photonicsoptical
Photonicsoptical refers to the field that studies the generation, manipulation, and detection of photons and the devices built to control light. It encompasses the science and engineering of optical signals, imaging, sensing, and information processing through light across a wide range of wavelengths, primarily in the visible and near infrared.
Core concepts in photonics include lasers and light-emitting diodes, modulators, detectors, waveguides, and optical fibers. Photonic
Materials commonly used include silica glass for fibers, crystalline semiconductors such as indium phosphide and gallium
Industry-relevant applications cover telecommunications and data networks, medical imaging and therapy, environmental sensing, precision metrology, spectroscopy,
Historically, photonics emerged with mid-20th century studies of light and the invention of the laser, and expanded