The Impact of Photonics on the World

Photonics is the new science and technology of photons (light) – its generation, transmission, processing, and detection – and all that can be done with light. We’re more familiar with the term electronics which is the science and technology utilizing electrons. Think of all that “electronics” encompasses: Radio, TV, telephones, DVD players, radar, avionics, welding, computers, appliances, robotics, and more. Photonics enables the manufacture and function of every one of those technologies – and many more – in ways that would otherwise be impossible.

Continuous innovations in photonics technology improve our quality of life as they are applied to practically every field of industry, science, and commerce. The ever-expanding impact of photonics and its applications span telecommunications, medicine, food and drug safety, military, agriculture, displays, entertainment, art, computing, manufacturing, the sciences, and much more. Some of the sectors enhanced by photonics include:

National Security

In recent years, optics and photonics-based tools have become critical to defense and military. Some of the most vital functions of national security enjoy greater efficiency, scope, precision, and sensitivity through developments in photonics. These functions include imaging technologies, surveillance, laser-guided missiles, communication, and hazard detection.

The military targets and guides missiles with light – sometimes from a laser designator and sometimes the infrared heat emitted by the target. Image resolution and image analysis is enhanced by multispectral detectors and sophisticated image processing. Portable telecommunications are powered by lightweight flexible solar panels. Advances in surveillance, night vision, camouflage mitigation, and even secure high data-rate communication with submarines are due to photonics.

All of these have become far smaller, faster, lighter, and more rugged because of microchip circuitry that depends on photonics for its manufacture.

Modern Manufacturing

Electronic devices these days depend upon microchips that can only be printed with light directed by precision optics. Microchip leads, batteries, and even cars are welded with lasers. Cameras focus, detect, and store images using photonic devices. CD’s and DVD’s are produced and read using lasers. Products are scanned for price, identification, and delivery using laser barcode readers. Even the numbers on credit cards are engraved with lasers. There is practically no single thing made that has not been touched by photonics applications.

Healthcare

New surgeries – including Lasik, retinal, spinal, joint, gynecologic, and cancer – are made possible with lasers, microscopes, and endoscopes. Microscopic focal points make eye and brain surgery successful. Wavelength-specific action can select one type of tissue without damaging another. Self-cautery reduces bleeding and improves visibility in blood-rich tissue. And imaging through thin flexible endoscopes makes for band-aid surgery where long incisions were the previous norm.

Drug development and safety, non-invasive blood oxygen level monitors, non-contact thermometers, virus and cancer detection, and countless other enhancements owe their success to optics and photonics.

Public Safety and Consumer Goods

Airplanes detect and avoid clear-air turbulence in time to avoid it. Food contamination and pollution levels are detected. Self-driving cars see with lasers, cameras, and detectors. Movies no longer use film; they are now projected with lasers and always in focus. Televisions and cell phones are made of microchips. Their sharp, bright, and colorful displays depend upon light emitting diodes and liquid crystal polarizers. Internet data is transmitted over fiber optics. Accurate weather forecasting and hurricane prediction requires massive data processing, and now quantum computers utilizing photons is leapfrogging the capabilities of conventional computing.

Our Modern World

In short, the modern world would not exist without photonics.
And photonics depends, at its base, upon precision optical components.

Tower Optical

Tower Optical is a leading supplier of precision optical components. Tower Optical is ITAR certified to respond to the requirements of U.S. national defense and military, and ISO certified to meet and verify the strictest standards of worldwide markets. Tower specializes in waveplates of all types to manipulate polarization; and laser-quality lenses, prisms, beamsplitters, filters, and mirrors to direct light. Tower maintains an extensive inventory of catalog items and can manufacture custom items to your specifications.

Contact Tower Optical at 561 740-2525 or Sales@TowerOptical.com and request a quotation for any custom or stock orders.