Photonics Courses in India

Photonics  is the science of generation, emission, transmission, modulation, signal processing, switching, amplification, detection and sensing of Protons (light particles). Photonics is a hi-tech subject that evolved as a result of the fusion of optical technology with electronics. It is a sub-discipline of physics and has got wide application in communications, imaging, health care, medicine, defence, optics and electronics etc. From the use of lasers in surgery, telecommunications and computes to the role of charged-couple devices or CCDs in capturing digital family video, discovering new planets and giving robots vision, photonics has revolutionised our lives. Photonics technology can also be used in low signal loss optical fibres for long haul under-sea and terrestrial communications, industrial and military applications. The bio-photonics technology is used to develop new procedures and techniques in biotechnology, microbiology, medicine, surgery and other life sciences.

Some of its specialized fields are -

• Light Sources.
• Transmission Media.
• Amplifiers.
• Detection.
• Modulation.
• Photonic Systems.

Content

The study of this field includes all or few of these –

1. Mechanics & Wave Phenomena.
2. Classical Mechanics.
3. Structure & Properties of Atoms & Molecules.
4. Lab / Viva.

Objectives

• To utilise Photonics technology beyond the existing utilisations.
• To create cheaper and environment friendly technology which is also productive as well.
• To cater to the present and future needs of industries by producing trained manpower.

Basic Requirement

Educational Qualification - Candidates who have passed Plus Two in the science stream (Physics, Chemistry and Maths) with a minimum mark of 50% are eligible for graduation courses in Photonics and Optoelectronics. A candidate having a Bachelors degree in Physics and Mathematics, Applied Physics or Electronics can pursue M.Sc in Photonics or Optoelectronics. One can obtain MTech, MPhil, and PhD in the field of Photonics and the eligibility is a Masters degree in Physics or Photonics.

In India, the International School of Photonics (Cochin University of Science and Technology) offers M.Tech, MPhil and PhD programs in Photonics. There are some diploma courses also that would help one to become a Photonics technician. Two-year technician programme help one to become a photonics technician. Apart from this many other universities and engineering colleges across the country offer optoelectronics and photonics as interdisciplinary subjects. All major universities of the world offer courses in Photonics and optoelectronics. 

Some of the Major Indian Institutes offering Photonics courses:

1. The International School of Photonics, CUSAT (Cochin University of Science & Technology), Kerala.
2. Indian Institute of Technology, Madras.
3. Manipal Institute of Technology, Karnataka.
4. Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.
5. Periyar EVR College (Affiliated to Bharthidasan University), Tamil Nadu.
6. Rajarshi Shahu Mahavidyalaya, Department of Photonics, Latur, Maharashtra.

Some of the Major Foreign Institutes offering Photonics courses:

1. The University of New South Wales.
2. Institute of Physics (London).
3. University of Leeds, UK.
4. The Department of Physics, Australian National University.
5. Department of Physics, University of Strathclyde, U.K.
6. St Andrew's University, Scotland.
7. University of Essex.
8. Ohio State University, U.S.A
9. Washington State University, U.S.A
10. University of Rochester, U.S.A
11. Sonoma State University, U.S.A

Personal Attributes - Those who wish to pursue a career in Photonics must have a fascination for science and related topics. They should have an eye for detail and a curiosity for solving science-centred questions. One should be good in physics and mathematics. Creativity is also needed in this field, as they have to design equipments and communicating skill, to be a part of the manufacturing team. 

Job Perspectives

Photonics has become a fundamental technology in worldwide telecommunication, computing, security and many other applications because of its advantage to work more effectively and with much greater speed. The growing numbers of practical applications of Photonics make it an important field both for research and commercial development. There is a global demand for skilled people with Photonics training. A Photonics specialist can work as Engineers, technicians, scientists in Photonic companies and as professional officers in universities and Government offices. The nature of work differs with the post held. The scientist has to do more research work on Photonics, while the engineers design Photonic equipments. The Photonics technician helps the engineers in designing and manufacturing. A Photonics specialist can work as Engineers, technicians or technologists, research officers in government and industry laboratories and as professional officers in Universities and Government offices. Manufacturing, design, research, development, systems and applications are some of the fields they work in. Some of the major companies in this field in India are Eagle Photonics (Bangalore & Chennai), Kwality Photonics Pvt. Ltd, SphereOptics, J2 Optronics, Sahajanand Technologies Pvt.Ltd, Optiwave Photonics Limited (Hyderabad), John .F.Welch Technology Centre (Bangalore), Advanced Photonics, Sterlite optical technologies Ltd etc.

Remuneration - This is one of the highly paid fields among the science-oriented careers. Remuneration varies on the basis of experience and education. One can earn 20000- 35000 Rs per month at the beginning of his career. In countries like US, Canada and UK the annual pay-package of Photonics researchers/scientists varies from $36384 to $116915.

Some Job Types

• Photonics Assistants.
• Photonics Technician.
• Sales Engineers.
• Service Engineers.
• Researcher.
• Lecturer.

Some Employment Areas

• Telecommunication Companies.
• R & D organizations.
• Automobile Manufacturers.
• Universities.
• Laboratories.
• Communication's Network.
• Medicine Industry.
• Defence Department.
• Optic Firms.
• Electronic Companies.
• Entertainment Industry.
• Meteorological Departments.