What all can light particles- photons, do in our daily lives? Can you imagine
about such light that can store information and help to transfer these information
through very thin glass fibers that can carry the equal of 300,000,000 simultaneous
telephone calls? All these come under Photonics, the technology of light energy.
Photonics is considered to be the next generation technology. Just as electronics
is the technology of the 20th century, Photonics could be the technology of
the 21st century. Even though the Photonic era began in the 1960's with the
invention of laser, it made an impact on telecommunication only in the late
70's.
Photonics is a hi-tech subject that evolved as a result of the fusion of
optical technology with electronics. It is the use of light to obtain, convey
or process information. It is the science of mastering the techniques involved
in the emission, detection, transmission and modulation of light. This sub-discipline
of physics deals with the study of photons, the elementary particle of light.
It also deals with the instruments required such as laser guns, optical fibers,
optometric instruments etc. In Photonic system, information signals are conveyed
as pulses of light and these optical signals are transmitted through optical
fibres. Optical fibres are strands of special glass around 10 micron (100µm)
in diameter (i.e about the thickness of a human hair) which can carry thousands
of times more information than electrical wires. Photonic devices that are
used to convert electrical signals into optical signal and back again where
necessary, can be made up from a variety of materials including semi conductors
and even optical fibres. These devices are also used to manipulate and process
optical signals directly, without the need for conversion.
In recent years, Photonics has become a fundamental technology in worldwide
telecommunication, computing, security and many other applications because
of its advantage to work more effectively and with much greater speed. The
growing numbers of practical applications of Photonics make it an important
field both for research and commercial development. The technology of Photonics
is used for imaging, health care and medicine, defense, optics and electronics.
It has a strong reputation of solving research problems through advanced spectroscopy,
lasers, microscopy, and fiber optic imaging. Photonics is also put to use
in biotechnology, microbiology, medicinal sciences, surgery and life sciences.
It is even applicable for industrial manufacturing, entertainment, metrology
which is the science of measurement that deals with weights and measures;
and Photonic computing. Photonic computing uses photons of laser light to
perform the logic that makes computing work. Apart from these industries,
the technology has steadily penetrated into military applications.
Those who have a keen interest in science and its intricacies and are curious
to solve questions related to science can pursue Photonics as a career. There
is a global demand for skilled people with Photonics training. A Photonics
specialist can work as Engineers, technicians, scientists in Photonic companies
and as professional officers in universities and Government offices. The nature
of work differs with the post held. The scientist has to do more research
work on Photonics, while the engineers design Photonic equipments. The Photonics
technician helps the engineers in designing and manufacturing.
Eligibility : There are many institutions in India as well as abroad
that offer courses in Photonics in order to create well-educated photonic
specialists. Those who have passed plus two in the science stream (Physics,
Chemistry and Maths) with a minimum mark of 50% are eligible for graduation
courses in Photonics and Optoelectronics. Click
here for more information
Job Prospectus and Career Options : There is a global demand for skilled
people with Photonics training. The Photonics industry is in need of qualified
and experienced people in the field. A Photonics specialist can work as Engineers,
technicians or technologists, research officers in government and industry
laboratories and as professional officers in universities and Government offices.... Click
here for more Information
Remuneration : This is one of the highly paid fields among the science-oriented
careers. Remuneration varies on the basis of experience and education... Click
here for more information
Institutes :The International School of Photonics (Cochin University)
conducts courses including Ph D program apart from MSc, MTech and MPhil in
the area of Photonics.... Click
here for more information
