What is Photonics?
The term Photonics was coined in 1967 by Pierre Aigrain, a French scientist, who gave the following definition:
'Photonics is the science of the harnessing of light. Photonics encompasses the generation of light, the detection of light, the management of light through guidance, manipulation, and amplification, and most importantly, its utilisation for the benefit of mankind.'
Photonics is a very diverse technology. It covers a broad range of the spectrum, from ultraviolet, through visible light and infrared, and up to the millimetre and terahertz range. It involves a wide range of disciplines including advanced materials and metamaterials to micro-optics, nanophotonics, biophotonics and quantum optics.
The importance of Photonics can be seen from the multitude of application sectors where it is increasingly seen to be driving innovation. These sectors include information, communication, imaging, lighting, displays, manufacturing, life sciences and health care, and safety and security. In these areas Photonics is offering new and unique solutions where today's conventional technologies are approaching their limits in terms of speed, capacity and accuracy.
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