Photonics
Harnessing light for advanced industrial applications
Photonics studies the interaction between light and matter and the technologies that allow for precise control of this interaction, including the emission, detection, collection, transmission, amplification, and analysis of light. Although often unknown to the general public, photonics underpins numerous applications in everyday life and in cutting-edge industrial and scientific fields, being a key technology of the 21st century.
Controlling light at a fundamental level
Just as electronics manipulates electrons, photonics focuses on controlling photons, the fundamental particles of light, whose properties were described by Albert Einstein. While optics studies the propagation of light in various media, photonics delves into how light is generated, transmitted, and detected at an elemental level. These advances have led to revolutionary technologies present in countless applications.
From prototype to industrial solutions
HEF transforms photonics research into industrial solutions, offering precision polishing with tolerances up to $ \lambda/20 $ for components up to 300 mm, compatible with materials such as silica, sapphire, quartz, Zerodur, ceramics, silicon, and germanium. Applications include mirrors, lenses, prisms, windows, filters, and waveplates. We also offer advanced glass processing (chemical strengthening, thermal tempering, screen printing, laser marking) and thin-film optics in the UV to far-infrared range, using techniques such as electron beam deposition, ion-assisted deposition, sputtering, evaporation, and thermal CVD.
Advanced coatings and surface treatments
HEF develops optical coatings such as anti-reflective, metallic, dielectric, multi-spectral, absorbing, and transparent conductive coatings, tailored to customer needs. Our masking, lithography, electroforming, and precision cutting capabilities ensure micron-level accuracy for complex optical components, utilizing lasers, CNC machining, waterjets, and chemical etching.
New applications for light interaction
Photonics also enables innovative interfaces, from touch and non-touch screens to eye-tracking systems for industrial, automotive, and defense applications. HEF participates in projects ranging from video game displays to cockpit controls in fighter jets and autonomous vehicles.
Collaborative innovation at HEF Photonics
Our subsidiaries—Abrisa Technologies, Acerde, Fichou, Saint-Etienne, Kerdry, Neyco, Optimask, Photoscience, Telic, Agama Glass Technologies—work together to offer innovative, sustainable, and high-performance photonics solutions, from prototypes to large-scale production.
Conclusion
Photonics allows us to harness light with extraordinary precision, enabling safe, efficient, and innovative applications. HEF combines expertise in precision optics with industrial femtosecond laser processing to create high-performance components such as mirrors, anti-reflective surfaces, and specialized coatings for advanced optical chains.