Messe Muenchen, the organisers of Laser World of Photonics, have announced that this years' exhibition and trade show will present photonics as a key technology for the security industry, featuring security and defence in a separate exhibition area for the first time.
A large number of modern security applications have been made possible due to the rapid development of optical technologies in the last few years, in both civil and military systems. Laser-based surveillance technologies are important in a variety of tasks. The new products on display at the exhibition will include cameras in the short wave infrared range (SWIR), which are able to better recognise objects in the seldom used 900-1,900nm wavelength range. The latest improvements to night vision and thermal imaging devices will also be on display.
Another aspect to be covered by the security focus will be the civil use of fibre-optic sensor systems, in applications such as risk management in underground mining. According to the organisers of the exhibition, innovation in this sector is driven by recently developed terahertz technology and new processes for laser spectroscopy and imaging. As an integral part of the focus on security and defence, a talk entitled 'Aspects of the modern optical equipment of soldiers' will be held during the Photonics Forum on 25 May.
