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Photonics

The Photonics Metrology programme is an industry-focused programme. The specific aim of the programme is the continual development of a measurement infrastructure to meet the growing requirements of the UK’s photonics industry. This is achieved through improvements in accuracy in existing measurement areas, the development of novel techniques, software and instrumentation to support UK industry and activities to improve knowledge of measurement requirements and best practice in this area of technology.

Photonic technologies, broadly defined as the use of light (of all wavelengths) to convey or manipulate information, are rapidly diversifying out from optical telecommunications. Sectors making increasing use of photonic technologies include medical, aerospace, automotive, defence and general manufacturing. The wealth of techniques and devices developed for telecommunications are finding applications such as laser machining, sensing, bio-assays and medical diagnosis.

The programme seeks to balance the need to maintain capability in core areas with the desire to develop the measurement capabilities necessary to support the continuing uptake of photonic technologies across a broad range of industrial sectors.