An area of optics that encompasses the generation, transmission, modulation, amplification, conversion, and detection of light. A photon is the quantum unit of electromagnetic radiation. Whereas electronics involves the manipulation and operation of electrons, photonics involves the manipulation and operation of photons. Photonics and electronics are intimately related to each other. Fundamentally, photons are created and destroyed by the transition of electrons between energy states. Disciplines such as electrooptics, optoelectronics, quantum electronics, quantum optics, and light-wave technology involve principles, phenomena, devices, and systems that are related to photonics and electronics.