John Bowers and researcher Tin Komljenovic with a wafer of integrated photonic circuitry.

UC Santa Barbara electrical and computer engineering professor John Bowers was awarded the 2017 Photonics Award from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers on Aug. 3.

Bowers, who has been at UCSB since 1987, helps lead UCSB’s institute for energy efficiency, which is known for making significant scientific breakthroughs. The award recognizes his “pioneering research in silicon photonics, including hybrid silicon lasers, photonic integrated circuits and ultra low-loss waveguides.”

“This is a major award,” said Rod Alferness, dean of the UCSB College of Engineering, who received an IEEE Photonics Award in 2005, before coming to UCSB. “The IEEE Photonics Award is the most prestigious recognition of contributions to the field of photonics and optics. John Bowers’ work in integrated silicon photonics is leading the way to the future of electronics and telecommunications.”

• Contact Philip Joens at pjoens@pacbiztimes.com.