS Accelerometer Using Waveguide...
Malayappan, Balasubramanian;Krishnaswamy, Narayan;Pattnaik, Prasant Kumar
hv photonics Article Novel High-Resolution Lateral Dual-Axis Quad-Beam Optical MEMS Accelerometer Using Waveguide Bragg Gratings 1 2 Balasubramanian Malayappan and Narayan Krishnaswamy 1, and Prasant Kumar Pattnaik * Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, BITS-Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Hyderabad 500078, India; firstname.lastname@example.org Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Sai Vidya Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560064, India; email@example.com * Correspondence: firstname.lastname@example.org; Tel.: +91-40-66303612 Received: 8 June 2020; Accepted: 4 July 2020; Published: 18 July 2020 Abstract: A novel lateral dual-axis a-Si/SiO waveguide Bragg grating based quad-beam accelerometer with high-resolution and large linear range has been presented in this paper. The sensor consists of silicon bulk micromachined proof mass suspended by silica beams. Three ridge gratings are positioned on the suspending beam and proof mass to maximize sensitivity and reduce noise. Impact of external acceleration in the sensing direction on the Bragg wavelength of gratings and MEMS structure has been modelled including the effects of strain, stress and temperature variation. Acceleration induces stress in the beam thus modifying the grating period and introducing chirp. The differential wavelength shift with respect to reference grating on the proof mass is the measure of acceleration. To compensate for the effect of the weight of the proof mass and increase the sensitivity of the sensor, electrostatic force of repulsion is applied to the proof mass. For the chosen parameters, the designed sensor has a linear response over a large range and a sensitivity of 30 pm/g. The temperature of surroundings, which acts as noise in sensor performance is compensated by taking differential wavelength shift with respect to reference grating. By design and choice of material, low cross-axis sensitivity is achieved. The proposed design enables a high-resolution well below 1 g/ Hz and is suitable for inertial navigation and seismometry applications. Keywords: accelerometers; high-resolution; quad-beam MEMS; differential measurement; coupled-mode theory; nano-grating 1. Introduction Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology ﬁnds various applications because of low cost, small size, ease of fabrication and reliable performance. Sensing is arguably the most prominent application of MEMS with branches that have developed into full-ﬂedged ﬁelds like RF-MEMS, BioMEMS, microﬂuidics and optical MEMS. MEMS sensors based on capacitive, piezoelectric and piezoresistive effects are limited in their performance due to electromagnetic interference (EMI). Capacitive and piezoelectric sensing requires that the electronic sensing must be placed nearby the sensor itself. Integrated sensors using optical readout methods, however, are unaffected by EMI and also do not add to the electromagnetic radiation acting as noise for the other sensors and devices in the vicinity, thus improving device performance [1–5]. Optical readout techniques offer very high sensitivity and resolution. Among optical components, Bragg gratings are widely used for various sensing applications because their response characteristics can be made sensitive to different external conditions like Photonics 2020, 7, 49; doi:10.3390/photonics7030049 www.mdpi.com/journal/photonics Photonics 2020, 7, 49 2 of 18 temperature, material, stress and pressure. Bragg gratings act as guided-wave optical reﬂection ﬁlters. The ﬁlter characteristics from centre frequency/wavelength, full-width at half maximum (FWHM), main lobe power and side-lobe powers are dependent on the properties of the gratings and its surroundings. Coupled-mode theory is used to analyze the Bragg grating properties. By design, Bragg gratings are not point sensors as their response depends on the conditions throughout its length. This makes Bragg gratings and particularly ﬁbre Bragg gratings (FBG) an economically attractive solution for various sensing applications [6–8]. Optical MEMS sensors based on the interaction of MEMS structure with free space light or light in the optical ﬁbre are limited in scope as they cannot be subject directly to vibration or acceleration. However, the integration of optical devices with MEMS enhances the performance of the sensor. Photonic-Integrated-Circuits (PIC), which hold promise of vastly improved performance with much reduced cost and power consumption by miniaturization of optics, are rapidly maturing for silicon platforms with standardization of various photonic library components . Optical MEMS based PICs, which rely on a change in optical properties of a waveguide by electromechanical actuation, have been found to have excellent potential for scalability due to low optical loss and device footprint in addition to low power consumption . Thus, optical MEMS sensors based on integrated light guidance are an attractive avenue for further research and development. An accelerometer is a sensor used to measure acceleration forces and are used for applications ranging from seismic prospecting, vibration measurement, constant/static force measurement to inertial navigation. Accelerometers are needed in several areas, where the change in speed or vibration in an object needs to be monitored or measured. Quad-beam-mass accelerometer is a popular MEMS accelerometer design commonly used with piezoresistive sensing elements . In the quad-beam accelerometer design, due to acceleration experienced by the device frame, stress is introduced into the suspending beams. By integrating sensing components to the beams, the acceleration is measured. Table 1 presents a summary of various optical sensing techniques for accelerometers. Encoding of acceleration in intensity of the output optical signal is a simple and efﬁcient mechanism for optical sensing suitable for harsh environmental conditions. In this technique, movement of proof-mass either modiﬁes the coupling between light input and output paths [12–14] or blocks the optical path [15,16]. It is a process amenable to integration into PIC. However, these designs have poor fundamental resolution limits. Integrated optical MEMS accelerometers based on microring resonators and racetrack resonators with a sensitivity of 0.015 m/g have been proposed for seismic prospecting [17,18]. The dynamic range of ring resonator based sensors is limited by the small displacement range over which optical coupling takes place. A high-resolution integrated resonant accelerometer based on an optical microdisk resonator was demonstrated in  where the photoelastic effect caused a shift in resonance frequency. To increase sensitivity, the microdisk was integrated with resonant tether of resonant accelerometer instead of the suspending arm. By using a narrow linewidth laser locked to an operating wavelength close to the resonance peak, a linear range of operation with a DC sensitivity of 6 g/ Hz for device natural frequency of 16.3 kHz has been obtained. In [20,21], ﬁbre is drawn and wound into microrings, which are positioned on sensitive regions of MEMS structures. This eliminates the need for light input and output coupling. For ring resonator based sensors, the acceleration is encoded in the resonance wavelength of the ring. Table 1. Commonly used optical sensing techniques for accelerometers. Sensing Technique Sensitivity Range Bandwidth Remarks Intensity Modulation [12–16] Low Low Medium Amenable to integration; free-space light propagation; source noise is crucial Ring resonators [17–21] High Low High Small footprint; non-linear sensor output; guided-wave propagation; wavelength shift due to acceleration Photonics 2020, 7, 49 3 of 18 Table 1. Cont. Sensing Technique Sensitivity Range Bandwidth Remarks Photonic Crystals [22,23] High Low High Coupling light into and out of sensor is challenging; guided-wave propagation; photonic bandgap is modiﬁed Diffraction Gratings  High Low Low to High Free-space light propagation; complex packaging; high sensitivity requires complex detection mechanism Interferometers [3,25–29] Low to High High Low to High Free-space light propagation; precise positioning and alignment needed Bragg gratings [30–36] Medium High Low Guided-wave propagation; wavelength-encoded acceleration; advanced interrogation schemes allow sub-pico strain detection In , the authors demonstrated a high-resolution integrated accelerometer using photonic-crystal nanocavity. A resolution in the order of ng/ Hz has been demonstrated based on the coupling of the optical ﬁeld from delicately tapered ﬁbre held in the evanescent region of the photonic-crystal zipper cavity. In , a nano-g accelerometer based on sub-wavelength diffraction gratings has been demonstrated. Although by optimizing the detection circuit, resolution close to the limits of optical sensing that were shown for this sensor requires complex packaging. Fabry-Pérot interferometric cavities formed with MEMS structures are popular for accelerometers as the accelerometer proof-mass itself can act as a reﬂecting end-face to form the cavity. The sensitivity of this class of sensors has been enhanced by increasing mechanical sensitivity [3,27–29] and moving from intensity based detection to coherence demodulation  to phase-generated-carrier (PGC) modulation . As the FP cavity length is mechanically modiﬁed due to acceleration, this method is based on free-space or unguided propagation of light which poses challenges in terms of quality of alignment and packaging and incurs high optical losses. Fibre Bragg grating (FBG) based accelerometers have been extensively researched and have been shown useful for high sensitivity measurement over a large range [30,32,33]. High resolution FBG based accelerometers have been demonstrated when used in combination with other resonant structures like ring resonators , a Fabry-Pérot (FP) cavity , -shifted ﬁbre Bragg gratings (PSFBG) , ultrastable lasers [34,39] and actively locked lasers using radio-frequency modulation [35,40]. Though silicon-on-insulator (SOI) based planar waveguide Bragg gratings have been applied to other sensing applications like pressure sensors [41,42], the integration of silicon based Bragg grating into PIC has not matured after the initial excitement based on silicon-nitride waveguides . Polymers are an attractive option for planar optical MEMS sensors as waveguides and Bragg gratings can be written directly onto a substrate. Polymer planar Bragg gratings based on materials like polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and TOPAS have been used to demonstrate strain sensors [36,43]. Properties of polymer Bragg gratings depend on humidity apart from temperature and strain and humidity immunity is important for robust performance . The major challenge with using Bragg gratings as strain sensors/accelerometers is that for high resolution (requires sharp Bragg peak), long grating length is required. Thus, the integration of planar waveguide Bragg gratings into MEMS requires relatively large structures. Waveguide Bragg grating based accelerometers are suited for high sensitivity quasi-static acceleration measurements like in seismometry. Since PIC components are generally based on a silicon/SOI platform, we present a planar Bragg grating high-resolution dual-axis accelerometer on silicon substrate. In this paper, we present the design and analysis of high-resolution integrated waveguide Bragg grating based optical MEMS quad-beam lateral two-axis accelerometer with a large linear range. Photonics 2020, 7, 49 4 of 18 The silicon wafer based accelerometer has silicondioxide beams and amorphous-silicon(a-Si) optical waveguide and gratings on these beams for the sensing elements. In our earlier works [45,46], we reported a simulation model of single axis accelerometer based on waveguide Bragg gratings. In this work, the design of a novel conﬁguration of lateral quad-beam optical MEMS accelerometer for multi-axis sensitivity with suppressed cross-axis sensitivity and immunity to environmental effects is presented. Further, detailed analysis of the mechanical and optical response of the proposed optical MEMS device has been done. In Section 4, plausible fabrication steps for realizing the proposed device and set-up for interrogating the sensor are detailed. Finally, results and conclusions are presented in Sections 5 and 6. 