Optoelectronics

The term Optoelectronics (sometimes Optronics or optotronics called ) arose from the combination of optics and semiconductor electronics and, in the broadest sense includes all products and processes that enable the conversion of electronically generated data and energies in light emission and vice versa. Background is, for example, the attempt to combine the advantages of electronic data processing and processing with the advantages of rapid and electromagnetically and electrostatically unstörbaren broadband transmission property of the light. At the same time the conversion of electrical energy included here in light and vice versa based on the electronic semiconductor technology, which enables the light to propagate in free space or in solid light transmissive media (optical fiber, such as fiber optic cables ) either or, as in the optical storage technology also can serve for the storage of electronically generated data. The Optoelectronics is become an integral part of daily life, because it includes components such as lasers, displays, computers, optical memory and disk.

Optoelectronic components

Optoelectronic components are components that act as an interface between electrical and optical components or devices containing such components. So are usually ( but not exclusively) meant microelectronic components which operate on the basis of semi-conductors.

The components can be used in optoelectronics actuators ( transmitters) and detectors (receivers) divide. Photoelectric actuators are semiconductor devices that generate electricity from light, ie laser and light emitting diodes. The emission spectrum can be placed down in both the visible and the invisible ( ultraviolet and infrared ) spectral region. Photoelectric detectors are the inverse elements of the actuators, so photoresistor, photodiode ( also solar cell) and phototransistor. Light sensors may also be constructed as an integrated circuit, such as a CCD sensor. Also photomultiplier are counted for optoelectronics. Actuator and is operated as a detector system, this results in an optical sensor, a so-called visual sensor. The field is called, by analogy, as optical sensors. The simple combination of an actuator and detector in one component is referred to as optocouplers.

Besides these, there are other components that are needed in the transmission, amplification or modulation of signals. The transmission of optical signals can be carried out through the free space, or in connection with the optical waveguide, and circuits (see integrated optics ). Optical modulators are devices which light a defined characteristic impose ( modulate ). This may for example be a temporal or spatial variation of amplitude or phase. These include optical amplifiers, optoelectronic multiplexers and optical magnetostrictive micro reflectors.

Course of studies

Optoelectronics is the branch of engineering science that can be studied at universities either as stand-alone course or as a depression towards another degree program (Technical computer science, technical physics, electrical engineering, nanoengineering / nanostructure science, microsystems technology ).

Study objectives:

• Design and optimization of complex optical systems, for example with the help of relevant design software
• Understanding of the interaction of optical waves with inorganic and organic matter
• Understanding of the development and production of light with specific characteristics, development and manufacture of novel light sources, adaptive lighting technology
• Acquisition of good physiological and ergonomic knowledge for the development and implementation of new concepts in lighting