101.1K
Downloads
139
Episodes
From space exploration and quantum optics, to biomedical imaging and defense, today’s top scientific minds are using lasers, spectroscopy, sensors, and optics to deliver cutting-edge innovation to our society. In intimate conversations with those pushing the boundaries of human knowledge, “All Things Photonics” spotlights photonics industry progress from beyond the lab. Hear how 3D printed microscopes — and those developed for a fraction of the cost — offer our best hope for diagnosing disease in the developing world; why spectroscopy might be the most valuable tool in the crime scene technicians’ arsenal; how light can motorize drug delivery; and how the quantum cascade laser, CMOS image sensor, and robot-assisted surgery became realities. Notable guests include Nobel Prize winner Donna Strickland; Columbia University Eugene Higgins Professor of Electrical Engineering Michal Lipson; inventor of the CMOS image sensor Eric Fossum; serial entrepreneur Jason Eichenholz; co-namesake of the Hockney Falco Thesis Charles Falco; and SPIE President and founder of the Vanderbilt Biophotonics Center Anita Mahadevan-Jansen. “All Things Photonics”® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays. The podcast was a shortlisted finalist in two categories — Best Science & Medical Podcast and Best Technology Podcast — for The Publishers Podcast Awards in 2021. It has again earned shortlist honors in the Best Science and Medical Podcast category for 2022. Contact us at Allthings@photonics.com.
Episodes
Aug 4, 2026
Aug 4, 2026
15 min
One of the most exciting technologies being commercialized in the photonics space is the metalens. Metalenses are flat, lightweight optical components that manipulate light with tiny structures on their surface. They're able to replace traditional glass lenses in a lot of applications, making imaging systems lighter and more compact. In this episode, we speak with Myrias Optics’ CEO, John Fijol. The conversation covers some of the immediate applications, some that are a little bit further off, and the timeline to scaled manufacturing.
"All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays.
Sponsored by:
Hamamatsu – www.Hamamatsu.com
Jul 21, 2026
Jul 21, 2026
27 min
A light-based process could not only reduce plastic waste, but it could also create a new path towards harvesting the materials needed for clean fuel. Xiao Lu is a Ph.D. candidate in the School of Chemical Engineering at Adelaide University in Australia. Xiao and her colleagues have demonstrated that targeted sunlight can help to break down plastic waste, while also releasing hydrogen gas and other elements that could provide a viable source of renewable energy. She shares the details of her work, and the promise it may hold for future efforts at sustainable waste disposal.
"All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays.
Sponsored by:
Hamamatsu – www.Hamamatsu.com
Jul 7, 2026
Jul 7, 2026
14 min
Ultrafast lasers are transforming how optical and photonic systems are designed, fabricated, and integrated. This evolving approach to processing offers a fundamentally different method than conventional means like diamond turning and ion-beam figuring. Jie Qiao is the director of the advanced optical fabrication, instrumentation, and metrology laboratory in the Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science at Rochester Institute of Technology. In this episode of All Things Photonics, Qiao explains how ultrafast-laser direct fabrication can serve as a unified platform for shaping and finishing freeform optics.
"All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays.
Sponsored by:
Hamamatsu – www.Hamamatsu.com
Jun 23, 2026
Jun 23, 2026
38 min
In April, Artemis II launched on a 10-day voyage around the moon. It was humanity’s first crewed lunar flyby in more than 50 years. Along with its four astronauts, it carried a series of photonic systems with it. On the core of its space launch system rocket, Imperx charge-couple device cameras monitored engines and provided measurements vital to ensuring a safe and successful launch. Petko Dinev is the Founder, President, and CEO of Imperx. He shares his thoughts on the role optics and photonics will play in the emerging “space economy,” and he explains how advances in imaging can enable advances in space exploration on this episode of All Things Photonics.
"All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays.
Sponsored by:
Hamamatsu – www.Hamamatsu.com
Jun 9, 2026
Jun 9, 2026
23 min
Leading groups among the scientific community are expressing their concerns over proposed White House budget cuts. America may sit on top of the mountain when it comes to research efforts, but other nations are catching up, and funding cuts could lead to there being a new global leader in R&D. SPIE has issued a call to action, asking Americans to contact their government officials to express their concern over proposed cuts. Jennifer O'Bryan is the Government Affairs Director for the society. In this episode of All Things Photonics, she shares her own concerns with President Trump's attitude towards science and what SPIE is doing to help protect research efforts.
"All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays.
Sponsored by:
Hamamatsu – www.Hamamatsu.com
May 26, 2026
May 26, 2026
25 min
imec and Ghent University researcher, Bart Kuyken, discusses his group’s recent Nature Photonics paper. The micro-transfer printing process, material platforms utilized, and prospects to innovate upon existing silicon photonics process and workflows are discussed.
"All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays.
Sponsored by:
Hamamatsu – www.Hamamatsu.com
Omega Optical - www.omega-optical.com
May 19, 2026
May 19, 2026
34 min
Xavier Lafosse, commercial technology director, precision glass solutions at Corning, discusses how data center dynamics are ushering in a new era for optical materials — centered as much on demand as on innovation. As leading companies optimize their partnerships, drive research breakthroughs, and unveil commercial product, meeting the moment necessitates deep understanding of the market, but at present and in the future. Lafosse, an expert in optical materials, offers his perspective in this exclusive conversation.
Spotlight from "All Things Photonics"® is a special series of intimate sit-down conversations with preeminent figures in our industry.
Sponsored by:
Hamamatsu – www.Hamamatsu.com
Omega Optical - www.omega-optical.com
May 12, 2026
May 12, 2026
38 min
Unmanned aircraft, like drones, have become a weapon of choice. They are effective and cheap to produce, but the systems to stop them are not. Laser- and microwave-based systems are slowly coming online, but there are still hurdles to overcome before they become a staple defense on the front lines. Ganesh Balakrishnan, or “Gunny" as he’s known, is a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of New Mexico. He sat down with the All Things Photonics team to discuss how molecular beam epitaxy, VCSELs, PCSELs, and other photonic tech all play a part in the wider ecosystem behind counter unmanned systems.
"All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays.
Sponsored by:
Hamamatsu – www.Hamamatsu.com
Omega Optical - www.omega-optical.com
Apr 28, 2026
Apr 28, 2026
25 min
Computing with light can enable high-performance compute with dramatically lower energy use and reduced heat. Q.Ant is a Stuttgart-based photonic computing scale-up, leading the way to more sustainable AI and high-performance computing. CEO Michael Förtsch joins us to share his thoughts on the hidden costs of AI, the technology and materials driving Q.Ant’s photonic solutions, and why the future of compute is in need of a fundamental change.
"All Things Photonics"® is produced by Photonics Media and airs biweekly, on Tuesdays.
Sponsored by:
Hamamatsu – www.Hamamatsu.com
Omega Optical - www.omega-optical.com
Apr 21, 2026
Apr 21, 2026
35 min
In this discussion with Omega Optical’s David Ventola, a leading authority on diffraction technology, "All Things Photonics" navigates the complete gratings value chain, from concept and design, to replication and fabrication, to application and deployment. A mature technology, optical grating innovation is measured today by industry-driven advancements that are found in the marketplace. Omega Optical’s Prism Award-winning DeepUV Transmission Gratings are one such solution.
Spotlight from "All Things Photonics"® is a special series of intimate sit-down conversations with preeminent figures in our industry.
Sponsored by:
Hamamatsu – www.Hamamatsu.com
Omega Optical - www.omega-optical.com