Mar 28 2014
Research presentations in photonics, optics, lasers, and micro- and nanotechnologies, reports on European Commission photonics funding initiatives, and an expanded technology-transfer programme highlight next month's SPIE Photonics Europe symposium. Sponsored by SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, the event runs 14-17 April at the Square Brussels Meeting Centre.
Francis Berghmans,Vrije Univ. Brussel
"For anyone in the field, Photonics Europe is the place to be," said General Chair Francis Berghmans, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). "It brings together different disciplines, technologies, and perspectives from across Europe and around the world."
More than 1,200 technical presentations are organized into 18 conferences, on topics in:
- Micro- and nanotechnologies
- Organic photonics
- Biophotonics, including a new session on Neurophotonics
- Highly integrated and functional photonic components
- Laser and amplifier technologies
- Photonics in industrial applications
- Quantum optics
- Metamaterials
- Laser sources and applications.
Hot Topics sessions feature speakers from Université de Franche-Comté, EC Photonics Unit, Hewlett-Packard Labs, University of Toronto, ICFO-Institute of Photonic Sciences, Supélec: OPOTEL and LMOPS, and Cornell University.
A full-day Industry Perspectives Programme provides executive briefings on growing photonics markets, including findings from an SPIE analysis of the global core photonics marketplace. Speakers are from SCHOTT, SPECTARIS, Deutsches Institut für Normung, Laserzentrum Hannover, Barco, Aquiti Gestion, IDEA Consult, IMEC, and Fraunhofer ILT.
A two-day exhibition includes nearly 80 photonics suppliers of optical components, lasers, fibre optics, detectors, and sensors.
The Photonics Innovation Village showcases projects from universities, nonprofits, and research centres aiming to transfer research and new technologies into new and useful products. Organised by the Brussels Photonics Team at VUB, the competition is supported by SPIE, with cash awards sponsored by the Brussels Capital Region Government for the top three projects.
Along with Berghmans, General Chairs are Ronan Burgess, EC Photonics Unit; Jürgen Popp, Institute of Photonic Technology Jena; and Peter Hartmann, SCHOTT. Hugo Thienpoint, VUB, is Honorary Chair.
SPIE is the international society for optics and photonics, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1955 to advance light-based technologies. The Society serves nearly 256,000 constituents from approximately 155 countries, offering conferences, continuing education, books, journals, and a digital. SPIE provided $3.2 million in support of education and outreach programs in 2013.