Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Silicon photonics meets AI

This episode features Vivek Raghunathan, co-founder and CEO of Xscape Photonics, a Columbia University spinoff focused on silicon photonics and AI.
He has nearly two decades of experience in the silicon photonics sector, including at Intel. 
In this chat, he talks with Host Justine Murphy about Xscape Photonics and its innovative work, as well as the role silicon photonics will play in the future of AI.

Leading with purpose

Jennifer Cable, president of Thorlabs, talked recently with Host Justine Murphy about the company's role in the industry, as well as building an inclusive culture and enhancing employee engagement, while also investing in advanced manufacturing technology and infrastructure.

Light News (March 10, 2026)

Here's a roundup of some of the most interesting and exciting things happening in the photonics industry!

A magic leap for augmented reality

In this episode, Host Justine Murphy talks with Kevin Curtis, senior VP of Advanced Optics at Magic Leap, a developer of AR and waveguide technologies. He discusses his passion for AR and his thoughts on the future, and also details Magic Leap’s innovations and their influence on an ever-advancing sector of the photonics industry.
 

Silicon photonics and beyond

During SPIE Photonics West last month, host Justine Murphy had the opportunity to talk with many people across the photonics industry, including Dr. Lewis Johnson, Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of NLM Photonics.
He has more than 18 years of research and development experience in materials and new technologies for photonics and cleantech, and a career that spans entrepreneurship, academia, and national labs. 
Listen now to this really interesting conversation from the Photonics West show floor!

Executive physics: From research to entrepreneurship

This episode features Dr. Patrick Heissler, CEO of SCRONA. He has a doctorate in physics from the Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics, and has conducted research at institutions including Los Alamos National Lab.
In this chat, we covered his current work and initiatives at SCRONA, his involvement in organizations like the Plug and Play Tech Center, and some lessons learned throughout his extensive career.
 

Montana: A growing photonics hub

This episode features Travis Wood, president of Montana-based Lattice Materials, a company specializing in custom infrared optics using silicon and germanium.
He’s also a board member of the Montana Photonics and Quantum Alliance, and works closely with the Photonic and Laser Technology program at Montana State University’s Gallatin College.
In this fun chat, he talks with host Justine Murphy about Lattice Materials and some recent accolades, as well as workplace culture, the company’s ever-advancing role in the photonics industry, and the growing photonics hub in Montana.
 

Next-generation reality

This episode features Barry Silverstein, a seasoned optics and photonics innovator (namely at Meta’s Reality Labs) who recently joined the University of Rochester as director of the school’s Center for eXtended Reality.
He talked with host Justine Murphy about the Center and its mission, and delved into the future of AR, VR, and AI.

Aerotech: Displaying the Future of Innovation

This edition of Following the Photons features Brian O’Connor, vice president of Growth and Strategy at Aerotech, a globally reaching developer of advanced precision motion control and automation technologies for industries including optics and photonics, precision manufacturing, and life sciences.
He recently sat down with our host Justine Murphy at the SPIE Photonics West exhibition in San Francisco to talk about the company and its innovative products, as well as his thoughts and insight into the industry overall, what the future may hold, and Aerotech’s place in it.

The silicon photonics revolution

Here is a great episode featuring Dr. Mario Paniccia, CEO and co-founder of silicon photonics startup ANELLO Photonics. He founded ANELLO with more than 20 years of experience under his belt at companies including Intel, where he started a silicon photonics program.
And for this work, and his many other contributions to the field of silicon photonics, Dr. Paniccia was inducted into the National Academy of Engineers in 2021.