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UK Photonics Strategy

The UK photonics industry received a major boost with the launch of 'Photonics: A strategy for success' report, at the QE2 Conference Centre on Thursday 13th July 2006.

Photonics: A UK Strategy for success - Painting a bright future

Photonics is concerned with 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 market for systems dependent on photonics is already over £150 billion.  This report produced in collaboration with industry and academia examines the UK photonics industry sector; identifies opportunities and challenges for UK over the next 5 to 10 years; and subsequently develops an action plan for Government and industry to exploit the sector

Background on the UK Photonics Strategy

Photonics, also known as “optoelectronics”, is concerned with 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 market for systems dependent on photonics is already over £150 billion. 

The Photonics Strategy Group made up of representatives from Government, academia & industry, was established to:

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

The Photonics Strategy industry consultation exercise allowed us to road test the draft conclusions our Photonics Strategy Group had reached on the future of the UK photonics industry and therefore contributed towards the report we are now about to publish.