Dunedin-based quantum physicist Professor David Hutchinson believes New Zealand can lead the world in what is considered to be the next computer revolution, photonics.
Photonics is the science of light and is being used in increasing and wider numbers of applications, improving efficiency and speed. The photonics industry in New Zealand is said to be worth at least $1.2 billion and growing 10 percent each year.
In July the government began providing an additional $36.75 million funding over the next seven-and-a-half years to the Dodd-Walls Centre for Photonic and Quantum Technologies, of which Hutchinson is director.