IIT Delhi to build new center to ensure Research in Optics and Photonics

In order to take teaching, research, development, and innovation in different areas of optics and photonics to a higher level, while keeping a balance between classical and modern areas, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi will create a new center named “Optics and Photonics Center”. The Institute’s Board of Governors has given its approval to the creation of the new center.

The Optics and Photonics Center, IIT Delhi will seek collaboration with establishments such as the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and industry to undertake R&D in the areas of importance for them. DRDO is already collaborating in this area through a vertical in Photonics in the Joint Advance Technology Center (JATC) at IIT Delhi.

“As the spread of photonic technology and its usage is increasing, there would be many opportunities for such collaborations including setting up of start-ups. Apart from this, the Center will play a pivotal role in the near future development of photonics-based quantum technologies, for next generation computing, and secure communications, etc. Sustained linkages with industry will also be developed and established,” said Prof Joby Joseph, Coordinator, Optics and Photonics Center, IIT Delhi.

The Center will focus on doctoral and postgraduate programs including special programs for industry professionals. Innovation and translation of research into products would be very important for the Center. It will also encourage and help students in entrepreneurial efforts and connect them with suitable investors through due processes at the Institute.

Prof. Anurag Sharma, JC Bose Fellow, Dept. of Physics, IIT Delhi said, “The Center will synergize and significantly enhance the activities in Optics and Photonics at IIT Delhi. This is particularly important in view of the strong interdisciplinary nature of the subject.”

Optics and photonics have become extremely important as enabling technologies, and have immense applications in diverse fields such as communication and information processing; quantum information and computing; energy harvesting and green energy; lighting- particularly solid-state lighting; imaging- particularly bio-imaging; and several engineering fields- aerospace, civil and environment, agriculture, micro-nano fabrication, automotive engineering, research and industrial instrumentation, surveillance and offence in the military. Many agencies such as the DRDO, CSIR, DAE, Department of Space and industries are increasingly turning towards optics and photonics for technological solutions.