An entirely new era of optical science technology, which studies and utilises photons, emerged from the invention of lasers in 1960. Most importantly, lasers and resultant optoelectronic devices have allowed us to enhance significantly the understanding of the nature of light but also accelerate the application of light.
Photonics has emerged as a new discipline that is focused on science, technology and application of photons. While photons are important to the fundamental study in quantum science including quantum optics, quantum computing and quantum communications, the utilisation of photons has led to the continuing generation of the new technology and applications in telecommunications, space exploration, energy, materials including topological insulators, microelectronics, life sciences, medicine, environmental management etc. In particular, the recently emerging application of photonics in artificial intelligence will revolutionise the conceptual development of brain-like chips with ultralow energy consumption.
It is no doubt that photonics has become a key enabling technology platform for our sustainable life. It is at this exciting time that we welcome the arrival of the inaugural issue of the journal, PhotoniX, to our photonics community. We aim that the new journal not only truly showcases the enabling power of photonics, but also strives to develop this power into cultivating industries as well as improving the competitiveness, the scope and depth of science and technology in general. We hope that the new journal provides a bridge that connects our scientists, engineers, inventors, technology developers, entrepreneurs and policy makers in governments. We strongly encourage our photonics colleagues to use, refine and empower this platform.
Editor-in-Chief: Min Gu
It is my honor to serve as Editor-in-Chief of PhotoniX. This open-access journal focuses on photonic technology with cutting-edge, multidisciplinary and derivative characteristics, aiming to become a platform to promote the international frontier "Enabling Technology". It comes at a crucial moment when both academia and industry urgently need a platform to explore the true enabling power of photonics.
I sincerely encourage my fellow researchers to submit their original work and review articles. Technology breakthroughs, market trends and views from industry are also warmly welcome. Together we will experience the colorfulness of photonics and explore its profound enabling potential.
Editor-in-Chief: Min Qiu