Photonics News No 13
Photonics News Magazine - Issue 13
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Editorial
PN Nordic #13
Dear Reader,
Photonics is the key technology today and in the future; it has the unlimited potential to enhance innovation in several industries. The versatile technology of generating, guiding, manipulating, amplifying, and detecting light is behind many of the innovations which have transformed the way we live. In this issue of Photonic News, we will take a closer look at applications in your home environment where photonics is the key enabling technology.
At LASER COMPONENTS, we have been serving customers since 1982 with sales branches in five different countries. We have been producing in house since 1986 with production facilities in Germany, Canada, and the United States. In-house production makes up approximately half of our sales revenue.
We will be celebrating our 40th anniversary this year and now employ over 250 people at the seven LASER COMPONENTS' locations worldwide. This number has more than doubled in the past 10 years. Summarizing 2021, we have broken all the records set in the past. In terms of sales, we have been able to record an increase of around 25% globally and above 50% for the Nordic market.
To support all our sites in this growth in the best way possible, we decided some time ago to establish a holding structure. The parent company, which will henceforth operate under the name Photona GmbH, will support its subsidiaries by providing internal services in the areas of quality management, efficiency, financing, controlling, digitalization, and IT solutions. In keeping with the spirit of a family business, the areas of culture, image, and corporate values are also anchored in the holding company and are for all subsidiaries. In addition, the holding company sets the common goals and the coordinated strategic direction. The team will soon be expanded to include new business development and new technologies.
With this new structure, we retain the flexibility typical of medium-sized companies and at the same time utilize centrally available expertise that is normally only found in companies that are significantly larger than us.
Enjoy reading!
Fredrik Wikfeldt
CEO, Laser Components Nordic AB
With the Power of the Sun
Beyond Borders
Electricity prices are rising, and environmental awareness is increasing. Many consumers are looking to gain more independence from the big energy suppliers – with renewable energy sources, of course. Upon closer look, setting up a wind turbine in the backyard or a private biomass power plant is an unrealistic endeavor. That leaves solar energy. The federal and state governments are promoting this initiative. At the same time, research and technology are working on more efficient and cost-effective ways to harness the power of the sun. Laser technology plays a decisive role in implementation. Will we soon be able to turn our houses into small solar power plants without having to cover them with “ugly” mirror surfaces?
How Pure Is Our Water?
Beyond Borders
When it comes to water hygiene, we tend to think of developed countries with safe water distribution systems and poor, third world countries where lots of people do not have access to drinking water. In the highly developed industrial countries of “the West”, we take it for granted that we can drink tap water without considering any health issues. It is true that authorities have set up high standards for water quality. Municipalities and water suppliers go to great lengths to make sure these standards are met. So why are there still drinking water-related infections in highly developed countries such as Europe, Britain, or the U.S.? And are there ways to increase tap water quality?
“It Is Useful to First See the Spark Before the Fire”
Japanese Proverb
Residential fires are among the most feared dangers of everyday life. Luckily, we can take precautions: in many countries, homeowners are required to cover financial risks with fire insurance and experts recommend having a fire extinguisher ready at hand. Most of these measures only deal with the most obvious feature of a fire, though: the flames. For a long time, the most dangerous aspect went unnoticed. Most of the fire-related deaths are caused by smoke. It was not until about a decade ago that authorities in many countries took this into account and made smoke detectors mandatory for all homes.
New Products
Beyond Borders
LASER COMPONENTS Nordic - Your competent partner for optical and optoelectronic components in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland.
Welcome to LASER COMPONENTS Nordic AB, your expert for photonics components. Each product in our wide range of detectors, laser diodes, laser modules, optics, fiber optics, and more is worth every Crown (SEK). Our customized solutions cover all conceivable areas of application: from sensor technology to medical technology. You can reach us here:
Box 14001 / Skårs led 3
SE-400 20 Göteborg
Sweden
Phone: +46 (0)31 703 7173
Email: info(at)
