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Microwave Photonics Stream

Photonics is the study of how to generate, detect, and manipulate light. One of the most important applications of photonics today is fiber optic communications. The incredibly large data capacity of optical fibers and the very high-speed optoelectronic components form the backbone to our long distance telecommunications networks. Without optical fiber networks, we would not have the internet or emails, and long distance phone calls would be slow and expensive. Engineers with a photonics background can find careers in optical communications and other emerging technologies.

This stream addresses the field of microwave photonics, where microwave frequency signals are converted to light and then processed optically. This is to achieve certain functionality that would otherwise be too cumbersome. Applications include the steering of radiation in state-of-the-art antennas and the distribution of radio frequency signals over optical fibers (to feed and receive signals from remote antennas in a wireless communication system).