LEADER GREG BLACKMAN


Contents Focus Reports from SPIE Photonics West, including addressing the


shortage of optical engineers l Update on the BRAIN initiative l OCT at Bios l Startup Challenge and Prism Awards l Working in the optics industry


Solar energy Spectroscopy


Jessica Rowbury on the miniature spectrometers used for detecting fake medicines


Genomics Show: SPIE Photonics Europe EOS news Product focus: Safety


A round-up of the latest laser safety equipment Products


The latest photonics products from around the world Suppliers’ directory


Find the photonics suppliers you need Technology focus: LIGO


Jessica Rowbury reports on the groundbreaking work at LIGO that led to the detection of gravitational waves


EDITORIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM Tel: +44 (0)1223 221030 Fax: +44 (0)1223 213385 Editor Greg Blackman greg.blackman@europascience.com Deputy editor Jessica Rowbury jessica.rowbury@europascience.com Circulation/readership enquiries: subs.electro@europascience.com


ADVERTISING Advertising manager Jon Hunt jon.hunt@europascience.com +44(0)1223 275470 Production manager Alex Mappledoram alex.mappledoram@europascience.com +44(0)1223 275471


CORPORATE TEAM Chairman Dr Tom Wilkie tom.wilkie@europascience.com Managing director Warren Clark warren.clark@europascience.com


Electro Optics is published 10 times a year by Europa Science Ltd, 4 Signet Court, Cambridge, CB5 8LA, UK Tel: +44 (0)1223 221030 Fax: +44 (0)1223 213385 Web: www.europascience.com ISSN: 0013-4589


Not your copy? Subscribe for FREE online at www.electrooptics.com/subscribe www.electrooptics.com | @electrooptics MARCH 2016 l ELECTRO OPTICS 3 24


Nadya Anscombe discovers that advances in DNA sequencing are improving the response to virus outbreaks such as Zika and Ebola


28


A preview of the photonics show, to be held from 3 to 7 April in Brussels, Belgium


29


The European Optical Society announces two Early Career awards and invites members to nominate candidates to its Board


30 32 40 42 42


Electro Optics is audited by the Audit Bureau of Circulations.


24 16


Rachel Berkowitz looks at the latest advances in photovoltaics, including new materials for improved solar cell efficiency


20 20 4 16 Making light work


The job market might be competitive in many industries, including photonics, but the general view is that there is a shortage of optical engineers at the moment, and that if the photonics industry is to grow there needs to be the talent for it to do so. At SPIE Photonics West, the annual optics and photonics trade show that took place in San Francisco from 16 to 18 February, Microsoft and Apple were recruiting at the job fair alongside companies like Coherent, Thorlabs and Newport. Walking round, Microsoft seemed to have one of the more popular stands, and, speaking to one visitor, a chemical engineer, she said her ideal employer would be Microsoft. The fact that the giant computing companies are employing optical engineers is testament to the importance of the photonics industry, but the feeling from comments made during panel discussions on the job sector, and the state of the industry in general, is that more needs to be done to foster talent in optical engineering. Reports and news from Photonics West can be found starting on page 4. There are also feature articles in this issue on solar energy (page 16), miniature spectroscopy in drug detection (page 20), and optical techniques used in genomics (page 24). There seems to be ample opportunities


for physics graduates looking for work in photonics at the moment, and even university undergraduates choosing modules or courses might like to consider optical sciences. It’s a good time to be an optical engineer.


SUBSCRIPTIONS: Free registrations available to qualifying individuals. Subscriptions £300 a year for 10 issues to readers outside registration requirements. Orders to Europa Science, 4 Signet Court, Cambridge CB5 8LA, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1223 221030. Fax: +44 (0)1223 213385. ©2016 Europa Science Ltd. While 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 10 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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