Photonics is the science of light. It covers the part of the electromagnetic spectrum ranging from X-UV, ultraviolet and visible radiation to the far infrared.

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Photonic instruments concern the generation, transmission, manipulation and conversion of optical signals using different technologies:‍

• Laser processes
• Coherent, incoherent and quantum light sources
• Quantum technologies (communications, sensors, computers)
• Specialty optical fibers
• Sensors, imaging systems, optical detectors
• Free-space and fiber-optic components
• Integrated photonics technologies
• Display systems, lighting

‍Thesesystems serve a wide range of industries, including:

• Environmental and life sciences, health, agriculture, agrifoods
• Energy
• Aeronautics, space and defense
• The materials
• Communications, security and cybersecurity
• Lighting, display
• Transportation
• Archaeometry
• Forensic science

This area of expertise covers all activities and skills using materials for technical or technological advances in the electronics and/or photonics sectors.

Within this sector, players are developing their expertise in both the structure of materials (ceramics, glass, polymers, crystals) and their shaping (bulk, thin-film coating).

The field also includes players specializing in processes that add value to materials, such as :

- laser texturing,

- additive processes,

- integrators of materials in photonic or electronic components or systems.

This area of expertise covers all the technologies underlying electronic devices (components, ASICs, design, subsystems, PCBs, antennas, etc.), with a particular focus on microwave technologies in the broad sense of the term, from a few kHz to Tera-Hz, for applications in information transmission or detection systems.

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In the Microwave axis, the major technologies covered are:‍

• ‍TransistorsRF
• mmICs
• Advanced packaging, RF PCBs, hybrid technology, antennas, passives
• Design, CAD tools
• RF instrumentation/measurement/testing

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‍Onthe electronics axis, the technologies covered are:

• Microelectronics (CMOS/SOI, GaAs, GaN, SiC, BiCMOS....)
• Passive components (resistors, capacitors, inductors, etc.)
• Integrated circuits, ASICs, ASSPs, FPGAs, image sensors, microcontrollers, microprocessors, memories, PICs...
• PCBs test and measurement equipment