Optics and photonics encompass the science and technology of light, enabling technologies such as lasers, cameras, displays, optical fibers and solar cells. The field plays an important role in many emerging technologies including 5G, quantum computing, autonomous machines, and renewable energy. Research in this area is highly interdisciplinary: Electrical engineers collaborate with materials scientists, physicists and mechanical engineers. Research topics include optical and optoelectronic devices (laser, photodetectors, modulators), imaging systems for biomedical applications, machine vision, and fundamental optical sciences at the nanoscale.