Laser Focus World is an industry bedrock—first published in 1965 and still going strong. We publish original articles about cutting-edge advances in lasers, optics, photonics, sensors, and quantum technologies, as well as test and measurement, and the shift currently underway to usher in the photonic integrated circuits, optical interconnects, and copackaged electronics and photonics to deliver the speed and efficiency essential for data centers of the future.

Our 80,000 qualified print subscribers—and 130,000 12-month engaged online audience—trust us to dive in and provide original journalism you won’t find elsewhere covering key emerging areas such as laser-driven inertial confinement fusion, lasers in space, integrated photonics, chipscale lasers, LiDAR, metasurfaces, high-energy laser weaponry, photonic crystals, and quantum computing/sensors/communications. We cover the innovations driving these markets.

Laser Focus World is part of Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

Laser Focus World Membership

Never miss any articles, videos, podcasts, or webinars by signing up for membership access to Laser Focus World online. You can manage your preferences all in one place—and provide our editorial team with your valued feedback.

Magazine Subscription

Can you subscribe to receive our print issue for free? Yes, you sure can!

Newsletter Subscription

Laser Focus World newsletter subscription is free to qualified professionals:

The Daily Beam

Showcases the newest content from Laser Focus World, including photonics- and optics-based applications, components, research, and trends. (Daily)

Product Watch

The latest in products within the photonics industry. (9x per year)

Bio & Life Sciences Product Watch

The latest in products within the biophotonics industry. (4x per year)

Laser Processing Product Watch

The latest in products within the laser processing industry. (3x per year)

Get Published!

If you’d like to write an article for us, reach out with a short pitch to Sally Cole Johnson: [email protected]. We love to hear from you.

Photonics Hot List

Laser Focus World produces a video newscast that gives a peek into what’s happening in the world of photonics.

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast

Following the Photons: A Photonics Podcast dives deep into the fascinating world of photonics. Our weekly episodes feature interviews and discussions with industry and research experts, providing valuable perspectives on the issues, technologies, and trends shaping the photonics community.

Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology

AI Demand Sparks Opportunities for These 3 Nuclear Energy Leaders

Nuclear energy — Photo

2025 appears poised to be a banner year for nuclear energy companies. Demand for energy has never been higher—the U.S. Energy Information Administration estimated that the United States' total power demand for 2024 was 4.1 trillion kilowatt-hours (kWh), a record, and estimates for 2025 are even larger. Beyond that, demand is especially high for clean energy sources that have a minimal negative impact on the climate, and nuclear energy fits that bill well.

There are even more reasons to be excited about nuclear stocks in 2025: companies finally have clarity on clean hydrogen production tax credits outlined in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, and nuclear companies stand to benefit; Congress banned in 2024 enriched uranium imports from Russia, a major supplier, further incentivizing domestic companies; and microreactor technology is thriving, potentially shortening the runway to clean energy solutions for remote areas and other underserved populations.

Amid all of this, the AI boom is a major driver of interest in nuclear energy. AI energy demands are skyrocketing and could require 14 gigawatts of new power by 2030; in some cases AI energy demands are projected to reach a third of a country's total energy requirements by as early as next year. Though investors could certainly search for a targeted nuclear-themed ETF like the VanEck Uranium and Nuclear ETF (NYSEARCA: NLR), three companies in particular may be worth watching at this time.

Oklo: Catering to Data Center Clientele, With Agreements to Prove It

If it seems that Oklo Inc. (NYSE: OKLO) is tailor-made to the needs of AI companies, it may be no surprise that the board chair of this nuclear firm is OpenAI leader Sam Altman. Oklo's modular reactors specialize in producing low-carbon, continuous energy that exactly matches the needs of AI firms looking to power data centers. The company is on track to be among the very first nuclear outfits to bring its small modular reactors to market.

Data center providers are listening. In December 2024, Oklo announced that it had signed a non-binding agreement to provide a total capacity of 12 gigawatts of power to Las Vegas data center operator Switch through 2044.

Oklo remains small, with a market capitalization of just $3.0 billion as of January 16, 2025. Still, shares have already risen rapidly, climbing by more than 128% in the year leading to that date. Should deals like the one with Switch continue to come through, that could help to push Oklo shares even higher.

Cameco: Advantageous Position and Investments

Cameco Corp. (NYSE: CCJ) is the largest publicly-traded uranium company at a market capitalization of more than $21.5 billion as of January 16, 2025. With the recent movement toward increased uranium enrichment capacity in the United States by the Department of Energy, Cameco stands poised to benefit.

It is unclear how the U.S. government's policies toward nuclear energy may change with a new administration, but Cameco's substantial reserves and significant production capacity should ensure that it remains competitive regardless. The company also has strategic investments including a 49% stake in nuclear plant technology company Westinghouse, allowing it a clear path to help streamline operations and potentially boost revenue.

Analysts are optimistic about Cameco, with all seven analyst ratings of the firm recorded as Buy and upside potential of nearly 35% as of January 16, 2025.

NANO Nuclear Energy: Up-and-Comer With Microreactor Focus

NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. (NASDAQ: NNE) is a small up-and-coming nuclear firm founded just three years ago. With a market capitalization of about $857 million, it is substantially smaller than many other players in the field. A pre-revenue firm, it is a riskier bet than an established nuclear company like Vistra Corp. (NYSE: VST).

However, NANO's developments in the microreactor space, mentioned above, may warrant a closer look for investors with a higher risk tolerance. Further, NANO is strengthening its position in this subindustry, having in mid-January completed a purchase of undisclosed assets related to the modular nuclear reactor business of Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp. Two analysts have rated NANO a Buy and assigned it a consensus price target of $58.00, nearly 148% above current levels as of January 16.

More News

View More

Recent Quotes

View More
Symbol Price Change (%)
AMZN  213.04
-1.43 (-0.67%)
AAPL  252.29
+4.84 (1.96%)
AMD  233.08
-1.48 (-0.63%)
BAC  51.28
+0.84 (1.67%)
GOOG  253.79
+1.91 (0.76%)
META  716.91
+4.84 (0.68%)
MSFT  513.58
+1.97 (0.39%)
NVDA  183.16
+1.35 (0.74%)
ORCL  291.31
-21.69 (-6.93%)
TSLA  439.31
+10.56 (2.46%)
Stock Quote API & Stock News API supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms Of Service.