photonics - technical applications of light

A very warm thank you to all the companies and institutesthat made this publication possible:

Technical applications of lightI N F O G R A P H I C S

CONTENTS

L I G H T I N G

E N V I R O N M E N T

R E S E A R C H & E C O N O M Y

+ 1

T R A F F I C

P H O T O V O L T A I C S

White LED light 30Brighter with LEDs 31Lamp specifications 32Intelligent luminaires 33Laser shows 34

Tra�c enforcement 35Light on and in the car 36Car headlights 37Airport lighting 38

Solar cells 39Solar energy 40

Optical measurements in citizen projects 41Forest fire surveillance 42Optical sorting 43

Photonics as an industry sector 44Photonics around the globe 45Nobel laureates 46Photonics countries 47

Economic impact of photonics 49Photonics schools 48

50Photonics enthusiast

M E D I C A L T E C H N O L O G YCounting blood cells 26Endoscopy 27

Seeing clearly again 29Seeing near and far 28

B A S I C S

D A T A T R A N S F E R

I M A G E C A P T U R E & D I S P L A Y

P R O D U C T I O N T E C H N O L O G Y

What is photonics? 01Smallest points 02Highest velocity 03Shortest times 04Highest power 05

Light spectrum 07Hidden realm of photonics 08Shorter wavelengths 09Window glass vs optical fiber 10Mirrors vs laser mirrors 11

Laser vs the Sun 13

Image of smallest structures 14Precise laser drilling 15Laser cutting 16Smartphones thanks to the laser 173D printing 18

Laser communication in space 20Optical fiber networks 19

QR-codes 21

Camera lenses 22Gesture control 23Flat screens 24LCD vs OLED 25

Undisturbed superposition 06

Laser types 12

B A S I C S

WHAT IS PHOTONICS?Photonics is the generation, transmission,

and utilization of light and other electromagnetic radiation. Photonics oers solutions to

the global challenges of our time.

utilization

transmission

generation

B A S I C S

0 1

outer sheath: 100 µm

core: 10 µm

pin human hair

optical fiber core

diameter1,000 µm = 1 mm

paper clip wire1,000 µm 500 µm

focus in laser cutting

100 µm 50 µm 10 µm

B A S I C S

0 2

SMALLEST POINTSLight can be focused on extremely small diameters.

B A S I C S

0 3

Earth

Moon

5 times around the Earth in an optical fiber cable

How far does a message travel in one second?courier by foot

1.5 m

carrier pigeon20 m

aircraft250 m

Apollo moon rocket10 km

optical fiber cable200,000 km

light in space300,000 km

distance Earth – Moon384,400 km

HIGHEST VELOCITYNothing is faster than light.

The speed of light is 299,792,458 m/s.

B A S I C S

0 4

SHORTEST TIMESLight makes even the fastest events measurable.

1s

1µs

1ns

1ps

1fs

1as

1ms

second1 s

millisecond= 0.001 s

microsecond= 0.000,001 s

nanosecond= 0.000,000,001 s

picosecond= 0.000,000,000,001 s

femtosecond= 0.000,000,000,000,001 s

attosecond= 0.000,000,000,000,000,001 s

electric impulses in a computer

blink

athlete in action

chemical processes such as the splitting of DNA

processes inside an atom

only measurable with light

high-speed camera

B A S I C S

0 5

HIGHEST POWER

With the pulsed operation of lasers, a power orders of magnitude greater than anything we have known so far can be achieved.

This is made possible through the concentration of laser power to very short femtosecond pulses.

Generated power of the Berkeley Lab Laser Accelerator

1 petawatt= 1,000,000 gigawatts

C O M P A R I S O NO F P O W E R

Worldwide power generated by electric power plants

2.6 terawatts = 2,600 gigawatts

Peak powers are reached periodically for very short time intervals.

laser pulse width:40 femtoseconds

1 second

around 400 times

1 petawatt

PO

WE

R

T I M E

B A S I C S

0 6

UNDISTURBED SUPER-

POSITIONDozens of data signals can be coupled into one single optical fiber

and be separated again at the receiver’s end. The signals can be very finely distinguished based on their wavelength (spectral color),

polarization, and phase.

Over 40 channels with data signals

can be superposed in one fiber.

sender receiver

transmission rate:100 gigabitsper second

B A S I C S

0 7

LIGHT SPECTRUMLight is the very small part of the electromagnetic spectrum

visible to the human eye in the wavelength range of 380 to 780 nanometers.

400 500 600 700 800

UV IR

WAVELENGTH IN NANOMETERS (NM)

WAVELENGTH IN NANOMETERS (NM)

SPEC

TRAL

SEN

SITI

VITY

SP

ECTR

AL IN

TEN

SITY

range visible to humans: 380 to 780 nm

S P E C T R A L D I S T R I B U T I O N O F S U N L I G H T O N E A R T H

400 500 600 700 800

S P E C T R A L S E N S I T I V I T Y O F T H E E Y E A T D AY T I M E

B A S I C S

0 8

HIDDEN REALM OF PHOTONICS

Photonic applications use a broad portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that

is predominantly not visible to humans.

