At the end of October, many in our field will gather in Denver, CO, USA, for our annual meeting—Frontiers in Optics + Laser Science (FiO + LS). This event is more than a scientific conference: It is where our community connects to honor and celebrate award winners and new Optica Fellows, provide training and professional development to students, and network with one another as we delve into a number of hot topics. This year’s themes include machine learning, quantum technologies, space optics, virtual reality and augmented vision. As always, the program features an outstanding lineup of plenary, visionary and invited speakers.
A highlight of FiO is Optica’s student leadership conference, where chapter leaders from around the world share best practices and build friendships that last throughout their careers. We are excited to welcome many student presenters—including some participating in a scientific conference for the first time—who will gain direct experience of the power of professional networking and community building.
The Laser Science component of FiO, hosted in partnership with the American Physical Society’s Division of Laser Science, brings together leading researchers in quantum optics and ultrafast science. These sessions complement the Laser Congress that will take place in Prague, Czechia, from 19 to 23 October. This year the Congress combines the Advanced Solid State Lasers, Applications of Lasers for Sensing and Free Space Communications and the Laser Applications Conferences. Together, these meetings showcase the breadth of the laser field, a discipline that is close to my heart.
Earlier in the month, on 7 and 8 October, the second Global Photonics Economic Forum will take place in Malaga, Spain. It will feature 50 CEOs from the photonics industry, many of whom lead billion-dollar enterprises. Modeled after the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, this program will address some of the most pressing global challenges—from AI compute demand and sustainable manufacturing to defense readiness and semiconductor sovereignty. Invited participants will tackle these and other challenges in multiple keynotes and panel discussions that will be live streamed and recorded. You can view the events on the Optica YouTube channel.
These meetings—FiO, the Laser Congress and the Global Photonics Economic Forum—wonderfully illustrate the unique role Optica plays in connecting people, from those early in their careers taking their first steps into research to the most senior executives driving our global industry.
Also in this issue we honor the memory of 2007 Optica President Joseph Eberly. I had the privilege of learning quantum optics from Joe years ago at the University of Rochester. Among Joe’s many achievements, one that proved to be revolutionary for Optica’s publishing division was his vision and championing of the launch of Optics Express, the first open access journal in our field.
A common theme across all these activities—from student leadership, to the dissemination of knowledge, to tackling the biggest issues facing our industry—is communication, or finding and enabling new ways for our community to learn from each other. I encourage you to continue to engage with Optica as our global community, and society as a whole, benefit from our shared experiences and exchange of ideas and knowledge.
—Jim Kafka,
Optica President
