Hamamatsu Corporation

21/08/2026

If you were asked to pick a mascot for photonics, “hoo” would you pick? 🦉

For us, a top choice would be the owl. Their large, highly light-sensitive eyes allow them to make the most of every available photon, helping them navigate and hunt in low-light conditions where most of us can barely see.

That same challenge—capturing information when light is scarce—is one that photonics helps solve every day.

From scientific imaging and medical research to astronomy and industrial inspection, advanced photonic technologies are designed to detect and measure even the faintest light, revealing details that would otherwise remain hidden. Technologies such as image intensifiers and photon counting heads help researchers and engineers detect and measure extremely low levels of light—even down to individual photons in some applications.

Nature has spent millions of years perfecting vision in the dark. By studying and harnessing the power of light, photonics helps us push the boundaries of what we can see, measure, and discover.

Inspired by the owl's remarkable ability to see in the dark? Explore how Hamamatsu technologies help reveal what the eye can't see:

🔹 Image Intensifiers: https://www.hamamatsu.com/us/en/product/optical-sensors/image-sensor/image-intensifier.html

🔹 Photon Counting Heads (H10682 / H17712 Series):https://www.hamamatsu.com/content/dam/hamamatsu-photonics/sites/documents/99_SALES_LIBRARY/etd/H10682_H17712_TPMO1075E.pdf

So, does the owl have your vote as the mascot for photonics? Share your thoughts in the comments!

20/08/2026

Shaping light is just as important as generating it. Watch as Brandon Gorakhnauth, Marketing Engineer at Hamamatsu, discusses how high-power spatial light modulators (SLMs) enable precise beam shaping for applications ranging from quantum technologies to advanced manufacturing.

He gives a high-level overview of:

🔹How SLMs dynamically modify laser wavefronts to create complex optical patterns
🔹 Beam shaping techniques used in quantum applications, including optical lattices for atom trapping
🔹 The role of precision beam control in laser processing and additive manufacturing
🔹 Key considerations when integrating SLM technology into advanced optical systems

See how SLM technology enables flexible beam control across a range of optical applications.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqCsC5K7gyQ

18/08/2026

SPIE Optics + Photonics 2026 kicks off in one week, and we’re looking forward to joining researchers, engineers, and industry leaders who are driving the future of optics and photonics.

If you'll be at the show, stop by booth 323 to explore our latest advances in scientific cameras, spectroscopy, photodetectors, and quantum technologies; discuss your applications and connect with our team.

Preview the show’s featured products at:
https://www.hamamatsu.com/us/en/news/events/2026/spie-optics-and-photonics-2026.html

17/08/2026

You can't correct what you can't see.

For batteries and other complex assemblies, internal defects such as voids, inclusions, and assembly errors can go undetected until they impact performance or reliability.

Hamamatsu's industrial X-ray NDT technologies help manufacturers inspect critical internal structures without destroying the sample, enabling earlier defect detection and supporting quality control throughout the production process.

Learn how our X-ray solutions can help optimize your inspection process: https://www.hamamatsu.com/us/en/applications/industrial-x-ray-ndt-inspection.html

Discover Hamamatsu Photonics' high-precision X-ray solutions for non-destructive testing (NDT) across industries like automotive, aerospace, and food inspection. Learn how microfocus X-ray sources and high-resolution line scan cameras enhance defect detection and quality control at unprecedented spe...

14/08/2026

Employee Spotlight: Please join us in recognizing Brandon Gorakhnauth for his outstanding contributions and commitment to strategic marketing excellence. 🌟

Brandon demonstrated exceptional initiative in developing and delivering impactful marketing presentations grounded in thorough research, insightful analysis, and strong business acumen. His strategic perspective and command of the subject matter enabled him to confidently address challenging questions from corporate leadership, facilitate meaningful discussions, and bring critical market opportunities into focus.

By clearly articulating evolving market dynamics, the importance of timing, and the risks associated with missed opportunities, Brandon helped drive informed decision-making and strengthened our understanding of key factors shaping future business growth.

Brandon's work exemplifies our core value of resilience and ownership. He consistently remained positive, solution-oriented, and composed under pressure while delivering meaningful results and creating value across the organization.

