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photonics
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Optics — Charlotte’s Focus on the Future operate in
the Carolinas.
Optical technologies permeate almost all hi- blage of a diverse group of industry, research
tech industries, and the future for optics is even and educational resources in close proximity to
brighter. For researchers in the fields of optical each other that creates the critical mass neces-
science and optoelectronics engineering, the sary for collaboration, innovation, partnership
spotlight is on Charlotte, a growing hotspot for and business development. Charlotte has
photonics-related R&D.
Photonics technology can already be found
in nearly every home, office and manufactur-
ing plant. Technological innovations in areas as
varied as entertainment systems, displays, data
storage, telecommunications systems, inter-
net connectivity, printers, photocopiers, lasers,
security systems, surgical devices, biosensors,
and weapons systems are all made possible by
photonics advancements. World-wide sales of
optical technology devices exceeded $25 billion
in 2004, and growth continues to be rapid.
Photonics is the quintessential enabling tech-
nology. Innovations achieved through optical
technologies enable the development of other
new technologies, giving this high-tech area
economic impact that far exceeds the technol-
ogy itself. Optics-enabled products generated
more than $200 billion in revenues in 2004, and
this is clearly only the beginning of their poten-
tial economic impact.
For example, fiber optics provide a means for
transferring enormous amounts of data at high
speed, far more than traditional wire. The per-
sonal communication and home entertainment
industries, currently restrained by the data limits
of electronic data transfer, will grow enormously.
Photo courtesy UNC-Charlotte
They will be revolutionized by new low-cost
fiber for home technologies that promise tens
of giga-bits per second of connectivity as com-
pared with a few mega-bits today.
Innovation at Light Speed
Already home to approximately 130 photon- attracted a dynamic combination of resources Charlotte
ics facilities, North Carolina long ago recognized and is now a major center for new, photonics- is the center
the potential of optical technologies. At the driven industries. of the
center of the region’s optics belt (along the I-85/ Carolinas'
I-40 corridor stretching from Spartanburg, SC in
the southwest to the Research Triangle Park in
Enlightened Research optics
cluster.
the northeast), Charlotte is home to one of the Institutions
nation’s major optical technology clusters.
As with any emerging technology, major High technology industries require close
advancements in photonics rarely take place relationships with research institutions to
without community synergy — the assem- thrive. One reason for the growth of photon-
UNC-Charlotte Communications, a key component of CRI,
drives much combines the activities of over 30 university
of the area's researchers in optical science and engineering
photonics with laboratories and user facilities that support
research. the needs of industrial partners and start-up
companies in a new 80,000 square foot build-
What is Photonics?
Photonics refers to the manipulation of
light or photons, primarily for conveying
information. Photonics includes lighting,
displays, sensors and a host of other appli-
cations built on the fundamental science,
engineering and technology of generating,
transporting and detecting light. Optics,
Photo courtesy UNC-Charlotte
optoelectronics and photonics are all
terms used to describe this field. Photonics
research is aimed at scientific discoveries
and technological advancements that arise
from the study of the physics of photons.
Many new discoveries have been made in
ics industries in the Carolinas is the presence the last few years relating to the interac-
of numerous strong research universities that tion of light with matter, especially at the
provide a steady stream of advancements in the nanoscale, the realm of atoms and mol-
field, generate spin-off companies with optics ecules.
specializations and produce a sizable work- Much of high technology is currently
force of highly trained optical scientists and based on electronics — the manipulation
engineers. A more subtle but equally impor- of the flow of electrons, which are nega-
tant reason is a regional academic culture that tively charged particles of matter found
encourages collaboration among universities in every atom. The unique properties of
and with industry partners. photons, however, offer enormous physi-
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte cal advantages that promise to move much
is a rapidly growing research university com- of our most advanced technology to the
mitted to university-industry partnerships. next generation. Photons are not charged
The university is economically involved with and do not interfere with each other. The
local industry and is very application-oriented
interaction of electrons and photonics on
in its research. UNC-Charlotte is ranked first
the nanoscale is rich with new phenom-
in the nation by the Association of Technology
ena that will allow photonics technologies
Managers in patent applications, second in
to progress in much the same way as the
inventions, third in patents issued, and fourth
in technology licenses for each $10 million of semiconductor industry progressed over
funded research. the last 30 years and gave us the silicon
UNC Charlotte’s industry-oriented research integrated circuit, or “chip.” Integrated
led to the creation of the Charlotte Research photonic circuits are now on the horizon,
Institute (CRI), a major university investment and their impact on future technologies
in research partnerships with strong economic will be at least as great as that of the silicon
potential. With facilities centered at the univer- chip on society’s recent past. Inexpensive
sity’s highly accessible Millennial Campus, CRI and super-fast integrated photonic chips,
is specifically focused on the rapid development photonic crystals, light-active nanotech-
of three areas of university research strength: nology for sensors and medicine and new
precision metrology, e-business technology and diode technologies are merely a few of the
optoelectronics. possibilities.
