Photonics engineering technicians collaborate with engineers in the development of photonic systems or components, usually in the form of optical equipment, such as lasers, lenses, and fibre optic equipment. Photonics engineering technicians build, test, install and calibrate optical equipment. They read blueprint and other technical drawings to develop testing and calibrating procedures.
No competences in this bucket.
The process and different stages of manufacturing an optical product, from design and prototyping to the preparation of optical components and lenses, the assembly of optical equipment, and the intermediate and final testing of the optical products and its components.
The drawings detailing the design of products, tools, and engineering systems.
Devices that are able to produce light through the optical amplification of the stimulated emission of electromagnetic radiation, such as gas lasers, solid-state lasers, fiber lasers, photonic lasers and semiconductor lasers. The spatial and temporal coherence of lasers allows for the concentration of light in one place, such as laser pointers, as well as the concentration of light in time, so that light can be produced in a much shorter time than other light and can also emit as single colour of light.
The components and materials necessary for building optical instruments, such as lenses and frames.
Subdiscipline of engineering that deals with the development of optical instruments and applications, such as telescopes, microscopes, lenses, lasers, fibre optic communication, and imaging systems.
The national and international quality and safety standards and regulations with regards to the use and manufacture of optical equipment, including optical materials, optical components, optical systems, ophthalmic equipment, optomechanical equipment, optical measuring equipment, photographic equipment, and optoelectronic equipment.
The characteristics of optical glass such as refractive index, dispersion, and chemical properties.
The science that studies the elements and reaction of light.
Branch of electronics and optics dedicated to the study and use of electronic devices that detect and control light.
The science and technology of generating, controlling and detecting particles of light. It explores phenomena and applications in which light is used to transfer or process information, or to physically alter materials.
Refractive power or optical power is the degree to which an optical system, such as a lens, converges or diverges light. Diverging lenses possess negative refractive power, while converging lenses possess positive refractive power.
Common types of optical instruments and lenses, such as microscopes and telescopes, their mechanics, components, and characteristics.
No competences in this bucket.
Apply coating to optical lenses, such as reflective coating to mirrors, anti-reflective coatings to camera lenses, or tinted coatings to sunglasses.
Prepare, construct, and assemble optoelectronic components and systems, such as lasers and imaging systems, using soldering, micro-fabrication, and polishing techniques.
Clean optical components after every cycle in the manufacturing process.
Mount optical components, such as lenses, and precision mechanical components, such as frames, into assemblies and adjust. Lenses are mechanically set into place using threaded retaining rings and the use of adhesive cement on the outer cylindrical edge to hold individual lenses in place.
Set up and operate optical processing or assembly equipment, such as optical spectrum analysers, power saws, lasers, die bonders, soldering irons, and wire bonders.
Test optical systems, products, and components with appropriate optical testing methods, such as axial ray testing and oblique ray testing.
Adjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.
Align and lay out components in order to put them together correctly according to blueprints and technical plans.
Assist engineers or scientists with conducting experiments, performing analysis, developing new products or processes, constructing theory, and quality control.
Fasten components together according to blueprints and technical plans in order to create subassemblies or finished products.
Use various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.
Collaborate with engineers to ensure common understanding and discuss product design, development and improvement.
Perform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, and adjust settings accordingly.
Prepare early models or prototypes in order to test concepts and replicability possibilities. Create prototypes to assess for pre-production tests.
Read the technical drawings of a product made by the engineer in order to suggest improvements, make models of the product or operate it.
Record data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptional or unusual input.
No competences in this bucket.
The use of modelling and simulation to predict complex physical behaviours in science and engineering. It interacts with other areas in mechanics including solid mechanics and fluid mechanics, but also material science, mathematics and numerical methods.
Types of sensors used in digital cameras, such as charged coupled devices (CCD) and complementary metal oxide semiconductor sensors (CMOS).
Optical devices, systems, and components that possess electrical or electronic features, such as lasers or electrooptic modulators.
Optical devices with a size of 1 millimeter or smaller, such as microlenses and micromirrors.