Brandon, thank you for your professionalism, confidence, and strategic leadership. Your ability to transform complex market intelligence into actionable business insight continues to influence decision-making and drive value across the organization.

13/08/2026

CO₂ sensing starts with a simple principle: certain gas molecules absorb specific wavelengths of infrared light.

In this demonstration, Gary Spingarn explains how a 4.3 μm IR LED and InAsSb photodiodes work together in a non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) sensing system to measure CO₂ concentration.

The video explores:

🔻How CO₂ absorbs infrared energy at 4.3 μm
🔻 The role of sensing and reference channels in NDIR measurements
🔻 Why emitter and detector performance influences sensitivity and stability
🔻 A live demonstration showing real-time CO₂ detection using human breath

From indoor air quality monitoring to industrial and environmental sensing, NDIR remains one of the most widely used techniques for gas analysis.

Watch the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Soecs9IIqo

Discover how Non-Dispersive Infrared (NDIR) technology measures car...

11/08/2026

High-quality digital pathology begins with high-quality imaging.

Hamamatsu's NanoZoomer family of digital slide scanners delivers high-resolution whole slide imaging for a broad range of digital pathology workflows.

From compact laboratories to high-throughput environments, NanoZoomer systems are designed to provide dependable image acquisition, flexible workflows, and scalable digitization solutions.

Explore the NanoZoomer portfolio to find the system that fits your laboratory's needs.
https://nanozoomer.hamamatsu.com/eu/en.html

06/08/2026

⚛️⟨Q|School begins next week!

We're looking forward to supporting the ⟨Q|School Single Photonics Short Course at the University of Colorado Boulder, where students, researchers, and engineers gain hands-on experience with the photonic technologies driving today's quantum research.

Be sure to attend Matt Seeley's:

• Lecture on laser sources for quantum applications
• Hands-on lab featuring a SuperK laser and tunable filter

We look forward to connecting with students, researchers, and engineers throughout the course.

Learn more:
https://www.colorado.edu/initiative/cubit/q-school

⚛️ The future of quantum starts with a single photon.

Hamamatsu Corporation is pleased to support the ⟨Q|School Single Photonics Short Course: Sources, Detectors and Measurements at the University of Colorado Boulder as a sponsor.

Designed for students, researchers, and engineers, this immersive course provides a practical foundation in the photonic technologies driving quantum research. Through expert-led lectures and hands-on laboratory sessions, participants gain experience with:

• Single-photon sources
• Single-photon detectors
• Calibration and measurement techniques

As part of the program, Matt Seeley from Hamamatsu Corporation will share his expertise through:

• A lecture on laser sources for quantum applications
• A hands-on lab featuring a SuperK laser and tunable filter

We look forward to connecting with this year's ⟨Q|School participants and contributing to another outstanding program in quantum education.

Learn more about the course:
https://www.colorado.edu/initiative/cubit/q-school

05/08/2026

Today we celebrate two big milestones for Kathleen Tollerton: her recent 20-year anniversary with Hamamatsu Corporation and her well-earned retirement.

Throughout her 20 years with Hamamatsu, Kathi has been a dedicated and valued member of our team. Her dedication, professionalism, and warm personality have made a lasting impact on our team, and she has been a valued colleague and friend to many.

Kathi shared she will take with her the many friendships and wonderful memories she has made during her time at Hamamatsu – both reflect the genuine connections she built and the difference she made in the lives of her colleagues.

Helping celebrate this special occasion are Rich Beam, Brett Zuder, Ellen Dugan, and Ciprian Almonte, whose friendship and support made the moment even more meaningful.

Please join us in congratulating Kathi on her remarkable career and retirement. We wish her all the best in this exciting new chapter! 💙

04/08/2026

Join Klea Dhimitri tomorrow at the Photonics Spectra Quantum Summit to learn how test and measurement strategies help validate performance and support scalability across the quantum ecosystem.

From detectors and waveguides to wafer inspection and process control, discover technologies enabling the transition from quantum research to real-world applications.

Register for the summit:
https://events.photonics.com/Presentation.aspx?EID=57&PID=1859