fototeknologi

Fototeknologi, also known as photonics technology, is the scientific and engineering field that focuses on the generation, manipulation, detection, and application of light (photons). It combines principles from physics, optics, materials science, and electrical engineering to create devices and systems that rely on light rather than electricity alone for signal processing, communication, and power conversion. The core concept is that photons can carry, transmit, or store information and energy, offering advantages such as high speed, low loss, and immunity to electromagnetic interference.

The field emerged in the mid‑20th century, initially driven by the development of the laser and the semiconductor light‑emitting diode (LED). Over the decades, photonic crystals, optical fibers, and integrated optical circuits have evolved to form the backbone of modern telecommunications, leading to broadband internet and high‑capacity data links. In parallel, photovoltaic technology has advanced, converting sunlight directly into electricity with efficiencies exceeding 26% in commercial panels and approaching 30% in laboratory devices.

Key technologies in fototeknologi include lasers, especially solid‑state, diode, and fiber lasers; LEDs for lighting and communication; photodetectors such as photodiodes and avalanche photodiodes for sensing; fiber‑optic components like couplers, splitters, and multiplexers; and nonlinear optical materials that enable frequency conversion and signal amplification. Integrated photonics, where multiple optical functions are combined on a single chip, is rapidly maturing, promising compact, energy‑efficient communication modules for data centers and consumer electronics.

Applications span telecommunications, medical imaging and surgery, industrial sensing and process control, environmental monitoring, and quantum information science. As device fabrication techniques improve and cost barriers decline, fototeknologi is expected to play an increasingly central role in next‑generation information technology, sustainable energy solutions, and precision sensing infrastructures.