2. Sensor Conﬁguration Figure 1 shows a schematic of the proposed waveguide Bragg grating based MEMS quad-beam accelerometer with multi-axis sensitivity. The sensor consists of an amorphous-silicon (a-Si) waveguide with three Bragg gratings, Grating-1, Grating-2 and Grating-3 of different Bragg wavelengths such that their ﬁlter characteristics do not overlap, as shown in Figure 2. Grating-1 and Grating-3 are each integrated with two perpendicular suspending beam of the accelerometer. Transmitted Light Grating-3 Reflected Light Bulk Silicon SiO Amorphous Silicon Grating-1 Grating-2 Incident Light Figure 1. Schematic design of waveguide Bragg grating based Quad-Beam accelerometer: (Inset shows a cross-section view of one beam with amorphous-silicon(a-Si) waveguide and grating). Figure 2. Reflection spectra of proposed sensor showing Bragg peaks of Grating-1, Grating-2 and Grating-3. Normalized Power Photonics 2020, 7, 49 5 of 18 Grating-2 is integrated on the proof-mass and acts a reference for acceleration measurement. The Bragg gratings are in series conﬁguration with reﬂected light showing three peaks as in Figure 2 when broadband input is launched. Light is launched into the device through an integrated directional coupler which acts as a circulator  to enable collection of reﬂected light as the output. When the device frame is subject to a force, the proof mass displaces thus inducing stress in the suspending beams, which eventually results in a shift of Bragg wavelengths and reﬂection spectrum characteristics for Grating-1 and Grating-3. Depending on the direction of acceleration, the beams are either subject to compressional or tensile stress corresponding to blue or red shifts in the Bragg peaks. Grating-2 is insensitive to any external acceleration and acts as reference for noise cancellation due to variation of temperature experienced by the device. 3. Sensor Design and Mathematical Modelling Figure 3a shows the side view of the portion of the sensor showing beam dimensions and compositions. The waveguide core material is taken as amorphous silicon (a-Si) based on the proposed fabrication procedure detailed in Section 4. A silicon wafer is used as substrate for the sensor instead of SOI platforms. The buried-oxide (BOX) layer thickness in typical SOI platforms is limited to below 5 m. Also, the device layer silicon of such waveguides is thick (in range of 5–10 m) and would require ﬁne lapping, patterning and etching to realize the required dimensions. Instead, using a thermally oxidized silicon wafer of required thickness, a simple LPCVD process is sufﬁcient to deposit silicon of the required thickness, which can then be easily patterned using IC photolithography. Hence, to simplify the fabrication process, the core material has been chosen as a-Si. Figure 3b shows typical stress and consequently the strain proﬁle along beam length when subject to external acceleration. The sensor design and modelling will be discussed in following four subsections; mechanical properties of structure under acceleration studied using continuum mechanics, optical properties of waveguide Bragg grating due to stress and strain using coupled-mode theory, opto-mechanical coupling and sensitivity, cross-axis sensitivity and noise cancellation. 3.1. Mechanical Design of Quad-Beam Accelerometer Figure 3a shows the beams suspending the proof mass to be composed of silicondioxide (SiO ). Silicon proof mass is taken as a truncated pyramid with a square base, with a top side (L ) 4 mm and thickness (t ) 400 m. A truncated pyramid is considered to account for bulk-micromachined silicon proof mass. The density of silicon is taken as 2329 kg/m . SiO has much lower Young’s modulus and Poisson ratio than crystalline silicon. Strain induced in a material in response to applied stress/force is proportional to its Young’s modulus. Poisson ratio gives information of a material’s strain in a direction perpendicular to applied stress. Thus, a lower Young’s modulus and Poisson ratio is preferred for a multi-axis accelerometer, as it would yield higher response and lower cross-axis sensitivity. Under its own weight, the proof-mass of the quad-beam accelerometer displaces downwards inducing normal stress on the beam surface, T ¹zº given by , ow-normal 3¹l 2zº ¹ º T z = mg (1) ow-normal 2bh where b, h, l are the width, thickness and length of the beam respectively, g is the acceleration due to gravity and m is the mass of the proof-mass. The length of the beam is considered to be along the z-direction with z = 0 representing the position near the foot of the beam. For lateral acceleration of 1g applied parallel to one set of beams and perpendicular to the other, the in-plane stress components for the same amount of force are T ¹zº and T ¹zº, which can be taken as , ow-k ow-? ¹t hº ¹1.5L + lº T ¹zº = l 3z mg (2) ow-k bh L ¹L + lº p Photonics 2020, 7, 49 6 of 18 3¹l 2zº T ¹zº = mg (3) ow-? 2hb From the above equations, it is evident that beam geometry with a large width to height ratio is needed to minimize cross-axis sensitivity. The dimensions of proof-mass determine its mass and for maximizing the strain along beams, the mass must be maximized. Hence, based on practical considerations , the dimensions have been decided. The beams have a width of 210 m and height 5 m. The variation of all stress components along the length of the beam will follow the pattern of Figure 3b. As seen in Figure 3b, along the length of the beam suspending proof-mass, there is a change in sign of the strain (compressive to tensile or vice versa) with a portion of zero strain in the central region of the beam. The position where zero strain occurs and the amplitude and symmetry of stress distribution depends on the net magnitude and direction of acceleration experienced by the proof-mass. 5 µm 1200 µm 400 µm Bulk Silicon SiO Amorphous Silicon (a) Stress on beam surface (ı ) -ı L/2 0 L Position along length of beam (b) Figure 3. (a) Side view of portion of the sensor showing beam dimensions; (b) variation of stress along the length of the beam. The actuation of the waveguide Bragg grating depends on the strain along its length. To realize a lateral accelerometer, an electrostatic repulsive force equal to the weight of proof-mass is applied to minimize the normal stress. This can be achieved by metallizing the bottom surface of the proof mass, bonding the device with another wafer carrying an electrode and maintaining the same potential on both surfaces using external electrical supply. The separation(s) between electrodes determines the capacitance between two surfaces (C) and thus the potential to be applied for compensating the effect of weight. The electrostatic force, F for applied potential, V is given by, 1 dC F = V (4) 2 ds Photonics 2020, 7, 49 7 of 18 Amorphous silicon on top of the SiO layer represents the optical waveguide and has cross-section 2 2 dimensions in only the order of 4 m in contrast to the 1000 m cross-section area of the SiO . By rule of mixtures for the composite beam of individual Young’s modulus E and E having volume 1 2 fractions V and V respectively, for stress applied laterally to the stack of materials, the effective 1 2 moduli E is , eff E E 1 2 E = (5) eff E V + E V 1 2 2 1 Since the volume contribution of silicon waveguide in the structure is very low, it has a negligible impact on the effective Young’s modulus and thus the mechanical response of the device under acceleration. The fundamental vibration frequency ( f ) of the sensor is for out-of-plane vibration and is found using Rayleigh’s quotient as, 1 2E bh eff f = (6) 2 ml For the design values, f is found as 92.43 Hz and veriﬁed by ﬁnite element analysis using COMSOL Multiphysics. 3.2. Waveguide Bragg Grating Waveguide Bragg grating with surface-relief is designed for wavelengths around 1550 nm using TM mode for propagation. A rib waveguide with a core of a-Si height (d) of 1.5 m (slab thickness is 0.8 m and width 5 m), waveguide width 1.6 m runs over the SiO beam of 5 m thickness, which also acts as the cladding for the waveguide.The single-mode waveguide with the above dimensions satisfy the Soref condition  and have been reported earlier for realizing narrow bandwidth tunable Bragg grating based ﬁlters [50,51]. The slab of width 5 m is considered so that it does not adversely impact either the optical or mechanical properties of the sensor. The refractive indices of the core and cladding are 3.545 and 1.45, respectively. The mode proﬁle for fundamental mode propagating in this waveguide obtained by beam propagation method (BPM) is given in Figure 4. The dotted line in Figure 4 shows the transverse cross-sectional dimensions of the waveguide. E Mode Profile (m=0, n =3.486) y eff 1.6μm 0.7μm 0.8 μm 5 μm Figure 4. Mode proﬁle of the waveguide (dotted line shows the cross-sectional dimensions of the waveguide core). Photonics 2020, 7, 49 8 of 18 The longitudinal cross-section view of the Bragg grating is shown in Figure 5. For a grating of period , the Bragg wavelength, is (7) = 2n (7) B ef f where n is the effective refractive index of the waveguide calculated using waveguide analysis . ef f Period, Λ Air, RI =1 Incident Light Amorphous-silicon Transmitted n =3.545 core Light Reflected Light SiO n =1.45 clad Figure 5. Longitudinal cross-section view of surface-relief waveguide Bragg grating. As light propagates along the grating, due to the periodic corrugations, partial reﬂection occurs at each period. For light in which the wavelength satisﬁes the Bragg condition, the reﬂected and transmitted ﬁelds are in phase and thus the backward and forward propagating waves couple. The theoretical determination of this is performed using coupled mode theory [53,54]. Z-direction is the direction of propagation of light with grating boundaries at z = 0 and z = L . For all calculations, only the ﬁrst order diffraction and fundamental mode have been considered. Coupled mode equations of a Bragg grating with R and S as complex-amplitudes of forward-running and backward-running modes considered for analysis are (8) and (9). dR = i ˆ R¹zº + iS¹zº (8) dz dS = i ˆ R¹zº


