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16 Feb 2004
Experts claim that adaptive optics has reached a critical point in its commercial evolution.
Two leading experts have called on the adaptive optics (AO) community to shake off its do-it-yourself culture and focus on building low-cost, standardized components that can be exploited in a range of industrial and medical applications.
“The transition from one-off design to mass-market appeal must take place within the next five years if AO is ever to become a commercial success with credible and sustainable growth prospects,” write Alan Greenaway of Heriot-Watt University and James Burnett of QinetiQ in a new report entitled Industrial and Medical Applications of Adaptive Optics.
Until recently, custom-designed AO systems costing upwards of $1 million have been the norm in astronomy and defence-based imaging systems. Now, however, the focus has shifted to developing smaller and cheaper components that can be bolted together to meet the needs of commercial applications -- ranging from laser materials processing to ophthalmology.
For this transition to happen, Greenaway and Burnett believe that four key areas must be addressed.
From academia to industry: AO development remains largely the preserve of university research groups. But start-up firms are now launching commercial products based on AO technology, and two major initiatives -- the Smart Optics Faraday Partnership in the UK and the Center for Adaptive Optics (CfAO) in the US -- are working to foster relationships between industry and academia.
From DIY to plug-and-play: AO has a history of one-off developments for particular applications. AO researchers are now working with industrial partners to develop plug-and-play systems based on standard components that can readily be interchanged by non-expert staff.
From large systems to low-cost compact packages: More work is needed to reduce the size and cost of AO systems and components. Integrated wavefront sensors in wafer-size packages and the development of more compact wavefront modulators remain the key priorities.
From small-scale production to commercial supply: Although some AO devices are available off-the-shelf, low manufacturing volumes lead to erratic component supply, poor yields and high prices. This situation would change dramatically if large optical companies were to introduce AO technology into their catalogues.
According to Greenaway and Burnett, the biggest barrier to achieving these goals remains the low volumes of devices that are currently in demand, which is restricting investment in both product development and high-volume manufacturing processes. Conversely, demand for AO technology is unlikely to grow until there is a reliable supply of cost-effective devices.
Industrial and Medical Applications of Adaptive Optics is published by Technology Tracking, a collaboration between the Institute of Physics Publishing and QinetiQ.
For more information contact
Susan Curtis, Editor, Technology Tracking, for a Table of Contents and the Executive Summary. Email: susan.curtis@iop.org
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