Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

AmeriCOM: Where workforce training meets defense

This episode features Dave Shelton, president and CEO of AmeriCOM, a Workforce Training Initiative and Defense Precision Optics Consortium.
Dave is a subject matter expert in infrared detectors, radiometry, and electro-optical infrared systems engineering who has worn many hats in the optics and defense industries.
 

Light News

Introducing our biweekly Light News! It's a quick roundup of some of the coolest, most exciting news in the photonics industry. Let’s follow those photons!

‘American-made’ boosts data network confidence

This edition of Following the Photons features Anthony Musto, VP of sales and marketing at Fast Photonics, a company that provides fiber optic components to telecommunications, high-performance computing, data center, and AI customers.
We talk about his more than 40 years of experience in the microwave, telecommunications, and fiber optics industries—including as founder of both Optium Corporation and later ARM Consulting—as well as his travels and thoughts on the future.

A Fresh Take on Integrated Photonics

In this episode, we talk with Jorn Smeets from PhotonDelta, a European integrated photonics ecosystem that has expanded into Silicon Valley in California. After several years as the organization's Chief Marketing Officer and Board Member, he has been named Managing Director for the organization’s North America region, a role in which he aims to accelerate the photonic chip industry by building collaborations between North America and the international PhotonDelta ecosystem.

Aligning the Future of Innovation

In this episode, I’m talking with Christophe Maleville, Chief Technology Officer and Senior Executive Vice President of Innovation at Soitec. He joined the company just after its founding in 1993, and has been a driving force behind joint research activities alongside CEA-Leti. Christophe’s experience extends even further, too, as an author or co-author of 30 research papers who holds an impressive 30 patents.

AR display tech developer sets sights on the future

In this episode, we talk with Juha Pietarinen, Chief Product Officer at Finland-based OptoFidelity. From nanophotonics, AR display technology, and the future to motorcycles and scuba diving... we cover it all! 

The Academia of Optics

This episode features Dr. Daniel Feezell, a professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and General Chair of the Optical Science and Engineering department at the University of New Mexico. He’s joined by his colleague, Dr. Jean-Claude Diels, a professor of Physics & Astronomy and Electrical Engineering at the university. 
Their combined years of experience in academia provide a very interesting perspective on the optics and photonics industry.

Lasers: A changing realm

With an eye on the business aspect of photonics in his role as co-CEO of Power Technology, William Burgess discusses the changing laser technology and regulations realms, and how the industry can continue advancing with the next-generation of engineers and technicians.

Industry veteran spreads importance of photonics

This episode features Laurent Fulbert, Deputy Head of the Optics and Photonics division at France-based CEA-Leti. He has more 30 years of experience in various areas of photonics and offers his insight on everything from the state of the industry to spreading the word of its importance in our everyday lives.

Quantum: The future is here

Don't miss this latest edition of Following the Photons, featuring Andrei Dragomir, founder and CEO of Aquark Technologies, a U.K.-based start-up bringing next-generation quantum technology from the lab to real-world applications. 
With a background in physics research - a passion that dates back to his elementary school years - Andrei has a super interesting perspective on the quantum industry, and what the future holds.