The purpose of the “International IR WORKshop,” which was last held in November 2016, is to share the latest news and developments from the infrared world. Forty-two presentations in two consecutive days was very demanding on the wide international audience. In a concentrated working environment, the main players from the infrared world presented the latest developments from their specialized fields followed by a brief Q&A session. Short two to three-minute presentations just before the breaks rounded off the programme.
This sector is self-confident, has a growing number of young people, is fond of discussion, and has a clear, commercial focus. Fittingly, the French market researcher and expert in optics and photonics Thierry Robin opened the IR WORKshop with his contribution.
IR Detectors. The IR WORKshop proceeded to a classic session on “IR Detectors,” providing a variety of information that ranges from non-invasive glucose measurement via semiconductor alternatives to Mercury Cadmium Telluride (MCT), then to increasing the performance of pyroelectric detectors, and finally to trendsetting in the Internet of Things (IoT).
IR Components.The second of three sessions provided insights on advances in „IR Components“. Research in chalcogenide glasses is heading in the direction of aspheres and free-form optics. The goal here is the development of lighter and more robust IR cameras for use in aerospace and driver assistance systems.
The main focus regarding the emitters was on broadband light sources because the enormous advances made by Quantum Cascade Lasers (QCLs) could even be the subject of a whole conference in itself.
Applications. Finally, novel applications were presented. The versatility of it best shows that IR technologies are leaving their niche markets. Spectral skin measurements were the subject of discussion, as well as identifying hot and cold spots on train tracks to detect defective brakes.
We expect to see the miniaturisation of IR measurement methods and their further integration into smartwatches and smartphones – and not just for so-called health applications. Discussions also ensued during the introduction of an app for the detection of moisture in flour or the research of automobile gas emissions at toll stations.
