Photonics is a USD$600 billion (AUD$894 billion) global market, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6 per cent. Before the end of the decade, the photonics industry will represent a USD$900 billion (AUD$1.34 trillion) opportunity.

Photonics in South Australia has strengthened considerably since 2016. With adequate and continuous support, we will see Adelaide clearly recognised as being at the forefront of these core photonics disciplines:

1. South Australia’s specialty glass and fibre optics expertise is absolutely world-class, with many materials development and fabrication capabilities that cannot be found anywhere else. This important proficiency underlies much of the progress in other areas.
   
   
2. Laser science, a longstanding research strength in South Australia, is still strong. Established capabilities in planar and fibre optic configurations have evolved so that lasers in the laboratory are now operating at vastly increased power levels. Notable work is also being done on lasers that can generate multiple wavelengths over important ranges of the optical spectrum, enabled by unique designs and new laser glasses.
   
   
3. Quantum photonics is now well-established in South Australia. The tight focus of this increased capability of sensing and metrology has already borne fruit in the form of a rapidly growing commercial spin-off company, far ahead of many quantum research groups in the rest of the country.
   
   
4. Work on fibre-based optical sensing has resulted in the development of impressive military hydrophone array technology and two small start-up companies with large market potential. With this maturation, research on fibre sensors appears to have diminished, but work on optoelectronic sensors, particularly infrared detectors and imaging arrays, together with work on laser-based remote remains very strong at both types of facilities.
   
   
5. Research in biophotonics has been revitalised within the past year by the addition of an ARC Laureate Fellow and several support research staff at the University of Adelaide. Cutting-edge research on cellular and sub-cellular manipulation, advanced microscopy, and light-tissue interaction could well result in a new generation of potential applications.

South Australia has carved out a unique niche in photonics that it undoubtedly dominates in Australia. Properly supported, this wellspring of new technologies can produce a portfolio of successful new products and economic opportunities.

THE PATH FORWARD