Photonics Platform has every prospect for success

The accompanying programme of Photonics. World of Lasers and Optics 2017 International Exhibition was opened with a joint meeting of the Research and Technical Council of the Laser Association, the Secretariat of the Russian Photonics Technology Platform, and the Board of Founders of the Eurasian Photonics Technology Platform.

Representatives of companies that are using laser and optical technologies, Russian colleges and other research organizations discussed the ways how the technology platform could be used to boost the application of photonics in Russia and EEU member states.

Speaking about photonics, President of the Laser Association Ivan Kovsh underlined that its main aim was to contribute to the economy’s growth. The issue of bringing photonics to the real sector of economy is still very relevant. The lack of resources for revamp and creation of state-of-the-art production facilities, low credit availability, and lack of government support in introduction of new equipment are major setbacks in EEU member states. Besides, there is still lack of awareness in photonics capabilities and its advantages.

Mr. Kovsh also pointed out that domestic R&D was often mistrusted which made Photonics. World of Lasers and Optics, running at Expocentre Fairgrounds, very important for promotion of products and developments of Russian companies.

According to Mr. Kovsh, the other big problem is that there are not enough engineers who can introduce photonics into production. “The issue of cooperation between colleges and universities with research institutes and production companies is a critical one,” said Mr. Kovsh.

Within the Eurasian Economic Union, the Photonics Technology Platform is under development. Now it includes 11 priority sectors. The first joint projects are being prepared.

The Laser Association and the Photonics Technology Platform are both working on overcoming difficulties in promoting photonics technologies. Participants exchanged experience in using laser and optical technologies and discussed their extensive introduction.

“The potential of the Photonics Technology Platform has no visible limits. Now we have to move the balance to consumers. i.e. manufacturing industries, agriculture, medicine, etc., where technology should really work, be paid off and in demand,” summed up the president of the laser Association.

The key event of Photonics 2017 was the 6th Congress of the Technology Platform “Innovative Laser, Optical and Optoelectronic Technologies – Photonics”. The main topic of its plenary meeting was problems and prospects of photonics in Russia.

The speech of the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade representative Dmitry Kapranov was devoted to a strategic program defining challenges and priorities of the photonics industry.

Ivan Kovsh, who moderated the meeting, talked about performance principles of government’s sectoral departments and groups within the Interdepartmental Photonics Coordination Research and Development Program for 2017–2020.