1 terahertz 1 gigahertz1 zettahertz 1 exahertz 1 petahertz

1 picometer 1 nanometer1 femtometer 1 micrometer

GAMMA RADIATION

COSMIC RADIATION X-RAY ULTRA-

VIOLETINFRA-

REDTERA-HERTZ MICROWAVES RADIO WAVES ALTERNATING

CURRENTS

P H O T O N I C S E L E C T R O N I C S

1 meter 1 megameter1 millimeter 1 kilometer

1 megahertz 1 kilohertz

broadcastingradar

frequencieshigh frequency low frequency

wavelengthsshort wave long wave

N U C L E A R T E C H N O L O G Y

cell phone network

wireless LAN

identification system RFID

television

power line

heat lamp

ultraviolet lamp

material testing

radiocarbon dating

visible light

X-ray machines full-body scanner

B A S I C S

0 9

SHORTER WAVELENGTHS

Wavelength has a great influenceon the performance of optical systems.

Shorter wavelengths can produce smaller focusdiameters making greater recording

densities possible on optical storage media.

WAVELENGTHS USEDTO READ OPTICAL DICS

780 nm 650 nm 405 nminfrared red violet

CD DVD Blu-Ray Disc

wavelength

increasing recording density

B A S I C S

1 0

WINDOW GL ASS

LIGHT TRANSMISSION OF GL ASS

OPTICAL GL ASS

OPTICAL FIBER

29 m

100 km

glass thickness

1 %of light

How thick can di�erent glass types be so that 1 % of the emitted light is still transmitted?

(only valid for infrared light)

80 cm

(example: camera lens)

WINDOW GLASS vs OPTICAL FIBER

Glass is the most important component of optical systems. However, common window glass and glass used in photonics

applications are worlds apart.

B A S I C S

1 1

MIRRORS vsLASER MIRRORS

Many optical components can be found in their basic forms in the home.

The components used in photonics, however, are characterized by the

highest accuracy and technical finesse.

HOUSEHOLD MIRRORCONSTRUCTION

L ASER MIRRORCONSTRUCTION

glass plate

back silver coating

protective layer

1

3

2

glass substrate

99.9%reflectance

Usually, at least 20 to 50 layers of 100 to 200 nanometers thickness are

applied on the front of a substrate.The result is an extremely high reflectance.

layers of varying materials

laser mirror in kinematic mount

1

32

reflectance86 %

basic elements

D I O D E L A S E R F I B E R L A S E R

D I S K L A S E R G A S L A S E R

active medium = excited atoms or molecules

laser beam

resonator (end mirror or output coupler)

energy supply = pump optical electrical

B A S I C S

1 2

LASER TYPESLasers are the central component of many photonics applications.

The numerous laser types always consist of the same basic elements although their shape strongly varies.

⁄ 1.5 mmbutton hole

PERFORMANCEBEHIND BUTTON HOLE

in milliwatts

ABSOLUTE PERFOR-MANCE

1.5 mmbeam diameter

174petawatts

P E R F O R M A N C E C O M P A R I S O N

l a s e r p o i n t e r

S u n

solar radiation intensity on the Earth(central European summer)

700 watts per m2

5 milliwatts(max.)

Earth

1

5

LASERS vs THE SUNWhile conventional light sources

emit their energy in all directions,lasers bundle the emitted light verye�ciently into almost parallel light

beams of small diameters.

B A S I C S

1 3


1 4

IMAGE OF SMALLEST STRUCTURES

Modern technology requires e�cient electronics in the smallest spaces. Thanks to optical technologies it is possible to organize in-creasingly smaller electronic components on semiconductor chips.

waferEUV beam source

photomask

DEVELOPMENT OF SEMICONDUCTOR PRODUCTION PROCESSES

OPTICAL BEAM PATH

The image of increasingly smaller structures requires light sources with very short wavelengths.

Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light, which is already in use and

which has a wavelength of only 13.5 nanometers, requires the application

of purely reflective optics with extremely accurate geometry.

2020200019901980 20101970

5 nm

7 nm10 n

m

14 n

m

22 n

m

32 n

m

45 n

m

65 n

m

90 n

m

180

nm

250

nm

350

nm60

0 nm80

0 nm

1.5

µm

1 µm

6 µm

3 µm

10 µ

m

130

nm


1 5

PRECISELASER DRILLING

Ultrashort pulse lasers drill di�erently sized, accurately shapedinjection nozzles that distribute the fuel in the best way possible.

Thanks to laser precision machining, up to 30% of fuel can be saved.

L ASER

SPARK PLUG

di�erently sizedINJECTION NOZZLES

up to800,000 pulses

per second

CYLINDER

The lens focuses pulsed laser beams on a

10-micrometer diameter.

