During SPIE Photonics West last month, host Justine Murphy had the opportunity to talk with many people across the photonics industry, including Dr. Lewis Johnson, Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of NLM Photonics.

He has more than 18 years of research and development experience in materials and new technologies for photonics and cleantech, and a career that spans entrepreneurship, academia, and national labs.

Listen now to this really interesting conversation from the Photonics West show floor!

This episode features Dr. Patrick Heissler, CEO of SCRONA. He has a doctorate in physics from the Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics, and has conducted research at institutions including Los Alamos National Lab.

In this chat, we covered his current work and initiatives at SCRONA, his involvement in organizations like the Plug and Play Tech Center, and some lessons learned throughout his extensive career.

This episode features Travis Wood, president of Montana-based Lattice Materials, a company specializing in custom infrared optics using silicon and germanium.

He’s also a board member of the Montana Photonics and Quantum Alliance, and works closely with the Photonic and Laser Technology program at Montana State University’s Gallatin College.

In this fun chat, he talks with host Justine Murphy about Lattice Materials and some recent accolades, as well as workplace culture, the company’s ever-advancing role in the photonics industry, and the growing photonics hub in Montana.