How To Go About Building A Career In The Photonics Industry

In an age where technology has been a never-ending ladder towards development and innovation, photonics might be your step on the ladder towards your goal. If you have been inquisitive about the fine branches of science dealing with existence of photons or science of light, photonics is your key.

Photonics is the science and technology dealing with properties and functions of photons, which are particles of light. It involves study, generation, detection, amplification and other processes related to light waves and photons. From telecommunication to medical sciences and defence operations, to electronics and manufacturing industry, photonics has a wide range of applications. It has a major implementation in research and commercial development sphere. It is believed that this might become the next-gen technology after electronics. There is a global need for professionals skilled in the photonic sector and this dispenses a lot of scope.

If the thought of working with optical fibres and lasers fascinates you, and you want to master this technology of light, here’s how to go about building a career in the photonics industry-

Colleges and Institutes in India offering photonic studies

 The International School of Photonics, CUSAT

• M.Sc. (regular) – 5 year integrated M.Sc. in Photonics
• B.Tech. in Optoelectronics and Laser Technology
• M.Phil. in Photonics
• PhD Programme
  Indian Institute of Technology, Madras
• Research programme on photonics and theoretical physics
  Manipal Academy Of Higher Education – MAHE
• M.Tech. in Illumination Technology
  Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
• M.Tech./ research programme in Opto-Electronics and Optical-Communication – Periyar EVR College (Affiliated to Bharthidasan University)
• M.Sc. Photonics
  Rajarshi Shahu Mahavidyalaya, Department of Photonics, Latur

Colleges and institutes outside India offering photonic studies

1. The University of New South Wales, Sydney
   • Bachelor- Photonic Engineering  Design

• The Department of Physics, Australian National University
  • Bachelor of Photonic
  • Bachelor of Engineering (Photonic system)

3. Department of Physics, University of Strathclyde, UK
   • Sc Industrial Photonics
   • Sc Optical Technologies

4. The Ohio State University
   • Solid State Electronics & Photonics Domain Electives

Relevant Job Profiles

A photonic specialist can take up the roles of a service engineers, communication engineer, technician, or photonic researcher. Their skills are utilised in industrial manufacturing, testing photonic components, imaging, telecommunications, networking, semi conductor industry etc.

Relevant Job Sectors

• Research and Development Organisations – Conducting researches in the specialised laboratories
• Construction – Use in laser leveling, laser range finding, smart structures
• Telecommunication – Data storage, data switching, transmission of data, internet, optical fiber communications
• Medical Sciences – Correction of poor eyesight, laser surgeries, surgical endoscopy
• Defence Sector – IR sensors, command and control, navigation, search and rescue, mine laying and detection
• Meteorological Department – Utilisation in time and frequency measurements, range finding
• Entertainment Industry – Implementation in laser shows, beam effects, holographic art
• Optic Firms – Use of optical fibres, optical spectrometers
• Manufacturing – Use of lasers in welding, drilling, cutting, surface modification
• Consumer Electronics – Technological application in bar-code Scanners, DVD players, Remote TV Control