植物工場における光学技術の展望

摘要

This report overviews the history and technology development of the light-controlled plant cultivation system in Japan at first, especially comparing the performance and characteristics of lighting devices for vegetable cultivation. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are featured with a narrow light-emitting spectrum, enabling them to focus light on plants with just the required wavelength of light. In addition, it is possible to completely reduce thermal infrared radiation. This means the light source can be positioned very close to plants. Furthermore, the lack of infrared radiation is an important cost advantage in terms of managing the temperature of a closed vegetable cultivation system. Then, the optical application for sensing the vegetable in the cultivation system is also reviewed in the next. The future development of the lightcontrolled plant cultivation system is discussed in detail.