CONTENTS FEATURES 2 Time-of-Flight: Highly Reliable 3D Imaging for Challenging Applications 7 Meeting the Challenges for Space to Earth Optical Communication APPLICATION BRIEFS 20 Challenges of Fabricating and Coating Laser Crystals 22 Designing a Human-Robot Collaboration System TECH BRIEFS 24 New Technology Could Make Biopsies a Thing of the Past 25 Rice 'Metalens' Could Disrupt Vacuum UV Market 26 Upside-Down Design Expands Wide-Spectrum SuperCamera Abilities 27 Researchers Demonstrate 40-Channel Optical Communication Link SPECIAL SECTION 10 Technology Leaders in Optics 10 Designing a Silicon Photonic MEMS Phase Shifter with Simulation 13 Meta Optical Elements DEPARTMENTS 28 New Products ON THE COVER Because laser crystals are sensitive optical components often used with high-power lasers, depositing the correct coatings onto them without introducing any defects is essential. Careful cleaning of all polished surfaces prior to the deposition of the coatings is particularly important for preventing the introduction of any contamination such as slurry or blocking substances. Ultrasonic cleaning removes any leftover polishing compounds before coating. To learn more about the technology involved in coating laser crystals, read the applications brief on page 20. (Image courtesy of Edmund Optics) Photonics & Imaging Technology, September 2022 1http://info.hotims.com/82325-831