ICT
Photonics21 – Photonics
In 1967 Pierre Aigrain, a French scientist, coined the term “photonics” to describe a new field of study and enterprise that emerged as a synthesis of a number of disciplines all involved in the mastery of the photon: optics, material science, electrical engineering, nanotechnology, physics and chemistry. Its importance can be seen from the multitude of application sectors where photonics increasingly drives innovation, including information & communication, imaging, lighting, organic & large area electronics, displays, manufactu- ring, life sciences & health care as well as safety & security.
Photonics21 was set up as an industry-driven platform to unify the European photonics community. Today, the platform has more than 1,700 representatives of industry and academia from all over Europe. Leading companies and research institutions have joined to further advance Europe’s position in optical technologies. In September 2009, the European Commission acknowledged the importance of photonics by identifying it as a Key Enabling Technology for Europe. In January 2010, the second Photonics21 Strategic Research Agenda “Lighting the way ahead” was published defining research priorities and the photonics strategy forward. The recent publication “Photonics – Our Vision for a Key Enabling Technology” looks into the contribution photonics has – and will have in the course of the next ten years - on the key societal challenges of Europe. Such as the 20th century was the century of the electron, the 21st century will be the century of the photon.
Key documents
Photonics - Our Vision for a Key Enabling Technology of Europe (2011)
Strategic Research Agenda in Photonics «Lighting the way ahead» (2010)
Photonics in Europe: Economic Impact (2007)
Strategic Research Agenda «Towards a bright future for Europe» (2006)
Last updated on: 2011-07-25