In this career summary, you will find out what the job of a photonics engineer is about and what it is like. After reading this, you will have a good idea on what the job is about and decide if this is the right career for you.
Article Contents
Photonics Engineers Do…
- Design, integrate, or test photonics systems or components.
- Develop optical or imaging systems, such as optical imaging products, optical components, image processes, signal process technologies, or optical systems.
- Analyze system performance or operational requirements.
- Write reports or research proposals.
Photonics (a sub-discipline of physics) is the science of generating, detecting and controlling photons (light particles). The branch of study has got wide application in communications, imaging, health care, medicine, defence, optics and electronics etc.
Photons carry information through fibre optic cable, retrieve information in laser radar and other sensor devices and can transport light energy as with laser machining and laser surgery. It’s the technology of generating and harnessing light and other forms of radiant energy whose quantum unit is a photon.
The science includes light emission, transmission, deflection, amplification and detection by optical components and instruments, lasers and other light sources, fibre optics, electro-optical instrumentation, related hardware and electronics and sophisticated systems. In brief, photonics is the technology of mastering light.
From the use of lasers in surgery, telecommunications and computes to the role of charged-couple devices or CCDs in capturing digital family video, discovering new planets and giving robots vision, photonics is having a dramatic impact on our lives.
Photonics technology can also be used in low signal loss optical fibres for long haul under-sea and terrestrial communications, industrial and military applications. The bio-photonics technology is used to develop new procedures and techniques in biotechnology, microbiology, medicine, surgery and other life sciences.
Photonics Engineering Eligibility Criteria
In India, the International School of Photonics (Cochin University of Science and Technology) offers M.Tech, MPhil and PhD programs in Photonics. Apart from this many other universities and engineering colleges across the country offer optoelectronics and photonics as interdisciplinary subjects.A candidate having Bachelors degree with Physics and Mathematics can pursue M.Sc in Photonics or optoelectronics. With M.Sc in Physics or Photonics, one can pursue MTech/MPhil/PhD in the field.All major universities of the world offer courses in Photonics and optoelectronics. The University of New South Wales, Institute of Physics (London) and University of Leeds are few renowned institutes abroad offering courses in Photonics and related field.
Photonics Career Prospects
Scientists, engineers and technicians with relevant qualification and experience of photonics are in great demand in today’s techno-savvy world. Making a career in Photonics is exciting and rewarding.
Students of Photonics and Optoelectronics are absorbed as sales or service engineers in high-tech equipment industries; as researcher or professional officers in universities, government and industry-research laboratories and optical communications’ network support engineers and managers; and also in defence research and development organizations.
Photonics Pay Package
The salary of Photonics researchers and scientists in India is in the range of Rs 20, 000 – to Rs 30, 000 except other perks and benefits.In countries like US, Canada and UK the annual pay-package of Photonics researchers/scientists varies from $36384 to $116915.
Photonics Institutes/Universities:
- 1.Cochin University of Science and Technology
- 2.Cochin University of Science & Technology