This time around Sigma announces the pricing and availability of the New 24MM 1.4 DG HSM Art Lens as detailed in the official press release below:
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Sigma Corporation Announces Pricing and Availability of New 24mm F1.4 DG HSM Art Lens
Latest Global Vision Art lens offers highest-quality optical performance in its class
YOKOHAMA, Japan — February 11, 2015 – Sigma Corporation of America <http://www.sigmaphoto.com> , a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of some of the world’s most impressive lines of lenses <http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all.asp> , cameras <http://www.sigmaphoto.com/cameras/> and flashes <http://www.sigmaphoto.com/flashes/flashes_flashes.asp> , today announced the new Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG HSM Art lens <http://www.sigmaphoto.com/product/24mm-f14-dg-hsm-a> will become available next month for the street price of $849.
The 24mm F1.4 Art <http://www.sigmaphoto.com/product/24mm-f14-dg-hsm-a> wide angle lens is the ninth addition to the company’s iconic Global Vision <http://www.sigma-global.com/en/lenses/cas/product/index.html#product02> Art line-up. It is designed for full-frame DSLRs, and when used on digital cameras with an APS-C size image sensor, it effectively becomes a 38mm. The lens will be available in Sigma and Canon mounts next month, in Nikon mounts in April, and in Sony mounts later in the year.
“With the addition of the 24mm F1.4 to the Art line-up, Sigma is continuing to redefine the expectations of fast-aperture full-frame prime lens performance,” said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, president of Sigma Corporation of America. “This lens is ideal for photographers and videographers looking to capture a variety of photography subjects, including cityscapes, mountain ranges, astrophotography and weddings.”
The 24mm also excels at indoor photography in low illumination thanks to the combination of exceptional focal plane sharpness, and gorgeous bokeh rendered by nine rounded aperture blades.
The Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG HSM Art lens will feature:
· Both “F” Low Dispersion (FLD) glass and Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass in a design of 15 elements in 11 groups to minimize chromatic aberration of magnification especially in the edge of the image field
· The ability to achieve a maximum magnification of 1:5.3 with a minimum focusing distance of 9.8 inches
· An optimized power layout that includes aspherical elements that are positioned in the rear of the lens for improved wide open performance
· A new lens element design that delivers excellent peripheral brightness
· A new full-time manual focusing mechanism that switches to manual focusing, that allows the photographer to make focus adjustments quickly and easily
· Every 24mm will be tested using Sigma’s own MTF measuring system, “A1,” in the company’s factory in Japan
· A size of 3.2in X 3.6in and weight of 665 g
The lens will be available in Canon, Nikon, Sony and Sigma mounts this coming spring. It’s also compatible with Sigma’s USB dock <http://www.sigmaphoto.com/shop/sigma-usb-dock> , allowing photographers to update the lens’ firmware and change focus parameters as well as manual focus over-ride using Sigma’s Optimization Pro software, and compatible with Sigma’s Mount Conversion Service <http://www.sigmaphoto.com/change-your-mount> .
Other lenses in the Art line include 35mm F1.4 DG HSM <http://www.sigmaphoto.com/product/35mm-f14-dg-hsm-a> , 30mm F1.4 DC HSM <http://www.sigmaphoto.com/product/30mm-f14-dc-hsm-a> , 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM <http://www.sigmaphoto.com/product/18-35mm-f18-dc-hsm-a> , 24-105mm F4 DG OS HSM <http://www.sigmaphoto.com/product/24-105mm-f4-dg-os-hsm-a> , 50mm F1.4 DG HSM <http://www.sigmaphoto.com/product/50mm-f14-dg-hsm-a> , 19mm F2.8 DN <http://www.sigmaphoto.com/product/19mm-f28-dn-a> , 30mm F2.8 DN <http://www.sigmaphoto.com/product/30mm-f28-dn-a> and 60mm F2.8 DN <http://www.sigmaphoto.com/product/60mm-f28-dn-a> .
For information about Sigma, go to www.sigmaphoto.com <http://www.sigmaphoto.com> or follow the company on Twitter <https://twitter.com/Sigma_Photo> , Instagram <http://instagram.com/sigmaphoto> and Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/SigmaCorporationofAmerica> .
About Sigma Corporation
Since 1961, Sigma has worked toward a single, simple goal: To imagine and develop photographic technologies that push the envelope, empower photographers and produce unparalleled imagery. We’ve honored this commitment by maintaining control of our design, research and development, and manufacturing processes in our own Aizu Factory. Our products are built with premium materials and are known worldwide for quality and performance. Our family-owned organization is the largest, independent SLR lens manufacturer in the world, producing more than 45 lenses that are compatible with most manufacturers, including Sigma, Canon, Sony, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic and Pentax. Sigma Corporation also produces digital SLR cameras and high-definition digital compact cameras. The company is headquartered in Japan, with offices strategically located throughout Europe, Asia and North America. Photography is all we do, and it’s all we’ve ever done.


