Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Podcast Chat: Co-Packaged Optics and the Active Alignment Breakthrough at Aerotech

This episode of Following the Photons is a technical conversation about co-packaged optics, the rapid rise of interest in this technology, and why active alignment is a major manufacturing bottleneck in photonics. The discussion, sponsored by Aerotech, focuses on the company’s new PICAlign approach, developed in collaboration with SENKO and Santec, which aims to improve throughput, quality, and efficiency in optical device assembly.
Host Justine Murphy, Group Multimedia Director for Laser Focus World, guides the discussion with Justin Bressi, Business Development Manager for Aerotech. Bressi explains how monitoring multiple optical channels at once and searching in all six degrees of freedom can improve alignment outcomes and reduce scrap.
The conversation also touches on the broader data center and semiconductor ecosystem, where demand for faster, more efficient photonic systems is driving new investment and partnerships.

Light News: April 14, 2026

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

The heart of chemistry

Host Justine Murphy talked recently with Dr. Judy Wu, the Thomas A. Albright Professor of Chemistry at the University of Houston, where her work has included computational quantum chemistry to study light-activated chemistry. 
They discussed her work as a computational and organic chemist and professor, unconventional ways to boost the next generation of scientists, and her contributions toward bridging theory with real-world application.
 

The spark for photonics education

Here is an interesting interview Host Justine Murphy had recently with Kevin McComber, co-founder and CEO of Spark Photonics Design, and co-founder and executive director of Spark Photonics Foundation, a nonprofit STEM education, workforce development, and outreach organization.
He talked about his engineering background and entrepreneurial spirit, as well as his thoughts on the education and workforce initiatives he calls crucial for the future of STEM.
 

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.