PISTON

FUEL

The heating of adjoining material is avoidedby laser pulses shorter than

10 picoseconds.

optimum distribution of fuel

EFFICIENCY AND PERFORMANCE COMPARISONOF CONVENTIONAL MILLING AND L ASER CUT TING

C O N V E N T I O N A L M I L L I N G L A S E R

cutting a 5-millimeter-thick steel plate for one meter

C U T T I N G W I D T H(millimeters)

T O O L P E R F O R M A N C E(kilowatts)

D U R A T I O NP E R M E T E R

E N E R G Y C O N S U M P T I O N(kilowatt hours)

W A S T E(grams)

T O T A L E N E R G Y C O N S U M P T I O Ntaking into account material savings

(kilowatt hours)0.4

10

0.4

20

390

14 Minutes

0.10

15

0.14

12 Seconds

0.07

2.05

LASER CUTTINGLaser cutting enables very quick processing of materials

with a low loss of material, which makes this method extremelyenergy-e�cient.


1 6

HERSTELLER564701235445468

L A S E R T Y P E S

fiber laser

UV solid-state laser

solid-state laser

M A C H I N E P R O C E S S

edge

pattern

areaultrashort pulse laser

UV excimer laser

IR diode laser

Housing

Circuit board

Battery

Screen

Touchscreen

marking logo, data-matrix-code, and serial number

cutting of touchscreen foilstructuring ofconducting layers

cutting of extremelythin, hard cover glass

generation of polycrystalline layers

encapsulation of laminated glasses

holes

CO2 laser

welding of battery case

structuring of conductor tracks

cutting of foil circuit boards

drilling of contact holes

cutting of housing

marking logo and serial number

SMARTPHONESTHANKS TO THE LASER

Hundreds of thousands of smartphones are manufactured daily. Quality and e�ciency of production are of crucial importance

to the manufacturers in this competitive market.Lasers are the key to success here.


1 7


1 8

3D PRINTINGBased on a computer drawing, complex structures can be produced from

plastics, ceramics, and metals with the help of selective laser melting.Dentures and implants are among the rapidly growing number of applications.

GENERAL OPERATING PRINCIPLEThe digital model of an object is transformedinto a model made of a series of thin layers.

A layer of powderis applied.

The powder melts in the component'scross section according to the

specifications of the layer model.

The build platformis lowered with

every layer.

The application, melting,and lowering repeats itselfuntil the object is finished.

At the end, the material thathas not melted will be removed.

The actual object is all that is left.

in Mbit/stransfer speed

in km, without repeaterrange

copper cable cladding

cross section in original size

claddingoptical fiber cable

Optical fibers o�er substantially higher transmission rates, while simultaneously providing large ranges. Other advantages are lighter cables, lower space requirements, and fewer repeaters. The operation and maintenance costs are also significantly reduced.

Data cable in city area

0.6 mm10 µm (0.01 mm)

6.9 mm1.1 mm

1000 100

50 2

100 m cable in kgweight

0.6

5.8

in watts per userenergy consumption

2

10

in yearsshelf life

50

5


1 9

OPTICAL FIBER NETWORKSIn 1988, the first transatlantic optical fiber cable, the TAT-8, went into

operation. Optical fiber quickly replaced copper cables to meet the fast-growing need for greater capacity. Today, submarine cables with capacities of up to

several terabytes per second connect the whole Earth.

ADVANTAGES OF THE LASER

EARTH

NOLIMIT

due to frequencyallocations

L ARGE DATAVOLUMES

1 .8gigabytes per second

corresponds to around 500 songs

per second

LESSMASS

saves costs

LOWER ENERGY

CONSUMPTIONexpandsshelf life

SMALLESTTOLERANCEfor generating

a bundled laser beam

across largestdistances

stabledespite great

TEMPERATUREDIFFERENCES

survivestrong

VIBRATIONSand

ACCELERATIONSduring rocket launches

over 15 yearsMAINTENANCE-

FREE

RESISTANTagainst UV and gamma radiation

in space

height:700 km

N E A R - E A R T H S A T E L L I T E

scans parts of the Earth’s surface

SATE

LLI T

E-L A

SER

LIN

K

height:36,000 km

GEOSTATIONARYSATELLITE

R E C E I V I N G S T A T I O Non Earth

THE L ASER AND OPTICS MEET THE HIGHEST REQUIREMENTS


2 0

LASER COMMUNICATION IN SPACE

Free space optical communication between near-Earth and geostationary satellites enables the fast transfer of data to a ground station.

Vital data during natural catastrophes or in emergencies at sea canbe received almost in real time in this way.


2 1

QR CODESCameras and optical sensors often work together

with intelligent image or data processing.The QR code (Quick Response) shows this impressively.

Apart from the content, QR codes contain additional elementsso that the software can recognize the data correctly.

This includes:

In comparison to the classic barcode, QR codes can store more informationon a smaller area and make fewer requirements of reading devices.

They also function even if they are partly damaged or corrupted:

timingformat informationpositioning version information alignment

Up to 4,000 alphanumerical charactersfit on a QR code.

