Photonics is the science and technology of generating and controlling photons, particularly in the visible and near infra-red light spectrum. Photonics as a science is closely related to quantum optics and optoelectronics with somewhat unclear boundaries. Quantum optics frequently implies fundamental research, while photonics often refers to more application-related research. The term optoelectronics, which by construction is a somewhat narrower field than photonics dealing only with active elements involving an electrical interaction, nonetheless frequently is used to include passive photonic elements as well. In physics, the photon (from Greek φως phos, meaning light) is the quantum of the electromagnetic field, for instance light. ... Image of a small dog taken in mid-infrared (thermal) light (false color) Infrared (IR) radiation is electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength longer than visible light, but shorter than microwave radiation. ... Prism splitting light Light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength that is visible to the eye (visible light) or, in a technical or scientific context, electromagnetic radiation of any wavelength. ... Legend: γ = Gamma rays HX = Hard X-rays SX = Soft X-Rays EUV = Extreme ultraviolet NUV = Near ultraviolet Visible light NIR = Near infrared MIR = Moderate infrared FIR = Far infrared Radio waves: EHF = Extremely high frequency (Microwaves) SHF = Super high frequency (Microwaves) UHF = Ultrahigh frequency VHF = Very high frequency HF = High frequency... Quantum optics is a field of research in physics, dealing with the application of quantum mechanics to phenomena involving light and its interactions with matter. ... Optoelectronics is the study and application of electronic devices that interact with light. ...

The term photonics may, but doesn't always, imply a goal of establishing an electronics of photons instead of electrons. Polaritonics differs with photonics in that the fundamental information carrier is a phonon-polariton, which is an admixture of photons and phonons, and operates in the range of frequencies from 300 terahertz to approximately 10 terahertz. Photonics typically operates at frequencies on the order of hundreds of terahertz. Two digital voltmeters The field of electronics is the study and use of systems that operate by controlling the flow of electrons or other electrically charged particles in devices such as thermionic valves and semiconductors. ... This article is in need of attention. ... This article is in need of attention. ... The phonon is the acoustic analogy to the photon. ... A terahertz (THz) is 1012 hertz or a thousand gigahertz, a measure of frequency. ...

Bundle of photons dispersed by a prism

The field of photonics has a strong interest in optical communication. The science and applications of photonics are usually based on laser light. prism splitting light Source: NASA File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... prism splitting light Source: NASA File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Optical communication is any form of telecommunication that uses light as the transmission medium. ... The range of sizes in which lasers exist is immense, extending from microscopic diode lasers (top) to football field sized neodymium glass lasers (bottom) used for inertial confinement fusion. ...

Overview of photonics research

The science of photonics includes the emission, transmission, amplification, detection, modulation, and switching of light. Photonic devices include optoelectronic devices such as lasers and photodetectors, as well as optical fiber, photonic crystals, planar waveguides and other passive optical elements. The word emission generally means sending something out. ... Generally, amplification is a basic process sometimes seen in nature, and often used in processes which involve a signal which must be made stronger. ... In general, detection is the extraction of intelligence from a carrier signal in a communication system. ... Modulation is the process of varying a carrier signal, typically a sinusoidal signal, in order to use that signal to convey information. ... Switching is an action described by the verb to switch, in the sense of using a Switch, either an electrical one or other device for flipping, or a rod called switch. ... Optoelectronics is the study and application of electronic devices that interact with light. ... The range of sizes in which lasers exist is immense, extending from microscopic diode lasers (top) to football field sized neodymium glass lasers (bottom) used for inertial confinement fusion. ... Photosensors or photodetectors appear in several varieties: Photoresistors or Light Dependant Resistors (LDR) which change resistance when illuminated Photovoltaic cells or solar cells which produce a voltage and supply an electric current when illuminated Photodiodes which can operate in photovoltaic mode or photoconductive mode Phototubes containing a photocathode which emits... Optical fibers An optical fiber (or fibre) is a transparent thin fiber, usually made of glass or plastic, for transmitting light. ... The opal in this bracelet contains a natural periodic microstructure responsible for its iridescent color. ... A waveguide used for propagating RF or electromagnetic waves. ...

