Abstract

The COSE report on Harnessing Light has had a global impact. This paper addresses a not-too-distant opportunity for the emerging nations around the world that have the courage and foresight to dramatically change their approach to economic development. It is a challenge to the private sector of the optics/photonics around the world. It is a call to them to stretch out and try to grab a piece of the rich commercial markets in optics and photonics that the traditional countries (the Europeans, Japanese, and US) around the world will not be able to service. I talk about a revolution in and by the small, medium, and yet to be companies. There will be far more demand by the commercial optical markets than these traditional countries will be able to service. The field of photonics and optics is quickly maturing in a very natural and predictable but revolutionary manner. In the last two years many more people recognize and appreciate the current evolutionary state of the optics markets, and have some idea of their economic size. The emphasis now needs to be on workforce development.

© 2000 SPIE