Photonics Enabling Productivity Throughout the UK

The Hidden Economy

UK Photonics

UK Photonics

A £18.5bn industry employing over 84,800 people in the UK with nationally leading productivity and global industrial and societal impact

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UK Photonics and Quantum Directory

UK Photonics and Quantum Directory

A fully searchable directory of all companies, research organisations and universities engaged in Photonics and Quantum in the UK

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Vision for UK Photonics in 2035

Vision for UK Photonics in 2035

The future size and impact of photonics across the economy

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Promotional banner for Digital Catapult's Day of Photonics 2026 in Belfast on 21 October, featuring the illuminated Belfast skyline and colourful photonic light trails.

Day of Photonics 2026: Connecting the UK and Ireland’s Photonics Ecosystem

By Events

Digital Catapult’s Day of Photonics 2026 takes place in Belfast on Wednesday 21 October, bringing together industry, academia, government and innovation leaders to explore opportunities for photonics across the UK and Ireland. The event will explore the role of photonics in enabling technologies including semiconductors, AI, quantum, advanced manufacturing, health and security, alongside opportunities for investment, commercialisation and…

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Last chance to apply for the 2027 SPIE Prism Awards

By news

The SPIE Prism Awards celebrate breakthrough products that are shaping the future of optics and photonics. Recognition as a finalist or winner can help elevate your company’s visibility among customers, partners, investors, and industry leaders. Award recipients receive promotion across SPIE channels and exposure at SPIE Photonics West, which attracts more than 22,000 attendees each…

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Dr Lewis Hill photo

Dr Lewis Hill to join Photonics Leadership Group as General Manager as the UK photonics sector enters a pivotal moment of opportunity

By news, Press releases

Photonics has long been one of the UK’s scientific strengths. Today, it is rapidly becoming one of its strategic assets. Contributing more than £18.5 billion annually to the UK economy, photonics underpins many of the technologies shaping the country’s future prosperity – from artificial intelligence and quantum technologies to advanced manufacturing, healthcare, defence, and next-generation…

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UK EU collaboration flag

Consultation on the future of the European Chips JU

By news

The European Commission have opened a consultation on the future of Joint Undertakings including the Chips JU to shape the framework fro Joint Undertaking under Horizon Europe 2028-2034. This is of significant importance for photonics as the Commission’s current plans are to expand the EU Chip ACT 2 to include photonics. Therefore much of the…

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Welcoming the Technopolis report on the EU’s critical digital capacities deployment beyond 2027 and focus on photonics

By news

The publication of the Technopolis-led report, Study on the EU’s critical digital capacities deployment beyond 2027, is a welcome contribution to the importance of investment in next generation of digital technology, including photonics. Commissioned by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, the study looks beyond the current EU Framework programme to…

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New European Photonics Roadmap

By news, Press releases

Photonics21 presented the latest European Photonics Roadmap, the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) Light Driving the Future, to the European commission at the Photonics21 annual meeting on the 9 June 2026. Light Driving the Future is the sector’s most significant strategic update since Horizon Europe began and set out a vision for teh next…

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National Roadmap for Photonics_image

National Roadmap for Photonics – Expression of Interest to participate

By Consultations / open drafts

To Express your Interest in participating in developing the National Photonics Roadmap, please complete the on-line expression of interest. Invitations to participate in the in-person workshop will be drawn from those completing the EoI, subject to constraints of the venue, balance of contributions and discretion of our government partners.  Following the Council for Science and Technology…

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Council for Science and Technology highlights UK photonics

By news

The UK government’s Council for Science and Technology (CST), which provides independent advice to the Prime Minister on science and technology policy issues across government, has  highlighted the vital role of photonics in keeping the whole economy competitive. Photonics: Capturing the Opportunities for Growth and Global Leadership emphasises the growth opportunity, strong UK Leadership in…

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Who are the Photonics Leadership Group?

The PLG is a voluntary collective of photonics industry and academic leaders nudging policy, strategy, industry and research in mutually beneficial directions

About the Photonics Leadership Group?