Applications of photonics range from light detection to communications, information processing and many other applications. The term communications is used in a number of disciplines: Communications, also known as communication studies is the academic discipline which studies communication, generally seen as a mixture between media studies and linguistics. ... In general, information processing is the changing (processing) of information in any manner detectable by an observer. ...

History of photonics

Photonics as a field really began in 1960, with the invention of the laser, followed in the 1970s by the development of optical fibers as a medium for transmitting information using light beams, and the Erbium-doped fiber amplifier. These inventions gave us the telecommunications revolution of the late 20th Century, and provided the infrastructure for the Internet. 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... The range of sizes in which lasers exist is immense, extending from microscopic diode lasers (top) to football field sized neodymium glass lasers (bottom) used for inertial confinement fusion. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, inclusive. ... Fiber Optic strands An optical fiber in American English or fibre in British English is a transparent thin fiber for transmitting light. ... In optics, an optical amplifier is a device that amplifies an optical signal directly, without the need to first convert it to an electrical signal, then amplify it electrically, and finally reconvert it to an optical signal. ...

Photonics as a field was largely focused on communications, until the dot-com crash circa 2001. However, photonics covers a huge range of science and technology applications, including: laser manufacturing, biological and chemical sensing, display technology, and optical computing. Dot-com (also dotcom or redundantly dot. ...

University programs in photonics

Many universities now have programs and facilities focused on photonics research. The following all have programs in photonics:

• Optoelectronics Research Centre at the University of Southampton
• Centre for Research in Photonics at University of Ottawa (CRPUO) in Ottawa, Ontario , Canada - CRPUO Website
• Algonquin College in Ottawa, Ontario , Canada offers a degree program "Bachelor of Applied Technology - Photonics"
• Chitose Institute of Science and Technology in Chitose, Hokkaido, Japan; Faculty of Photonic Science
• Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
• McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
• An Eng.D. program between the University of Strathclyde, Heriot-Watt University and University of St Andrews, Scotland in Photonics
• University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland
• A joint program between the Universities of St Andrews and Dundee, Scotland (in Microelectronics and Photonics)
• Australian National University [1] in Canberra, Australia
• Ghent University
• Towson University
• Boston University, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering [2]
• Niagara College Niagara College of Applied Arts and Technology offers two Photonics Programs.
• University of California, San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering [3]
• McGill University, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering [4]
• AMOLF, Centre for Nanophotoncs at the Dutch institute for Atomic and Molecular Physics in Amsterdam [5]