QR-CODE STRUCTURE

ADVANTAGES OF QR CODES

USE OF QR CODESQR codes are two-dimensional bar codes. A camera phone with the appropriate

code reader software recognizes this information and decodes it.

scanning with aQR-code reader

decoding

access to website

graphic/text in code distorted blurred twisted

QR code

I M A G E C A P T U R E& D I S P L A Y


2 2

CAMERA LENSESToday, brilliant images are possible with

the smallest smartphone lenses. Why then is it still necessary to have

large lenses in photography?

S I Z E C O M PA R I S O N

Despite their small size, smartphone lenses havesophisticated optics with complex lens arrangements.

L E N S A R R A N G E M E N T

The most important consequence of the sizedi�erence is the di�erent depths of field.

D E P T H O F F I E L D

S M A R T P H O N E L E N S S L R L E N S

(original sizes)

S M A R T P H O N EL E N S

S L RL E N S

Smartphones display all objects fromnear to far with the same sharpness.

The depth of field can be set selectivelywith large SLR lenses.


2 3

GESTURE CONTROLOptical systems can capture and interpret hand movements contactlessly – this

is ideal in sterile workplaces such as hospital operating rooms.

line laser marksinteractive area

system capturesfinger positions

3D camera measures the distance

Two infrared (IR) cameras capture the scene liketwo human eyes from slightly shifted perspectives.

A 3D camera, which is based on the propagation timeof light, verifies the distance.

S U R G I C A L H A N D - T R A C K I N G S Y S T E Mdetailed view from below

IR lighting

IR camera

line laser

light source 3D camera


2 4

FLAT SCREENSIn contrast to early cathode ray tubes, flat screens save a great deal

of energy per unit area. Impressive global production capacities meetthe high demand for these displays.

total area of produced flat screens (TVs, tablets, smartphones, and others)

ELECTRICIT Y CONSUMPTION AT SAME DISPL AY SIZE

PRODUCTION OF FL ATSCREENS WITHIN ONE HOUR

100 % 25 %

cathode ray tube LCD

1 hour

200,000smartphone displays

2football fields


2 5

LCD vs OLEDToday, LCD displays dominate the flatscreen market,

but in smartphones, organic LEDs (OLEDs)are conquering an increasingly larger market share.OLED displays are thinner, more energy-e�cient,

and higher in contrast but more expensive to produce.

standard resolution720 x 480

full HD1920 x 1080

4K Ultra HD3840 x 2160

LCD DISPL AY STRUCTURE

Today’s most common type of display creates imagesby blocking o� or letting through white light that LEDs

create across the back of the display.

OLED DISPL AY STRUCTURE

Organically luminous materials in OLED displaysdo not require a separate light source, which makes

their construction depth much thinner.

display resolutionsin pixels

8K Ultra HD7680 × 4320

organic layersLIGHT DIRECTIONLIGHT DIRECTION

background lighting(light conductor)

Molecules are electricallyexcited to make them glow.

These layers together are around 200 times thinner than a human hair.

cover glass

color filter

glass filter withpolarizing film

LED strips

liquid crystal TFT = thin-film transistors anodecathode TFT = thin-film transistorscover glass

carrier material(glass or plastic)

OLED – Organic Light Emitting Diode LCD – Liquid Crystal Display

M E D I C A L T E C H N O L O G Y


2 6

COUNTINGBLOOD CELLS

Thousands of cells per second are counted and characterized inmedical and biotechnical analytics with laser-based flow cytometry.

This enables the fast and secure detection of blood anomalies.

cell flow

forward scatter: measurement ofthe cell’s volume

Cells are being excitedto make them glow.

color filter

detector

side scatter:measurement of the cell’s granularity

fluorescent light:The color-separated light

provides information about avariety of cell characteristics.

laser

nozzle

blood sample


2 7

ENDOSCOPYEndoscopes enable doctors to examine body cavities and hollow organs, detect

illnesses, and treat them with minimal invasion at the same time, if required.The tubes, which are only a few millimeters thick, transfer illumination in one

direction and high-resolution images in real time in the other direction.

endoscope

access forinstruments

real-time imagetransmission

camera

light source

forceps

polyp


2 8

SEEING NEAR AND FARIndividually adjusted varifocals help older people have

good vision for all distances. A variety of criteria is includedin the calculation for personalized and individual lens design.

CNC machines are used to translate the calculateddesign into individual lenses with micrometer precision.

wearer’s characteristics

intended use(sports, o�ce, daily life)

eye and headmovement

face formangle

cornealvertex

distance

prismatic: associatedheterophoria

axial: directionof lens fitting

spherical: myopiaor hyperopia

I N D I V I D U A L C R I T E R I A

shape of spectacle frame

spectacle adjustment

eye correction

cylindrical: degreeof astigmatism

pupillary distance

fittingheight

pantoscopic tiltM O D E L O F VA R I F O C A L S

distance vision> 2 m

near vision< 0.5 m

medium vision0.5 –2 m

The di�erent colors indicate the varying refractive powerof the lens: from red (strong) to blue (weak).

