Optical Photonics Background

Photonics and Optics timeline started almost a century ago with the electronically transmitted photograph by the Western Union in 1921. Photonics and Optics are essential technology for the future. It is based on meticulous theories of electromagnetism, in some extend is overlapping with the quantum electrodynamics and combined with understanding of light-matter interactions in materials. The technologies when combined would enable a great impact on enhancement of information and communications, imaging and sensing, healthcare, energy, manufacturing, and national security. It has also become a driver for the fundamental optical science and nanotechnology in which sparked the technological innovation and economic growth.