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Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light have developed a groundbreaking artificial intelligence framework, named XLuminA, capable of autonomously discovering new experimental designs for super-resolution microscopy. This innovation dramatically accelerates the process of finding improved microscopy techniques, performing optimizations 10,000 times faster than conventional methods.

The traditional approach to discovering new microscopy techniques relies heavily on human researchers’ experience and intuition, a process that can take years due to the immense number of potential optical configurations. For instance, a simple setup with just 10 optical elements can have over 100 million different configurations. XLuminA overcomes this limitation by acting as an AI-driven optics simulator, efficiently exploring the vast space of possible optical setups to identify promising designs.

Scientists from the “Artificial Scientist Lab” at MPL collaborated with super-resolution microscopy expert Leonhard Möckl to create XLuminA. The open-source framework has demonstrated its ability to rediscover established microscopy techniques, including image magnification, Nobel Prize-winning STED microscopy, and super-resolution using optical vortices. Furthermore, XLuminA has gone beyond rediscovery and generated a novel super-resolution design that surpasses the performance of existing individual techniques by combining principles from STED microscopy and optical vortex methods.

Lead author Carla Rodríguez emphasizes the potential of XLuminA to open new avenues in microscopy and accelerate automated optical design. The modular design of XLuminA allows for adaptation to various microscopy and imaging techniques, with future developments planned to incorporate nonlinear interactions, light scattering, and time information, expanding its applicability to techniques like iSCAT, structured illumination, and localization microscopy. The researchers anticipate that XLuminA will be a valuable tool for interdisciplinary research collaborations, fostering advancements in the field of microscopy. The findings have been published in the journal Nature Communications.

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Synopsys, a Silicon Valley-based electronic design automation (EDA) software company, has announced the sale of its Optical Solutions Group (OSG) to Keysight Technologies for an undisclosed amount. The agreement, finalized on September 19th, includes OSG’s design tools and services used for optical product simulations and visualizations, such as CODE V, LightTools, and LucidShape.

According to Synopsys, this sale is a necessary step to gain regulatory approval for its planned acquisition of Ansys, another US-based company specializing in simulation and analysis software, including optical technologies. The completion of the Keysight deal is contingent upon standard closing conditions, regulatory reviews, and crucially, the successful conclusion of Synopsys’ acquisition of Ansys. The Ansys acquisition is anticipated to close in the first half of 2025.

Synopsys’ move to acquire Ansys, announced in January 2024 in a cash-and-stock deal valued at US$35 billion, aims to create a more comprehensive offering by combining their software portfolios. The companies are targeting growth in areas like AI and intelligent systems, envisioning an “end-to-end” or “silicon to systems” solution for customers. This merger is projected to expand Synopsys’ potential market by 50%, reaching approximately US$28 billion, but is subject to regulatory approvals.

To facilitate the Ansys acquisition, Synopsys has decided to divest OSG, which develops software like CODE V for imaging systems, LightTools for illumination design, and LucidShape for automotive lighting. OSG recently launched ImSym, an imaging system prototyping platform powered by Code V and LightTools.

Keysight, a company providing electronic design and test solutions across various industries, views the acquisition of OSG as a strategic expansion of its software portfolio. Keysight aims to leverage OSG’s capabilities to enhance its core strengths in RF and microwave EDA as well as physics-based computer-aided engineering.

Ravi Subramanian, General Manager of the Systems Design Group at Synopsys, expressed pride in OSG and believes Keysight will be a strong future owner, fostering continued competition in optical design solutions.

Keysight anticipates that OSG will complement their existing offerings, strengthening their position in software simulation. Niels Faché, Vice President and General Manager of Keysight’s Design Engineering Software, highlighted the increasing complexity of electronics design and expressed excitement about extending their simulation capabilities into optics and photonics through this acquisition.

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Rochester, N.Y. – Vuzix Corporation, a prominent player in smart glasses and augmented reality technology, has announced it will showcase its latest advancements at the upcoming CES 2025 in Las Vegas from January 7th to 10th. The company will present its new full-color 1.0mm thin waveguide and an even slimmer 0.7mm waveguide. These components will be demonstrated with various display engines, including microLEDs and the latest full-color ultra-small LCoS projectors.

Visitors to the Vuzix booth will also get a firsthand look at new OEM Ultralite smart glasses reference platforms. These include a full-color binocular model equipped with microphones, speakers, and an integrated camera. The company will also display its existing product range, highlighting its broad market portfolio.