The Hayden Reader Collection
The Hayden Eco-Sustainable Blue Light Reader will keep eye strain and fatigue at bay with our premium blue light filtering lenses.
Our Blue Planet Blue Light Filtering Glasses are available in standard reading strengths 1.25, 1.50, 1.75, 2.00, 2.25, 2.50 & 3.00, including no correction 0.00. The lenses are built with Blue Light protective technology to prevent eye strain and other harmful effects from the light emitted by digital screens by filtering 40% or more blue light rays emitted by digital devices.
For Every Pair Sold
With your help we have been able to help restore sight to over 1 million people and counting through our Visualize Change Program.
It’s time to show our planet some love, in addition to donating a pair of corrective glasses for every pair sold, we will also plant a tree.
Your support allows us to get our hands dirty, every month the Blue Planet team volunteers in our local community.
The Cortez Collection The Cortez Eco-Sustainable Sunglass is our new round keyhole shape. It features walnut wood temples with spring hinges and offers 100% UVA/UVB Polarized Lenses. Includes a woven case...View full product details
Haberdashery with Giveback
Updates on Products, Services, and Giveback Partners sprinkled with a few exclusives.


Beaumont Hospitals and their surgical teams have always embraced new technologies such as the da Vinci surgical robot. Interested in learning more about the equipment used during one of these specialized procedures? The high definition technology used to improve our clinical outcomes is below.
Our trained surgeons operate from this workstation while seated and viewing 3-D images of the operative field. With enhanced dexterity and control, the surgeon uses the master controls, while the surgical instruments mimic the hand, wrist and finger movements seamlessly inside the patient.
These instruments provide unmatched precision for suturing, cutting and tissue manipulation, identically matching the surgeon's wrist, hand and finger movements. With its ability to match the surgeon's hand movements and reach around corners, the EndoWrist instrument exceeds traditional laparoscopic instruments.
Supported by other members of the surgical team, the patient-side cart is made up of three or four robotic arms (up to three EndoWrist instruments and one 3D camera), which administer the surgeon's exact movements and perform the surgery inside the patient. These arms function as extensions of the surgeon's hands.
InSite Vision System
InSite Vision provides enhanced, true to life 3-D images of the operative field. Operating images captured by this system are refined and optimized using illuminators and camera controls.
Using this equipment, it is obvious to see why robotic-assisted surgery at Beaumont means better outcomes for our patients. Learn more about the benefits of robotic surgery here.


Many organic materials tend to go yellow in appearance through breakdown under UV or visible light. The breakdown products absorb blue light which in turn create the yellow appearance in daylight. To counter this effect it is possible to add materials which absorb UV light and then transmit it in the blue region. They have the ability to make whites appear ‘brighter’ as the eye interprets this blueness. The materials which provide this effect are called Optical Brighteners or alternatively are sometimes referred to as 'fluorescing whitening agents'.
Optical Brightener OB is a fluorescent optical brightener that shows:
Optical Brightener OB is recommended for applications such as:
Due to the intrinsic light fastness properties of optical brighteners, Optical Brightener OB is recommended for indoor use only.


To guarantee the best performance of our integrated photonics sensing solutions in your application environment, we offer a number of services and after sales support. As part of the Application Development & Support team, our dedicated field engineers provide you with world class installation services.
We support our customers also on-site around the world with application development support and repair service. Contact them via [email protected]
1 Systems & Sensors
1.1 Why choose our photonics sensing system over an electronic system?
Photonic sensors have several advantages over electronic systems: we can measure at high frequencies with high accuracy. Photonic sensors are small and can therefore be easily integrated with any setup. In contrast to electronic, a multitude of optical sensors can be attached to one wire. Photonic sensors are durable, with high resistance to hostile environments, and are insensitive to electromagnetic fields. The sensors do not contain metal parts and can be very resistant to ionizing radiation. Because of the small size, photonic sensors are very cost-effective, especially when produced in large numbers.
1.2 What are the minimum and maximum distances between FBGs on an FBG array?
Both depend on the attenuation of the specific fiber. The minimum distance typically has one grating length of spacing. The maximum distance is between 1 and 10 km depending on the quality of the fiber.
1.3 Is it possible to expand the number of sensors by using multiple PhotonFirst FBG interrogator units?
Yes, it is possible to expand the number of sensors. Depending on the connected PC, multiple interrogator units can be connected & logged simultaneously.
1.4 Can a PhotonFirst FBG interrogator function as a standalone data logger?
PhotonFirst provides one special interrogator which functions as a standalone data logger. For more information, please look at our X-GTR.
1.5 What is the maximum sample range of a PhotonFirst FBG interrogator?
The standard PhotonFirst GTR has a maximum dynamic range of 65 nm. This allows temperature and strain measurements far beyond the physical limits of optical fibers. The sampling accuracy in ideal conditions is 1 pm ± 0.3 pm.
1.6 How do I compensate for the thermal effect on the strain measuring FBG?
Generally, the temperature is measured using a secondary FBG, from which the data from which is used to compensate for the strain sensor readout.
1.7 Can you put different sensor types on the same fiber?
Yes, PhotonFirst interrogators can read and analyze different FBG sensors simultaneously.
1.8 What fiber type is used in PhotonFirst systems?
The PhotonFirst systems normally use Single Mode fibers. The system is compatible with different types of Single-Mode fibers including doped and/or core sizes.
1.9 What are FBG Sensors and how does Fiber Optic Sensing work?
Fiber Bragg Grating sensors are inscribed into optical fibers to alter light of a certain wavelength. These alterations are reflected into the interrogator, allowing extremely small variations in the shape of the FBG to be measured with high accuracy and frequency. When these variations attribute to a change in temperature, strain, pressure, etc., a fiber optic sensor can be defined.
1.10 How reliable are FBG sensors?
FBG sensors are suitable for use in extreme environments, a variety of coatings are available for different situations. Fiber sensors have no metallic parts and are insensitive to electromagnetic fields. Therefore, FBG sensors can also be robust to ionizing radiation. Under average circumstances, our fibers have an average lifespan of 25 years and thus are highly reliable.
1.11 What is the maximum number of sensors per channel and what are the corresponding wavelengths?
The basic interrogator has one channel where one single-mode fiber array with a maximum of 8 FBG sensors can be installed. The PhotonFirst switched interrogators are equipped with 8 optical channels that are read sequentially with an optical switch allowing for 64 FBG’s. PhotonFirst can further multiply this by using a technique called multiplexing which involves multiple light sources in the interrogator up to a limit of about 4000 FBG’s per interrogator.
2 Sales & Support
2.1 Does PhotonFirst offer a fiber/sensor installation protocol?
The fiber/sensor installation protocol can be found in the PhotonFirst user manual, as well as the cleaning protocol. Our engineers will also provide custom advice & training for your unique application system.
2.2 What is the warranty period for PhotonFirst interrogators?
As described in our terms & conditions, the warranty period for our interrogators is 12 months when the product is handled in the right way. Our team is always available to help you care for your system.
2.3 What are the delivery times of the systems?
The delivery times of your system will take up to two weeks after we received the order.
2.4 Does PhotonFirst offer after sales support?
The PhotonFirst engineering team is dedicated to helping you with the complete installation process. After installing your customized measurement system, we provide you with training for system operation, for extremely accurate measurements.
3.1 What are the data protocols and data communication options offered by the systems?
Our standard GTR and SGTR use USB for data transfer. The XGTR can TCP/UDP in a PhotonFirst protocol as described in the user manual or an iNet-X placed packet format.
Our customers can choose to read out the raw data from the USB connection or use the GOS for automatic analysis. We are also able to customize this part of the system on request as all software is developed in-house, more info can be found in the manual.
3.2 What is the format of the log file produced by PhotonFirst? Does PhotonFirst provide an open API?
The format of the log file standard is .csv UTF-8. Part of the API is open for customers' data processing systems.
3.3 Is there an option for data synchronization? Is there an option to convert a timestamp?
Some of the PhotonFirst interrogators have a data synchronization function. Timestamp features are described in the manual and can be freely edited.
3.4 Is data averaging done on the instrument itself?
Data averaging is not done on a standard interrogator, but our product allows onboard data processing.
3.5 What is the data rate per minute at maximum sample speed?
The maximum data rate with GTR protocol is: 6.6 Mbit/sec.
3.6 Is there an option for real-time data streaming (live measurement data) with FBG sensors?
Our sensors are highly suitable for real-time measurements and data streaming because of the high sampling frequency.
3.7 What software is supplied with an FBG interrogator?
PhotonFirst interrogators are supplied with dedicated Gator Operating Software (GOS), which allows control, analysis, real-time monitoring, and data logging of all sensor arrays.


