Background

Optics and optoelectronics science and technology projects play, and certainly will continue to play, a major role in society, because they represent one of the fastest-growing industrial fields (also in Finland). Optics and optoelectronics are currently referred to under a common name - photonics. Even though the field was formed through multidisciplinary interaction, its origins are firmly rooted in physics. Today, the field employs physicists, engineers, chemists, information technology experts, physicians, bioscientists and even psychologists. Conversely, everyone in the world deals with photonic products on a daily basis; indeed, modern society couldn't survive without them.

European companies still control 40 per cent of the 150 billion euro photonics market. The photonics industry is also growing rapidly in Finland, because it has strategic brands for numerous industrial fields. Development is so rapid that maintaining competitiveness requires a considerable increase in the volume of basic research in the field.
 

Research programme goals

The main goal of the programme is to make photonics one of the most internationally successful fields of research in Finland. The programme also aims to:

· achieve international leadership in certain photonics sectors and start new interdisciplinary projects, which can also be used to develop top international research
· strengthen photonics and its applicable basic research
· develop relevant basic research for industry extremely close cooperation among researchers and industrial actors in the field create excellent conditions for this.
· support doctoral education in the field

Possible themes include

· Optical materials research and data transfer, display and lighting technologies, light sources
· New imaging techniques
· Biophotonics

 
Cooperation

National cooperation
Preparations for the programme will be made in cooperation with the Academy's Research Councils. Preparations for the programme are also being made in close cooperation with Tekes - Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation. Cooperative opportunities with the Ministry of Trade and Industry are being investigated. The interest of companies and foundations is also being surveyed.

International cooperation
Key research countries with which cooperation has already been established are Japan, Russia, the United States, China, Germany and France. The programme may also be realised as a joint Nordic effort.