The Photonics Technicians are trained in the use of devices and systems associated with fiber optics and lasers, and with their applications.
Primary Objectives:
- The Photonics Technicians uses light to generate energy, detect information, or transmit information.
- The Photonics Technicians install and troubleshoot lasers, optical systems, fiber optic devices, telecommunications equipment, photonics manufacturing equipment and simple control systems.
- Photonics Technicians work with chemists and materials scientists to develop production methods aimed at purifying optical fiber.
- A Photonics Technician must major in physics and electronics many companies will provide on the job training to high school graduates who have majored in the field but you can go to a community college and get the training that you need.
The Photonics Technicians are trained in the use of devices and systems associated with fiber optics and lasers, and with their applications. They are called “photon” which is a unit of light so the term Photonics Technicians describes the job. The Photonics Technicians is considered the science of using light to generate energy, detect information, or transmit information. The Photonic Technician installs and troubleshoots lasers, optical systems, fiber optic devices, telecommunications equipment, photonics manufacturing equipment and simple control systems.
Fiber optics is the technology by which light and images are transmitted through hair-thin strands of plastic-coated glass fiber. The Photonics Technicians knows the light in these fibers may be generated by lasers, which concentrate light into a narrow, intense beam. Since fiber optics offers a fast, reliable, and inexpensive means of telecommunication the Photonics Technicians often use this method when installing telecommunication. The Photonics Technicians know that lasers can be used by physicians in diagnosing and treating a variety of conditions and diseases so they work to create just the right tools. The military uses lasers to in navigation and weaponry equipment.
Photonics Technicians may work for telecommunications firms and for optical fiber producers. The Photonics Technicians help electrical and chemical engineers and scientists deal with problems relating to fiber optics light sources. The Photonics Technicians use an instrument called a spectrometer that measures light frequencies emitted by lasers. The Photonics Technicians also help engineers set up electrical and electronic experiments. The Photonics Technicians uses these results to calculate through of computer-aided design systems. Photonics Technicians may also assist in the development of new fiber optics designs and applications. Photonics Technicians work with chemists and material scientists to develop production methods aimed at purifying optical fiber. There are other Photonics Technicians who assist chemical and mechanical engineers in finding methods to reduce production costs. Photonics Technicians have a large variety of fields that they can select to work in. Some Photonics Technicians prefer to work with engineers and scientists concerning the development, installation, and operation of laser systems. There are basically two types of laser systems gas and solid-state. Photonics Technicians work with semiconductor laser systems, which are the most compact and reliable of all laser systems.
Photonics Technicians assist engineers in dealing with methods to improve information flow and telecommunications systems. The Photonics Technicians know that computer and telephone systems are the primary information flow systems and this is what they help to design, test and install. Other Photonics Technicians work with the larger and more costly gas-type laser systems, which are used primarily in the robotics and materials processing industries and in medical applications. Some Photonics Technicians are also employed by the Department of Defense and companies that manufacture lasers for the department under contract.
Since there are such a variety of positions that a Photonics Technician can work in the type of educational requirements may vary. Depending on the type of job you want and the employer for whom you want to work with will depend on the type of educational requirements needed. You can train at a local community college taking a two year course in physics and electronics afterwards then your employer will train you to work in the field that you have chosen. Fiber optics and laser manufacturing companies hire graduates who have taken a two year studies in the field then train the Photonics Technician on the job. There are some manufacturers who hire students straight out of high school and prefer training them while they are working in the field. The preferred technician to hire is those who have worked in the field of electronics. It is much easier to train someone who is experienced in the field of electronics.