APPLICATIONS NEWS
For the latest applications news from the photonics industry go to
www.electrooptics.com/applications
Lasers shine in implant project
Lasers are being used to polish medical implants following a project funded by the German government. Led by the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT, a consort of seven project partners of the MediSurf project addressed the task of reducing the time needed to process dental and blood- carrying implants while maintaining their high bio- and haemo-compatibility. The surface quality of an implant is crucial. For example, bone implants require a porous structure so that cells can grow into them well. Other implants, however, need as smooth a surface as possible to keep bacteria from finding a hold on them and the surrounding tissue from being damaged. The MediSurf project made these kinds of implants the object of its research. A main focus was to optimise the surface of the titanium ventricular assist system INCOR, made by the company Berlin Heart. The project aimed at reducing production time and, at the same time, guaranteeing high haemo-compatibility. This means the implant should leave blood corpuscles undamaged and corpuscles should be prevented from settling on it to the largest extent possible.
Blood clots are prevented
from forming, thus significantly reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
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Multispectral sensors capture images of Earth
Pléiades 1B, the Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES) Earth observation satellite, has captured its first images using e2v high-performance imaging sensors. Two types of e2v sensors (for panchromatic and multispectral imaging) are used as part of the satellite’s high-resolution optical imaging instrument. Pléiades 1B has been designed to provide dual- use optical observation coverage with a 70cm resolution. It was launched into space from French Guiana in November 2012 and has accompanied its twin, Pléiades 1A, which was launched into space in December 2011. The 200kg, high-resolution optical imaging
instrument on board Pléiades is equipped with a panchromatic and multispectral focal plane. Five e2v CCD98-50 imaging sensors equip the panchromatic focal plane; the sensors have 6,000 pixels each (giving 30,000 pixels per line), are back-thinned to improve sensitivity and have time-delay integration functionality to enable them to capture high-resolution images (70cm on-ground resolution).
The multispectral focal plane is made up of five e2v
AT71554 imaging sensors. These imaging sensors cover four spectral bands, made up of 1,500 pixels
The Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales Earth observation satellite Pleiades 1B
each, with each spectral band providing 7,500 pixels once installed in the focal plane. Bertrand De Monte, marketing manager of high-
performance imaging at e2v, said: ‘We are very pleased to be continuing our successful relationship with CNES by supplying high-performance image sensors for Pléiades 1B. e2v has provided image sensors for a number of Earth observation satellites including the original Pléiades 1A and SPOT 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. We look forward to seeing yet more high- resolution images of the Earth.’
HEL weapon displays its warfare potential
A high-energy laser designed for the battlefield has demonstrated its effectiveness in warfare scenarios, including air defence. Rheinmetall, a defence and automotive technology firm, has announced it has successfully tested its 50kW high-energy laser (HEL) technology demonstrator. The company says the demonstration saw the 50kW HEL weapon cut through a 15mm-
ELECTRO OPTICS l FEBRUARY 2013
thick steel girder at a distance of 1,000m. The laser also shot down several fast-moving target drones at a range of 2,000m. The laser uses modular technology, which according to Rheinmetall, makes it possible to maintain a good beam quality while increasing the overall performance. The next step will be to create a 100kW HEL. The test was conducted in
Switzerland, in cold but bright conditions. The test was initially to demonstrate the increase in efficiency of the company’s 50kW HEL weapon compared with its previous 10kW version. The 10kW version was demonstrated in 2011. The tests were also intended to show that separate HEL weapon stations can irradiate a single target in a superimposed, cumulative manner.
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Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales
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