Day in the Life of an Optics Production Manager @thorlabs

Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago

What does an Optics Production Manager do?

In this Day in the Life video, we follow Jim Capelakos, Optics Production Manager at our Newton, NJ facility. Jim shows us what his typical day looks like, from developing new production processes to maintaining and mentoring the future leaders of Thorlabs!

You’ll learn about the optics he helps produce, the new technologies he uses to make them, and the exciting career path he has followed for over 50 years.

Thorlabs’ Day in the Life series highlights real employees, their career paths, and shows how their work supports innovation across the company.

Curious about a future in photonics? Learn more at thorlabs.com/careers&ytid=X10fBA_GBDk

#TeamThorlabs #Optics #STEMCareers #Photonics

Day in the Life of an Optics Production Manager

Thorlabs Mobile Photonics Lab Experience @ SCCC

$Distinguish the Fast and Slow Axes of a Quarter-Wave Plate | Thorlabs Insights A wave plate has two axes, and light polarized parallel to the slow axis is delayed more than light polarized parallel to the orthogonal fast axis. The wave plates retardance determines the delay difference. A couple of crossed polarizers can be used to locate an axis (https://youtu.be/P0asuzX4x-Q) but cannot identify the axis as fast or slow. However, by including a mirror in the setup and comparing optical power measurements with calculated values, it is possible to distinguish between the fast and slow axes of a quarter-wave plate. Note that this technique cannot be used to distinguish the fast and slow axes of a half-wave plate. The video includes an overview of the measurement setup and discussion of the conventions used to align and orient the optical components. The accurate interpretation of the results depends on these details, including whether the transmission axes of the generating and analyzing polarizers are parallel or orthogonal (crossed). Crossed polarizers are used in this demonstration, in contrast to a paper [1] that also describes the technique. The fast and slow axes of the quarter-wave plate are identified by comparing measurements of the power transmitted through the system to a pair of theoretical curves. The Fresnel reflection equations, as well as other equations, needed to compute these curves are provided. The refractive index of the reflective surface is required to generate these curves. Be aware that complex refractive indices can be written with a positive or a negative sign before the imaginary part, depending on the preferred convention. While either option is compatible with this approach, the chosen sign affects the interpretation of the curves. In this demonstration, the positive-sign convention was chosen. [1] Petre Cătălin Logofătu, Simple method for determining the fast axis of a wave plate, Opt. Eng. 44, 3316-3318 (2002). 00:00 - Introduction 01:04 - Circular Polarization and Handedness Conventions 03:14 - Experimental Set Up 05:50 -Overview of the System and its Model Equations 07:01 - Power Measurements Acquired 07:31 - Fast Axis Distinguished from Slow Axis Components used in this demonstration include: - HeNe Laser: https://www.thorlabs.com/navigation.cfm?guide_id=125&YVI=14 - Optical Isolator: https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_ID=2996&YVI=14 - Linear Polarizers: https://www.thorlabs.com/navigation.cfm?guide_id=2459&YVI=14 - PRM1 Rotation Mount: https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=990&pn=PRM1&YVI=14 - Wave Plates: https://www.thorlabs.com/navigation.cfm?guide_id=23&YVI=14 - WPMQ05M-633 Quarter-Wave Plate: https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=713&pn=WPMQ05M-633&YVI=14 - PF10-03-M03 Unprotected Gold Mirror: https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=8851&pn=PF10-03-M03&YVI=14 - KM100 Mirror Mount: https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=1492&pn=KM100&YVI=14 - SM1D12D Iris: https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=1479&pn=SM1D12D&YVI=14 - SM1L20 Lens Tube: https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=3307&pn=SM1L20&YVI=14 - SM1QA Quick-Release Lens Tube Adapter: https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=3758&pn=SM1QA&YVI=14 - S130C Power Sensor: https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=3328&pn=S130C&YVI=14 - PM400 Power Meter: https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=10562&pn=PM400&YVI=14 For more photonics how-to videos, visit https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=14062&YVI=14$

Thorlabs FFS2000 Workstations: Setup, Power Up, and Power Down

Laser Scanning Techniques and Applications

Quantum Eraser | Thorlabs Quantum Optics Educational Kit Alignment Guide

Solar Viewing Glasses & Optical Density | Focused Insights

$Rapid Optical Prototyping with QuickTurn™ Optics | Inside Thorlabs Thorlabs QuickTurn™ Optics capabilities enable the rapid design, prototyping, and manufacture of optical components and systems. Using our in-house capabilities and expertise, our team can deliver custom multi-element assemblies and engineered components in a fraction of typical industry lead time. With a focus on our customers experience and satisfaction, our engineers will ensure that your prototypes and custom optical assemblies will provide the performance you need for even the most demanding applications. To learn more about our QuickTurn Optics, visit https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=15748&ytid=Yh5zbDVCX9M To learn about our Custom Optical Assemblies, visit https://www.thorlabs.com/newgrouppage9.cfm?objectgroup_id=15773&ytid=Yh5zbDVCX9M$

Thorlabs |

Day in the Life of an Optics Production Manager