Photonics and Optical Communication, Spring 2007, Dr. D.

Knipp

Photonics and Optical Communication

(Course Number 300352)
Spring 2007
Introduction Photonics
Dr. Dietmar Knipp
Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering

http://www.faculty.iu-bremen.de/dknipp/
Introduction to Photonics

Photonics and Optical Communication, Spring 2007, Dr. D. Knipp

Photonics and Optical Communication

Introduction to Photonics and Optical Technolgies
Light influences our lives today in several ways that we could never have
imagined just a few decades ago. Light will play an even more significant role in
the future, enabling a revolution in world fiber-optic communications, new
modalities in the practice of medicine, biotechnology, optical sensing, lighting
and exploration of the frontiers of science, and much more.
Key technologies for the next century:
Photonics and Optical technologies
Nanotechnology,
Biotechnology

Introduction to Photonics

Photonics and Optical Communication, Spring 2007, Dr. D. Knipp

Photonics and Optical Communication

Introduction to Photonics and Optical Technologies
We are beginning to see the fruits of the scientific discoveries of the last three
or four decades. The development of the laser in the 1960s produced light with
a property never seen before on Earth. Coherent light can be directed, focused,
and propagated in new ways that are impossible for incoherent light. This
property of laser light has made possible fiber-optic communications, compact
disks, laser surgery, and a host of other applications.
Applications of incoherent light abound as well, including optical lithography
systems for patterning computer chips, high-resolution microscopes, adaptive
optics for Earth-based astronomy, infrared sensors for everything from remote
controls to night-vision equipment, and new high-efficiency lighting sources.
Although optics is pervasive in modern life, its role is that of a technological
enabler. It is essential, but typically it plays a supporting role in a larger system.

Introduction to Photonics

Photonics and Optical Communication, Spring 2007, Dr. D. Knipp

Photonics and Optical Communication

Introduction to Photonics and Optical Technologies
Definition of Photonics and Optical Technologies:
Photonics is the field of science and engineering encompassing the physical
phenomena and technologies associated with the generation, transmission,
manipulation, detection, and utilization of light.
Three major developments which enabled the developments during the last 40
years.
Invention of the laser
Fabrication of low loss optical fibers
Introduction of semiconductor devices

Introduction to Photonics

Photonics and Optical Communication, Spring 2007, Dr. D. Knipp

Photonics and Optical Communication

Introduction to Optics
Based on the inventions the following disciplines were created:
Electro-optics,
Optoelectronics,
Quantum electronics,
Quantum Optics,
Lightwave technology

Introduction to Photonics

Photonics and Optical Communication, Spring 2007, Dr. D. Knipp

Photonics and Optical Communication

Introduction to Optics
Electro-optics is generally reserved for optical devices which electrical
effects play a role (laser and electro-optic modulators and switches)
Optoelectronics typically refers to devices and systems that are
essentially electronics in nature but involve light (examples are lightemitting devices, liquid crystal displays and sensor arrays).
Quantum electronics is used in connection with devices and systems
that rely principally on the interaction of light and matter (e.g. lasers and
non linear devices)
Quantum Optics described the studies of quantum and coherence
properties of light.
Lightwave technology is used to describe devices and systems in
optical communication.

Introduction to Photonics

Photonics and Optical Communication, Spring 2007, Dr. D. Knipp

Photonics and Optical Communication

Introduction to Photonics and Optical Technolgies
During the last decade the term photonics has come in use. This
term, which was coined in analogy with electronics. It reflects the
growing tie between optics and electronics stimulated by the increasing
role of semiconductor materials and devices in optical systems.
Electronic involves the control of charges and
Photonics involves the control of photons.
The terms optics and photonics are not clear separated.
Therefore, we will not clearly distinguish between the term optics and
photonics.

Introduction to Photonics

Photonics and Optical Communication, Spring 2007, Dr. D. Knipp

Photonics and Optical Communication

Introduction to Photonics
Areas of major importance for the future
Optics in Information Technology and Telecommunications
Information Transport
Information Processing
Optical Storage
Displays
Optics in Health Care and Life Sciences
Surgery and Medicine
Tools for Biology
Biotechnology
Optical Sensing, Lighting, and Energy
Optical Sensors and Imaging Systems
Lighting (Solid State Lighting)
Optical Sensors and Lighting in Transportation
Energy (Solar Cells)
Introduction to Photonics

