Photonics is a driver for technological innovation and one of the most important key technologies for markets in the 21st century. The economic impact of Photonics outreaches by far the mere output of the photonics industry in terms of photonic components, systems and optical consumer goods. Right now we just passed a milestone in the age of photonics with the knowledge and the technology in hand to stimulate the photonic revolution: achieve a new level of mastery in the generation, the control and the use of harnessed light, custom-tailored for many and varied applications. Due to ground-breaking progress in photonics and the related disciplines, a new generation of photonic tools is within reach. Now we have the means and the insight to create photonic systems that will fully exploit the unique powers and potentials inherent to light.
Just as the technological breakthroughs of the 20th century were enabled by the utilisation of the electron, the 21st century will very likely prove to be the century of the photon.
The European Technology Platform Photonics21 has been formed by a large number of leading actors in European optics and photonics R&D coming from industry, university, research institutes and relevant associations. More than 800 members are joining their efforts to develop and implement a common strategy, the European Strategic Research Agenda “Towards a Bright Future for Europe”.