Electronics and photonics

Over the past five decades a steady increase in both the quantity and capability of electronic and photonic components that we may interact with on a daily basis has occurred. A stroll through an airport departure terminal at nearly any time of year effectively demonstrates this point. People may be observed communicating with others by cell phone, working on laptop computers, or checking the time on digital watches. Children surround a portable DVD player to watch their favorite computer-animated movie, while others play with miniature hand-held video games as their parents listen to music from pocket-sized MP3 players. Clearly the information age, that some believe began its steady rise with the demonstration of a solid-state electronic component in a New Jersey laboratory in December of 1947,¹ has now become a global phenomenon. Electronic computer systems that occupied large rooms and used massive amounts of power were once accessible only to large business concerns or to government entities. Present day computer systems with greater functionality run for hours on sets of rechargeable batteries and fit nicely on a person's lap. Electronic and photonic components constitute and support a major portion of the global economy and strongly contribute to the effectiveness of business, education, healthcare, and entertainment sectors.