Photonics is used everywhere. We are familiar with fiber optic cable which is very well known example of photonics. It uses light to transmit data rather than electronic signals. It is main feature of photonics; using light to transmit data and also for sensing applications.
Photonics technology is evident in CT scans, LED lights, barcodes, DVD players, driverless cars, cellular phones and even in laser guided missiles. According to quantum physics, light can be used as both particle and wave, this theory was first suggested by Einstein in 1905.
Today we use and produce more than 70% data every year. If it grows at this rate, within six years, all the electrical power which we generate worldwide would be required to handle this data. Our currently technology is going to reach its ceiling. The only solution to this problem is integrated photonics.
Photonics is science which is used to create, detect and move photons. Photonic is so beautiful that it combines electrical engineering, physics and material science together.
This technology uses source of light like lasers to guide light such as fiber optics and other electronic devices to convert optical signals into electrical signals. Normally these components are not physically connected to each other and are connected to each other with the help of couplings so that optical circuit can be completed.
On the other hand, in integrated photonics, waveguides and devices are invented as integrated on flat surface. Due to this integration, intricate circuits can now transmit light very fast and efficiently.
There are very important differences between electrons and photons. Electrons move slowly and interact with each other and copper wire further limit the amount of information. On the other hand, photons move very fast at light speed without any intrusion and much information is transmitted at one time.
Electronic currents heat up fast while photons transmit information dissipating only fraction of energy. This advantage leads to information transmit across chip very fast and with more efficiency using very less power. Scientists are working to reduce the fabrication costs involved in incorporating photonic components into chips.
The technology of integrated photonics can be used in following areas of life:
• Today major data centers like Google, Amazon and Facebook are running massive cloud computing data centers. With more and more information is added in the cloud, the load on wired and wireless networks also increases. According to research, these data centers consumed energy equivalent to 500MW which is enough to power New York City for whole two years. If we use integrated photonics, these data centers would be able to handle high speed data consuming only half power.
• Using integrated photonics, radiofrequency signals can be deployed with more reliability with more radio channels. It can remove the background noise with ultra-long distance radio communications with more precision.
• Photons can also be useful to improve our health. They can be used to identify toxic gases from air pollution and infection in the water also. They can detect irregularities in the blood like low glucose levels. Photonic circuits can be used as sensors in mobile phones. These sensors can be used to monitor our environment and food supply and also for diagnosing cancer.
• Photonic microchips can be used in optical fiber and incorporated in aircraft wing. It helps to monitor any cracks in the wing by calculating the degree of tension.
European Union has made integrated photonics as one important component out of its five “Key Enabling Technologies” having huge economic potential. After 30 years, every application will be running on technology of integrated technology.
Research is already being done at Eindhoven University in Netherlands to make it world’s largest hotspot for integrated photonics research and development.
However, this technology is currently in infancy stage in terms of applications and photonic chips are very expensive. However scientists are working hard to reduce its production costs. When these chips will be used more and more, their development costs will fall sharply.