Photonic is an adjective used to describe matters or phenomena related to the scientific field of photonics, which is concerned with the study and manipulation of light. Derived from the word "photon," which refers to a quantum particle of light, photonic is used to denote aspects that involve the properties, interactions, or applications of light.
In the realm of technology and engineering, photonic materials or devices pertain to those designed to control or detect the behavior of photons. This includes the development of components such as lenses, waveguides, or fibers that facilitate the transmission or manipulation of light for optical communication, imaging, or sensing purposes. Photonic systems often exploit the unique properties of light, such as its ability to carry vast amounts of data, high speed, and immunity to electromagnetic interference.
Moreover, photonic crystals are structures engineered at the nanoscale to manipulate the properties of photons and control their propagation. These crystals exhibit periodic arrangements of materials that create a photonic bandgap, enabling the confinement, guidance, and manipulation of light waves. Additionally, the term photonic can also refer to phenomena like photonic interactions, which involve the interaction of light with matter, giving rise to various effects such as emission, absorption, or scattering of photons.
Overall, the term photonic encompasses all aspects that are associated with the study, application, and manipulation of light, and it represents a fundamental pillar of modern science and technology.
