This research theme studies cutting-edge materials and advanced devices that rely on photons, electrons, and their strong interaction with matter. It covers high-power mid-infrared lasers and white-light LEDs, photodetectors, biomimetic optical imaging, plasmonic nanostructures, plasmon-enhanced photocatalysis, optofluidics, artificial photosynthesis, micro-/nano-optics, biophotonics, ultrafast optical spectroscopy, linear/non-linear optical properties of semiconducting materials and devices.