Photonics is the science of the emission, amplification, transmission, manipulation and detection of photons. It basically covers all technical applications of light over the whole spectrum from ultraviolet over the visible to the near, mid and far infrared. [Source: Wikipedia]
The importance of Photonics can be seen from the multitude of application sectors where it is increasingly seen to be driving innovation. These sectors include information, communication, imaging, lighting, displays, manufacturing, life sciences and health care, and safety and security. In these areas Photonics is offering new and unique solutions where today's conventional technologies are approaching their limits in terms of speed, capacity and accuracy.
Photonics are addressed in the ICT work programme 2011/12 (p.48) under the following challenges/objectives:
> Challenge 3: Alternative Paths to Components and Systems
Objective ICT-2011.3.5 Core and disruptive photonic technologies
Objective ICT-2011.3.6 Flexible, Organic and Large Area Electronics and Photonics
> Challenge 7: ICT for the Enterprise and Manufacturing
Objective FoF-ICT-2011.7.2 Manufacturing solutions for new ICT products
