Dr. Yakov Soskind
SPIE Involvement:
Conference Chair | Editor | Author | Instructor
Area of Expertise:
Photonic and Laser Instrumentation , Diffractive Optics , Optical Design , Laser Beam Shaping and Combining , Electro-Optical Systems and Sensors , Physical Optics
Profile Summary

Yakov G. Soskind is actively involved in Photonics Instrumentation Development. For over 30 years, Dr. Soskind has made extensive contributions in the areas of optical engineering, laser systems development, fiber-optics and photonics instrumentation, diffractive and micro-optics, imaging, and illumination devices. Dr. Soskind is a founding chair of the Photonic Instrumentation Engineering conference. He is the author of Field Guide to Diffractive Optics, SPIE Press, 2011, and has been awarded more than 35 domestic and international patents.
Publications (28)

Proceedings Article | 13 March 2024 Presentation
Proceedings Volume PC12897, PC128970M (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3008366
KEYWORDS: Beam splitters, Polarization, Infrared radiation, Design and modelling, Polarizers, Photonics systems, Windows, Transparency, System integration, Sensors

Proceedings Article | 27 September 2016 Paper
Proceedings Volume 9950, 99500E (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2237354
KEYWORDS: Laser beam propagation, Beam shaping, Laser beam characterization, Standards development, Bridges, Beam propagation method, Adaptive optics, Optical testing, Laser applications, Laser metrology

Proceedings Article | 13 May 2016 Paper
Proceedings Volume 9834, 98340G (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2228298
KEYWORDS: Laser resonators, Modes of laser operation, Mirrors, Laser applications, Solid state lighting, High power lasers, Laser beam propagation, Laser damage threshold, Laser development, Laser systems engineering, Laser resonators

Proceedings Article | 16 March 2016 Paper
Proceedings Volume 9754, 97540M (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2217526
KEYWORDS: Laser beam propagation, Photonic devices, Laser beam characterization, Diffraction, Wavefront distortions, Superposition, Phased array optics, Metrology, Light sources, Beam propagation method, Beam shaping, Wave propagation, Gaussian beams, Bessel beams, Wavefronts, Axicons

SPIE Journal Paper | 3 September 2015
OE, Vol. 54, Issue 11, 111309, (September 2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/1.OE.54.11.111309
KEYWORDS: Laser beam propagation, Adaptive optics, Beam shaping, Cylindrical lenses, Beam propagation method, Optical engineering, Laser resonators, Modes of laser operation, Superposition, Photonics

Showing 5 of 28 publications
Proceedings Volume Editor (11)

SPIE Conference Volume | 29 March 2024

SPIE Conference Volume | 14 April 2023

SPIE Conference Volume | 14 April 2022

SPIE Conference Volume | 15 April 2021

SPIE Conference Volume | 2 March 2020

Showing 5 of 11 publications
Conference Committee Involvement (22)
Photonic Instrumentation Engineering XII
25 January 2025 | San Francisco, California, United States
Photonic Instrumentation Engineering XI
29 January 2024 | San Francisco, California, United States
Photonic Instrumentation Engineering X
30 January 2023 | San Francisco, California, United States
Photonic Instrumentation Engineering IX
24 January 2022 | San Francisco, California, United States
Photonic Instrumentation Engineering VIII
6 March 2021 | Online Only, California, United States
Showing 5 of 22 Conference Committees
Course Instructor
SC1071: Understanding Diffractive and Meta-Optics
The course covers the fundamental principles of diffraction phenomena. It also includes numerous applications of diffractive components in optical and photonics systems, and covers recent developments and trends in the field, Attendees will be presented with optical field distributions and graphs to develop a qualitative understanding of diffraction and to establish the basis for fundamental relations and important trends. Attendees will also learn the important terminology employed in the field of diffractive optics. A comprehensive overview of the main types of diffractive optical components will be provided, including phase plates, diffraction gratings, binary optics, diffractive kinoforms, stepped-diffractive surfaces, holographic optical elements, meta-optics, and photonic crystals. Based on practical examples presented by the instructor, attendees will learn the benefit of incorporating diffractive optical components in optical and photonics instruments, such as augmented and virtual reality displays, optical data storage devices, imaging optics, optical tweezers, photonic sensors, and laser systems.
SC1121: Recent Developments in Laser Beam Engineering
This course covers fundamental principles and recent developments in laser beam engineering, including the formation of propagation-invariant laser beams and their transformations, formation of structured illumination, beam shaping, and beam combining. The course instructor will provide a detailed description of different laser beam types, their properties and propagation characteristics, as well as beam quality criteria. This includes the criteria required for resolving ambiguities in beam quality defined based on the M2 parameter. The course will also provide a comprehensive overview of laser output power scaling techniques, including coherent and incoherent beam combining. Based on numerous examples presented by the instructor, attendees will learn about exciting applications of modern beam shaping techniques and how laser beams are employed in a variety of modern photonics instruments, including laser scanners for autonomous navigation LIDAR systems, laser projection systems for 3D metrology, wearable display and augmented reality devices, laser machining, materials processing, and micro-manipulation.
SC1166: Physical Optics Design (with Examples)
This course introduces the audience to design principles and simulation techniques employed in physical optics design. The course covers the fundamental principles of physical optics that are governed by the wave phenomenon of light and need to be accounted for during the design process. Attendees will learn how to apply physical optics simulations to control light distributions in photonics instruments. The instructor will illustrate physical optics design principles based on several practical design examples that demonstrate the application of physical optics design techniques to successful photonics instrumentation development. The design examples include the following topics: point-spread function engineering and optical superresolution; light coupling in integrated photonics and fiber optics devices; optical systems employing diffractive components; laser beam shaping, beam combining, and propagation; propagation-invariant laser beams and self-healing phenomenon; design of components employing sub-wavelength structures.
SC1055: Applied Diffractive Optics
This course covers the operational principles of diffractive optical components in modern photonic instruments. It also covers terminology in the field of diffractive optics, as well as delivers a comprehensive overview of the main types of diffractive optics components. The instructor provides attendees with an understanding of basic principles of diffraction phenomena, making an emphasis on qualitative understanding of diffraction by the use of field distributions and graphs, and providing the insight into the fundamental relations and the important trends. Attention is paid to the numerous applications and functions performed by diffractive optical components in photonic systems. The main methods for fabricating diffractive components are surveyed.
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