WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF PHOTONICS

LASERS AND OPTICS TECHNOLOGY

IN OUR DAILY LIFE

Dr. Anca Sala, Mr. Harvey Vermeesch

What is Photonics?

Definition: The scientific study or application of electromagnetic energy whose basic unit is the photon.

Incorporating optics, laser technology, electrical engineering, materials science, and information storage and processing

2015 – A Big Year for Photonics

2015 was proclaimed the International Year of Light and Light-Based Technologies by the United Nations.

Events celebrating the International Year of Light took place all over the world last year.

Photonics in the Workplace High skill, High wage, High demand

High Skill Industries Using Photonics Agriculture

Communications

Defense

Energy

Manufacturing

Medical

Security

Photonics in Agriculture

Measuring Crop Health: Crop health and overall production can be measured by photonics technologies.

Safe Harvest: Ensuring that food, drink, and pharmaceuticals are all safe for consumption.

Infrared Sensing Technologies: used to determine the health of soil, nutrient content, and hydrology.

Ocean Optics: monitor the sugar content of fruits and vegetables.

Photonics in Communications

Light carries information very fast

High - speed data transmission

Very high bandwidth

Fiber optic networks

Data storage

Photonics in Defense

United States Military uses photonics in: ◦ Night vision equipment

◦ Laser range finders

◦ Target designators to direct weapons precisely

Determining the location of hostile forces using high-resolution images acquired from pilotless, unmanned systems

Utilize high-speed, secure, optical communications to receive intelligence

Intelligence and surveillance information

Keeping our Troops Safe from IEDs and

Missiles

IPG laser mounted on armored vehicle

to remotely take out IED charges

Mobile Tactical High Energy Lasers

(MTHEL) mounted on a truck to be a

mobile platform for rapid deployment of

missile defense

Photonics in Manufacturing

Lasers cut, weld, mark, surface treat nearly any conceivable material

Lasers and photonics devices are essential in quality control, high-speed robotic vision, and automation

Lasers used to inspect integrated circuits

Lasers used to manufacture cell phones and high-resolution displays

Fabricate LEDs, solar panels, medical tools, and all related industrial equipment

Powertrain Tailored Blanks

Components

Body Shop

Common Automotive Laser Welding Applications

IPG Photonics

Seating

Photonics in Medical

Lasers used in surgery, tattoo removal, cosmetic procedures, pain therapy and more

Aesthetic medical laser technician oOperate lasers in clinics, medical spas and

dermatologist offices

Medical laser repair technician oAssemble, ensure proper alignment, maintain

lasers

High Wage

Annual Average Starting salary:

2-year degreed photonics technician

National starting wage = $43,137 Midwest starting wage = $47,781

High Demand

Next 5 -year

Employment Outlook:

2-year degreed photonics technicians Nationally = 4,115 openings

Midwest Region = 725 openings

U.S. Colleges produce only 250 grads/year, vs. 800 technicians needed.

Photonics and the new High Powered Lasers are revitalizing the Automotive Manufacturing sector in Michigan.

A graduate from a Photonics program can find High Paying Careers in this state or out of state.

Companies in Michigan are often compelled to seek skilled Photonics Technicians and Engineers from out of the United States.

The Photonics industry in Michigan will only grow as manufacturing technologies continue to grow.

IPG Photonics – business partner of

Baker College

Career Opportunities for Photonics Technicians in Michigan

IMRA America IPG Photonics L-3 Comm/EO Tech Laser Mechanisms Lumen Flow Micro-LAM Technologies NoIR Laser Shields Precitec Rigaku Innovative Technologies Synchron Laser Thorlabs-UFO Trumpf Inc Visotek Inc

Advanced Photonix Arborlight Biophotonic Solutions Clark MXR Coherix Contour Metrological and Manufacturing Data Optics Dow Corning Corp Electro-Optics Technology EMAG Technology Fraunhofer USA

Baker College Associate Degree Photonics and Laser Technology

• Program started in fall 2013.

• Supported by grants from: •National Science Foundation

•Mi-Light, Michigan Photonics Cluster

• First graduates were recently hired by photonics companies in Michigan.

Program Curriculum • General Education: Composition I and II, Introductory Algebra, Human

Relations, Oral Communication, Workplace Communication, Technical Communication

• Math and Science: Intermediate Algebra, Trigonometry, Integrated Physics

• Electronics Fundamentals: Electrical Technology, DC Circuits, AC Circuits, Digital Circuits I, Solid State Devices I

• CAD: Introduction to 3-D Modeling

• Photonics Core: Intro to Photonics and Laser Technologies, Geometrical Optics, Wave Optics, Laser Fundamentals, Laser Systems, Optical Systems Analysis, Photonics Applications, Fiber Optics, Capstone Project

• Professional Career Strategies, Internship/Co-op

Optics and Photonics Laboratory at Baker College

Equipment includes different types of lasers, power and energy meters, spectrometers, beam profilers, high speed oscilloscopes, miscellaneous optical components, and optical tables.

Photonics Skills Taught

• Set-up and align a laser/optical system according to given specifications

• Optimize system parameters

• Perform necessary troubleshooting and maintenance of laser/optical systems

• Identify the correct optics for an intended application

• Follow proper methods for optical inspection and cleaning

Photonics Skills Taught continued

• Set-up and perform interferometric and other dimensional and displacement measurements per specifications

• Inspect surfaces for imperfections of optical components (scratch and dig test)

• Measure laser power output and laser beam characteristics

• Use test equipment including oscilloscope, power and energy meter, spectrum analyzer, beam profiler

Year 1 Electrical Technology

Year 1 DC Circuits

Year 1 AC Circuits

Year 2 Digital Circuits I

Year 2 Solid State Devices I

Year 2 Introduction to Photonics

Year 2 Fiber Optics

Photonics In Career and Technical Education

Possible courses in a two-year program

CTE Partnership Baker College of Flint

Articulation Opportunities: CAD program → 3-D Modeling course

Electronics program → Electrical Technology, DC/AC Circuits courses

Mechatronics → Electrical Technology, DC/AC Circuits courses

Computer Science → Fiber Optics course

Indicators for Student Success

• Interest in technology/high tech

• Math: algebra and trigonometry

• Physical sciences

• Mechanical aptitude

• Good eye-hand coordination

• Ability to think analytically

• Teamwork skills

Further Information

Contact

◦ Dr. Anca Sala, anca.sala@baker.edu

◦ Mr. Harvey Vermeesch,

hvermeesch@gmail.com

mailto:anca.sala@baker.edu

Questions?