What is photonics?
‘Photonics’ can broadly be defined as the science and technology of light. This definition incorporates the underpinning quantum theory required to describe the concept of the photon, interactions between photons and matter, photoresponsive molecules and materials, and technological devices that harness light to perform specific tasks.
What is quantum science?
The term ‘Quantum Science’ encompasses describing the nature of matter on the molecular and sub-molecular level, and using this knowledge to direct real-world applications. In the same way that understanding the quantum nature of the electron drives innovation in electronics, quantum science is the language used to understand the photon and drive innovation in photonics.
What is the importance of photonics and quantum science?
Within the UK, the East of England has the second largest involvement in the photonics sector, both in terms of human resource and commercial output (£1.7 billion across the UK in 2021). This local strength is indicative of high employment prospects and strength opportunity for research-driven collaboration and success. Technologies harnessing photonic and quantum science are abundant in our everyday lives. Examples include:
- Telecommunications using light and fibreoptics,
- The fabrication of new and lower-power (environmentally friendlier) screen technologies and integrated optical circuits,
- Atomic clocks for synchronising our personal timepieces.
More fundamental applications of quantum science include:
- The potential to use photons as information storage and carriers,
- The adaption of Bose-Einstein condensates to investigate wavefunction interference, which is a property key in our understanding of quantum mechanics,
- Helping to piece together the intricacies of quantum computing, which has the potential to revolutionise computing speed.
Much of the work conducted in our centre is fundamental in nature, focussing on developing a detailed understanding of the chemistry, physics, and mathematics that underpin these applications.