Photonics and optical technologies

Definition Photonics and optical technologies

Photonics and optical technologies comprise technologies that focus on generating, transporting, detecting and manipulating light waves and light particles (photons).

To all Key Enabling Technologies

Key Enabling Technologies (KETs)

Description

Photons can be generated, manipulated, transported and used for various purposes in different types (including polarisation and coherence) and at different wavelengths (colours). This includes photonic circuits, LEDs, lasers or conversion into electrical energy. Often the value of photonics lies in its collaboration with electronics, computer algorithms and technology platforms.

Common ground with other key enabling technologies

Advanced materials (o.a. Thin films and coatings), Nanotechnology (o.a. Functional devices and structures (on nanoscale), Nanomanufacturing), Quantum technologies (o.a. Quantum communication en Quantum computing), Digital and Information technologies (o.a. Digital Twinning and Immersive technologies), Engineering & Fabrication technologies (o.a. Microelectronics, Imaging technologies).

Possible applications (not exhaustive)

Space, sensor networks, klimaat- en aarde-observatie, micro- en nanosatellieten, energietransitie, data networks, advanced recycling, medical devices, optische metrologie, diagnostiek.

Photovoltaics

Definition

Photovoltaics is the technology in which sunlight is converted into electricity through solar cells.

Keywords (selection)

Absorbers (materials), Antireflection Coatings, Collector Efficiency, Conductive Films, Conversion Efficiency, Metamaterials, Nano-photonics, Nanowires, Organic Photovoltaics, Oxide Films, Perovskite Solar Cells, Photocurrents, Semiconductor Doping, Thermophotovoltaic Conversion, Thin Film Circuits, Silicon Solar cells, Multi-Junction Solar Cells.

Optical systems and integrated photonics

Definition

Optical systems are engineered systems to refract or reflect light to perform particular optical functions. For example, communication is possible using photons as information carriers. Integrated photonics is the technology that integrates various photonic functions (generation, modulation, sensing, etc.) in a functional photonic chip. System integration is an important element in the application of integrated photonics.

Keywords (selection)

Analog-optical interconnection technology, Fiber Optics Communications, Integrated Optics & systems, Integrated photonic smart antennas, Microphotonics, Nano-photonics, Optical Fiber Communication, Optical Resonators, Optical signal technology, Phase Modulation, photonic chips, Photonic Devices, Photonic Integrated Circuits, Photonic Integration Technology, Photonic phased array system, Photonic signal processing, Wavelength Filters, Biosensing, Photonic packaging, Photon Manipulation, Photon Conversion, Green ICT, Free Space optics, Fibres & Fibre Systems, Photonic Communication, Optical metrology systems, Gradient index (GRIN) lenses, Diffractive optics, Laser optics & systems, Optical System design/optomechatronics, Theoretical and applied non-imaging optics, Theoretical and applied imaging optics, Space optics, Aberration theory.

Photonic/optical detection and processing

Definition

Photonic/optical detection and processing involves the capture and measurement of photons and other light waves within the full frequency spectrum (including X-rays and UV) received from images, data links and experimental spectroscopic research, among other things. Photonic sensing is concerned with the design, manufacture and testing of single and multiple detectors. It also includes measurement, design, fabrication, simulation and testing of and with optical systems.

Keywords (selection)

Photonic Sensing, Single-Photon Detection, Anticoincidence Detectors, CCD, Image Sampling, Wavelength detectors, Integral Field Unit, Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar, Laser radiometry, Optical Imaging, Radar Signal Processing, Signal Reconstruction, Signal Sampling, Spectral Imaging, Fibre optical systems, Fibre optic sensors, Spectroscopy, Remote sensing, Photodiodes, LIDAR, Optical metrology, Nano-photonics, Lithography, X-ray optics, EUV optics, Opto-acoustics, Electro-optics, Ptychography, Computational optics, Aspherical and freeform optics, Optical scattering, Grazing incidence optics, Freeform optics.

Photon generation technologies

Definition

Photon generation technologies involve the generation of photons by lasers and other light sources. The emphasis is increasingly on single photon generation which is important in quantum technology, high-power lasers for industrial processing and fibre lasers for ultra short pulses.

Keywords (selection)

Optical Lasers, Atom Lasers, Entangled photon generation, Light emitting diode, Microchip laser, Multi-photon generation, Nano-photonics, Optical fiber dispersion, Optical fiber lasers, Organic Lasers, Organic light emitting diode, Photon pair generation, Photonic microwave, Quantum dot, Single photon emitters, Single photon generation, Solar-pumped Lasers, Triple-photon generation, Waveform generation, Quantum Dot LEDS, Perovskite LED, Laser-driven light sources, Solid state lighting, VCSEL, XUV, X-ray sources.

Wat is de Nationale Technologiestrategie?

Key Enabling Technologies have a wide range of reach across innovations and/or sectors

Key Enabling Technologies enable groundbreaking process, product and/or service innovations

Research into Key Enabling Technologies can be fundamental, but with a view to application in the medium/long term

Onderzoek naar sleuteltechnologieën kan fundamenteel zijn, maar met zicht op toepassing op de middellange/lange termijn