communicating , sensing and making
Photonics
Photonics :
communicating , sensing and making
Jose Pozo
DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION , EUROPEAN PHOTONICS INDUSTRY CONSORTIUM
Photonics is not only the technology that comprises the creation , transmission and reception of light , but is also one of the key enabling technologies to create a successful technology business
Universities in the UK are increasing the impact of academic research by the creation of photonics technology start-ups . In general , photonics is seen as high gain but also high-risk sector due to high investments in equipment needed in the R & D and manufacturing phases .
In addition , the photonics industry is not well known to the broader public , including representatives of public authorities . This results in fewer serious investors , a lower intake of students by technical universities , which in turn effects in a lower number of successful companies . However , despite this , successful academic research has been revalorized in the industrial world by the creation of successful start-ups .
For the past decade photonics has been a squeezed margin industry . It is unfortunate that photonics customers tend to enjoy competitive behaviour and look for the lowest price , but demand particularly high quality . It is a situation that is not in equilibrium , and will need to evolve in years to come , but today it means more pressure for photonics technology companies in their quest for competitive photonics products .
The UK has been a strong contributor to a number of photonics-based technologies over the past decades . In fact , one of the leading areas for photonics in the UK is in telecommunications with advanced research centres at the Royal Signals and Radar Establishment , British Telecom Research Labs , and Standard Telephone Laboratories . In these establishments some of the pioneering fibre-optics work was completed , with many innovations in reduced optical attenuation in fibres , integrated optics , and III-V based lasers , detectors and LED device designs .
Photonics is often seen as a high-risk sector due to investment in equipment needed in the R & D and manufacturing phases
Photonics is one of the key enabling technologies to create a successful technology business
The UK began to position itself as an advanced fibreoptics player in 1985 with the assistance of the University of Southampton . Today , the University is one of the world leaders in this sector of photonics . Other universities and companies are leading the way in photonics with companies such as Oclaro ( telecommunications devices and systems ), and IQE ( advanced photonics epitaxial wafer technology ).
The UK government has recognised the potential of photonics as a key enabling technology , and provided support in the creation of novel technology businesses via the Innovate UK platform . Innovate UK provides guidance for business and academic organisations on how to get advice and support to test and develop innovative products and services . Furthermore , the UK research council EPSRC recently invested £ 10 million in a new Future Photonics Hub , with additional contributions from industry .
The Hub is being led by the University of Southampton , with the National III-V Centre at University of Sheffield also playing a key role . The focus of the Hub will be on the development of new manufacturing processes to develop
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