COMPONENTS & SYSTEMS: DESIGN & MANUFACTURING

As a fundamental pillar of modern industry, photonics underpins solutions for the widest possible range of industrial sectors addressing in parallel major socio-economic needs. The development and manufacturing of photonics components and systems, also embracing manufacturing equipment and methodologies, acts as a leverage for the transformation of major sectors of industry and puts the basis for competitiveness at several global markets.

Τhe Internet of today depends on the ubiquitous application of photonics in telecommunications infrastructure and, as our society becomes ever more information-intensive, our needs in this respect will continue to grow. Laser-based techniques have revolutionized manufacturing industry and medical procedures, whilst photonic sensors are indispensable in providing a safer environment.

Accordingly, all members of the value chain need to be fully engaged, from fundamental research in materials through to the users of the systems, in which photonic technologies are deployed. A lead in the application of new materials and nanostructures in practical devices underpins significant competitive advantage for industry.

Source: ¨ Towards 2020 – Photonics driving economic growth in Europe¨ Photonics21 ETP

Keywords: Photonic material and nanostructures, Material Processing (welding, marking, scribing, cutting), Process monitoring and inspection, Analytical Instruments, Lidar, Laser Cleaning for Cultural Heritage, Mass Spectrometers

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Digital Infrastructure

Estimated to be worth about €90 billion (2019), the European photonics industry has considerable global leadership positions in sectors such as Production Technology, Machine Visions, Digital Infrastructure, Optical Components and Medical Technology and a proven track record in an Innovation spending quota of 14% of sale. More specifically, High Performance Computing (HPC), IoT and 5G are becoming the dominant technologies for the digital transformation. Traditional technology like optical communications and networks area are now combined with cyber security, data intelligence and modern, advanced applications like quantum cryptography and computing are becoming a trend.

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Scanning, Sensing & Imaging

Scanning and sensory devices are used in several application areas, usually to measure physical quantities and convert them to signals that can be read by observers and instruments. They deal with the capturing of 1, 2 and 3 dimensional images and the processing of information. Indicative examples vary from small sensors for temperature, chemical composition, to large systems that are used for medical scanning, lithographic production systems and astronomy.

Within manufacturing, scanning and sensing are often crucial elements to the production process especially in quality control, marking and positioning. Examples are the imaging systems for robotized manufacturing and scanning systems for detection of production errors. These systems are used both in high tech manufacturing industries such as microelectronics production and increasingly in traditionally lower technology areas such as food production. The use in final markets is diverse.

For Medical & Healthcare activities scanning & imaging is a critical component of diagnostics in locating diseased areas. Within Defense & Security, remote threat identification is just one of the examples of the use of these devices and systems. Transport many imaging devices are used with the infrastructure to e.g. enhance safety with speed and traffic monitoring cameras as well as automatic toll and congesting charging. Sensing devices are also increasingly deployed in cars to monitor the surrounding environment to increase safety and comfort.

Also the use of sensors in Science has become crucial to conducting research, specially to make the invisible visible (e.g. microscopy and astronomy) and to assess material and process characteristics. Last, but not least, scanning and sensing is increasingly important in ICT based consumer devices such as camera’s, mobile phones and home automation.

Source:¨The leverage effect of Photonics technologies: the European perspective¨ Photonics21 ETP

Keywords: Imaging Sector, Thin Film Sensing & Methology, Optical Fibre Sensing, Biomedical Imaging, LIDAR Sensing

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Photonic Energy Systems

The most immediate impact of photonics technology on Energy supply is with solar systems. Solar systems help us to harness the greatest energy source available to us, the Sun. Electricity generation with solar systems is still significantly more expensive than with traditional fossil fuels or nuclear technology. However, many new technologies are in development offering the potential for greater efficiencies. The use of these energy systems is increasing significantly and it can be said that this is one of the strongest growing areas in the field of photonics.

Source: ¨The leverage effect of Photonics technologies: The European perspective¨ Photonics21 ETP

Keywords: OPV, Photo Thermal – Panels, Energy Saving

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Photonics and Additive Manufacturing in Space

As a fundamental pillar of modern industry, photonics underpins solutions for the widest possible range of industrial manufacturing sectors and more specifically, the Additive Manufacturing (AM) domain, targeting to the Space sector as well. In parallel, the development and manufacturing of photonics components and systems, also embracing manufacturing equipment and methodologies, acts as a leverage for the transformation of major sectors and markets of industry and space and puts the basis for competitiveness at several global markets.

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