The increase in the adoption of photonics is gradually replacing electric conductors—which are used in semiconductors for high speed transmission systems—with silicon photonics.

The rise in optical transceivers devices developed using silicon photonics has assisted in the development of transmission speeds of over 100Gbps, which is expected to have mass adoption and support the development of high-performance computing with increased efficiency. These devices are being predominantly used for image and capturing, as well as for intelligent lighting solutions such as OLED technologies.

In our full report, “2018 Photonics Research Review,” we explain in depth what’s happening in several segments of the photonics industry.

However, if you’re looking for a quick overview of what’s happening in photonics—including the fast-growing fiber optics industry—you’ll find today’s blog helpful.

We provide quick insight into the main trends occurring in three of the fastest-growing segments in the industry:

The banking, finance, and insurance industries have undergone huge transformations in recent years, and optical fibers have played a major role in it.

As the U.S. military moves against entrenched ISIS targets around the world, their forces are increasingly relying on laser guided munitions. Just this month, the U.S. military conducted two airstrikes against Islamic State members in Somalia—the first such action there—using drones, which are almost always fitted with laser-guided munitions.

Optical amplifiers made from rare-earth materials are used in photonic integrated chips (PICs) to amplify an optical signal without first converting it to an electrical signal. Optical amplifiers coupled with WDM (wavelength-division multiplexing) technology have made the transmission of many terabits of data over large distances possible.

The quantum cascade laser (QCL) market is attracting attention as a significant technology advance that engenders new innovations with noteworthy financial returns. What’s not to like?

Healthcare is moving from a treatment-oriented system to a diagnostic-oriented one to help decrease healthcare spending on treatment (e.g., drugs, chemotherapy, etc.). This growing trend makes an interesting and encouraging scenario for the use of biophotonics as a novel approach to cancer detection/diagnosis.

An international team of researches and engineers have demonstrated the ability to not only control the peaks within laser pulses, but also to twist these incredibly short pulses of light. A pulse lasts a few femtoseconds long (one quadrillionth of a second, or about the time it takes for the family dog to bolt out the front door without its collar).