C O M P U T E R- C A L C U L AT E DL E N S D E S I G N


2 9

SEEING CLEARLY AGAINFrom the age of 60 onwards, most people get a slight cataract – known

as the grey star. Treating cataracts is the most common operationaround the world. The WHO estimates that by 2020, 32 million cataract

operations will be performed. The use of the femtosecond laserwith ultra-short pulses allows a precise and careful operation.

lens

irispupil

vitreous cavity

opening the lens

segmenting the lens opening the cornea

inserting and centering the artificial lenssuctioning the lens

1.

2. 3.

5.4.

SEQUENCE OF A L ASER OPERATION

ANATOMY OFTHE HUMAN EYE

cornea

retina

sclera

fovea centralis

optic disc(blind spot)

opticnerve

choroid

L I G H T I N G

400 500 600 700 800

SPECTRUM OF A WHITE LED LAMP

White light is a mix of red, blue and green.

LED chip

Blue light is being emitted.

Yellow phosphor layerconverts incoming light.

Red, blue, and greenlight is created.

Red, blue, and greentogether make white light.

The suppression of the blue peakresults in a warmer light.

Creation of white LED lightthrough luminescence conversion:

LED chip

yellowphosphor layer

lens

housing includesheat dissipation

WAV E L E N G T H I N N A N O M E T E R S

SPE

CTR

AL

INTE

NSI

TY

L I G H T I N G

3 0

WHITE LED LIGHTLED chips make colorful light.

White light is created by luminescence conversion.

L I G H T I N G

3 1

BRIGHTER WITH LEDsSince the light bulb, the light output of di�erent types

of lamps has been significantly increased. Today, white LEDs are the most e�cient ones.

2020

2010

2000

1990

1980

1970

1960

1950

1940

1930

18791904

1938

1959

1961

1965

1981

1996

LED(cold white)

halogenlamp

light bulb

high-pressuresodium

vapor lamp

fluorescentlamp

halogenmetal

halide lamp

compactfluorescent

lamp

high-pressuremercury

vapor lamp

50

100

150

200

250 lumen/watts

E F F I C I E N C Y I N C R E A S EO F L U M I N A I R E S

Photometrische Größen Lux, Lumen auf ProduktenL I G H T I N G

3 2

LAMP SPECIFICATIONSJust a few years ago, you could find out almost everything you needed to

know about the light of a domestic lamp just by looking at the number of watts. Nowadays, nearly a dozen criteria have to be considered.

W

lm

T

36˚

h

10w

60w

Ra

Hg

power (watts)electrical connected load

brightness (lumens)how bright the lamp’s light is

color temperature (Kelvin)the higher the color temperature,the colder (more blue) the light

warm-up timethe time it takes for the lampto fully light up

dimmabilitylamp dimmable or not

shelf lifeusage in hours

color rendering indexaccuracy of color rendering

energy savingsin comparison to the conventionallight bulb

mercury contentenvironmentally friendlywithout mercury

illumination anglethe scope and range of e�ective light

M U S E U M S

T R A D E F A I R S T A N D SA I R C R A F T C A B I N S

B U S E S

L I G H T I N G

3 3

INTELLIGENTLUMINAIRES

LED lights can be switched on and o so quickly that it is imperceptibleto the human eye. In this way, hundreds of megabytes per second can be

transmitted to a mobile optical receiver as an additional function apart from the lighting – completely without electrosmog or additional cables.

AUDIENCE

LASER PROJECTORTwo extremely fast-moving

computer-controlled mirrors draw the laser image.

BRIGHT & HIGH CONTRASTIn comparison to a video, a laser

image is focused at any distance.

WATER CANVASLaser projections can be made onvery large areas in any shape or form.

ARTIFICIAL FOGFog makes the laser

beam visible.

BRILLIANT COLORS Only lasers can make colors

that are completely saturated.

GREEN ENTERTAINMENTTECHNOLOGY

The relatively low energy consumptionensures environmentally-friendlyentertainment for large crowds.

SINGLE BEAMS IN THE SKYThis is only possible with explicit authorization

from the aviation safety authorities.

LASER SHOWSLaser shows are an impressive way of demonstrating

how fascinating photonics can be.

L I G H T I N G

3 4

T R A F F I C

T R A F F I C

3 5

TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENTMeasuring systems based on the roundtrip time of emitted and reflected

infrared laser beams can calculate the speed of vehicles precisely. Cameras take pictures of the vehicle and driver if they have committed a tra�c o�ence.

Light impulses emitted from the speedcamera column are reflected by the passing car and received again by the device.

measuring area of laser area camera 1 area camera 2

camera unit

SPEED CAMERA COLUMN UNIT

SPEED CAMERA COLUMN

simultaneousmeasuring of carsin several lanes

maximum measuring distance: 75 m

infrared laser light:over 100 laser beams

100 times per second

laser measuring unit

T R A F F I C

3 6

LIGHT ON AND INTHE CAR

Intelligent LED lights, camera-based assistancesystems, and information displays ensure a greater

security in all driving situations.

