Insights will be provided on the scale, growth and structure of the UK photonics industry. Comparison to other UK manufacturing and enabling technology industries and photonics globally will lead to identification of opportunities and essential strategy considerations for research and industry communities the post-COVID era.

The new European research and innovation framework programme, Horizon Europe, is open for business, and the good news is that photonics continues to be recognised as a key enabling technology and retains a dedicated budget. The talk will give an overview of photonics in Horizon Europe, including the role of Photonics21 and PhotonHub. Opportunities for photonics businesses and researchers to take part in Horizon Europe will be highlighted, both in the core photonics area and across the wider programme.

ALTER TECHNOLOGY TÜV NORD is establishing a new Photonics Design Centre in Scotland, to focus on supporting Alter Technology Group’s development of highly integrated, miniaturised and robust photonic products for Quantum enabled PNT and Satellite optical communications. Alter Group will allocate around €6M to the Design Centre and its UK manufacturing site in the next 3-5 years. This builds upon the progress already made within Alter UK on laser products for Quantum applications and optical transceivers for intra-satellite communications and represents Alter Group’s further investment in the UK following the acquisition of Optocap Ltd (now Alter UK) in 2016. Photonic packaging is a critical part of the strong supply chain needed to enable Space and Quantum technologies to develop, and the Product Design Centre will position Alter to make significant advancements in design and advanced manufacturing technologies.

Quantum technologies are based on the properties of atoms, electrons and photons. Quantum physics describes the behaviour of these fundamental units which can behave either like waves or like particles, resulting in many extraordinary properties. They can provide unchanging standards to use for measurement and their 'quantum' behaviour can potentially create a completely new class of advanced environmental sensors and systems, with radically new capabilities for timing and navigation, secure communications, driverless cars, computing and other critical applications. NPL has initiated a wide-ranging programme, based on its applied metrology expertise, which focuses on the many ways in which NPL, as the UK’s National Metrology Institute, can contribute to the development of quantum technologies into usable products and services. Through its new programme, NPL will lead on the creation of a comprehensive capability to test and evaluate prototypes and new products, which are based on quantum technologies. The programme will involve establishing new measurement methods and protocols which will contribute to new international standards, in collaboration with partners around the world. This talk will outline the key elements of the programme and how it fits within the UK’s National Quantum Technologies Programme (NQTP), as well as some key initial projects.

Quantum sensing is transitioning from fundamental to applied research. The increased sensitivity of a quantum sensor typically means a greater level of engineering is required to achieve reliable operation. Do medical applications such as the ability to improve the sensitivity, portability and reduce the cost of MRI sensors or the ability to use single photon fluorescence lifetime imaging to provide potentially the ability to detect cancerous cells justify the significant investment and development required?

Kelvin Nanotechnology is an internationally recognised provider of advanced photonics and quantum components. Founded in 1997 and based in Glasgow, Scotland; Kelvin Nanotechnology has built up an extensive global blue-chip customer base and provided services in over 20 countries worldwide. Proud to be one of the first suppliers of miniaturised quantum components in the market, Kelvin Nanotechnology drives forward innovation in the fabrication of quantum components to support quantum systems for information processing and computing, chip scale cold atom systems, sensors, and high precision timing and navigation.

Professor Ric Allott will introduce the the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), and their expertise and capabilities across their 3 main campuses and the potential benefits of working with the SFTC. The talk will focus on 3 key areas of STFC: our Large Scale Facilities (x-rays, neutrons and lasers), High Performance Computing and Data Analytics and Technology. Professor Ric Allott will end with details on how to engage with the SFTC and access our facilities, technologies, scientists and engineers