Photonics, Lasers & Imaging

Night vision multiplies photoelectrons from dim scenes and converts them back to visible light. See the tube stages, artifacts and limits.

A hologram records object-reference interference and later reconstructs a wavefront. Learn what the fringes encode and why stability matters.

A barcode scanner converts reflected-light transitions into validated data. Follow illumination, detection, edge finding, decoding and failure modes.

Anti-reflective coatings cancel selected reflections with thin-film interference. Learn how index, thickness, wavelength and angle determine performance.

Telescope aperture sets light collection and the diffraction limit. See why larger diameters resolve finer angles and what real systems lose.

A spectrometer maps wavelength to detector position with a grating or prism. Learn the optical path, calibration and resolution-versus-light trade-off.

Optical coherence tomography uses interference to map reflected light by depth. Learn how A-scans form cross-sections and what limits penetration.

A solar cell separates light-generated charge with a semiconductor junction. Follow absorption, collection, maximum power and efficiency losses.

An LED converts carrier recombination in a semiconductor into photons. Learn how the band gap, phosphor, driver and heat control the light.

Polarized sunglasses block much of the horizontal polarization in reflected glare. Learn why the effect works and when screens or angles cause surprises.