3D LiDAR Survey & Photogrammetry
Fly Monkeys Limited will soon be offering a 3D laser land survey service, utilising heavy lift UAVs fitted with high precision survey and laser systems.
Fly Monkeys will be utilising a fully integrated positioning and laser scanning technology for unmanned airborne laser scanning. The LiDAR system simply bolts on to the bottom of a heavy lift capable UAV. Our unmanned aircrafts are designed specifically for this payload. The S120 system operates a phased based laser scanner which is capable of up to 1million point per second, 120m range with a laser accuracy of 2mm and a repeatable high precision positioning accuracy which GPS and GLONASS can attain.
The system has a built in embedded computer, IMU, GPS, GLONASS, and networking capabilities so that you can operate and initiate the system via WIFI. Static and airborne initialisation of the system takes under 5 minutes before scanning commences. The scanner can obtain 310 degrees field of view and can be operated up to 400ft to obtain the data.
Utilising the Inspire 1 Pro UAV, fitted with Xenmuse X5 micro four thirds camera, we are able to offer a low cost, high resolution photogrammetry option.
Measuring stockpile or extraction volumes for earthworks
Creating NDVI maps from multi-spectral sensors for precision agriculture
Generating contour lines and manage environmental changes of natural resources
Producing measurable documentation for construction, cultural heritage, or archaeology sites
Please contact us for further details or to request a meeting to discuss your individual requirements.
LiDAR image of a railway yard
LiDAR image of a quarry
Our heavy lift UAVs are ideal for LiDAR survey, photogrammetry, inspection and aerial photography/videography projects.
The main benefits of using them are:
Much longer than average flight times, increasing efficiency and cost effectiveness
Capable of carrying a full LiDAR system, complete with GPNS, INS etc
Capable of flying with both video/still camera and thermal imager simultaneously, saving extra flights during inspection tasks
Able to fly in rain, snow and winds up to 25 Kts
Our compact UAVs are ideal for:
Working alongside a heavy lift UAV, inspecting more confined areas
Visual surveys/inspections on a smaller budget


Grow light systems – Overview
There are basically 2 categories of light systems that are available in order to get your Cannabis plants, the MH/HPS combo and LED systems.
Before going further it’s important to define each so everything is clear
Metal Halide and High Pressure Sodium Lighting System
Metal Halide and High Pressure Sodium and 2 types of light bulbs that provide the full light spectrum needed for a healthy plant.
While the MH bulb provides a large spectrum, the HPS bulb provides much warmer colors, let’s look at each in detail
Metal Halide (MH)
As you can see on the graph on the right hand side, the MH light bulb provides a full light spectrum with a peak in yellow wavelengths.
Although it can be used through the lifecycle of Cannabis generally it is only used during the vegetative stage since that is when the plant mainly needs the blue light spectrum for growth.
High Pressure Sodium (HPS)
HPS light bulbs focuses on a much “warmer” light spectrum than it’s MH counter-part.
There’s very little short (violet/blue) wavelengths, with a concentration from the hot greens to the cooler reds.
These wavelengths are well adapted for your babies once they’ve entered the flowering stage as they replicate well a hot summer sun.
Growers generally operate the change between the MH bulb and the HPS bulb during the stretch, once the plant has stopped vegetative growth and developed multiple bud sites.
Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Lighting System
LED systems may vary depending the type of diodes on your system. Generally these systems provide a large light spectrum, similar to the MH bulb, as you can see on the image aside.
As much as we could tell LED systems do seem to render less flowers in comparison to a MH/HPS combo. Is it linked to the light spectrum though, hard for us to say for sure..
Edit: Newer generation LED systems have a high performance spectrum which can definitely compete with an MH/HPS lighting system


A chip-integrated graphene photodetector with a high responsivity of over A W−1, high speed and broad spectral bandwidth is realized through enhanced. Here, we demonstrate a waveguide-integrated graphene photodetector that simultaneously exhibits high responsivity, high speed and broad spectral bandwidth. Englund, “Chip-integrated ultrafast graphene photodetector with high responsivity” Nature Photonics () doi/nphoton
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Photodetetor This Paper Figures, tables, and topics from this paper. Graphene electro-optic modulator with 30 GHz bandwidth. Alexander Urich 4 Estimated H-index: Skip to search form Skip to main content.
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Chip-integrated ultrafast graphene photodetector with high responsivity
Ultrasensitive photodetectors based on monolayer MoS2 nature nanotechnology [IF: Strong enhancement of light-matter interaction in graphene coupled to a photonic crystal nanocavity. Chip-integrated ultrafast graphene photodetector with high responsivity. Graphen of 31 references. Download PDF Cite this paper.
Citations Publications citing this paper. Song 10 Estimated H-index: Quantum Optics in Diamond Nanophotonic Chips.
Integrated silicon chpi for lab-on-chip sensor platforms. Echtermeyer 12 Estimated H-index: Kravets 18 Estimated H-index: Graphene-controlled fiber Bragg grating and enabled optical bistability optics letters [IF: Xuetao Gan 16 Estimated H-index: Citation Statistics Citations 0 20 40 60 Graphene Search for additional papers on this topic.
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Role of contacts in graphene transistors: Sorger Applied optics Spectroscopic ellipsometry of graphene and an exciton-shifted van Hove peak in absorption. Impact of higher-order coherences on the carrier dynamics in Landau-quantized graphene. A chip-integrated graphene photodetector with a high responsivity of over 0.
Intrinsic Response Time of Graphene Photodetectors. BardinJun Yan Nano letters Krishnamoorthy Optics express Graphene photodetectors for high-speed optical communications nature photonics [IF: Xuetao GanRen-Jye Shiue.


- Turn On the NanoScope Controller by push the bottom in the behind side.
- Place Optical Head on Scanner
- Raise all three coarse-adjust screws on the scanner so that there is enough clearance between the tip and sample when the optical head is placed on the scanner. Still checking that the tip doesn’t touch the sample. Attach the springs to the optical head.
- Plug in the connector from the optical head to the base.
- Bring the tip close to the sample keeping the head level by lowering all three coarse adjust screws.
- Align Laser and Tip-Sample Approach
- Focus on the side-view of the cantilever with the magnifier. Try searching for the red light of the laser and focus on that.
- Use the “paper method” (block laser beam with paper) to fine position the laser spot on the cantilever. Use the two screws at the base of the optical head (front and left) to position the cantilever over the area of interest on the sample.
- Move laser until it is at the front edge of the cantilever substrate. Move laser just off the front edge and move laterally along the edge looking for the reflection of the laser spot from the cantilever onto the paper. Center the laser on the cantilever at its end.
- Open the software “Nanoscope Control” -> has two windows (Control and Image Windows)
- In the Control windows
- “Other Controls” panel -> set Microscope mode to tapping or contact mode
- “Feedback Controls” panel
-> Integral gain/Proportional gain (tapping mode default= 0.3/0.8, contact mode default= 1/3)
-> Amplitude setpoint à taping mode = smaller apply more force, contact mode = bigger apply more force (default for NP is 2V)
- “Scan Controls” panel -> depend on requirement but the default is; Scan size=1, x offset=0µm, Y offset= 0µm, Scan rate=1Hz, Samples/line = 512, Lines=25
- Engage or withdraw tip by push the tip icon and capture image by push the camera icon.
- In the Image Windows
- Open the saved image in the folder by push the image icon. Use Screenshot/print screen to copy the image data.
– Read the manuals!
– Follow good “rules of engagement”!
– Never move the head while imaging!
– Never leave your controller ON while the computer is turned OFF!
– Do not unplug cables to/from energized hardware. Turn OFF first!


