Photonics

Photonics is a science which deals with photons, more specifically the generation and control of photons. The term photonics was first used in the mid nineteen sixties to describe an area of research that was fundamental to the development of modern day photonics. Photonics at the time largely dealt with using light in applications such as telecommunications and other areas that are usually accomplished with standard electronics.  Photonics has played an important role in the development of fibre optics for use in telecommunications.

Significant developments in establishing photonics as an important field of research occurred in the sixties with the emergence of laser technology, which has been be utilised for a number of applications in the field of photonics.

Research into photonics has been instrumental in creating many of the technologies and devices that we now use everyday and take for granted. For example, CD and DVD players read the information stored on disc with a laser and a lens. Infra-red technology used by remote controls and barcode scanners is another example of a technology that we make use of everyday that exists due to research into the field of photonics. Photonics was also instrumental in the development of fibre optic cables used to provide homes with high speed internet connections. Further research into photonics is increasing the number of applications that fibre optic cables can be used for.