Integrated photonics is a research field and technological approach focused on the integration of multiple photonic components and functions onto a single chip substrate, typically a semiconductor wafer, to create photonic integrated circuits (PICs). This discipline investigates the design, fabrication, and application of these miniaturized optical systems, leveraging principles of light propagation and interaction within confined structures for enhanced performance, energy efficiency, and scalability, which is significant for enabling advanced capabilities in areas such as high-speed communication, sophisticated sensing, and quantum information processing.