Photonics and Optical Communication, Spring 2007, Dr. D. Knipp

Photonics and Optical Communication

Introduction to Photonics
Areas of major importance for the future
Optics for Military and Surveillance applications
Surveillance
Night Vision
Laser Systems Operating in the Atmosphere and in Space
Fiber-Optic Systems
Displays (e.g. light weight, 360 displays)
Optics in Manufacturing
Use of Light to Perform Manufacturing
Use of Optics (optical metrology) to Control Manufacturing
Specific Industrial Applications
Increasing Use of Optics in Manufacturing
Manufacturing Optical Components and Systems
Low-Cost Manufacturing of Specialty Optics
High-Volume Manufacturing of Optics
Crosscutting Issues
Introduction to Photonics

Photonics and Optical Communication, Spring 2007, Dr. D. Knipp

Photonics and Optical Communication

Information Technology and Telecommunications
In information technology, progress during the past decade has been
extraordinary. For example, optical fiber for communications is being installed
worldwide at a rate of 1,000 meters every second, comparable to the speed of
a Mach 2 aircraft. Just 10 years ago, only 10 percent of all transcontinental
calls in the United States were carried over fiber optic cables; today 90 percent
are. Meeting the computing and communications needs of the next 10 to 20
years will require advances across a broad front: transmission, switching, data
storage, and displays. Many capabilities will have to advance a hundredfold.
Although institutions have access to this rapidly growing, high-speed global
telecommunications network, the infrastructure is not yet in place to provide
individual consumer access that fully exploits the power of the system.

Introduction to Photonics

10

Photonics and Optical Communication, Spring 2007, Dr. D. Knipp

Photonics and Optical Communication

Technology progress

Dense
Wavelength
Division Multiplex
systems
(standard optical
communication)

Introduction to Photonics

11

Photonics and Optical Communication, Spring 2007, Dr. D. Knipp

Photonics and Optical Communication

Need for Optical Fiber Communication

Increase of the bit ratedistance product BL for

different communication
technologies
over time.
Ref.: G.P. Agrawal, FiberOptic Communication
systems

Introduction to Photonics

12

Photonics and Optical Communication, Spring 2007, Dr. D. Knipp

Photonics and Optical Communication

Health Care and the Life Sciences
In medicine, optics is enabling a wide variety of new therapies, from laser heart
surgery to the minimally invasive knee repairs made possible by arthroscopes
containing optical imaging systems. Optical techniques are under investigation
for noninvasive diagnostic and monitoring applications such as early detection
of breast cancer and needleless glucose monitoring for people with diabetes.

Florescence of a sample.

Introduction to Photonics

Optics is providing new biological

research
tools
for
visualization,
measurement, analysis, and manipulation.
In biotechnology, lasers have become
essential in DNA sequencing systems.
Optics is playing such an important role in
the life sciences and medicine that
organizations concerned with these
disciplines need to recognize and adjust to
these developments.

13

Photonics and Optical Communication, Spring 2007, Dr. D. Knipp

Photonics and Optical Communication

Optical Sensing, Lighting, and Energy
Advances in lighting sources and light distribution systems are poised to
dramatically reduce the electricity consumption now devoted to lighting.
Innovative optical sensors are augmenting human vision, showing details and
revealing information never before seen: infrared cameras that provide satellite
pictures of clouds and weather patterns; night-vision scopes for use by law
enforcement agencies; infrared motion
detectors for home security, real-time
measurements of industrial emissions,
on-line industrial process control, and
global environmental monitoring.

Berlin by night.

Introduction to Photonics

14

Photonics and Optical Communication, Spring 2007, Dr. D. Knipp

Photonics and Optical Communication

Optical Sensing, Lighting, and Energy
High-resolution digital cameras are about to revolutionize and computerize
photography and printing, and improvements in photovoltaic cells may permit
solar energy to provide up to half of world energy needs by the middle of the
next century. These developments will affect energy and environmental
concerns on a national scale.

Robot equipped with optical sensors.

Introduction to Photonics

15

Photonics and Optical Communication, Spring 2007, Dr. D. Knipp

Photonics and Optical Communication

Optics in Manufacturing
Optics has had a dramatic economic influence in manufacturing, particularly
since the advent of reliable low-cost lasers and laser-imaging systems. Optical
techniques have become crucial in such diverse industries as semiconductor
manufacturing, construction, and chemical production. Every semiconductor
chip mass produced in the world today is manufactured using optical lithography
Just making the equipment for this
business is a $1 billion industry, and it
ultimately enables a $200 billion
electronics business.

A laser was used to write into a human hair.

Introduction to Photonics

16

Photonics and Optical Communication, Spring 2007, Dr. D. Knipp

Photonics and Optical Communication

Optics in Manufacturing
Other applications include laser welding and sintering, laser model generation,
laser repair of semiconductor displays, curing of epoxy resins, diagnostic probes
for real-time monitoring and control of chemical processes, optical techniques
for alignment and inspection, machine vision, metrology, and even laser
guidance systems for building tunnels.

