photonics

American  

[foh-ton-iks] / foʊˈtɒn ɪks /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. the study and technology of the use of light for the transmission of information.

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photonics British  

/ fəʊˈtɒnɪks /

noun

1. (functioning as singular) the study and design of devices and systems, such as optical fibres, that depend on the transmission, modulation, or amplification of streams of photons

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photonics Scientific  

/ fō-tŏn′ĭks /

1. The scientific study or application of electromagnetic energy whose basic unit is the photon, incorporating optics, laser technology, electrical engineering, materials science, and information storage and processing.

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Etymology

Origin of photonics

1950–55; see photonic, -ics; perhaps on the model of electronics

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

photonics

“While our prior concerns on market decline and share loss in mobile remain, these are overwhelmed by raised expectations for the silicon photonics business,” analysts say.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026

For Quantinuum, the award focuses heavily on building out scalable, reliable integrated photonics engines through domestic partnerships.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026

Dave Mazza, CEO of Roundhill Investments, told MarketWatch that when comparing memory stocks and photonics stocks, the “parallels hold” on a structural level.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 11, 2026

The work creates new opportunities for investigating extreme physics while also pointing toward future advances in wireless communications, optics, photonics, and quantum technologies.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 12, 2026

"The work has implications for advances in fundamental science and in communications, optics and photonics."

From Science Daily ● Jul. 12, 2026