# An Interview with Mark Morin of Nufern

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2016-03-11
- Length: 1h 12m
- Episode: 290
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-03-11-an-interview-with-mark-morin-of-nufern
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/290-an-interview-with-mark-morin-of-nufern/

## Summary

Mark Morin, Principal Engineer at Nufern, explains the physics of fiber optics, rare-earth-doped fiber amplifiers, and the design of high-power pulsed lasers like the NuQ. He details a specific supply chain crisis involving the obsolescence of an obsolete Motorola MRF553 RF transistor, which led to a failed replacement from a fly-by-night manufacturer and a costly redesign. The episode also covers the practical challenges of laser driver circuitry, component selection, and Nufern's current job openings in East Granby, Connecticut.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-03-11-an-interview-with-mark-morin-of-nufern#t=0) Introduction and Nufern Overview
- [2:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-03-11-an-interview-with-mark-morin-of-nufern#t=138) Fiber Optics and Polarization Maintaining Fiber
- [6:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-03-11-an-interview-with-mark-morin-of-nufern#t=360) Fiber Laser Physics and Amplification
- [15:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-03-11-an-interview-with-mark-morin-of-nufern#t=959) Laser Diode Drivers and Modulation
- [38:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-03-11-an-interview-with-mark-morin-of-nufern#t=2330) The MRF553 Obsolescence Crisis
- [45:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-03-11-an-interview-with-mark-morin-of-nufern#t=2725) Redesigning for Obsolete Components
- [51:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-03-11-an-interview-with-mark-morin-of-nufern#t=3103) Laser Safety and Photodiode Monitoring
- [1:00:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-03-11-an-interview-with-mark-morin-of-nufern#t=3659) Fiber Connectors and Q1 Failure Theory
- [1:08:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2016-03-11-an-interview-with-mark-morin-of-nufern#t=4115) Nufern Job Openings and Conclusion

## Topics

- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Analog & power electronics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/analog-and-power-electronics)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Nufern (company)
- NuQ (product)
- MRF553 (chip)
- Altium (tool)
- DigiKey (company)
- Motorola (company)
- Northrop Grumman (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [For Want of a Resistor](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2026-09-16-for-want-of-a-resistor) (Oxide and Friends)
- [From Apple to OpenLight: Silicon Photonics and Integrated Lasers with Dr. Tom Mader](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/moores-lobby/2023-04-18-from-apple-to-openlight-silicon-photonics-and-integrated-lasers-with-dr-tom-made) (Moore's Lobby)
- [What's Driving the Next Wave of Electronics Engineers?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ontrack/2025-01-31-whats-driving-the-next-wave-of-electronics-engineers) (OnTrack)
- [251: I Agreed at the Time](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2018-06-29-251-i-agreed-at-the-time) (Embedded.fm)
- [The Spark Gap - Episode 41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-spark-gap/2015-10-14-the-spark-gap-episode-41) (The Spark Gap)

## Citing this page

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