Photonics

Photonics is a rapidly evolving field at the intersection of physics, optics, electrical engineering, and materials science. It encompasses the study and application of light, typically focusing on the manipulation of light through various processes such as emission, transmission, modulation, signal processing, amplification, and detection. Photonics finds applications across numerous fields, including telecommunications, information processing, medicine, manufacturing, and defense.

The Basque photonics research ecosystem is developing advanced technologies with applications in telecommunications, sensors, optoelectronics and quantum computing. In the field of telecommunications, integrated photonics is being researched to improve high-speed, energy-efficient fibre optic networks, while in photonic sensors, high-precision devices are being developed for biomedicine, the environment and industry. In addition, the Basque Country is working on nanophotonics and advanced optical materials, exploring metamaterials, plasmonics and two-dimensional materials to optimise optoelectronic devices.

Another key area is the development of lasers and quantum light sources, essential for secure quantum communication, advanced optical imaging and precision spectroscopy. In photonic quantum computing, integrated photonic circuits and quantum logic gates are investigated to improve the scalability of quantum processors.