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Researchers have developed a sum frequency generation spectroscopy setup to characterize the output profile of an infrared free electron laser, providing valuable insight into the development of more efficient and accurate lasers.

Characterizing Infrared Free Electron Laser Output Profile with Sum Frequency Generation Spectroscopy

A brief history of fiber-optic bundles helps us understand how this technology how it has evolved from use in telecommunications to enabling extraction of three-dimensional (3D) information from two-dimensional (2D) images.

Fiber-Optic Bundles Create a World of Pure Imagination

A 3D printer can shorten the time to make prototype hardware for spectrometers from weeks to days—or less.

Three-Dimensional Printing and the Art of Making Small Working Prototype Spectrometers

Igor Gornushkin and colleagues at BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing in Berlin, Germany studied the feasibility of using optical spectroscopy as a control method for laser metal deposition, and he recently spoke to us about this work. Gornushkin is the 2022 recipient of the Lester W. Strock Award from the New England Chapter of the Society for Applied Spectroscopy (SAS). 

Optical Detection of Defects during Laser Metal Deposition: Simulations and Experiment

, is the General Manager of the Applied Systems business at Ocean Insight, an affiliate associate professor at the University of Washington, and has started and advised numerous companies in spectroscopy and in applications of machine learning. He has approximately 40 peer-reviewed publications and 6 patents. His work in practical optical spectroscopy, such as LIBS, Raman, and TDL spectroscopy, dovetails with the coverage in this column, which reviews methods (new and old) in laser-based spectroscopy and optical sensing.

Controlling methane is one of the highest-impact ways to reduce climate impacts, so its accurate measurement is essential. Spectroscopy offers valuable tools for this task.

Detecting Methane Emissions: How Spectroscopy is Contributing to Sustainability Efforts

High-performance instrumentation requires many critical components. We focus here on energy sources, lasers, and detectors.

A Survey of Basic Instrument Components Used in Spectroscopy, Part 1: Sources, Lasers, and Detectors

The Covid-19 pandemic has led to extraordinary developments of both testing methods and vaccines. Can spectroscopy play a role in next-generation testing for Covid and other pathogens?

Catching Covid: Rapid Spectroscopic Methods Show Promise

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is an ideal method for elemental analysis of geological samples, and has been used by NASA on the Mars rovers. This article details the methodology and the most successful calibration and quantification methods to date.

Geochemical Analysis Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Uwe Karst of the University of Münster in Germany explains the use of laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) imaging to provide spatially resolved quantification of trace elements in biological samples.

Lasers and Laser-Source Technologies