R E A R V I E W F R O N T V I E W

EXTERIORINTERIOR EXTERIOR INTERIOR

camera for tra�csign recognition

rear-viewmirror camera

LED interior lighting(color temperature and brightness can be chosen)

rear-view camera

LED reading lights

interior light sensor

LED rear lightsdynamic LEDindicator

rain sensorexterior lightsensorLED indicator

head-up displaythermal imaging camera

adaptive LEDheadlights

dynamicLED indicator

front camera

driver informationdisplay

infotainmentdisplay

T R A F F I C

3 7

CAR HEADLIGHTSSeeing further ahead: the combination of LED and

laser light sources enables an optimum forroadway illumination in every tra�c situation.

intelligent illumination toprevent glaring

for oncoming tra�c

LED headlightslarge-scale illuminationof the tra�c situation

LED high beamswide illumination

for an optimal vision

laser high beams

LIGHT CONE OF HEADLIGHTS

L ASER HIGH BEAMS

3 blue laser diodes

beam combinerdeflection mirror

color converter

parabolic mirror

runway threshold lights

touch-down zone lights

taxiway edge lights

runway end lights

taxiway centerline lights

touch-downzone lightsaround 900 m

stop bar lights

runway guard lights

approachlights around900 m

side row lightsaround 300 m

runwayat least1.8 km

300 m

600 m

LED vs Halogenhours shelf life 60,000 2,500typical connected loadper lamp (W)

18 65

PAPI(Precision Approach Path Indicator)

The PAPI display signalsthe correct approach angle.

too high (more than 3.5°)slightly too high (from 3.2°)correct approach angle (3°)slightly too low (from 2.8°)too low (more than 2.5°)

T R A F F I C

3 8

AIRPORT LIGHTINGMillions of new LED lamps lower the operation

and maintenance costs of airports around the globe.


3 9

SOLAR CELLSSolar cells can transform sunlight directly into electricity.An eciency of around 45 % has already been achieved

under laboratory conditions. In commercial use,eciency has to be weighed against acquisition costs.

Monocrystalline silicon cellsare cut out from a round silicon crystal.The missing corners of the squares arecharacteristic. This form is created becausethe round cross section of the raw materialis exploited in the best possible way.

Polycrystalline silicon cellsfeature a characteristic texturethat comes from crystal bordersthat are very close together.

Thin-film cellsconsist of amorphous siliconeor other material compounds.They can be vapor depositedonto carrier materials, evenonto flexible material.

GLOBAL MARKET SHARE

36%

54%

10%

monocrystallines

thin layer

eciency

acquisition costs

polycrystalline

amorphoussilicon

copper indiumdiselenide

20 %

13 %8 %

16 %

CHARACTERISTICSB A S I C C O M M E R C I A LT Y P E S


4 0

SOLAR ENERGYSolar energy has the potential to satisfy the world’s raisingappetite for electricity without polluting the environment.

What total size of solar power plants would be needed to runthe United States on solar electricity?

PRODUCTION COMPARISON 2014

World photovoltaic energy per year180 Terawatt hours

= 180,000,000,000 kilowatt hours

TOP PRODUCERSinstalled power 2014 per capita in watts

US electricity consumption per year: 4093 TWh (2014)

Area of solar cells needed to supply this energy:

12,800 km²Nuclear energy

The photovoltaic energy produced corresponds to the electricity volume of20 nuclear power stations.

With regard to petroleum, the equivalent is 42 million tons. This amount corresponds to140 oil tankers with a capacity of 300,000 GRT* each.

Crude oil

* gross register tons

Connecticut12,548 km²

This roughly equals the land area of the US state of Connecticut.

475

Germany

275

BelgiumItaly

303


4 1

CENTRAL DATA EVALUATIONevaluation concerning the amount, particle size, and composition

FINE DUSTPARTICLES

very lowvery strongPOLLUTION

example: the Netherlands

MEASUREMENTDATA PLUS GPSLOCATION DATA

CAPTURING SEVERALMEASURED VALUESenables the calculation offine dust particle values

SMARTPHONE WITHMINI-SPECTROMETER

FINE DUST PARTICLESget into the air from di�erent sources

MAPPED DATA THATIS ACCURATE IN TIMEAND LOCATION

AMOUNT

SIZE

STRUCTURE

POLARIZATION

ANGLE

SPECTRUM

OPTICAL MEASUREMENTSIN CITIZEN PROJECTS

Smartphones with attachable mini-spectrometers makeit possible to map current environmental data

of entire countries with the help of thousands of citizens.


4 2

FOREST FIRESURVEILLANCE

Automated optical sensor systems monitorlarge forest areas day and night for fires.

E X A M P L Esurveillance of the Teltow-Flämingcounty, near Berlin, Germany

receives data and imagesif a fire is detected

F O R E S T F I R EA L A R M C O N T R O LC E N T E R

The optical sensor system registers smoke development automatically in the visibleand infrared spectral range. The camera turnsitself in stages on its own axis over 6 minutes.