According to Vuzix CEO Paul Travers, the introduction and wider adoption of smart glasses is beginning, fueled by advancements in AI and support from major consumer and software companies. Travers anticipates 2025 to be a significant turning point for the industry and emphasized Vuzix’s focus on developing high-volume, cost-effective waveguides and related technologies. More detailed information about Vuzix’s CES 2025 showcase will be released closer to the event.

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SiLC Technologies has secured $10 million in funding to advance its software-defined 4D LiDAR-on-Chip technology. The company’s Gen4 platform is attracting attention for its ability to deliver high-resolution depth and motion data, going beyond traditional 3D LiDAR by adding instantaneous velocity information for every point in the scan. This enhancement allows for a richer and more accurate understanding of the environment. SiLC’s LiDAR technology utilizes Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) principles, integrated onto a silicon photonics chip. This approach is intended to reduce size, cost, and power consumption compared to traditional LiDAR systems. The funding will support further development and deployment of SiLC’s technology across a range of applications, including robotics, industrial automation, autonomous vehicles, and security systems, where detailed spatial and motion data are crucial for perception and decision-making. The company emphasizes the software-defined nature of their platform, allowing for flexible configuration and adaptation to diverse application needs.

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Captis, a new technology, leverages photometric stereo and polarimetric methods to capture true-to-life material appearance data. Photometric stereo reconstructs the surface shape and texture of an object by analyzing images captured under varying lighting conditions from a fixed viewpoint. This technique involves illuminating an object from different angles and analyzing how light interacts with its surface to estimate surface normals, ultimately reconstructing a 3D shape and reflective properties. Complementing this, polarimetric methods analyze changes in the polarization of light reflected from a surface, providing insights into material properties and structure. By using polarizing filters and measuring polarization changes upon reflection, characteristics such as roughness, reflectivity, and refractive index can be determined.

For Physically Based Rendering (PBR), Captis employs linear polarizers with both the camera and light sources. This setup enables the capture of multiple images with varied polarizer orientations. The processed data from these images allows extraction of surface albedo and reflective properties, offering a comprehensive understanding of both surface geometry and material reflection.

The design of Captis incorporates specific electro-optic elements, designed to overcome challenges in capturing high-fidelity material data. Departing from traditional, expensive solutions using DSLR or industrial machine vision cameras, Captis utilizes a cost-effective, ultrahigh-resolution camera module initially designed for high-end mobile phones – specifically, the LG Innotek camera module featuring the Samsung Isocell HM2 Imager.

This module incorporates a 7-P autofocus lens and custom macro-focus algorithms to ensure sharp resolution across material samples, enabling captures exceeding 8k × 8k resolution. Its MIPI Type-C interface facilitates rapid image transfer at approximately 9 frames per second, a considerable improvement over the roughly 0.5 fps typical of high-resolution DSLRs, representing a 20-fold increase in speed.

Addressing alignment challenges, particularly in Studio Mode for large material samples (30 × 30 cm) requiring a wide field-of-view, HP developed precise solutions. The system’s sensitivity to minor planar orientation shifts, where even a 0.1° tilt can cause a 1-mm material displacement, necessitated precise factory camera alignment stages. These stages finely tune tilt, rotation, and x/y offsets, ensuring accurate and repeatable capture fields. HP also developed software for real-time alignment, utilizing laser-ablated fiducials, further enhancing the system’s precision.

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Manual focus lenses are making a notable return, blending vintage aesthetics with contemporary optical engineering. The Artra Lab NOCTY-NONIKKOR 50mm f/1.2 is a recent entrant to this trend, providing a completely manual photographic experience that embraces the style of classic lenses. Characterized by a fast f/1.2 aperture and a durable all-metal construction, this lens is positioned to attract photographers who value both craftsmanship and creative control.

Matt Irwin Photography recently featured the NOCTY-NONIKKOR 50mm f/1.2, emphasizing its aesthetic appeal, especially when paired with Nikon’s retro-designed ZF camera. This lens pays tribute to Nikon’s historic Noct series, evoking the spirit of the iconic 55mm f/1.2 from decades past. Unlike adapting older lenses, this native Nikon Z mount option ensures seamless integration and avoids the need for adapters, enhancing user convenience. It is also available in Fujifilm X and Sony E mounts.

