§16§Discoveries and inventions periodically cause new technological developments within human societies. Key inventions and their accompanying economic and social changes can be seen as the main promoters of technological and structural progress. Many examples of change can be traced back to key inventions. At the end of the last century, one of the major lines of technological development was the implementation of electricity, the introduction of electric current. Inno vations were generated both by applying the "low quality" thermal and energy transmission properties, as well as by studying "high quality" characteristics like signal processing and electromagnetic wave propagation. In the field of signal processing, particular devices like the thermionic valve, the transistor and the (micro) chip deserve mention. Regarding energy generation, distribution and consumption, huge investments were made in coal and nuclear power plants, as well as in consumer and industrial electric applia §16§nces. Which innovations can be expected to improve or replace some of the applications (products, processes) of electricity? Thinking of an important technology invented about three decades ago - the laser - coherent light plays the key role in the process ("light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation"). Thus the new term technologies of light can be used for such innovations. Extending the definition, "technologies of light" or "photonics" can be defined as any methods, processes or products which make use of the spectrum of light, and any systems whose function is to study, measure, transform or transmit by means of light. §04§1 Introduction.- 2 Technological Survey.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 Lasers.- 2.3 Fibres.- 2.4 Optical Information Processing.- 3 Lasers and Materials Processing.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Types of Lasers.- 3.3 Lasers in Material Working.- 3.4 Lasers in Medicine.- 3.5 Lasers in Microprocessing.- 3.6 Lasers in Chemistry.- 3.7 Lasers in Measurement, Inspection and Control.- 4 Fibres and Sensors.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Fibre-Optic Communication.- 4.3 Fibre-Optic Sensors.- 5 Optical Information Processing.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Displays.- 5.3 Reprographics.- 5.4 Machine Vision.- 5.5 Optical Memory and Computing.- 6 Markets and Trends.- 6.1 Lasers.- 6.2 Fibres.- 7 Conclusions and Recommendations.- 8 Bibliography. §02§Prof. Dr. Reinhart Poprawe holds an M. A. in Physics from California State University (Fresno, 1977). After completion of his diploma and PhD in Physics (Darmstadt 1984) he joined the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology in Aachen, where he began working as head of the department "Laser Oriented Process Development." From 1988 to 1996 he served as managing director of Thyssen Laser Technik GmbH in Aachen. Since then he has been managing director of the Fraunhofer ILT and holds the University Chair for Laser Technology at the RWTH Aachen.
