Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Welcome to Laser Focus World’s Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast, produced by Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B. Here, we take a deep dive into the fascinating world of photonics and optics. With a legacy dating back to 1965, Laser Focus World has been a trusted source for comprehensive global coverage of technologies, applications, and markets in these dynamic fields. Following the Photons is an extension of that legacy. This podcast — hosted by Justine Murphy, an editor with Laser Focus World and multimedia director of Endeavor Business Media’s Digital Infrastructure group — features interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your journey in photonics, this podcast is your go-to resource for staying informed and inspired. Tune in and stay laser-focused on the future of light-based technologies.

Episodes

January 6, 2026 25 mins

This first episode of 2026 features Craig Bandes, president and CEO of next-generation nanomaterial developer/manufacturer Pixelligent Technologies. He has more than 25 years of experience as a CEO, entrepreneur, and investor covering industries including technology and defense.

Mark as Played

As 2025 draws to a close, we're revisiting the year's interesting and intriguing interviews. Here are excerpts from the top 5 most popular Following the Photons episodes of 2025.

Thank you all for your continued support! Cheers to a happy and prosperous 2026!

 

Mark as Played
December 22, 2025 6 mins

Here's another edition of Light News! Join host Justine Murphy as she follows the photons into some of the coolest, most exciting news impacting the photonics industry.

Mark as Played
December 16, 2025 16 mins

Host Justine Murphy talked recently with Michele Nichols, president of Launch Team Inc., a strategic marketing firm that helps photonics-focused companies to navigate change and ultimately boost their competitive advantage.

In this episode, Michele shares her perspectives on the state of the industry and where it’s headed, as well as some thoughts and hopes for the future.

 

Mark as Played
December 9, 2025 22 mins

This episode features Dirk Hauschild, a Senior Strategic Marketing Expert with Focuslight Technologies.

He talks with host Justine Murphy about his more than 30 years of experience in the design, development, and integration of micro-optical components and systems, his work with Focuslight, and his thoughts on the future.

Mark as Played
December 2, 2025 12 mins

In this second installment of a two-part episode, Dr. Aydogan Ozcan—a chancellor’s professor in the Samueli Electrical & Computer Engineering school at UCLA, where he also leads the Bio- and Nanophotonics Lab—reflects on some important lessons learned throughout his career that he’s passing on to the next generation of researchers, and we delve into what’s needed to keep the U.S. competitive globally in the research and develop...

Mark as Played
November 24, 2025 6 mins

This week features another edition of Light News, a quick roundup of some of the coolest, most exciting news impacting the photonics industry. Let's go follow those photons!

Mark as Played
November 17, 2025 20 mins

Here, host Justine Murphy talks with Dr. Aydogan Ozcan, an extremely accomplished professor, lab leader, and mentor who has spent years studying and developing technologies in areas including computational imaging, deep learning optics, and microscopy.

This first of a two-part episode dives into some interesting aspects of his work and experiences in the photonics industry.

Mark as Played
November 10, 2025 24 mins

This episode features a fun, insightful interview with Lee Steneken, president of Esco Optics. He’s a third-generation president of the family-owned company who moved up the ranks from a part-time machine operator during his high school years, to various roles in marketing and sales after college, before taking the helm as president in 2011.

In this episode, he talks with host Justine Murphy about his years in the optics industry, ...

Mark as Played
November 4, 2025 24 mins

This week features a great interview with Dr. Tara Fortier, a project leader in the Time and Frequency Division at NIST, a role in which she oversees cutting-edge research in precision optical and microwave metrology, and laser source development.

She’s heavily involved in the scientific community via organizations like the American Physical Society and Optica, and active participation in outreach programs like SPIE’s Women in Opti...

Mark as Played
October 28, 2025 15 mins

This episode features Sargis Hakobyan, an R&D team leader with SPhotonix. He joined the company earlier this year to lead its new photonics lab in Switzerland, where he is the Senior Laser Materials Processing Engineer.

Sargis is a multilingual laser physicist who has long focused in solid-state femtosecond and semiconductor laser development.

Mark as Played
October 21, 2025 16 mins

In this second installment of a two-part episode, Metalenz CEO Rob Devlin talks about what the future holds for the company and the industry overall, and offers some advice for others looking to take a similar path.

Mark as Played
October 14, 2025 17 mins

In this first of a two-part series, host Justine Murphy talks with Rob Devlin, co-founder and CEO of Metalenz. He has a PhD in applied physics from Harvard University, where he worked closely with Federico Capasso. The two ultimately founded Metalenz to commercialize their breakthrough research in metasurface optics.

Mark as Played
October 6, 2025 13 mins

This episode features Mohamed Elsherif, postdoctoral associate whose research bridges bioelectronics, optics, and nanomaterials to develop innovative wearable and ingestible devices for healthcare. 

Mark as Played
September 29, 2025 7 mins

Here's another roundup of some of the most exciting news happening in the photonics industry!

Mark as Played
September 23, 2025 20 mins

This week features host Justine Murphy’s thought-provoking discussion with Ifor Samuel and Andrea Di Falco, both professors and researchers at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

Together, they're working to revolutionize the use of organic LEDs and metasurfaces in a plethora of applications.

Mark as Played
September 16, 2025 16 mins

Here is a great interview with Jeroen Hoet, co-founder and CEO of eyeo, a new Netherlands-based startup that's working to revolutionize imaging. 

 

Mark as Played
September 9, 2025 7 mins

In this edition of Following the Photons, host Justine Murphy delves into the market sector of one of the photonics industry, with statistics, projections, and expert insight.

Mark as Played
September 2, 2025 6 mins

This episode features a roundup of some of the most interesting news impacting the business sector of the photonics and optics industry, from company collaborations to funding awards and more.

Mark as Played
August 26, 2025 20 mins

In this episode, host Justine Murphy talks with Nelufar Mohajeri, director of Membership and Community Development at SPIE, Peter Andersen, leader of the Biophotonic Imaging Group and head of DTU Health Tech PhD School at the Technical University of Denmark, and Stefan Andersson-Engels, who is head of Biophotonics and deputy director of the Irish Photonics Integration Centre at Tyndall National Institute and a professor of Physics ...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    The Breakfast Club

    The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!

    24/7 News: The Latest

    The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc.