Photonics and nanotechnologies rank among the key technologies of the 21st century. Not only because its development has a major impact on the most varying industries, but also because it represents an economic factor for Europe as a manufacturing location, and Germany in particular. The purpose of the current "MONA Nanophotonics Technology Roadmap" is to show where the road in this field is headed both technologically and economically.

MONA (Merging Optics and Nanotechnologies) is a project of the 6th European Framework Program. The main goals of the MONA project are to formulate a common viewpoint with regard to the development of research, technologies, and innovation in photonics and nanotechnologies; to promote the real-time global exchange of research results, market development prognoses and technology trends in this field; and to make a contribution to the targeted use of resources on a regional, national, and European level for the development of photonics and nanotechnologies.

Photonics/nanophotonics and nanomaterials/nanotechnology are definitive innovation drivers for the most varying industries such as IT, communications, biotechnologies, production, and transport. Both fields benefit from one another with regard to functions, materials, production processes or applications. The challenges of mastering nanoelectronics and nanophotonic research are strategically and innately important for the international competitiveness of the European industry. The MONA Roadmap identifies potential synergies between photonics/nanophotonics and nanomaterials/nanotechnology.

Highlights from the current MONA "European Roadmap for Photonics and Nanotechnologies" are:

• Use of nanophotonics for 9 key applications
• Nanomaterials: challenges and impacts
• The most important nanophotonic machines/products
• Recommendations for European research and industry
• 10-year roadmap for 12 key nanomaterials
• 10-year roadmap for 9 key decisive systems and processes
• 10-year roadmap for 9 key applications and their related markets

The MONA Roadmap will be prepared over the course of two years by 11 of the most important companies for nanophotonics in Europe. These companies include CEA LETI, Acreo AB, AIXTRON AG, Alcatel-Thales III-V LAB, ASM-International, the European Photonics Industry Consortium (EPIC), IMEC, Optics Valley, Schott AG, VDI Technologiezentrum GmbH (VDI TZ), and Yole Développement. In total, over 300 international experts have contributed to creating the roadmap.

The MONA Roadmap can be downloaded free of charge here >>>>
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