The lens is equipped with a manual focus system featuring a long, smooth focus throw for precise adjustments ideal for both stills and video work. A clickable aperture ring, ranging from f/1.2 to f/16, is included. The wide f/1.2 aperture and 11 rounded diaphragm blades are designed to produce smooth, dreamlike bokeh, particularly suitable for portrait and low-light photography. While lacking chip-enabled communication with the camera, Irwin notes that camera bodies can still be configured to optimize performance. Technically, the lens features a minimum focus distance of 1.15 feet (0.35 meters), an optical design of 8 elements in 6 groups, and weighs 1.2 lbs (560 grams).

Irwin points out the lens’s harmonious pairing with the Zf, where its retro aesthetic complements the camera’s classic design and controls. When used on APS-C cameras, the 50mm lens provides a 75mm equivalent field of view. The all-metal build contributes to its robustness and premium feel, although its weight might be noticeable on smaller camera bodies.

The 50mm f/1.2 is designed to create vintage-inspired imagery with softly blurred backgrounds and subtle sharpness. Modern lens coatings are employed to minimize chromatic aberration, aiming for a balance between nostalgic visual characteristics and practical optical quality. With a price of $400, it presents a unique and accessible option for those seeking a distinctive manual lens experience. A comprehensive review is available in Matt Irwin’s video.

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Experiments were conducted using a dual-center computing model that combines a standard electronic computer with a Ternary Optical Computer, specifically the TOC-SD16. The electronic computer used a 64-bit Windows 10 system with an Intel Core i7 processor and 8GB of RAM. The TOC-SD16 is designed so that three adjacent pixels in a row constitute a processor bit, intended to simplify data visualization. Each pixel in the TOC-SD16 can emit horizontally polarized light, vertically polarized light, or no light, each with potentially different intensities. Each processor bit produces only one output state: no light, vertical, or horizontal polarization.

The experiments involved four basic computational tasks: addition, subtraction, logical AND, and logical OR. For addition and subtraction, 8-bit MSD (Modified Signed Digit) numbers were used, with 200,000 pairs of data for each operation. For logical AND and OR operations, 8-bit three-valued data was employed, with 100,000 pairs of data for each.

The experimental process involved several key stages. First, an auxiliary software plug-in was used on the electronic computer to generate a specific data file. This file was then used to establish a connection between the electronic computer and the TOC-SD16. Once connected, this data file was transmitted to the TOC, where it was received and parsed. Based on the file’s contents, the system determined the calculation rules and data required. Processor bits within the TOC-SD16 were then allocated and configured to perform the specified calculations.

For addition and subtraction, sets of 44 processor bits were allocated for each 8-digit operation. For logical AND and OR, 8 processor bits were allocated per 8-digit operation. To enhance efficiency for the larger datasets of addition and subtraction, these operations were assigned two sets of operators, while logical operations were assigned one each. A composite operator consisting of 192 processor bits was created. This configuration was then used to reconstruct the optical processor for computation.

Data from the prepared file was processed sequentially. The system generated data frames which were sent to the corresponding operators for computation, and the results were obtained as light beams. For example, in addition, MSD numbers were used as input. The data was organized into screens, with input data grouped for parallel processing. MSD additions required a three-step process, while logical operations were completed in one step.

Experimental results from the first three screens were captured and analyzed, demonstrating close agreement with theoretical predictions for transformations and operations performed by the system.

After calculations were complete, a result file was generated and returned to the electronic computer. The optical processor’s control software decoded the output light beams into binary results, which were then collected into the result file.

A single basic module of the TOC-SD16 contains 192 processor bits, and up to 64 modules can be installed, potentially creating 64 identical composite operators. For the experimental tasks, this parallel processing significantly reduced the number of operation cycles required compared to traditional methods. The dual-center model completed the tasks in a fraction of the clock cycles and with a significantly smaller fraction of computing resources compared to a traditional computer performing the same calculations.

The experimental results confirmed the correctness of the dual-center model. This approach leverages the strengths of both electronic and optical computing, allowing the electronic computer to handle control and resource management while the optical computer carries out the computationally intensive tasks. This also allows users to maintain familiar programming practices on the electronic computer.

While effective for data-intensive repetitive calculations without intermediate iterations, the current method using data files has limitations for applications requiring multiple iterations or when the optical computer’s capacity for calculations after each reconstruction is exceeded. For future improvements, incorporating a large memory directly into the optical computer is suggested to store intermediate results, potentially eliminating the overhead of file generation and parsing and further enhancing the system’s performance.

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Starris, Optimax Space Systems, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) are collaborating to commercialize LLNL’s monolithic telescope technology. This partnership aims to expedite the deployment of modular optical designs for advanced space imagery.

