Immense Job Opportunities In Photonics

What all can light particles- photons, do in our daily lives? Can you imagine about such light that can store information and help to transfer these information through very thin glass fibers that can carry the equal of 300,000,000 simultaneous telephone calls? All these come under Photonics, the technology of light energy. Photonics is considered to be the next generation technology. Just as electronics is the technology of the 20th century, Photonics could be the technology of the 21st century. Even though the Photonic era began in the 1960’s with the invention of laser, it made an impact on telecommunication only in the late 70’s. Photonics is a hi-tech subject that evolved as a result of the fusion of optical technology with electronics. It is the use of light to obtain, convey or process information. It is the science of mastering the techniques involved in the emission, detection, transmission and modulation of light. This sub-discipline of physics deals with the study of photons, the elementary particle of light. It also deals with the instruments required such as laser guns, optical fibers, optometric instruments etc. In photonic system, information signals are conveyed as pulses of light and these optical signals are transmitted through optical fibres. Optical fibres are strands of special glass around 10 micron (100µm) in diameter (i.e about the thickness of a human hair) which can carry thousands of times more information than electrical wires. Photonic devices that are used to convert electrical signals into optical signal and back again where necessary, can be made up from a variety of materials including semi conductors and even optical fibres. These devices are also used to manipulate and process optical signals directly, without the need for conversion. In recent years, photonics has become a fundamental technology in worldwide telecommunication, computing, security and many other applications because of its advantage to work more effectively and with much greater speed. The growing numbers of practical applications of photonics make it an important field both for research and commercial development. The technology of photonics is used for imaging, health care and medicine, defense, optics and electronics. It has a strong reputation of solving research problems through advanced spectroscopy, lasers, microscopy, and fiber optic imaging. Photonics is also put to use in biotechnology, microbiology, medicinal sciences, surgery and life sciences. It is even applicable for industrial manufacturing, entertainment, metrology which is the science of measurement that deals with weights and measures; and photonic computing. Photonic computing uses photons of laser light to perform the logic that makes computing work. Apart from these industries, the technology has steadily penetrated into military applications. Those who have a keen interest in science and its intricacies and are curious to solve questions related to science can pursue photonics as a career. There is a global demand for skilled people with photonics training. A photonics specialist can work as Engineers, technicians, scientists in photonic companies and as professional officers in universities and Government offices. The nature of work differs with the post held. The scientist has to do more research work on photonics, while the engineers design photonic equipments. The photonics technician helps the engineers in designing and manufacturing.

Eligibility Criteria

To become a photonic specialist, courses can be undertaken at both graduation and post graduation levels. At the Bachelor’s level, programs in photonics and optoelectronics can be pursued upon qualifying 10+2 examination in science stream, with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as compulsory subjects. Photonics or optoelectronics can also be studied at post graduation level after obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Physics and Mathematics, Applied Physics, or Electronics. Besides, individuals can also seek admission in M.Tech, MPhil, and PhD programs in photonics, after completing a Master’s degree in Physics or Photonics. Furthermore, photonics can be studied through various diploma courses, particularly the two-year technician program that lets one become a photonic technician.

Career Prospects

Photonics and optics are two of those fields in physics wherein jobs available are more than the applicants. The global shortage of photonics specialists has made these skilled professionals highly in demand. Candidates who have obtained a degree in optics or photonics can look for suitable positions in national research laboratories and industries, some of them being lasers, nanotechnology, radiation treatment, telecommunications, optical materials, and medical imaging. Since the curriculum of photonics comprises of pursuing technical skills in physics, programming, networking, and mathematics, careers revolving around these subjects can also be explored in the market. Even though graduation in science can help one find work in related fields of photonics, but a degree with photonics always provides a higher edge. The leading recruiters in the field of photonics include Advanced Photonics (Mumbai), J2 Optronics Pvt. Ltd. (Cochin), Kwality Photonics Pvt. Ltd. (Hyderabad), Eagle Photonics (Bangalore), Optiwave Photonics Limited (Hyderabad), Sahajanand Technologies (P) Ltd. (Surat), and Sterlite Optical Technologies Ltd. (New Delhi). Photonics specialists are hired by science and photonics companies as engineers, technicians, and scientists. Besides, they can take up the post of professional officers in universities and government offices.

Remuneration

Salary of a photonics specialist  varies largely depending upon the qualification and experience of the individual and the nature of the hiring organization. A photonics researcher or scientist is usually offered a monthly salary ranging from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 30,000, apart from additional perks and benefits. The pay increases with experience and knowledge. The annual pay package in foreign countries is extremely high and very attractive compared to what is offered in India.

Institutes

India is home to some prestigious and esteemed universities and institutions that offer various degree courses in photonics. They are:

*          International School of Photonics, Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), Cochin

*          Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) at New Delhi and Chennai

*          Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal

*          Periyar EVR College, Tiruchirappalli

*          Department of Photonics, Rajarshi Shahu Mahavidyalaya, Latur, Maharashtra

*          Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute (CEERI), Pilani.

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