The use of photonics and fiber optic sensor technology in the Automotive and Aerospace industries has developed in parallel with advances in fiber optics and other optoelectronics industries such as solid-state lighting, where LED technology is enabling a new generation of energy efficient lighting systems; optical communications and computing, where fiber optics has revolutionized how information and data is processed; and lasers which dominate the compact disk, DVD, laser printer, and scanner industries. As a result of this cross-domain synergy, an enormous amount of new technologies have emerged such as 3D printers and smart sensors for pressure, temperature and liquid level detection, and many more continue to emerge.
State-of-the art fiber optic sensor technologies for photonics in Automotive and Aerospace include emerging technologies for cryogenic hydrogen leak detection systems for space applications, to a new generation of fiber optic sensor using holography for detection of motion and vibration in an automobile bumper shock, to a 360-degree vision system for cars. At the same time, in the manufacturing process, laser machining is enabling important advances such as Direct Parts Marking, UID, Date Codes, Bar Codes, Time Stamps and all other permanent marks on parts and components for traceability and code compliance purposes. The potential of 3D printing for the Automotive and Aerospace industries is also a rapidly evolving phenomenon in the field of manufacturing.
Examples of where photonics is applied in Mobility include:
- Night vision systems
- LED lighting
- Datacom bus systems
- Sensor systems
- Laser machining
- 3D printing