For a decade, Starris has worked with LLNL’s space program on this monolithic telescope technology. Starris will now manufacture these precision optical lenses, which are crucial for image formation in telescopes, at scale and with customization options. LLNL has granted Starris a government-use license to commercialize this technology through the Innovation and Partnerships Office.

The commercialization efforts will focus on utilizing the technology for space domain awareness, which includes the detection, tracking, cataloging, and identification of artificial space objects like satellites, rocket parts, asteroids, and debris. The compact and robust nature of the monolithic telescope enables rapid and agile deployment of space-based capabilities.

Kevin Kearney, Starris director and chief technology officer, stated that scaling production of LLNL’s payload solutions will facilitate the swift deployment of small satellite networks to meet evolving mission demands. He also highlighted Optimax’s long-standing collaboration with LLNL in developing and refining the technology, contributing expertise in precision optics manufacturing and measurement.

Monolithic optics offer inherent alignment from manufacture, simple interfaces, low inertia, and high thermal tolerance. A key advantage of LLNL’s monolithic telescope technology is its “shelf-stable” nature. Unlike traditional telescopes, alignment is achieved during fabrication at Optimax and remains stable indefinitely, eliminating the need for cleanroom handling as the mirrors are enclosed within the telescope.

LLNL’s monolithic telescopes, initially designed for intelligence and defense purposes, have already demonstrated their effectiveness in several space missions. They are also slated to be part of the U.S. Space Force’s Victus Haze mission in 2025, which will assess rapid satellite deployment capabilities for responding to orbital threats.

Ben Bahney, LLNL space program leader, emphasized the disruptive nature of this technology, noting its ability to significantly reduce development time and cost while maintaining exceptional performance and delivering optimal resolution for a given aperture size.

Starris, launched by Optimax earlier this year, specializes in accelerating space technologies using a modular approach that combines optics, sensors, and electronics. The company will integrate these monolithic telescopes into its optical payloads.

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Recent advancements in fast steering mirror (FSM) technology are expanding the possibilities for precise beam control in various applications. Engineers are highlighting the inherent strengths of different actuator types, noting that while piezo actuators are known for their stiffness and position-holding capabilities without power, voice coil actuators offer a softer touch and require power to maintain position. The choice between these depends heavily on specific application needs.

Voice coil FSMs have seen progress, achieving closed-loop bandwidths of 750 Hz and angular resolution better than 0.1 μrad, and can be cost-effectively controlled with microcontrollers. For applications demanding high frequencies and numerous cycles, designers are emphasizing friction-free and maintenance-free designs, with flexure guiding systems and actuators becoming the state of the art. Flexures are particularly advantageous in vacuum and space environments due to their lack of need for lubrication.

Parallel kinematics and differential drives are key features in advanced dual-axis systems. A parallel-kinematic design utilizing coplanar rotational axes and a single moving platform driven by differential actuators offers benefits like preserved polarization rotation and a more compact form factor compared to traditional series configurations of single-axis mirrors. Differential actuator/sensor setups are recommended for maximum angular stability against temperature variations, especially crucial in space applications where temperature swings can be extreme, ensuring only piston motion and phase shift, not angular deviations.

Piezo steering mirrors are touted for their nanoradian resolution and rapid response times in the millisecond to microsecond range, alongside being lightweight, compact, robust, and maintenance-free. The piezoelectric effect, the basis of this technology, involves dimensional changes in certain materials when subjected to an electric field. This “inverse piezoelectric effect” allows for virtually unlimited dimensional resolution and extremely fast mechanical response, used widely in precision motion control. Modern multilayer piezo actuators, developed using techniques similar to ceramic capacitors, operate at significantly lower voltages than earlier versions, enhancing their practicality. Durability is also a key feature, with ceramic-encapsulated multilayer piezo actuators from companies like PI demonstrating the ability to withstand 100 billion cycles in life testing, as validated by tests related to the Mars rover mission.

Beyond free-space optics (FSO), laser processing is a major application area benefiting from precise beam control offered by FSMs. The parallel-kinematic FSM design, using a single mirror for both axes, presents advantages over two-mirror galvo scanners, including compactness and prevention of polarization rotation. In the medical field, ophthalmology is an expanding market for FSMs, where they are used to precisely direct laser beams in procedures aimed at reshaping the cornea, potentially reducing or eliminating the need for glasses or contact lenses.

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