The Center for Optoelectronics and Optical
ing. This major facility contains state-of-the-art optical devices and systems, including optical
equipment for the design, fabrication and testing communication networks. New university doc-
of photonics components and devices, includ- toral programs aimed at producing scientists in
ing a 3,000 square foot clean room. The center‘s applied optical science and engineering, micro-
equipment includes state-of-the-art fabrication optics and nanophotonics are training the next
tools such as electron beam lithography, fem- generation of researchers alongside private-sec-
tosecond and UV lasers and nanoimprint tor partners, providing a steady flow of discovery
technologies. Numerical modeling, imaging, test and innovation.
and characterization tools provide a complete UNC Charlotte has also developed partner-
capability for the production and evaluation of ships with other university optics programs that
amplify the possibilities for industry collaboration
in photonics research and technology devel-
opment. The Carolinas MicroOptics Triangle
is a partnership of UNC Charlotte, Clemson
University and Western Carolina University, and
provides joint resources for the optics industry.
The combined alliance offers three optical sci-
ence and engineering programs, 225,000 square
feet of new building space, and $29 million in
research equipment to support the growth of
optics industries. The MicroOptics Triangle can
support materials development, fabrication, test-
ing and rapid prototyping of optical components
Photo courtesy UNC-Charlotte
and systems.
UNC Charlotte’s optoelectronics program
also has active relationships with programs at
other universities in the Carolinas and through-
out the US, including Duke University and the
University of Southern California.
Over 30
university
researchers
Triad Area in optical
(17)
Hickory
Area
science are
Asheville
(8)
available
RTP area (53)
locally.
(3)
(Raleigh, Durham, Cary)
Charlotte
Greenville/
Area (40)
NC
Spartanburg
Area (13)
Wilmington
(3)
Columbia
(4)
SC
UNC-
Charlotte's
doctoral
programs
in optical
science
ensure
continued
growth in
this area.
Photo courtesy UNC-Charlotte
With the ramping up of optics research in finance, information technology and defense,
Charlotte, the future is bright for further devel- Charlotte offers new technology companies an
opment in optics-related industry. Fertile environment in which they can combine high
university-industry relationships are accelerating quality of life, reasonable cost-of-living, strong
the growth of Charlotte’s large pool of industry educational institutions, and a highly trained
talent and creating dynamic partnerships that and diverse workforce with a progressive, pro-
capitalize on new sources of grant funding and business climate.
government contracts in areas such as defense Charlotte matches technical and cultural
and homeland security. sophistication with a relaxed,“small-town” feel.
It’s a city where history and traditions have
Start-up Industry — Spark for melded with a decidedly 21st Century atmo-
sphere. Photonics’ light-speed technologies
the Economy of the Future will continue to make Charlotte’s future bright.
Charlotte’s optics industry and research Contact: Dr. Michael A. Fiddy
institutions are creating a fertile breeding Director, Center for Optoelectronics and Optical
ground for transformative ideas and innovation, Communications
the foundation for growth in high technol- The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
ogy. UNC Charlotte and its optical science and Charlotte, NC 28223
engineering programs have already spawned a tel: 704-687-6078 fax: 704-687-6077
number of new companies, among them Digital mafiddy@uncc.edu
Optics Corporation, OpSource Inc., Albany http://opticscenter.uncc.edu
Instruments Inc., Nanoresist Technologies Inc.,
and Dot Metrics Inc. Charlotte-based Digital
Optics is an internationally known company in
the field of micro-optics and now employs a
professional workforce of more than 100.
Attracted to the Light 330 South Tryon Street, P.O. Box 32785
Charlotte, North Carolina 28232 U.S.A.
Why is Charlotte in the limelight for photo- 704.378.1300 phone 704.374.1903 fax
nics-based and optics related industries? Just www.charlottechamber.com
as the city is a hub for other sectors such as
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