Visual inspection during the manufacturing of electronic

components.
Introduction to Photonics

17

Photonics and Optical Communication, Spring 2007, Dr. D. Knipp

Photonics and Optical Communication

Optics for Military and Surveillance applications
In area of military applications, optical technology has become ubiquitous, from
low-cost components to complex and expensive systems. Sophisticated
satellite surveillance systems are a keystone of intelligence gathering. Nightvision imagers are in use. Lasers are used for everything from targeting and
range finding to navigation.

Infrared vision systems.

Introduction to Photonics

18

Photonics and Optical Communication, Spring 2007, Dr. D. Knipp

Photonics and Optical Communication

Manufacturing of Optical Systems and Components
As the impact of optics has increased, changes have become necessary in how
optical components and systems are designed and made.
Another is a better understanding of the characteristics of optical materials,
from glasses to polymers to metals, thus permitting broader use of these
automated technologies.

Optical switch (Bell Labs)

Introduction to Photonics

19

Photonics and Optical Communication, Spring 2007, Dr. D. Knipp

Photonics and Optical Communication

Key Conclusions and Recommendations
Optics is an extraordinarily strong and dynamic field. Its diverse applications
are making important contributions to society in areas that range from
telecommunications to medicine to energy to military applications.

Vision of the Future

Developments in optics that will change our lives in ways that today we can
hardly even contemplate. In almost every major area described in this report,
we expect optics to change our world. The future will undoubtedly surprise us,
but here is one possible vision: We imagine the entire world linked together
with high-speed fiberoptic communications, as ubiquitous as todays telephone
system, made possible by advances in optical materials that enable the mass
production of inexpensive, very high quality optical components and systems.
Introduction to Photonics

20

Photonics and Optical Communication, Spring 2007, Dr. D. Knipp

Photonics and Optical Communication

Vision of the Future
This will result in the growth of very high speed Internet data and video
transmission and other new broadband communications services. In health
care, the development of optical ways to monitor human processes could have
an enormous impact on diagnosis and treatment. We dream of a day when
people have personal health monitors that can monitor their health costeffectively and noninvasively by evaluating the optical properties of their blood
and tissue. We also foresee a growing impact of optics in many other areas of
diagnostic and therapeutic medicine, biomedical research and our quality of
life. Facing a world enveloped in greenhouse gases, we will have to consume
energy more wisely. Highly efficient lighting technologies will significantly
reduce the energy it takes to illuminate the world. Solar cells will reduce our
dependence on fossil fuels by making electricity from the light of the sun. In
industry, optical sensors and infrared imagers will make significant inroads into
process control for manufacturing and materials processing.
Introduction to Photonics

21

Photonics and Optical Communication, Spring 2007, Dr. D. Knipp

Photonics and Optical Communication

Vision of the Future
Factories will employ optical sensors extensively in the manufacture of
everything from textiles to automobiles, and digital cameras will substitute for
film in printing and photography. In the electronics industry, which relies on
photolithography to create circuit patterns on chips, producing features smaller
than 0.1 m will require optical steppers that use soft x-ray or extreme
ultraviolet light; optical components for these machines will have
unprecedented optical figure and atomlevel surface smoothness. Optics will be
used in the detection of chemical and biological weapons. This omnipresence
will depend critically on the availability of low-cost optical systems, many of
them developed for commercial use; unique military needs for performance and
reliability.

Introduction to Photonics

22

Photonics and Optical Communication, Spring 2007, Dr. D. Knipp

Photonics and Optical Communication

Vision of the Future
The role of optics in research, which already cuts across nearly all fields of
science and technology, will be limited only by our imagination. High-power
laser systems will make possible the construction of particle accelerators that
extend the energy frontier for experiments in particle physics. Lasers will
manipulate individual atoms in light traps. Laser interferometer experiments
may unravel the mysteries of gravity. Femtosecond visible and x-ray sources
will provide new tools for understanding the dynamics of materials. As the
importance of optics grows, colleges and universities will be challenged
to meet the educational needs of a growing work force. In time, we expect
the field of optics to become a discipline, as computer science has over the
past few decades, and to become recognized as such in educational
institutions around the world.

Introduction to Photonics

23

Photonics and Optical Communication, Spring 2007, Dr. D. Knipp

Photonics and Optical Communication

References:
Harnessing of light, Optical Science and Engineering for the 21th century,
1998. (The first 44 pages of the document are available on the faculty server)
Optische Technologien, www.optische-technologien.de

Introduction to Photonics

24