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

DustPhotonics develops silicon photonics photonic integrated circuits, or SiPho PICs, which are chips that integrate optical components including lasers and detectors to move data using light.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

“We believe we have a clear path to sustained long-term growth as our installed base expands across AI, silicon photonics, power semiconductors, and other high-performance applications,” Erickson said Tuesday.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

This ability to fine-tune surface composition provides a powerful new way to design materials for electronics, catalysis, energy storage, photonics, and other applications.

From Science Daily • Apr. 4, 2026

The companies will collaborate on silicon photonics technology, which uses light to process data on silicon chips.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

The researchers note that glass-based photonics could help close the gap between experimental setups and practical quantum networks.

From Science Daily • Mar. 24, 2026