BELLINGHAM, WA, USA - 23 December 2008 - Despite recent turmoil in the economy, the photonics industry has reason to expect growth, SPIE CEO Eugene Arthurs said in a recen
t visit to Taiwan. Dr. Arthurs visited Taipei in part to give a plenary talk at the Optics and Photonics Taiwan (OPT) conference on 5 December. He made his remarks on the industry in a conversation with Peter Shih, founder of the Photonics Industry and Technology Development Association (PIDA).
"For some years we have seen the major themes in the U.S. National Research Council's report, 'Harnessing Light,' develop into solid markets," Arthurs said. While there was "irrational exuberance about the optical communication market around 2000 that quickly led to irrational pessimism, the optically powered internet has grown strongly and will continue to do so.
"Photonics in medicine, in genomics, and in entertainment and imaging, and the use of photonics in manufacturing and security and defense are all expanding steadily. Photonics in energy is growing strongly and will contribute to the sustainability of humanity.
"The future is truly photonic."
During their talk, Dr. Shih offered his perspective on the recent progress and future trends in both the Taiwanese and the international photonics industry. SPIE and PIDA have collaborated for several years on enhancing industrial connections between Taiwan and other countries.
Arthurs also met with Taiwan Deputy Minister Lih J. Chen and discussed Taiwan's significant successes in photonics and its plans to increase the already relatively high R&D funding for the area by 10% per annum. They met at the offices of the National Science Council, Taiwan's highest-level government agency for the promotion of science and technolo
gy.
SPIE Fellows Arthur Chiou of National Yang-Ming University, Din Ping Tsai of National Taiwan University and director of the Instrument Technology Research Center, Cheng-Chung Lee of National Central University (NCU), and Anthony Yen of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company served as hosts and guides for Arthurs' visit.
OPT was held concurrently with three other international conferences, Laser Applications in Life Sciences (LALS), Solar Cell Technology, and Flexible Electronics and Displays, on 5 and 6 December at the Taipei International Convention Center. The SPIE Student Chapter at NCU was among sponsors of OPT. Dr. Chiou was Organizing Chair of LALS.
Photo captions (from top):
From left, Cheng-Chung Lee of the National Central University, National Science Council (NSC) Deputy Minister Lih J. Chen, SPIE CEO Eugene Arthurs, and Arthur Chiou of National Yang-Ming University meet at the NSC offices in Taiwan.
SPIE CEO Eugene Arthurs, left, talks with Din Ping Tsai of National Taiwan University, director of the Instrument Technology Research Center at the National Applied Research Laboratories.
On a visit to the National Nano Design Laboratory of Taiwan, SPIE CEO Eugene Arthurs (third from right) meets with NDL staff. 
Cheng-Chung Lee (fourth from left, front row), Eugene Arthurs (fifth from left, front row), and Dr. Lee's students and postdocs from National Central University attend OPT 2008 in Taipei.
From left, SPIE Fellow Anthony Yen of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), SPIE CEO Eugene Arthurs, and SPIE Fellow Cheng-Chung Lee of National Central University on a visit to TSMC.
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