HUBER+SUHNER Cube Optics AG

If you work with optical networks, you've come across the terms insertion loss and return loss... but could you explain the difference on the spot? In this #brainsnack episode Thomas Petigk explains both concepts and how they are related. After watching you will clearly understand and remember why it is good to have a low insertion loss and a high return loss.

Small detail, big impact... connector end-face polishing. In this #brainsnack, James F. Merchant walks through the practical differences between PC, UPC and APC, and explains why: ✅ why reflections are the silent troublemaker ✅ why APC isn’t always the default choice ✅ and why blue + green should never meet And more importantly: what actually happens when they get mixed (hint: it’s not just bad performance… it’s irreversible damage).

Sometimes it’s the smallest things that cause the biggest headaches in manufacturing. In this #brainsnack, Thomas Petigk and Maya Essberger go behind the scenes of our automated production and look at how micro‑optical parts are handled when mechanical grippers just don’t cut it anymore. Together Thomas and Maya break down: - the basic principle and challenges of vacuum pickers - what makes our pickers even more challenging - how Maya's bachelor thesis solved these challenges A great example of why precision optics isn’t just about light paths and coatings, but also about reliable, well‑thought‑out production processes. 👉 Watch the full #brainsnack and let us know what surprised you most.

Do you know why optical connectors are spring-loaded?!? In this #brainsnack, Thomas Petigk takes a hands‑on look inside an LC connector and explains what’s really going on: ✅ What is the function of the ferrule ✅ Why physical contact between fibers is critical ✅ How a simple spring helps avoid insertion loss, return loss, and nasty surprises in the network It’s a great reminder that even very small mechanical details can have a big impact on optical performance. 👉 If you design, specify, or debug optical links: this #brainsnack is for you! Are there other optical components you would like us to open up next?

We’ve been using these terms for years - but in AI data centers, one of them has quietly changed its meaning. In this #brainsnack, James F. Merchant looks at how AI workloads are reshaping how we scale compute: ✅ Why scaling AI is different ✅ Scale-up explained ✅ Scale-out explained ✅ Scale-across "traditional" vs. AI data centers Yes, AI scale-across currently isn't the default architecture today - latency, jitter, and synchronization still make it extremely challenging - but power and cooling limits combined with the growth rate of #AIdatacenters are forcing new thinking. Curious where you think this is heading? Let’s discuss!

How do you get light into a #siliconphotonics chip? 🤔 Edge coupling works, but it has its challenges. That’s where grating couplers come in. In this #brainsnack, Thomas Petigk breaks down: ✅ Why coupling light directly into a waveguide is not trivial ✅ Basic working principle of optical grating ✅ How grating design allows light to enter the SiPh waveguide from the top No heavy math, no buzzwords - just a clean explanation, a whiteboard, and even a CD to make diffraction visible in real life. If you’ve ever wondered why grating couplers work the way they do (and what their trade‑offs are), this one’s for you!

In optical communication we talk about O‑band, C‑band, or L‑band. But which band sits where and, more importantly, why are they segmented the way they are? In this #brainsnack James F. Merchant breaks down: ✅ Why only a small window of the optical spectrum is usable ✅ Why the communication spectrum is segmented ✅ The O- and E-bands explained ✅ The C-band and why it is the main band for modern optical networks James walks through the logic behind each band in a compact, practical way – and explains why some bands are workhorses, others are underutilized, and some only come into play once capacity of another band is maxed out. 👉🏼 Do you work with other bands than O- and C-band? If so, what is your use case?

👀 Wanted: Short-term project support in Embedded Software Engineering We are currently looking for short-term support for a project in the area of embedded software engineering. We are specifically looking for someone with experience in configuring Marvell Ethernet switches using Lua. If this sounds like you or someone you know, please get in touch informally at  hr.cubo@hubersuhner.com or via LinkedIn message and we can discuss the details.

At first glance, an optical splitter and an optical multiplexer (#WDM) module can look almost identical. But as a matter of fact, they solve very different problems. In this #brainsnack, James F. Merchant breaks it down in a simple, visual way: ✅ Optical splitters (passively divide optical power, every output carries the same signal, commonly used in PON / FTTH close to the end user) ✅ Optical multiplexers (combines independent wavelengths onto one fiber, each channel can run its own data rate, ideal for scaling capacity on existing fiber infrastructure) The key takeaway: Splitters are about signal distribution. WDM is about fiber capacity expansion. Whether you're a seasoned engineer or just getting started in optical transport, this #brainsnack video is definitely worth watching! Watch the full video and let me know what you think 👇 #optics #fiberoptics #PON #networkengineering #telecom

UV light is invisible — but its impact definitely isn’t. In this #brainsnack, Thomas Petigk looks at a topic that’s often underestimated: UV safety in daily engineering and clean‑room work. From choosing the right safety goggles to understanding why gloves, clothing, or even “UV‑protected” sunglasses aren’t enough, this #brainsnack connects theory with real measurements. Short, practical, and very relevant if you’re working with UV curing or high‑energy light sources. Curious what you already knew (or didn’t) about UV safety? Let’s discuss 👇 #UVSafety #LaserSafety #CleanRoom #Engineering #Manufacturing #OpticalTechnologies