Photonics engineers work with light generation, transmission, amplification, and detection. They develop and optimize photonics systems, including fiber optic technology, and use tools such as lasers and microscopes. Photonics devices are used in industries such as construction, medicine, and manufacturing.
The subject of photonics encompasses the technical applications of light. Photonics plays a critical role in the production of numerous products such as bar code scanners, television remote controls and laser leveling devices. A photonics engineer works closely with photonics on concepts involving light generation, transmission, amplification, and detection.
Many inventors in history have studied the field of photonics. The invention of lasers – the photonic devices that generate light in most fiber optic systems – essentially marked the beginning of widespread interest in photonics in the early 1960s, while laser diodes further promoted photonic inventions in the 1970s. The information carriers that make up the infrastructure of the Internet revolutionized the telecommunications industry in the late 20th century. Photonics engineers have been leading researchers in the development and application of these technologies.
Fiber optic technology involves transmitting light and information through thin glass fibers; a large amount of information can be transmitted quickly using fiber optics. Many photonic engineers work with fiber optics producers because these systems are widely used around the world. High-volume telecommunications companies and fiber optic manufacturing companies are the largest employers of photonic engineers. Certain photonic engineers are employed strictly to refine the purity of optical fibers, because impure optical fibers can be very inefficient and contribute to energy loss.
A photonics engineer may be employed by a company that designs or tests photonics components and systems. These engineers may also be responsible for developing optical imaging products and signal process technologies and analyzing the performance of photonic systems. Many photonics engineers develop and test to optimize current photonics systems, as well as conduct research on newer and more advanced photonics technologies for future applications.
Various tools are used by photonic engineers on a regular basis. A photonics engineer may have to work closely with different types of lasers such as tunable diode lasers, tunable dye lasers, and argon ion lasers. Electron microscopes, as well as several different types of fluorescent microscopes, including deconvolution fluorescent microscopes, confocal microscopes, and total internal reflection fluorescent microscopes, are often used by photonics engineers. Other tools often employed by the average photonics engineer include wavelength meters, optical spectrum analyzers, and digital storage oscilloscopes.
Devices developed by photonics engineers play important roles in several important industries. Laser locating and leveling devices can be found on virtually any construction site. In the medical industry, lasers are used to perform surgical endoscopy procedures and laser eye surgeries designed to correct vision problems. Many companies in the industrial manufacturing sector employ lasers in precision drilling, cutting and welding applications.
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