Advancements in photonic technology offer new data transfer capabilities and application potential

By Jeff Reinke, Editorial Director

The analysis of a low beam headlight's projection path. (Photo courtesy of Photon Engineering)

W hat if you could safely embed a laser that runs so hot it could cut any metal in record times? Or how about the ability to transfer large quantities of data via a light source that wasn’t as susceptible to numerous signal quality disruptions? Or what about the ability to control these light transmissions with different material types that aided in data gathering or sensing capabilities? These are some of the advancements and capabilities that recent advancements in photonics have produced.

Photonics, which uses the photon as its fundamental base unit of transmission, focuses on generating and harnessing light and other forms of radiant energy. Its applications can be brought into play whenever assessing quicker ways of dealing with light emission, transmission, deflection, amplification or detection by optical components and instruments, such as lasers, LEDs and other light sources. With functionality similar to semiconductors, photonic advancements are used to improve the way light is transmitted and used, often involving fiber optic and laser technology.

In physics, the photon is the elementary particle responsible for electromagnetic phenomena. It is the carrier of all wavelengths, including gamma rays, X-rays, ultraviolet light, visible light, infrared light, microwaves and radio waves. The photon differs from many other particles, such as the electron, in that it has zero rest mass and travels at the speed of light. So while electronics uses electrons to control, manipulate, transfer and store information with electricity, photonics uses photons and light in the same manner.

The advantages to embedded photonic capabilities not only include speed, but accuracy as well. For example, instrumentation for taking medical measurements, where fractions of an inch are vital in selecting the right heart stent, could be provided more easily and accurately, and in a less pervasive manner.

In physics, the photon is the elementary particle responsible for electromagnetic phenomena, it carriers all wavelengths. (Photo courtesy of Photon Engineering)

Additionally, laser transmission can help a great deal when addressing image processing applications like finger print identification, design pattern recognition or in global positioning systems, or variations thereof like radio frequency identification (RFID). Additional situations where the speed and accuracy of a laser, along with its ability to work around potential signal interference, could be implemented include photography, bar code readers, military weapon production and even high-definition television displays.

As the demand for clearer and more accurate communication delivery mechanisms grow, so should the advancements and implementation of this technology. Although some of its application potential is not yet ready for the mainstream, optical fiber advancements alone are causing a great deal of excitement, and the ability to better focus, control and produced more powerful lasers has already benefited industrial metal cutting equipment.

Just consider the ramifications of embedding a single optical fiber that can carry data equivalent to 300,000,000 simultaneous telephone calls. Also, in theory, almost any physical or environmental parameter can be measured using light, so the ability to provide more accurate temperature, electric current, vibration or sound data more quickly and efficiently, and with less interference, is within reach.

How Fitting

Perhaps the best way to grab onto the capabilities of photonic developments is by looking at some of the projects either in development or in use, and their current and potential impact on the next generation of product offerings:

Enhancement films have been developed for electronic products like LCD projectors, TVs and laptop screens.

• A University of Michigan lab recently generated a laser measuring 20 billion trillion watts per square centimeter with 300 terawatts of power, which is equivalent to 300 times the capacity of the entire U.S. electric grid. Although the beam lasted just 30 femtoseconds, which is a millionth of a billionth of a second, and it measured just 100th the diameter of a human hair, imagine the impact this could have in implementing non-evasive treatments for cancer patients, instead of the daunting radiation alternative that is currently used. This beam can be created once every 10 seconds by the Hercules laser system, a titanium-sapphire unit that takes up several rooms in stretching, energizing, squeezing and focusing light.
• A team at the University of Rochester was recently able to encode an entire image’s worth of data into a photon, slow it down for storage, and then retrieve it fully intact. This use of optical buffering allows for transmitting an entire image, instead of each individual pixel in that image. Although the benefits for products like cameras is obvious, imagine how this use of light could help increase computer and network speeds. The only problem with this type of application right now is improving the conversion rate of light signals to electronic signals.
• Metamaterials, with their negative refractive index for visible light, also offers some interesting application potential. This silver-based, mesh-like material is artificially created, so its optical properties are found in the microwave or far infrared region of the spectrum, making them a potential source for cloaking devices. Metamaterials reflect light to the left, or at a negative angle so they can manipulate light similarly to the ways semiconductors control electricity.
• As previously mentioned, lasers are being used more frequently for cutting and welding, as the beam covers a small area, and can be computer-controlled. One interesting application note is that the symbols on many vehicle dashboard message centers are produced with a laser that is so accurate it can remove the black overcoat from a colored, light transmitting piece of plastic in revealing the appropriate symbols.
• Military and aerospace applications have also benefited from photonics developments by getting a better look at what’s not present, like the sky or other surroundings. This helps improve targeting and other detection systems. As Mike Gauvin of Photon Engineering explains,