PHOTONICS

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PHOTONICS ITS EFFECTS IN THE WORLD OF TODAY AS
WELL AS THE WORLD OF TOMORROW.

• By Eric J. Willis
• MWF 12 P.M.
• Email ericjwillis_at_msn.com

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Table of Contents

• What is Photonics? Page 3
• The Breakthrough Page 4
• How Photonics Began Page 5
• Devlopmental Phases Page 6
• Biophotonics Page 7
• NASA Page 8
• Current Competition Page 9
• Creating Clusters Page 10
• Future Direction Page 11
• Conclusion Page 11
• Interview Source Page 12
• Bibliography Page 13

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What is Photonics?

• Photonics is the technology of generating and
  harnessing light and other forms of radiant
  energy whose quantum unit is the Photon. The
  range of applications of photonics extends from
  energy generation to communications and
  information processing. 1
• 1. http//www.wordiq.com/definition/Photonics

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The Breakthrough

• The breakthrough into what is today known as
  photonics came after the Second World War,
  initially with the invention of the transistor
  and the development of the semi-conductor
  industry. 2
• 2 http//photonicsclusters.com/history.html

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How Photonics Began

• The modern photonics industry began in earnest in
  1960.
• Began with the invention of the laser.
• The late 1970's saw the perfection of optical
  fibers.
• Optical Fibers are used as an effective means of
  transmitting information using these intense
  laser beams.

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Developmental Phases

• 1960's and 1970's the research and development
  phases.
• 1980s and 1990s diffusion and application
  phases.

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Biophotonics International Current Use

• Successful in solving clinical and research
  problems in diverse applications.
• Products and techniques include, lasers,
  spectroscopy, microscopy, imaging and fiber
  optics. 3
• 3 http//www.photonics.com/bio/

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Current Activities for NASA

• NASA Electronic Parts and packaging (NEPP)
  Program. is focused on evaluating the reliability
  and radiation response of advanced and emerging
  microelectronics and photonics technologies of
  interest to NASA spacecraft system designers.4
• 4 (Interview Source)

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Current Competition

• Small photonics firms trying to compete on a
  global scale have common concerns trying to
  recruit a highly-skilled labor force, accessing
  specialized research and development expertise
  and the latest technologies, building
  relationships with international suppliers, and
  obtaining the needed local government support. By
  combining with other firms in the region, these
  firms get competitive advantages they would never
  have alone.

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Creating Clusters

• A cluster can, for example, work with a local
  university to develop programs for skilled
  workers can work with government to build needed
  infrastructure can share technological advances
  through formal and informal networking and can
  develop global marketing strategies that benefit
  member industries and the region. 5
• 5 http//photonicsclusters.com/business.html

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Future Direction

• The direction of Photonics in the future is
  limitless. More and more companies will start
  adapting Photonics and the excellent technology
  it provides.

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Interview Source

• Ashli Barbarito
• Editor, NASA Tech Briefs -- Market Focus Editions
  
• (212) 490 - 3999 

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Bibliography

• http//www.wordiq.com/definition/Photonics
• http//photonicsclusters.com/history.html
• http//www.photonics.com/bio/
• http//photonicsclusters.com/business.html