Optics and Photonics: A Midyear Look

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Optica members have reported playing an endless game of Whack-a-Mole, trying to address shortages in products as diverse as metal for optical bench surfaces and packing materials—particularly in silicon electronics. If anything, the shortages are worse today. Companies have drawn down stockpiles and have resorted to paying brokers premiums to get parts, or redesigning their products to use more available parts. China’s lockdowns this year created new delays for products—and the country may enter a recession as a result.