A R E A B E I N GM O N I T O R E D

O P T I C A LS E N S O RS Y S T E M

C A M E R A A N G L E O FV I S I O N60° per minute

Coverage of an area

with

310,000 ha 10 SYSTEMS

on fire watchtowers

of

optics for night-time operation

optics for day-time operation

15 km

92 km

55 km

PEpolyethylene

PETpolyethylene terephthalate

PPpolypropylene

PSpolystyrene

PVCpolyvinyl chloride

PET PE PP PET +PVC PET +PP PET +PS

PAPER & CARDBOARD IMPURITIESPLASTIC CONTAINERS

multispectral camera

IDENTIFICATION OF MATERIALS

SORTING POSSIBLE ACCORDING TO OBJECT RECOGNITION AND VISUALIZATION OF BOTTLES

MATERIAL SHAPE COLOR

line lighting

conveyor belt speed: 3 meters per second

conveyor belt width:2 meters

SCHEMATIC REPRESENTATIONOF A WASTE-SORTING FACILIT Y

OPTICALSORTING

E�cient sorting facilities are used to recover manymaterials in their raw form from heaps of domestic waste.

Together with fast image processing software,multispectral cameras capture within a split second

what should be placed in which raw material container.


4 3


4 4

PHOTONICS ASAN INDUSTRY SECTOR

Within a few decades, the term photonics has developedfrom a technical term, used in research, to an industry term

that encompasses all technical applications of light.

200

5

2010

2015

2020

200

0

1995

Leading US industry magazinechanges its name from OpticalSpectra to Photonics SpectraInvention of the laser

Leading German industry magazine changesits name from LaserOpto to Photonik

Foundation of the Europeanphotonics community

Photonics21

European Commissiondefines photonics as

key technology

from the 1960sPhotons are researched as an alternativeto electrons for circuitry tasks. The term Photonics is coined in connection with this.

In the context of the high-tech strategy forGermany, photonics replaces the term of

“optical technologies” which had been used so far

Foundation of the AmericanNational Photonics Initiative topromote photonics in the US

Public Private Partnershipbetween European Commission and

European photonics industry

Photonics21 Roadmapas strategy for European

photonics in the years 2014-202019

75

1980

1985

1990

1970

1960

1965

PhotoniqueF R E N C H

Fotónica S P A N I S H

C H I N E S E

P O R T U G U E S E

光子学

Fotônica

ФотоникаR U S S I A N

J A P A N E S E

FotonicaI T A L I A N

K O R E A N

PhotonikG E R M A N

Photonics E N G L I S H


4 4

PHOTONICS ASAN INDUSTRY SECTOR

Within a few decades, the term photonics has developedfrom a technical term, used in research, to an industry term

that encompasses all technical applications of light.

200

5

2010

2015

2020

200

0

1995

Leading US industry magazinechanges its name from OpticalSpectra to Photonics SpectraInvention of the laser

Leading German industry magazine changesits name from LaserOpto to Photonik

Foundation of the Europeanphotonics community

Photonics21

European Commissiondefines photonics as

key technology

from the 1960sPhotons are researched as an alternativeto electrons for circuitry tasks. The term Photonics is coined in connection with this.

In the context of the high-tech strategy forGermany, photonics replaces the term of

“optical technologies” which had been used so far

Foundation of the AmericanNational Photonics Initiative topromote photonics in the US

Public Private Partnershipbetween European Commission and

European photonics industry

Photonics21 Roadmapas strategy for European

photonics in the years 2014-2020

1975

1980

1985

1990

1970

1960

1965

PhotoniqueF R E N C H

Fotónica S P A N I S H

C H I N E S E

P O R T U G U E S E

光子学

Fotônica

ФотоникаR U S S I A N

J A P A N E S E

FotonicaI T A L I A N

K O R E A N

PhotonikG E R M A N

Photonics E N G L I S H

US & CANADA

EUROPE

CHINA

TAIWAN

SOUTHKOREA

JAPAN

Global market share in the market segment(information in %)

production technology

Market segments

image processing & metrology

security & defense technology

medical technology & life science

communication technology

information technology

displays

light sources

photovoltaics

To emphasize regional strengths, onlymarket shares of more than 10% are shown.

0

20

40

60

80

100

PHOTONICSAROUND THE GLOBE

Photonics is a global industry today. This graphic showsthe strongest market segments in each region.


4 5

1975

1980

1985

1970

1965

2000

2005

2010

2015

1995

1990

Charles H. Townes (US)Nicolay G. Basov (SU)

Aleksandr M. Prokhorov (SU)quantum electronics for the

construction of the maser and laser

Alfred Kastler (FR)optical pumping

Dennis Gabor (GB)holography

Nicolaas Bloembergen (US)Arthur L. Schawlow (US)

laser spectroscopy

Ernst Ruska (DE)electron microscope

Steven Chu (US)Claude Cohen-Tannoudji (FR)

William D. Phillips (US)cooling and capturing of atoms

with laser beams

Roy Jay Glauber (US)quantum optics

Charles Kuen Kao(GB)

communication viaglass fibers

Zhores I. Alferov (RU)Herbert Kroemer (US)

fundamental developmentsin laser diodes

Wolfgang Ketterle (US)Carl E. Wieman (US)Eric A. Cornell (US)

creation of a Bose-Einsteincondensate with laser cooling

John Lewis Hall (US)Theodor Hänsch (DE)

high-precision laser spectroscopy

Willard Boyle (US)George Elwood Smith (US)

