Keynote address: In the wake of the EDFA

Abstract

The huge investment made by the telecommunications community in advancing photonics over the last three decades brings a considerable opportunity to disrupt other markets with new optical technology. Exploiting the wealth of devices and techniques developed for telecoms in other areas of technology requires a clear view of the advantages which optical techniques can bring, most notably the high multiplexed data rate, immunity from electromagnetic interference and excellent mode control. Examples where these attributes are making an impact are in high-power lasers, sensing in oil wells, and in the biosciences. Photonics also brings unprecedented opportunities for signal processing, molecular manipulation and even industrial welding and cutting applications. Remarkably, the milliwatts of telecommunications can be scaled to powers as high as several kilowatts in fibre amplifiers.

Photonics Hyderabad, India 13 Dec (2006)

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