All There Is To Know About 7D Hologram Technology
What do you mean by Hologram?
A Hologram is a physical device that diffracts light to form an image pattern.
A holographic image can be seen by projecting laser beam through a hologram into a holographic print and projecting it on the screen.
Not a hologram:
John Henry Pepper demonstrated the technique for the first time in 1860s. The Pepper ghost technique uses a partially reflective surface to mix with image with the scene beyond. He used it to overlay visual elements onto a physical set (ghost).
Other methods of projecting images are often called holographic because they have optical presence and spatial quality and iridescent colours.
Augmented reality systems like the HoloLens often use Holographic optical elements to make a video projection. The virtual objects are a kind of ‘virtual hologram’.
How does holography work?
The basic principle of holograms is interference.
Interference is the superposition of light waveforms such that the net displacement is either added or cancelled. A hologram captures the interference pattern of two beams of coherent light that is they have constant phase difference (laser lights). One beam is directly shone on the recording area and this beam acts as the reference beam to the other light scattered from illumination scene. Hence, it is also called as a window with memory.
By contrast, a photograph captures a single small area and the photographic image being created by focusing this light onto a digital sensor. Common materials used in a holographic film are silver halide emulsions, dichromate gelatins, and photopolymers each having their own feature and require different kind of processing. In cases of security identifications such as passports, holograms are stamped into a foil as they cannot be copied without using master hologram.
Hologram is the recorded interference pattern of the superimposed waveforms of light. Light is an electromagnetic waveform. Hence, to get a steady recording of the pattern, we use monochromatic and coherent lights (laser beams are usually monochromatic in nature). This is stored in the hologram’s photosensitive emulsion which is chemically processed, and we can observe a fringed interference pattern due to alternate constructive and destructive displacement resultants of the interference.
This structure does not look like the image that is coded within it. Both the coded pattern and the image can be called as a hologram.
So, to define holography, it is a way of encoding recording in an interference pattern.
The most surprising thing about hologram is that it creates a virtual form of space as if light holds its own space.
Looking at holograms:
Now we know how to encode an image into its interference pattern, let us see how to retrieve the image back from the interference pattern.
Holography records the scene through an area of perspective. Hence, the image changes as you move around. The viewing window can be broken up to record different perspectives. This process is called as spatial multiplexing and can be used in animation industry.
The development of holography:
From using single beam diffraction to double diffraction, holography improved a lot.
Working with colour became possible as the hologram can identify diffraction of different wavelengths. (Different colours of light have different wavelength. The longer wavelengths are coloured red while the shorter wavelengths are blue coloured)
Pulse laser holography:
A pulse laser produces ultra-short flash of light, thus freezing the image and getting holograms of live objects.
This uses double layer pulse and used to detect even small changes. This can be used to see breathing movement and blood under the skin.
Holographic optical elements:
Holograms also have application in lighting design. Spatially dynamic holograms are prepared using multiple holographic optical elements to shape light into dynamic and abstract images. These kinds of pieces jolt our perception of the world.
Stencilling and multiplexing technology:
By transferring a multiplexed master, a final print can be obtained where virtual windows is fragmented to allow spatial animation.
Dot matrix holography:
It is a technique of building up an image using diffractive pixels.
Computer generated holography:
In this, the fringe pattern of each pixel is calculated and recorded.
7Ds stand for seven dimensions.
Our world is known to exist in a three dimensional space with time often considered as the fourth dimensions. So what does 7D technology mean?
The 7D hologram is captured from a different number of positions that surround the subject of hologram. Each position captures a variety of seeing directions in the two dimensional space. Two additional parameters include image intensity and time. If you add up all, you get seven parameters. Hence the name, 7D Hologram technology.
RELATED: What Is The Internet Of Things (IoT)
So, a 7D hologram is the technology of capturing a high quality of hologram with 7 parameters. If we differentiate between 3D and 7D hologram technology, then the main difference is that 7D hologram is captured from a large number of positions that surrounds a subject or whole scenario.
To put it simply, a 7D hologram is like taking a number of photographs surrounding our object. The position of each object is described in 3D and the angle with which the photograph is being taken is described in 2D. Each camera records intensity and time. If we record stereopsis and depth perception parallel the resulting image move as viewer move.
The final parameters are: 3D+2D+time and intensity properties=7D
Hence, now we have a clearer idea of what 7D signifies in a 7D hologram. A 7D hologram technology allows us to view world in a unique way.
The five dimensions that determine position and angle are called as 5D Plenoptic function. Holograms based on 5D functions are very large.
Now let us look into the technologies used to make 7D holograms
1. Augmented reality:
It is a method of recording a light field with the seven parameters (mentioned above) that describe a 5D function along with image intensity and time.
Sadly, this technology is yet to be realised and is in experimental state for now.
Example: Playing chess against a computer using a real chess board with players that are holographic.
Augmented reality is the live integration of reality with information, virtual objects and user interfaces.
Responsive augmented reality:
It is not just the augmented reality but the kind that will respond to interactions and simulate the behaviour of real world.
2. Digital scent:
Have you ever imagined watching a movie where every smell from the movies is portrayed to real time audience?
That’s the basic concept behind Digital scent.
The audience need not wear a digital nose and the smell should be transmitted without mechanical interfering.
- In the homes and offices: With the incorporation of “Internet of things”, you could project any kind of simulations or images. This kind of tech could get so real with the advancement of machine learning and artificial intelligence that you could interact with people’s holograms as if they are physically present.
- In gaming (advanced VR games)
Recently, a team of Japanese scientists made more realistic image pattern that can be touched without any kind of harm like the feeling of burning. It is being predicted that this will be soon affordable as it is being used in Dubai malls and cinemas. Now you can watch movies in 7D.
APPLICATIONS IN FUTURE
Imagine a world in 7D space and its effect on our living standards. Imagine that you are present at two or more places at the same time. You can deliver a lecture to multiple classrooms; a student can attend a lecture from home but being virtually present in the classroom. Bringing the world closer has become a common purpose, globalisation and internet has brought us a lot closer. Imagine being in another country without having to fly overseas.
You can imagine its application in the broadcasting industry.
By simulating you can identify how our brain collects and recognises memory. So, your mind is itself a holographic projection out of space and time.
A hologram is an endless and vast technology which can affect every aspect of our lives. As all emerging, powerful technologies can be used for the benefits of humanity, they can be also used for destruction.
Holograms could have military applications which can lead to grim consequences.
When the X-ray technology came, it changed the medical world immensely, then we moved on to enhancement of entertainment. Today we can watch movies in 3D. Hologram technology has been improving and changing our lives for centuries now and it is up to us how we implement it and use it.
One of the pioneers of Science, Madame Marie Curie said-
“I am one of those who think like Nobel, that humanity will draw more good than evil from new discoveries.”


