Embedding photonic functionalities into an integrated optical chip can often simplify and reduce the size of a system. This white paper introduces the basic concepts of photonic integration with a goal to help the reader understand how it can improve optical systems.
Bio-imaging and detection techniques that use non-linear optical (NLO) phenomena have led to great advancements, such as super-resolution images, label-free visualization of naturally occurring biomolecules, and greater freedom for working with in-vivo samples. This white paper discusses the importance of choosing thin-film optical components for NLO systems to ensure optimal signal strength, resolution, and image quality.
FLIR offers the Boson® longwave infrared (LWIR) thermal camera using XIR™ expandable infrared video processing architecture to enable advanced image processing, video analytics, peripheral sensor drivers, and several industry-standard communication interfaces while maintaining low power consumption. Setting a new standard for size, weight, and power (SWaP), this core includes a 12µm pitch vanadium oxide (VOx) uncooled detector in 640 x 512 or 320 x 256 resolutions.
SCHOTT Lighting and Imaging offers a series of fiber optic faceplates designed for high-resolution, “zero thickness” image transfer applications such as CCD and CMOS coupling, LCD and OLED displays, image intensification, remote viewing, field flattening, and X-ray imaging.
The ColdVision series from SCHOTT Lighting and Imaging is composed of an extensive array of light sources, fiber optic guides, and accessories designed to work seamlessly with each other for illumination purposes in machine vision and microscopy applications.
SCHOTT Electronic Packaging offers the HermeS® glass substrate wafer with hermetically sealed solid “Through Glass Vias” (TGV) designed to enable fully gastight and long-term robust enclosures for MEMS devices such as industrial hermetic MEMS sensors, medical MEMS, and RF MEMS. It features fine-pitched vias that allow for reliable conduction of electrical signals and power into and out of MEMS devices.
To support infotainment and HUD augmented reality displays and enhanced vision systems, Abrisa Technologies offers solutions manufactured from on-hand technologies and float glass, complete with custom features and edge fabrication, strengthening, graphics, coating, and oleophobics.
Optics
Optics is an interesting subset of physics. It is the study of light and how it can be used in various industries from measurements to biology as well as photography to navigation. Optics is a fascinating field and we are just beginning to scratch the surface with what we know. One of the most interesting developments in optics is the use of fiber optics in the transmission of data. Light is used to transmit data across long distances and this has proved to be efficient as well as inexpensive.
Light is the fasted trailing particle in the universe and it is radiated from one point to the next in the form of waves. Light in a vacuum can travel at an astonishing 300 million meters per second, a speed that would take it to the moon in just about one second. Optics is primarily concerned with the use of light and how the light can be reflected, refracted, bent or manipulated in just about any way. The unique nature of light gives tremendous benefits in using it in various industries. Optics is no one of the ways where light can be used to store data. It seems that anything electrons have done in the past, light waves are able to do, just able to do it faster. In the beginning copper cables were used to transmit electrical pulses in network data transfer. While at that time it was a breakthrough, it was comparatively slow to the movement of light through fiber optics. Once fiber optics replaced, broad band speeds were achieved. All thanks to optics. The uses of optics can advance further with headway being made in fields of defense as well as medicine. Optics are now being used to return sight to the blind as well as create sight for robots.
