Nanophotonics

Nanophotonics or nano-optics is a part of nanotechnology that investigates the behaviour of light on nanometer scales as well as interactions of nanometer-sized objects with light and the global market for nanophotonics is set to garner $ 200 billion by 2033. Nanophotonics – Combining Photonics and Nanotechnology is going to catalyse innovation.
 
 
Nanophotonics arose as a synthesis of three scientific fields: photonics, nanotechnology, and optoelectronics. Nanophotonics is the study of light contact with a nanometer-scale object. This technology is based on the principles of metal optics and Plasmonics. Metamaterials and near-field optics are two more principles on which this technology is based. It has numerous uses in science and technology, including solar energy, optical microscopy, bioimaging, and optical communication.

Many devices that utilize nanophotonics are made from dielectric or metallic structures, where the device is structured to enhance the light-matter interactions of interest. The foundation of nanophotonics is electromagnetic phenomena in materials.

Nanophotonics offers a multitude of promising avenues for many technologies by allowing the control of light on the nanoscale, especially in the areas of sensing, data, medicine and energy.

Nanophotonics may also play an important role in medicine, such as in the treatment of cancer. For instance, nanoparticles can be employed in cancer treatment: this entails illuminating nanoparticles that are adjacent to the cancerous region, resulting in a plasmonic excitation that produces heat, allowing the targeted destruction of the cancerous cells.

Moreover, nanophotonic device manufacturers are merging small-scale power electronics and transistors on a single chip to achieve larger bandwidth and faster data transmission speed. This allows nanophotonic integrated circuits to interface with other devices directly through light. Asia Pacific accounted for 47% share of the global market in 2022.

Nanophotonics also finds a plethora of applications in data and communication. Numerous product developments, such as the creation of atomic-thin metal halides and ultra-thin nanomaterials, are also operating as growth drivers. These nanomaterials are employed in sensitive optical sensors for gas detection in the environment. 

Nanophotonics and metamaterials promise to play a key role across an astonishing variety of technologies.

Dr. Deepak Kumar Sahu, President & CEO, VARINDIA