A mains operated, UV detection lamp that is designed to identify fraudulent currency and documentation, with a built in magnifier for enhanced detection.
Equipped with a 9W UV tube, the model is used by UK police forces and anti-fraud teams to detect false bank notes, passports, ID cards and much more.
Easy to set up and use. Professional results in an instant.
- Counterfeit detection lamp
- UV bulb detects markings and watermarks
- Built-in magnifier for enhanced detection
- Suitable for all currency, passports, IDs etc.
- Compatible with new UK polymer notes
- Mains operated, 220V, 9W UV tube


Optical Products is all optical products that are created using non-laser components. An object is an optical product that is created or sold for a certain purpose by using non-laser parts. Some of the different types of optical products are prisms, eyeglass holders, mirrors and filters. In order to understand this further, you will need to know a little bit about how lasers work. Lasers use light waves to create energy in the form of particles which excite electrons in objects.
The parts of glasses which are used to design the lenses and frames are called optical glass. These glasses must have various levels of thickness so that they can reflect different types of light. There are many different ways to design glasses. The main parts of glasses that you will find in optical glass are the lens, objective, tube and the reflector.
Lenses are the actual element of the eyeglass lenses and the one that are actually seen by our eyes. There are different types of eyeglass lenses such as Trivex, polycarbonate and clear lenses. One major difference between these types of glasses is the thickness of the lens – some are thicker than others. To get enlightened about optics products, view more here.
One of the most common and popular optical products are contact lenses. Contact lenses are basically when we wear eye wear in order to change the shape of our eyes. The other devices that we can find in optical eyewear products are loupe, glasses and prisms. All of these devices are used to improve one’s vision.
The next topic is Data Design. Data design refers to the way in which an object is represented digitally and how it is used within the physical system. This is one of the most important topics that must be included in any optical products. If there are problems with the data design, then the Optical Products will not function as they should.
There are various types of eyewear based on the user’s requirement. There are sports eyeglasses, sunglasses, contact lenses and many other types. All these different types of eyewear are developed based on the data design which is provided by the customer. So if you are looking for contact lenses, designer glasses or sunglasses, then make sure that you read more about the data design of the product.
Optical Designers has to ensure that the optical products which they make are user friendly. In other words the eyeglasses should be able to suit the needs and requirements of every individual. There are many glasses which can suit different user groups, but only few are able to suit all the different user groups. So for this purpose, designers of optical products are also developing special contact lenses in order to cater to the various needs of the users.
One of the latest developments in the field of optical technology is called Wavefront Optics. It is a new generation technology that has come up to meet the unique requirement of users. This new technology helps us understand the ophthalmic processes much better. So if you want to know about the Wavefront Optics, then visit online stores and find details about this amazing technology. Besides glasses, contact lenses and prisms are some of the optical products that are developed using Wavefront Optics. You may need to check out this link: https://www.britannica.com/science/optics to get more info on the topic.


Teledyne FLIR is excited to introduce the Si124 Industrial Acoustic Imaging Camera, a valuable addition to our extensive line of decision-support solutions. This lightweight, one-handed solution can help you locate pressurized leaks in compressed air systems or detect partial discharge from high-voltage electrical systems up to 10 times faster than with traditional methods.
The FLIR Si124 industrial acoustic imaging camera senses, displays and records sound waves producing a precise acoustic image. The acoustic image is overlaid, in real time, onto a digital camera image all with an easy-to-use, ergonomic, one-handed camera solution weighing a little more than 2 pounds (980 grams).
The blended visual and sound image can be viewed live on screen to help users’ pinpoint issues from the sound source, helping staff identify issues up to 10 times faster than traditional inspection methods for common mechanical, electrical, vacuum and compressor systems.
Built with 124 microphones and a high definition visible-light camera, the battery-powered Si124 can detect potential issues up to 100 meters away, even in loud industrial environments, for up to seven hours of continuous use.
The FLIR Si-Series Plugin for FLIR Thermal Studio allows you to easily import acoustic images from FLIR Si124, Si124-LD, and Si124-PD cameras to FLIR Thermal Studio analysis and reporting software. Edit and analyze images and create advanced reports. With the plugin you have support for automatic fault classification, severity indication and recommended action for utility inspections, and estimation of leak volume and cost savings for air leaks. You can combine the acoustic images with thermal imaging in the same report.
Learn more about FLIR'S new Si124
Find the datasheet of FLIR'S Si124


There is a spanking new superzoom digital camera from the house of Leica Camera AG, called Leica V-Lux 3, which will be accessible direct from Leica dealers from starting of January 2012. This digital camera is packed with wide range of features and is a universal solution for lensmen who are seeking for an all-in-one digital camera. It is really versatile device which makes it wonderful for all the photographic situations such as sport, landscapes, travel, portraits, architecture, wildlife, etc. It features a 12.1-megapixel CMOS image sensor, 24x optical zoom and a 1080p HD video recording mode. Leica is marketing the V-Lux 3 as a substitute to entry-level DSLR cameras.
- 12-megapixel 1/2.33-inch CMOS sensor
- 24x zoom lens
- 12 frames-per-second burst at full resolution
- 3-inch 460k-dot tilt-swivel LCD display
- Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 4.5-108mm Lens
- Full 1080p AVCHD video at 60fps
- Auto, 100-3200 ISO Range
- Built-In Flash
- Photoshop Elements/Premiere Elements
- SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card Slot
Features & Specifications
The Leica V-Lux 3 is a blend of outstanding performance and compact size. It is one of the best consecutive-shooting cameras in its fragment with a burst-shooting capability of 12 fps at full resolution and 60 fps at 3.5 megapixels. It is equipped with newly-developed 12.1 megapixel CMOS image sensor, which assures remarkably high image quality for all the applications.
Leica V-Lux 3 is said to be a re-branded form of Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150. Both have the identical 24x-zoom Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 4.5-108mm f/2.8-5.2 (25-600mm, 35mm equivalent) lens, plus the ability to shoot 1080p60 video in AVCHD (advanced video coding high-definition) format. Some swift features of the V-Lux 3 consist of an articulating 3-inch LCD, quick burst shooting, and an incorporated stereo microphone. Most cameras like the Lumix DMC-FZ150 come with just basic image download and editing software from the manufacturer while Leica has determined to partner with Adobe and comprise a more comprehensive software package. Catch hold of the extra advantage of Photoshop Elements for photo manipulation, and Premiere Elements for video editing with the V-Lux 3. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150 is available at $499, whereas the Leica V-Lux 3 priced at $949 (Amazon and Popflash). The Leica V-Lux 3 comes with a 2-year warranty.
Leica V-Lux 3 Review:
The design of the Leica V-Lux 3 is portrayed by a compact form and quite easy handling. The body of the camera feels strong and fashionable. The integrated hand-grip keeps the camera steady throughout shoots and its light weight enables user to capture photographs with one hand. All controls are noticeably laid out and straightforward to use. For example, video recording can be started rapidly by just pressing a button, located on the top deck of the camera. Certain design features remind you that it is certainly a Leica camera like the metal stamped logo and tiny metal accents on a few of the buttons.
A consistent aid to photographers in the specific composition and assessment of images, the 3" LCD display with 460,000 pixel resolution delivers a really bright and clear view. The monitor screen of the V-Lux 3 can be turned and twisted in any direction, enabling user to take images and videos yet from the very most unusual angles. Photographers using the V-Lux 3 always remain in full control when shooting still or videos, either close to ground or from above their head.
Your artistic freedom is boundless with a Leica V-Lux 3. Its 24x super-telephoto zoom makes capturing wide landscapes just as simple as bringing still the smallest details into the foreground. The image quality from the 12.1-megapixel sensor is fantastic, with the autofocus performing extremely well under very sturdy conditions. The V-Lux 3 sets wholly new standards in its class - for still pictures and video alike with its high contrast range and natural, flawlessly saturated colors.
Extreme Range of Focal Lengths
This camera is capable of observing things that most compacts can just imagine, boasting a colossal 24x super-telephoto lens. The Leica DC Vario-Elmarit 1:2.8-5.2/4.5-108mm ASPH lens has a vast range of focal lengths casing the spectrum from a 25mm wide angle to a 600mm super-telephoto lens. Its 25mm wide angle setting allows photographers to powerfully emphasis perspectives, whereas its 600mm telephoto setting captures pin-sharp details of things also at very long distances.
Video in Full-HD Quality
The video capability of the device permits the recording of moving pictures in full-HD quality. The camera takes full-HD video in AVCHD format with 1920 × 1080 pixels and 60 full frames per second. This 1080/60p video format assures the great rendition of fast movement in superb detail as well as is perfect for conversion into different resolutions and refresh rates. For example - conversion to MP4 format can be fast and expediently transferred for use on mobile devices and the web without any additional conversion. An incorporated stereo microphone with a wind-noise filter guarantees wonderful audio quality. A deletion alternative for individual sequences means that editing can start in the camera without the need to download the data to a software-based editing suite.
- Lens Hood
- Lens Cap
- Carrying Strap
- A/V Cable
- USB Cable
- BC-DC9 Battery Charger
- V-Lux 2 BP-DC 9 U Li-Ion Battery
- 2-Year Limited Warranty
- Instruction CD
- Adobe Elements & Premiere Elements Software Via Free Download
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FL500D LED shadowless operating light
FL500D LED shadowless operating light detail parameters：
1, Diameter of dome: 500mm (18 pieces led bulbs)
3, Color temperature adjustment: 3000-5000K
4, Color indication index: ≥95Ra
5, Spot diameter: 180-300mm
6, Illumination-adjustment range: 10-100%
7, Power supply: 220/110V
8, Frequency: 50/60Hz
9, Temperature rise at surgeon’s head: ≤1℃
10, Average service Life: ≥ 50,000hrs
11, power consumption:48 W
12, power supply voltage: 0 ~ 220V/50HZ;
13, the lamp surface glass lamp panel adopts Germany PC (soft plastic plates), anti glare, anti impact, high security
Welcome to buy the best quality single dome led operation theatre lights hospital surgical light for sale from us. As one of the professional manufacturers and suppliers of various medical equipment, we have cooperated with many companies and owned good reputation. Come and enjoy our unmatched prices and services.
FL500D LED shadowless operating light technique data：
|Color temperature adjusment||4500±500K|
|Color indication index||97Ra|
|Ultravilet light irradiance within 40mm wave length||0.002w/m2|
|Light-adjusting mode||Ten grade dimmer system|
|Temperature rise at surgeon，s head||≦1℃|
|Average service life||60,000hrs|
FL500D LED shadowless operating light Advantage:
● Adoped advanced patent technology,chaieve depth of illuminationg,coloe temperature and color indicationg index of harmony and unity.
● Germany OSRAMLED bulb own high performance,with high effciency layout,the effect of energy saving is superior to other international brand in the same illuminance.
● Adopted two alike color temperature LED bulb,in order to prevent surgical from dizzy.ensure the surgeon clearly and accurately to identiy the color of vascular tissue and nerve tract.
● Adoped single 1w LED bulb,lowest heat arising,effcient heat dissipation,improved service life.


