Section Menu

Photonics

Photonics is the transmission and manipulation of information and energy in the form of light (photons) rather than electricity. The application of photonic technologies can enhance the performance of a wide range of products across industries as diverse as transport, security communications, healthcare and energy.

The global market for systems dependent on photonics is already worth over £150 billion. It is difficult to determine the number and nature of photonics companies within the UK, but analysis (Photonics: A UK strategy for success) indicates that there are between 1,500 to 3,400 (mainly small) companies, with a combined annual turnover of over £20 billion.

In 2004, the Photonics Strategy Group (PSG), made up of representatives from Government, academia & industry, was established to:

• examine the UK photonics industry sector;
• identify opportunities and challenges for the UK over the next 5 to 10 years; and
• develop an action plan for Government and industry to exploit the sector.

In July 2006, the PSG published 'Photonics: A UK strategy for success – Painting a bright future' which led to the establishment of the Photonics Leadership Group (PLG).

Photonics Leadership Group

The aims and objectives of the PLG are to:

• provide a forum for senior industry and academic representatives to meet to identify the opportunities for - and constraints upon - the growth of the UK’s photonics sector;
• direct the implementation of the recommendations identified in the UK Photonics Strategy report;
• work with relevant Knowledge Transfer Networks (particularly the Photonics and Displays & Lighting KTNs) to implement a coherent strategy for UK photonics;
• work with Government to raise the profile of photonics and encourage its inclusion within the Regional Economic Strategies of Regional Development Agencies / Devolved Administrations;
• influence the development of photonics research strategies of the UK Government, the UK research base, industry, and the European Commission;
• provide input on photonics skills requirements via SEMTA (Science Engineering Manufacturing Technology Alliance);
• identify photonics ‘grand challenges’ in conjunction with relevant funding bodies.

Contacts

Peter Batchelor, Electronics & IT Services Unit, tel: 020 7215 1342, email: Peter.Batchelor@berr.gsi.gov.uk

Ian Williams, Electronics & IT Services Unit, tel: 020 7215 1328, email: Ian.Williams@berr.gsi.gov.uk

Useful Documents

Showcase Guides

The unit produces a series of Showcase Guides designed to highlight the UK's current industrial and academic excellence in specific areas. They aim to describe current activities in university departments, companies and support organisations. Showcase guides on Flat Panel Displays and Plastic Electronics have been published in early 2008 and further publications covering Photonics and Ultra-efficient Lighting are planned for later in the year.

Photonics in the UK: A Guide to UK Capability

Issued in 2005 (Revision due in 2008), this is a guide to research, manufacture and services in this area. It highlights the UK's capabilities in photonics and describes current activities performed by universities, companies and support organisations, with contact points. This guide replaces the Fibre Optics in the UK 2003. This publication is available in English, Chinese and Japanese language versions. URN's: 05/1385-English; 05/1383-Chinese; 06/502-Japanese. This document is currently posted on the Publications page of this web site.