CCD Sensors

Serge Haroche (FR)David J. Wineland (US)

quantum optics, laser coolingand frequency standards

Isamu Akasaki (JP)Hiroshi Amano (JP)

Shuji Nakamura (US)blue LEDs

Eric Betzig (US)William E. Moerner (US)

Stefan W. Hell (DE)super-resolved

fluorescence microscopy

21 22 3 3 17

Gre

at B

ritain

(GB)

Russ

ia (R

U)

Japa

n (J

P)

Sovie

t Uni

on (S

U)

Fran

ce (F

R)

Ger

man

y (D

E)

US

N U M B E R O F L A U R E A T E Sby country at the time of the award ceremony

N O B E L L A U R E A T E Swith award-winning research projects

NOBEL LAUREATESNobel laureates with a connection to photonics

since the invention of the laser in 1960


4 6

Number of photonics professionals in relation to the total workforce of the country (a.u. USA=100)

Paris

Ghent

LausanneMilan

Barcelona

Karlsruhe

Jena

Copenhagen

Seoul

Taipei City

Campinas Pretoria

Tehran

Kochi

Jerusalem

Wrocław MoscowSt. Petersburg

San Francisco Bay AreaLos Angeles

Tucson

TokyoOsaka

Greater Boston Area

Orlando

Rochester

TorontoQuébec

Cambridge

Southhampton

Wuhan

Beijing

Shanghai

Sydney

> 500

401–500

301–400

201–300

101–200

10–50

< 10 or unsu�cient data

51–100

A selection ofgreat places to

study photonicsUniversity town

PHOTONICSCOUNTRIES

The highest density of photonics professionalsare found in Europe and East Asia.

PHOTONICSSCHOOLS

Business-oriented social media reveal where photonics-savvyprofessionals got their education.


4 7


4 8

Worldwide photonics products marketin US-$ bn.

2000

600

400

200

02005 2010 2015 2020

Photonics marketplacefrom components to enabled services

core componentsand materials

photonicproducts

photonic-enabledproducts

photonic-enabledservices

Market by countryshare of market in %

18 Japanincreasing value

other4 China

15 Europe

17 USA

16 Taiwan

18 Korea

12

ECONOMIC IMPACTOF PHOTONICSData suggests that there were approximately

2.32 million jobs in photonics in 2015.


4 9

ACTIVITY TRACKERwith optical sensor

WHEEL SPOKE LIGHTINGwhich displays images that appearto stand still

GRIDPROJECTIONto detect potholes

and obstaclesHIGH-VISIBILIT Y JACKET

with LED direction indicators

REAR LIGHTPROJECTION

with distance safety alert

HELMET CAMERAsports spectacles with correcting

CURVED GLASS

rucksack withSOLAR PANEL

DAY

NIGHT

+ 1

5 0

PHOTONICS ENTHUSIASTAn enthusiasm for photonics can alsobe implemented in the leisure sector.

S O U R C E S

spectaris.deWikipediaWikipediaWikipedialbl.gov • bp.com/statisticalreview (2014)WikipediaWikipediaphotonics.com • spectaris.deblu-raydisc.comschott.comedmundoptics.comtrumpf-laser.comspectaris.dezeiss.debosch.detrumpf-laser.comtrumpf.de • rofin.de • coherent.comilt.fraunhofer.deglasfaser.net • itwissen.info • telos.comesa.euexplainthatstu .comzeiss.dehhi.fraunhofer.destatista.com • Wikipediahowstu works.com

01020304050607080910111213141516171819

202122232425

flowcytometry.med.ualberta.ca/karlstorz.comspectaris.de • zeiss.de • optikum.atnorthtorontoeyecare.com • techfak.uni-bielefeld.deosram.comosram.comosram.comhhi.fraunhofer.delobo.devitronic.comaudi.comaudi.com • bmw.comfrankfurt-airport.de • caeoxfordinteractive.comsolarbuzz.comeia.gov • bp.com • spectaris.deispex.nlfire-watch.della.dephotonics21.org • spectaris.deSpectaris, VDMA, ZVEI, BMBF: Photonics Industry Report 2013 • iea-pvps.orgnobelprize.orglinkedin.com • spectaris.delinkedin.com • spectaris.despie.orgamazon.com • ebay.com

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I M P R I N T

S P E C T A R I S e. V.German Hightech Industry Association

&S P I E

International Society of Optics and Photonics

Editorial team:Wenko Süptitz & Sophie Heimes,

S P E C T A R I S e. V.

Design:Golden Section Graphics GmbH

Translation:Claudia Eberlein

Editing:Timothy Lamkins, SPIE

1st Edition 2016Printed in U.S.A.

© 2016 SPECTARIS GmbHAll rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-3-9817205-1-8

photonics - technical applications of light

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