University of Southampton Dolphin logo The University of Southampton is a British university situated in the city of Southampton, on the south-coast of the United Kingdom. ... The main building of Algonquin College Algonquin College is an English-language, community college in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. ... Technical university in Chitose, Hokkaido, Japan. ... Chitose (千歳市 Chitose-shi) is a city located in Ishikari, Hokkaido, Japan. ... Hokkaido   listen? (北海道 Hokkaidō, literal meaning: North Sea Route, Ainu: Mosir), formerly known as Ezo, is the second largest island of Japan. ... Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU) is a public university located in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. ... Map of Waterloo Regional Municipality, Ontario with Waterloo in red. ... Motto: Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Latin: Loyal she began, loyal she remains) Official languages English, French (in some areas) Capital Toronto Largest city Toronto Lieutenant-Governor James K. Bartleman Premier Dalton McGuinty (Liberal) Parliamentary representation  - House seat  - Senate seats 106 24 Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 4th 1,076,395... McMaster University is a medium-sized research-intensive university located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, with an enrollment of 16,771 full-time and 3,599 part-time students (as of 2004). ... Motto: Together Aspire - Together Achieve Area: 1,117. ... Motto: Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Latin: Loyal she began, loyal she remains) Official languages English, French (in some areas) Capital Toronto Largest city Toronto Lieutenant-Governor James K. Bartleman Premier Dalton McGuinty (Liberal) Parliamentary representation  - House seat  - Senate seats 106 24 Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 4th 1,076,395... The University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland is a top research-led British University which originated as Andersons Institution in 1796. ... Heriot-Watt University is the eighth oldest higher education institution in the United Kingdom, although it only received its university charter in 1966. ... The University of St Andrews was founded between 1410 and 1413 and is the oldest university in Scotland (and third oldest in the English speaking world after Oxford and Cambridge ). The university is situated in the Royal Burgh of St Andrews, on the east coast of Scotland. ... Royal motto: Nemo me impune lacessit (English: No one provokes me with impunity) Scotlands location within the UK Languages English, Gaelic, Scots Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow First Minister Jack McConnell Area - Total - % water Ranked 2nd UK 78,782 km² 1. ... The University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland is a top research-led British University which originated as Andersons Institution in 1796. ... Glasgow (or Glaschu in Gaelic) is Scotlands largest city and unitary council, situated on the River Clyde in the countrys west central lowlands. ... Royal motto: Nemo me impune lacessit (English: No one provokes me with impunity) Scotlands location within the UK Languages English, Gaelic, Scots Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow First Minister Jack McConnell Area - Total - % water Ranked 2nd UK 78,782 km² 1. ... The University of St Andrews was founded between 1410 and 1413 and is the oldest university in Scotland (and third oldest in the English speaking world after Oxford and Cambridge ). The university is situated in the Royal Burgh of St Andrews, on the east coast of Scotland. ... The University of Dundee is the principal university in the city and Royal Burgh of Dundee, Scotland. ... Royal motto: Nemo me impune lacessit (English: No one provokes me with impunity) Scotlands location within the UK Languages English, Gaelic, Scots Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow First Minister Jack McConnell Area - Total - % water Ranked 2nd UK 78,782 km² 1. ... Microelectronics - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... The Australian National University (ANU), is a university located in Canberra, the national capital of Australia. ... Ghent University (in Dutch, Universiteit Gent, abbreviated UGent) is one of the two large Flemish universities. ... Towson University, located in Towson, Maryland (Baltimore County), is part of the University System of Maryland. ... Boston University is a private university located in Boston, Massachusetts. ... Niagara College is a College of Applied Arts and Technology within the Niagara Region of Southern Ontario. ... The University of California, San Diego (popularly known as UCSD) is a public, coeducational university located in La Jolla, California. ... McGill University (Université McGill), is a publicly funded, research-intensive, non-denominational, co-educational university located in the city of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. ...

Applications of Photonics

• Consumer Equipment: Barcode scanner, printer, CD/DVD/Blu-ray devices, remote control devices
• Telecommunications: Optical fiber communications
• Medicine: correction of poor eyesight, removal of port wine stains, laser surgery, surgical endoscopy, tattoo removal
• Industry: laser welding, laser cutting, laser etching,
• Construction: laser levelling, laser rangefinding, smart structures
• Military: IR sensors, Command and Control, Search and Rescue, Mine Laying and Detection
• Entertainment: Lasershow, beam effects, holographic art
• Information processing
• Photonic Computing

Wikipedia encoded in Code 128-B Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia encoded in the DataMatrix 2D barcode A barcode (also bar code) is a machine-readable representation of information in a visual format on a surface. ... Telecommunication is the extension of communication over a distance. ... See also Medical doctor (BE), Physician (AE), and Medical school. ... Cranes are essential in large construction projects, such as this skyscraper Construction on the North Bytown Bridge in Ottawa, Canada. ... Entertainment is an amusement or diversion intended to hold the attention of an audience or its participants. ... In general, information processing is the changing (processing) of information in any manner detectable by an observer. ... Todays computers use the movement of electrons in-and-out of transistors to do logic. ...

Sources

• What is Photonics?

See also

• Biophotonics
• Holography
• Microphotonics
• Photonic crystal
• Photonic crystal fiber
• Quantum optics

Biophotonics is the science and technology of the interaction of photons within and on biological systems. ... Holography (from the Greek, Όλος-holos whole + γραφή-graphe writing) is the science of producing holograms, an advanced form of photography that allows an image to be recorded in three dimensions. ... Microphotonics is a branch of technology that deals with directing light on a microscopic scale. ... The opal in this bracelet contains a natural periodic microstructure responsible for its iridescent color. ... Quantum optics is a field of research in physics, dealing with the application of quantum mechanics to phenomena involving light and its interactions with matter. ...

Wiktionary

• silicon photonics

External links

• http://www.photonics.com
• http://www.photonicsonline.com
• Optoelectronics Research Centre at the University of Southampton
• The Institute of Photonics at the University of Strathclyde
• The Photonics Center at Boston University
• Towson University REU/RET Program
• Photonic Band Gap website
• University of Bath PPMG Site
• SPIE—The International Society for Optical Engineering