#FacesofPhotonics: InPhoTech Junior R&D Engineer Sylwester Chojnowski

SPIE’s #FacesofPhotonics social media campaign connects SPIE members in the global optics, photonics, and STEM communities. It serves to highlight similarities, celebrate differences, and foster a space where conversation and community can thrive.

Sylwester working on a breath-analysis system in 
the Optoelectronics Institute.

This week on #FacesofPhotonics we are sharing the story of Junior R&D Engineer at InPhoTech, Sylwester Chojnowski! Sylwester is originally from Poland, and graduated with his Master of Science from the Military University of Technology (MUT) in Warsaw.

We hope you enjoy his interview.

1. Tell us about when you first became interested in optics and photonics.

I became interested in optoelectronics and photonics while I was studying at MUT in Warsaw. While studying chemistry I was interested in methods of detecting various gases, particularly hazardous and explosives materials.

At the Institute of Optoelectronics, I was interested in the possibilities offered by modern lasers, detectors, fiber optics, and sensors. I completed my Master's thesis in electronics with a specialization in optoelectronic systems. It concerned the possibility of testing the stability of explosive materials with the use of optoelectronic sensors.

Members of the MUT SPIE Student Chapter & 
Optoelectronics Student Research Group

2. Describe a memorable experience from an SPIE event.

I received an Officer Travel Grant last year, for a trip to the SPIE Optics + Photonics conference in San Diego. I had the opportunity to meet many experienced people and take advantage of interesting courses. I remember the lecture and training by Jean-Luc Doumont very well, who discussed how to make a presentation properly, write an article, and how to fulfill a PhD.

The trip was great; I enjoyed visiting San Diego and seeing the Pacific Ocean.

Sylwester & colleagues at SPIE Optics + Photonics 2017

3. Share your favorite outreach or volunteer story. 

Sylwester shows the visitors at the Science Picnic one
of the science experiments, "laser painting." 

In 2013, with my colleagues, we founded the Optoelectronics Student Research Group at MUT. I was a vice-chairman for one year and a chairman for two years. During this time, I coordinated the Optoelectronics Student Research Group's involvement with Science Picnic, a science event organized by Polish Radio and the Copernicus Science Centre.

During those picnics, we showed different scientific experiences (e.g. painting with a blue laser), to people who do not have many opportunities to work with photonics in their everyday life.

I am also co-founder of the MUT SPIE Student Chapter, of which I was treasurer. I organized a number of trips for students to various institutions and companies, such as the Institute of High Pressure Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Electronic Materials Technology and the Institute of Plasma Physics and Laser Microfusion in Warsaw.

4. Explain your current research, and how it can impact society.

Members of MUT SPIE Student Chapter and the 
Optoelectronics Student Research Group gather 
at the Science Picnic.

Last year I was a project manager and I researched the ability to detect nicotine-containing products using laser-absorption spectroscopy. This year I started working at InPhoTech as a Junior R&D Engineer. I do research and development in the field of advanced fiber-optic sensors.

5. Share an unexpected discovery you’ve made in your life, either scientific or personal.

My Master's thesis concerned the possibility of testing the chemical stability of explosive materials using laser-absorption spectroscopy methods. In chemical laboratories, I noticed the tests could last from half an hour to three hours.

My method allows such a test to be performed in several minutes. I researched the possibility of detecting tobacco products using appropriate wavelengths, where it would be possible to detect nicotine vapors with the minimum effect of absorption of other gases. Implementation of such a sensor in the future could enable the detection of illegal tobacco products at the border. This would be helpful in Poland, as we have a very big problem with smuggling.

In the lab at MUT

6. What are you most excited to see in the future development of photonics?

I am impressed by the development of photonics and its interdisciplinary applications. I would like to see working automatic cars with a vision system that allows them to communicate with each other using lasers. I would like to see mobile phones operating hologram technology, with sensors for vital signs. I also look forward to using the full quantum computer.



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