European Photonics Industry Consortium
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC) is a not-for-profit association with headquarters in Paris, France.[1] EPIC serves the photonics community through a regular series of workshops, market studies and partnering. EPIC focuses its actions on LEDs and OLEDs for lighting, optical fiber telecommunications, laser manufacturing, sensors, photovoltaics and photonics for life sciences. EPIC coordinates its activities internationally through its membership in the International Optoelectronics Association.[2]
EPIC was founded in 2003 by T.P. Pearsall. The five founding company members were: Aixtron, CDT, Osram, Philips, and Sagem.[3] Today,[when?] more than 500 companies, research organizations, universities, and other industry stakeholders are members of the consortium, making EPIC one of the world's principal industrial photonics organizations. The membership works together to execute the mission by proposing and implementing influential initiatives of significant impact on the industrial landscape. The strength of EPIC comes from its capacity to represent the European photonics industry with a clear and articulate voice.
Industry associations such as EPIC have a key role to play in identifying market opportunities and in helping their members to work together to capture the opportunity. The European photonics industry is made up of a broad community of highly innovative small companies. When economic pressures create turbulent markets and make planning difficult, an association can help companies to create partnerships and find a better way through the crisis by finding new revenue streams.[4]
Photonics is the science and technology area concerned about light and its application. It includes geometrical, wave and particle approach to light. Term photonics emphasizes including photons in general analysis therefore extending its field beyond traditional optics. It also expands application of light from just lighting to information transmission, signal processing and sensing and many other fields.
Nowadays, photonics is being included into many optoelectronic or mechatronic devices, therefore creating new components, new products and new industries. Some examples are laser diodes, DVD players, and optical fiber telecommunications.
Mission
The European Photonics Industry Consortium has the mission to build solidarity and sustainable growth for photonics companies increasing recognition of photonics as a strategic technology, building business revenues, and creating employment opportunities for scientists and engineers.
