Optical Coherence Tomography
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is a high-resolution cross-sectional imaging technique that is non-invasive and utilizes NIR light to penetrate into the sample.
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Illuminating Possibilities: Celebrating the Power of Light
Technical
On May 16th, 2025, the world will join together once again to celebrate the UNESCO International Day of Light – a global event that transcends borders by uniting scientists, engineers, educators, and visionaries in recognizing the profound impact that light has on our lives. The day is a callback to Theodore Maiman’s breakthrough into laser operations by successfully shining a high-power flash lamp on a silver-coated ruby rod. Thus, the world’s first laser was born on May 16th, 1960, at the Hughes Research Laboratory in California, United States. Called one of the 20th century discoveries that changed science and the world forever, we have used the power of controlling light to explore space, develop advanced technology on Earth, and bring humankind to its next evolutionary stage. For G&H (LON:GHH), this day holds particular significance as we have started our business in the field of optics and photonics with brimming results.
©️ Quantum technologies
Light is more than mere illumination. It is a language, a tool, and a force of nature that shapes the world around us. At G&H, we understand that light is not just something we observe – it’s something we can harness and manipulate to achieve what once seemed impossible. In our hands, light becomes the enabler of next-generation medical imaging, the cornerstone of quantum breakthroughs, and the guiding beam for precision defense technologies, among its many applications.
The idea of light as a connector is deeply rooted in G&H's history of innovation. In life sciences, light drives transformation – powering laser therapy systems, high-resolution medical imaging, and advanced diagnostic tools. At G&H, we leverage these properties to help medical professionals see and understand the human body with unmatched clarity, making once-hidden conditions visible in real time. Our innovations in OCT, fluorescence imaging, and high-precision diagnostics are redefining patient care.
©️ G&H Embedded Image Periscope (EIP) Biocular
In the realm of quantum technology, our superpolished optics – celebrated for their precision and durability – are advancing high-precision interferometry and enabling groundbreaking scientific experiments. These technologies are not just about transmitting light; they are about sculpting it for the most demanding applications.
This mastery of light extends beyond laboratories and clinics. When we unveiled our Embedded Image Periscope for the Challenger 3 tanks, it wasn’t just about delivering real-time visibility in rugged conditions. It was a testament to our ability to control and leverage light for mission-critical defense applications, reinforcing our commitment to sovereign capabilities.
©️ G&H Ilminster
In fact, G&H’s path has been marked with historical moments for the field of photonics. Some more notable instances include:
- 1970s: G&H quartz crystals are used as ultrasonic delay lines in televisions for better image definition.
- 1980s: Before the 1981 Nobel Prize for optical non-linearities, G&H introduces the AO Q-switch, transforming the company into a leader in Q-switch manufacturing.
- 2008: G&H is presented with the “Vendor Appreciation” award from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) for the supply of crystal quartz wave plates.
- 2014: G&H wins the Institute of Physics (IOP) Award for Innovation for its Fiber-Q fiber-coupled, acousto-optic modulators.
- 2019: G&H becomes a partner on the European project ORIONAS (Lasercom-on-chip for next generation, high-speed satellite constellation interconnectivity).
- 2021: NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover successfully lands on the red planet equipped with a G&H AOTF.
- 2022: A Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) team achieves fusion ignition. The historic achievement is in part made possible through G&H crystals which are critical in NIF’s laser systems (the largest and most energetic system in the world).
- 2024: G&H is awarded a Certificate of Appreciation by NEC Space Technologies from Japan for our world-first space optical fiber amplifiers that played a critical role in JAXA’s LUCAS system.
©️ Optical Coherent Tomography (OCT) examination
For us at G&H, for the past 75+ years, every day provides a reason to celebrate those incredible achievements harnessed through the power of light. That is because we witness what our optics and photonics solutions can do as soon as they leave our manufacturing sites. On this International Day of Light, we proudly stand with the global community to celebrate light's unyielding capacity to illuminate not only our path forward but the possibilities that lie just beyond the horizon.
As the world marks the eighth anniversary of this global observance, we at G&H reflect on our own journey – one where light is both our tool and our inspiration. Looking ahead, we are committed to unlocking even greater possibilities, transforming mere photons into powerful instruments of change.
This May 16th, join us in celebrating the power of light. After all, it's more than just what we see – it’s what we make possible.
