Contents
Business Business News
The latest business news from the world of photonics Profile – Gooch and Housego
Warren Clark charts the long history of this optics giant
Applications Applications News
The latest applications of photonics technology Feature: Materials processing
Stephen Mounsey on the latest developments in laser technology used for cutting, drilling and welding
Technology Technology News
The latest technology developments in photonics Feature: Portable spectroscopy
Greg Blackman rounds up some intriguing ‘in the field’ applications of portable spectrometers
Feature: Sputtering
Stephen Mounsey sorts the rough from the smooth with a look at sputtering techniques
Preview: Laser World of Photonics
Europe’s largest photonics event comes to Munich; here’s a bumper preview of what will be on show
Product Focus: Fibre lasers
A round-up of the latest launches of these popular lasers Products
The latest photonic products from around the world Suppliers’ Directory
Find the suppliers you need fast with our handy suppliers’ directory
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EDITORIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM Tel: +44 (0)1223 211170 Fax: +44 (0)1223 211107 Editor Warren Clark
editor.electro@europascience.com Feature Writer Greg Blackman
greg.blackman@europascience.com Assistant Editor Stephen Mounsey
stephen.mounsey@
europascience.com Contributing Editor Nadya Anscombe
nadya.anscombe@
europascience.com Circulation/readership enquiries Viv Ruskin
subs.electro@europascience.com
Electro Optics is audited by the Audit Bureau of Circulations.
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LEADER WARREN CLARK
All eyes on Munich
So, here we are at Laser World of Photonics in Munich once again – and the mood is (thankfully) very different from the rather sombre mood that permeated the exhibition floor two years ago. Back then, there was hope of a recovery, rather than expectation. But, with companies reporting a record year in 2010, and more reporting a bumper start to 2011, this year’s event promises to be a buoyant and exciting affair. Our extensive preview, beginning on page 28, demonstrates the breadth and depth of innovations one can expect to see when walking the aisles of Messe Munich. For those browsing the magazine
for the first time in Munich, you’ll find plenty to interest you in these pages. We have classic laser applications, such as materials processing, which is tackled by Stephen Mounsey on page 14. We have spectrometers, which are being used in a broad range of applications around the world. Greg Blackman explores some of the more unusual case studies in this area, which allows measurements to be taken in situ rather than in the lab. And we have a look at sputtering techniques, used to produce high-precision optical coatings, as Stephen Mounsey finds on page 24. You’ll find our usual mix of news and products, keeping you up to date with all the latest developments in the photonics industry. Finally, in another first for Electro Optics,
we are very pleased to announce our first webcast, Advances in Biophotonics, which you can access free at www.electrooptics. com/webcasts. Featuring contributions from leading industry experts, it covers new and exciting technology designed for use in the ever-growing field of biophotonics.
ADVERTISING Advertising Manager Jon Hunt
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europascience.com +44(0)1223 211158 Advertising Sales Executive Ed Grundy
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europascience.com +44(0)1223 211176 Advertising Production Jennie Caley
jennie.caley@
europascience.com +44 (0)1223 477411 Fax: +44 (0)1223 327356
CORPORATE TEAM Chairman Dr Tom Wilkie
tom.wilkie@europascience.com Publishing Director Warren Clark
warren.clark@
europascience.com
Electro Optics is published 10 times a year by Europa Science Ltd, The Spectrum Building, The Michael Young Centre, Purbeck Road, Cambridge CB2 8PD, UK Tel: +44 (0)1223 211170 Fax: +44 (0)1223 211107 Web:
www.europascience.com ISSN: 0013-4589
SUBSCRIPTIONS: Free registrations available to qualifying individuals. Subscriptions £300 a year for ten issues to readers outside registration requirements. Orders to Europa Science, The Spectrum Building, The Michael Young Centre, Purbeck Road, Cambridge CB2 8PD, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1223 211170. Fax: +44 (0)1223 211107. ©2011 Europa Science Ltd. Whilst every care has been taken in the compilation of this magazine, errors or omissions are not the responsibility of the publishers or of the editorial staff. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publishers or editorial staff. All rights reserved. Unless specifically stated, goods or services mentioned are not formally endorsed by Europa Science Ltd, which does not guarantee or endorse or accept any liability for any goods and/or services featured in this publication. US copies: Electro Optics (ISSN 0013-4589) is published ten times a year for £300 per year by Europa Science Ltd and distributed in the US by DSW, 75 Aberdeen Road, Emigsville PA 17318-0437. Periodicals postage paid at Emigsville PA.
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MAY 2011 l ELECTRO OPTICS
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