Space coatings don't get a second chance. There's no sending a satellite back to Earth to fix an underperforming mirror or filter, so every coating has to be built, documented, and qualified to hold its optical and mechanical performance for the entire mission — in vacuum, through thermal cycling, through atomic oxygen exposure in low Earth orbit.

That means the coating stack changes with the job: dielectric-enhanced aluminum or silver for UV and visible mirrors, protected gold or silver for near-IR, and gold for long-wave IR thermal imaging. Filters and AR coatings get the same rigor, tested in sequence against ASTM, ISO, and MIL specs before anything is cleared for flight.

With satellites now losing orbital lifespan faster than expected due to an intense solar cycle, lighter, more durable coatings matter more than ever.

Listen to the full podcast to hear from a team that qualifies coatings for full-mission performance.

This first of a two-part episode features Dr. Garrett Cole, an associate professor and the Nelson E. Claytor Endowed Chair in Optical Sciences at the University of Arizona’s Wyant College of Optical Sciences.

He has numerous accolades under this belt, experience as an entrepreneur in startups and major corporations, and has spent years as a researcher and applied scientist, including at Lawrence Livermore National Lab.

In this fun, interesting, and rather enlightening talk with Host Justine Murphy, he discusses his current role in academia, his several decades in the industry, and the unconventional path that led him here.

Photonics is undergoing the same transformation the semiconductor industry experienced decades ago; evolving from specialized, low-volume manufacturing into standardized, highly automated, high-volume production.

In this episode, PI Physik's Nikta Jalayer explores how precision motion, intelligent alignment, and automation technologies are enabling that transition by transforming photonics manufacturing from a serial, labor-intensive process into a highly automated, high-throughput production environment, making large-scale deployment of optical interconnects both practical and economically viable.

This episode features Jennifer Kehlet Barton, a professor and Thomas R. Brown Distinguished Chair of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Arizona. There, her research focuses on the development of optical techniques for understanding disease processes.

In this really interesting chat she had recently with Host Justine Murphy, Jennifer talked about the diverse path that led her to where she is now, her research and technology developments, and what inspires her. 

This episode features Shankaran Janardhanan, senior vice president and GM of the Photonics and RF division at GlobalFoundries.

He talked recently with Host Justine Murphy about the company and the role of optical data centers and photonics components in the world’s ever-advancing technology landscape.

In this episode, we’re highlighting some of the interesting and exciting things that have been happening in the business realm. Check it out... it’s a sector that helps keep the photonics industry moving.

The need to boost the photonics and optics workforce remains critical. But attracting technicians and engineers remains a challenge.

In this episode, Host Justine Murphy examines the increasing number of technician training programs around the country, and talks with a few of those who remain motivated to help alleviate the industrywide struggle.

This episode features an interesting discussion with Jerome Paye, CEO of laser-powered particle accelerator developer TAU Systems. He has over 20 years of industry leadership and research experience, including as a contributor to the early design of France’s Laser Megajoule facility.

He talked with Host Justine Murphy about his different experiences, what he’s learned along the way, and his thoughts on the future.

Here is some Light News: quantum edition, which features a quick roundup of some of the coolest, most exciting news impacting the quantum sector of the photonics industry. 

This episode kicks off a monthly series that will examine specific topics via the perspectives of industry experts.

This installment focuses on the emerging relationship between photonics and AI. Host Justine Murphy chatted recently with two experts to get their thoughts: Oriole CEO James Regan and Vickram Vathulya, CEO of Sivers Semiconductors.