Photonics

Photonics is the science and technology of light. This includes lasers, optical systems and components, as well as fibre optics. Photonics is a £13.5bn industry in the UK, with the technology used across various UK industries and in society, from optical communications and data storage to laser sensors for autonomous vehicles.

The Innovate UK KTN Enabling Technologies team supports 1,500+ photonics and photonics-enabled companies, and the vibrant UK photonics research base in the UK.

Our people create connections between photonics professionals and end-users in various sectors, from healthcare to AgriFood. This helps them fast-track the innovative technologies they’re working on.

We support the growth of UK photonics and are determined to promote the sector widely. We do this by working with photonics and related stakeholder groups and associations across the UK.

Our team has a deep expertise including photonics, laser, fibre, optical, optics, photovoltaic and imaging.

KTN is a partner in the European project that supports the Photonics21 platform. Photonics21 aims to establish Europe as a leader in the development of photonics technologies within applications fields such as ICT, lighting, industrial manufacturing, life science, safety, education and training.

We are proud to have contributed to the groundbreaking horizon scanning report “Future horizons for photonics research 2030 and beyond”, released in September 2020 by the Photonics Leadership Group (PLG) and the All-Party Parliamentary Group in Photonics and Quantum. We used our experience of online collaboration to support PLG in bringing together online 26 of the UK’s leading photonics researchers from 20 different institutions to ask “what will be the focus of photonics research a decade and more from now?”.

Our current focus in this area

KTN supports the SuperSolar Network Plus with the Head of Infrastructure acting as Chair to the Network Industrial Advisory Group. Through this group, and programmes such as Energy Catalyst as described above, KTN is actively brokering B2B and B2A linkages.

Related Opportunities

Semiconductor industry skills and training

Opens: 28/02/2023 Closes: 29/03/2023

UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £5 million for initiatives to address shortages across the semiconductor industry for innovative skills, talent, and training projects.

More Information

Semiconductor manufacturing scale-up - feasibility

Opens: 27/02/2023 Closes: 29/03/2023

UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £1.5 million. This is part of a feasibility study into ways to improve and scale-up semiconductor design and manufacture within the UK.

More Information

Innovation Exchange challenge: Seeing in the Dark

Opens: 28/02/2023 Closes: 31/03/2023

CCTV cameras are important surveillance and crime prevention tools, but they can be vulnerable to tampering or sabotage. Innovate UK KTN and NSTIx Op-Tech Co-Creation Centre is offering grant funding to develop an applique protection system for CCTV cameras. The challenge aims to provide a…

More Information

Related Events and Recordings

Thu
29
Apr
2021

Photonics for...Europe

10.00 - 12.00 | Online

Watch Now
Thu
24
Jun
2021

Photonics for...Water

10.00 - 12.00 | Online

Watch Now
Thu
16
Sep
2021

Photonics for...Renewable Energy

10.00 - 12.00 | Online

Watch Now
See all events
Matthew Wasley

Our Expert

Matthew Wasley

Read full profile

Related News

Photonics4Manufacturing at Made Smarter Innovation Alley 2022

04/11/2022

Photonics4Manufacturing at Made Smarter Innovation Alley 2022

Photonics4Manufacturing will be attending Made Smarter Innovation Alley 2022 from  3:30pm-4:30pm on Wednesday 16th November at the Data Theatre, Smart Factory Expo, Liverpool.

Read more
Quantum Leap: UK quantum tech showcases enormous progress at industry get-together

11/11/2022

Quantum Leap: UK quantum tech showcases enormous progress at industry get-together

Over 1,000 delegates packed into the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in London on Friday 11 November to see the great technological strides made in the field of quantum technology at the 6th Quantum Showcase.

Read more
More News

For general enquiries regarding our Photonics sector contact us now

Close

Connect with Innovate UK KTN

Join Innovate UK KTN's mailing list to receive updates on funding opportunities, events and to access IUK KTN’s deep expertise. Please check your email to confirm your subscription and select your area(s) of interest.