Micro-opto-electro-mechanics (MOEM) combines microelectronics, microoptics and micromechanics in the development of MEM devices with optical features, such as optical switches, optical cross-connects, and microbolometers.
Components that possess mechanical and optical features, such as optical mirrors, optical mounts, and optical fibre.
The technology that works through principles of quantum mechanics such as quantum entanglement and quantum superposition.
The computer-aided design (CAD) software for creating, modifying, analysing or optimising a design.
The software to perform computer-aided engineering (CAE) analysis tasks such as Finite Element Analysis and Computional Fluid Dynamics.
The different electromagnetic wavelenghts or frequencies that are situated on the electromagnetic spectrum. Wavelenghts are divided in several categories according to their wavelength and energy level, starting from radio wavelenghts with a long wavelength and a low energy level, to microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and finally Gamma-rays with a short wavelength and a high energy level.
The functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications.
The engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.
The technology which utilises optical fibre, such as plastic or glass threads, to transmit data. Optical fibres are able to transmit light between the two ends of the fibre and may transfer images and messages modulated onto light waves. Fibre optic cables have increased in popularity because of their possibility to transfer data over long distances at higher bandwidths and with lesser amounts of interference than metal cables.
Firmware is a software program with a read-only memory (ROM) and a set of instructions that is permanently inscribed on a hardware device. Firmware is commonly used in electronic systems such as computers, mobile phones, and digital cameras.
Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.
Computer processors on a microscale that integrate the computer central processing unit (CPU) on a single chip.
Devices with a size smaller than 1 mm that can convert a non-electric signal, such as temperature, into an electrical signal. Because of their size, microsensors offer better accuracy, range, and sensitivity compared to larger sensors.
Electronic devices, systems, and components that possess optical features. These devices or components may include electrically driven light sources, such as LEDs and laser diodes, components that can convert light into electricity, such as solar or photovoltaic cells, or devices that can electronically manipulate and control light.
Printed circuit boards (PCB) are essential components to almost all electronic devices. They consist of thin wafers or substrates on which electronic components, such as microchips, are placed. The electronic components are electrically connected through conductive tracks and pads.
Semiconductors are essential components of electronic circuits and contain properties of both insulators, such as glass, and conductors, such as copper. Most semiconductors are crystals made of silicon or germanium. By introducing other elements in the crystal through doping, the crystals turn into semiconductors. Depending on the amount of electrons created by the doping process, the crystals turn into N-type semiconductors, or P-type semiconductors.
Sensors are transducers that can detect or sense characteristics in their environment. They detect changes in the apparatus or environment and provide a corresponding optical or electrical signal. Sensors are commonly divided in six classes: mechanical, electronic, thermal, magnetic, electrochemical, and optical sensors.
No competences in this bucket.
Check optical materials for damage, such as scratches, before using the material.
Read and comprehend circuit diagrams showing the connections between the devices, such as power and signal connections.
Diagnose and detect malfunctions in optical systems, such as lasers, microscopes, and oscilloscopes. Remove, replace, or repair these systems or system components when necessary. Execute preventative equipment maintenance tasks, such as storing the equipment in clean, dust-free, and non-humid spaces.
Explain technical details to non-technical customers, stakeholders, or any other interested parties in a clear and concise manner.
Correct and adjust the reliability of optical instruments, such as photometers, polarimeters, and spectrometers, by measuring output and comparing results with the data of a reference device or a set of standardised results. This is done in regular intervals which are set by the manufacturer.
Assist with the integration of new systems, products, methods, and components in the production line. Ensure that production workers are properly trained and follow the new requirements.
Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
Observing machine operations and evaluating product quality thereby ensuring conformity to standards.
Program permanent software with a read-only memory (ROM) on a hardware device, such as an integrated circuit.
Identify, report and repair equipment damage and malfunctions. Communicate with field representatives and manufacturers to obtain repair and replacement components.
Use computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) programmes to control machinery and machine tools in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation as part of the manufacturing processes of workpieces.
Compose technical customer reports understandable for people without technical background.