Wafer-based technology now provides high-quality micro-optics for low-cost consumer products

Photonics is said to be the most important key technology in the 21st century, some even call the 21st century the “photon century”. It might be a bit too early to name a whole century after it, but indeed, photon-based technology has much impact on our everyday life at the beginning of the new century. Chip manufacturing, lighting, health care and life-sciences, space, defense, and the transport and automotive sector rely on photon-based technology. Photonics is also supposed to offer novel solutions where today’s conventional technologies reach their limits in terms of velocity, capacity and accuracy.