5 tips for new telescope owners
February 18, 2021
Posted by Lake Erie Nature and Science Center
Bill Reed, Planetarium Specialist and NASA Solar System Ambassador
Did you buy a telescope and cannot figure out how to use it? Seeing nothing but fuzz through the eyepiece? Below are five tips for new telescope owners.
Know your equipment
Understanding the specifics of your telescope will enable you to better gauge its capabilities and limitations. Most telescopes provide great views of the moon, but objects further into the solar system require more preparation.
Two important telescope specifics are aperture and focal length. Aperture is the diameter of the main lens or mirror. Focal length is the distance, from that lens or mirror, in which it focuses light.
Your aperture determines how much light-gathering ability your telescope holds and which astronomical objects it is suited to view. Knowing your focal length will also help you calculate the magnifying power of your telescope. The focal length can be found on the side of the telescope tube or in the owner’s manual.
In astronomy, more magnification is not always better. How much is too much? My rule of thumb is 35x per inch of aperture. For example, if you have a 60mm (2.36-inch) telescope, your image may break down over 80x magnification (2.36 x 35 = 82.6).
A simple formula for calculating magnification is the focal length of the telescope (in millimeters) divided by the focal length of the eyepiece. For example: If your telescope has a 900mm focal length and a 25mm eyepiece, the magnification is 36x. If you use a 10mm eyepiece, increase the magnification to 90x.
When using your telescope, start with the lowest-power eyepiece to find an object more easily.
Using your viewfinder
A viewfinder is the small attachment on the side of the optical tube that resembles a miniature telescope. Newer telescopes are sold with an electronic reflex finder, which is a little window that superimposes a red dot or crosshair on the sky.
Make sure this device contains good batteries and is aligned with the telescope tube. Proper use of a viewfinder will greatly reduce frustration with your telescope.
Set realistic expectations
The beautiful images you see online and in magazines are products of astrophotography, which requires expensive telescopes and cameras with long photographic exposures. You will not see these images visually.
With the moon and planets, it is possible to push the magnification 100x or higher, because they are bright objects within our solar system. Deep sky objects, such as galaxies and nebulae, are relatively large and dim and require larger apertures, low magnification and dark skies.
No matter how large your telescope or how high your magnification, a star in the night sky is going to look like just the star you can see with your naked eye because it is so far away.
Make a plan
Plan your next observing session by knowing what is going to be visible in the sky, and try to observe in a location that has minimal stray light.
Avoid using your mobile devices while observing, as they limit how well your eyes acclimate to darkness and what you see through your telescope. Instead, use a printed sky map and a red flashlight (red light does not affect your night vision).


FLIR Corporation, long known for the manufacture of a broad line of electro-optical and thermal imaging systems for everyone from the Military and Law Enforcement, right down to the average smartphone user, has announced VUE. A miniature Drone Friendly version of their popular Quark line of Camera systems, the VUE provides easier integration of thermal sensors for Drones in what I would suggest would be the 450 mm and larger classes of Multi Rotors as well as fixed-wing platforms. A list of features such as multiple lens options, Mini USB connection, 5 Volt DC power in and Analog Video out, make this easy to integrate system a no-brainer for applications requiring a thermal sensor. Add to this FLIR’s reputation for reliability and a price starting at under $1500, and it appears the VUE is poised to dominate the thermal imaging market in the sUAS community.
Here is a video from AUVSI 2015 featuring the FLIR Vue:
FLIR VUE @ AUVSI 2015
Dave Lee walks us through the newly announced FLIR VUE, an easy to integrate thermal camera for drones! Learn more at FLIR.com/flirvue
According to FLIR themselves:
Introducing FLIR Vue™ – Easy, Affordable Thermal Imaging for Commercial sUAS
With FLIR Vue™ you get all the thermal imager you need for sUAS operations without having to pay for functionality you’ll never use.
Pre-configured to give you optimal imagery in a wide variety of conditions, FLIR Vue is light enough that it won’t throw off your center of gravity or impact your flight times. With simple power-in and video-out connections, it’s easy to integrate and get flying on just about any platform.
Best of all, with MSRPs of only $1,499 for 336 resolution cameras and $2,999 for 640 cameras, FLIR Vue is affordable for today’s commercial sUAS operations.
FLIR is taking orders now, so if you need thermal imaging for your drone project, check out FLIR. For more information, you can contact FLIR direct by calling (866) 667-7732.


Summary: Hi-Tech Extrusions, a leading provider of custom-engineered thermoplastic profile and tubing extrusions, helped a large OEM LED Lighting Manufacturer overcome their specific light transmission challenges. Faced with the need for particular light transmittance levels in multiple colors, Hi-Tech Extrusions employed their research expertise in material properties to deliver a custom frosted flame-rated material. This tailored solution met the manufacturer’s specifications and contributed to achieving the desired light transmittance levels effectively.
Industry: OEM LED Lighting Manufacturing
Category: Material Research and Custom Engineering
Processes: Thermoplastic Profile Extrusion, Material property Research, Custom Frosted Flame-Rated Material Design
The large OEM LED Lighting Manufacturer was grappling with a complex problem: they needed specific light transmission levels to meet their design and functionality goals, but they were unable to achieve this using conventional materials.
Leveraging their vast expertise in thermoplastic profile and tubing extrusions, Hi-Tech Extrusions conducted comprehensive research on material properties. The result was a frosted flame-rated material that allowed for the desired level of light transmittance while also being flame-resistant. This innovative material was not only functional but also came in multiple colors, offering both versatility and safety in one package.
With the introduction of the frosted flame-rated material, the OEM LED Lighting Manufacturer successfully achieved the specific light transmission levels they were seeking. The material not only met but exceeded their design requirements, leading to improved product performance and, subsequently, enhanced customer satisfaction.