| 40 | companies |
| 5 | major optics-photonics research centers |
| 18 | research groups and chairs |
| 3000 | jobs, with 800 in research alone |
| $400 | CDN million in sales figures |
| 85 | % of exportation |
Data compiled for the Québec City metropolitan region
The booming optics-photonics industry in the Québec City metropolitan region is worth tens of billions of dollars. The region combines science expertise and innovation to create a hub for this growing industry sector.
Regional companies offer a wealth of products geared towards the automation market. These technologies are utilized in various industries for detection, quality control, monitoring, design and imaging purposes.
The development of the regional photonics sector has generated numerous applications in the biomedical market, with products utilized for temperature and pressure monitoring, medical imaging, skin treatments and epilation (hair removal). Other devices under development have strong potential, particularly for real-time diagnostic and imaging platforms.
Also playing an important role are the public safety, defence and emergency measures markets. Regional expertise encompasses high-resolution infrared cameras, specialized laser systems, ultralight thermal sights, active infrared countermeasure systems, long-range night vision systems, virtual 3D environments, laser remote detection and range finding.
Green photonics markets have led to technological developments used in the detection and monitoring of gases and other pollutants, solvent-free chemical analysis, device energy optimization, wind turbine/solar panel performance improvements and traffic measurement/management.
Some of the innovations in optics/photonics developed in the Québec City metropolitan region:
Special effects of for dozens of movies (Pirates of the Caribbean, X-Men, Harry Potter III) were brought to life with Creaform's halogen light scanners and 3D software