6 Conference Tracks, 60 Courses Anchor Photonics West 2026

By John Oncea, Editor

Photonics West 2026 offers over 100 technical conferences, 60 courses, and networking events spanning biomedical optics, lasers, quantum tech, and Vision Tech.

When SPIE Photonics West convenes January 17-22, 2026, at San Francisco’s Moscone Center, the event will showcase not only the latest hardware innovations but also an ambitious educational and networking program designed to advance careers and spark collaborations across the global photonics community. With more than 100 technical conferences, approximately 60 professional courses, and 150 special events, the week represents the industry’s most concentrated opportunity for learning and professional growth.

The 2026 program emphasizes depth and specialization, organizing content into six major application areas that reflect the breadth of modern photonics research. Each area features its own conference track with dedicated sessions, plenary presentations, and specialized programming that allows attendees to dive deep into their fields while maintaining awareness of adjacent technologies and emerging trends.

6 Conference Tracks Define The Technical Landscape

BiOS, the biomedical optics and imaging symposium, opens the week with a focus on diagnostics, therapeutics, and biophotonics innovation. The track examines optical coherence tomography advances, novel imaging modalities for clinical applications, and photonic approaches to understanding biological systems. BiOS has earned recognition as the largest gathering in its field, attracting researchers working at the intersection of optics and medicine.

The LASE conference examines laser technology from industrial applications to defense systems, covering ultrafast laser development, fiber laser innovation, and high-power systems that enable manufacturing and materials processing. Sessions explore both the fundamental physics of laser operation and practical considerations for deployment in commercial settings.

OPTO addresses optoelectronics, photonic materials, and device integration. This track connects the materials science underlying photonic components with the engineering challenges of building reliable, scalable systems for communications, sensing, and computing applications. Presentations span topics from integrated photonic circuits to novel device architectures enabling next-generation systems.

Quantum West continues its mission to showcase photonics as an enabling technology for quantum 2.0 development. The symposium focuses on quantum sensing, communication systems, and the infrastructure needed to transition promising laboratory demonstrations into robust commercial products. Sessions examine both fundamental quantum phenomena and the engineering solutions required for practical deployment.

The AR/VR/MR conference explores optical architectures for immersive technologies, emphasizing hardware development for smart glasses and head-mounted displays. Researchers present work on waveguides, microdisplays, holographic optical elements, and other components that enable augmented, virtual, and mixed reality experiences.

New for 2026, Vision Tech debuts as a dedicated forum for intelligent imaging and sensing technologies. The inaugural program explores AI-driven optical systems, hyperspectral and multispectral imaging, 3D sensing, and embedded vision applications. This addition reflects the growing convergence of optical hardware with computational methods and artificial intelligence.

Application Tracks Organize Cross-Cutting Themes

Beyond the conference structure, Photonics West 2026 introduces application tracks that highlight topical areas spanning multiple symposia. These tracks allow attendees to filter presentations around specific themes regardless of which conference they’re formally associated with, creating thematic pathways through the program.

Application tracks for 2026 include AI and machine learning, sustainability, brain function, translational research, 3D printing, and photonic chips. This organizational approach recognizes that many attendees work on problems that don’t fit neatly into a single discipline, and it facilitates the discovery of relevant work across traditional boundaries.

Plenary Sessions Feature Global Research Leaders

Throughout the week, approximately 30 plenary speakers present research breakthroughs and future visions for their respective fields. These sessions draw from leading universities, research institutes, corporations, and government laboratories worldwide, offering attendees exposure to work at the frontiers of photonics science and engineering.

BiOS hosts its popular Saturday Night Hot Topics session on January 18, delivering fast-paced presentations on the latest biophotonics innovations. Another highlight is the BioPhotonics Focus session on January 18, which examines light-based technologies for reproductive, maternal, and neonatal health, demonstrating how optical tools can advance diagnostics and therapeutics in critical healthcare areas.

60 Courses Provide Hands-On Technical Training

The course program at Photonics West 2026 includes approximately 60 offerings, with 13 new courses addressing emerging topics and industry needs. Sessions cover foundational subjects like basic optics and optical systems design alongside specialized topics including photonic chips, optomechanics, quantum technologies, and optical coherence tomography applications.

New courses for 2026 tackle machine learning for optical imaging signals, 2D-to-3D photonic integrated circuits, Fourier optics, practical optics for technicians, and camera noise sources, the latter aligning with the new Vision Tech conference. Other specialized offerings include courses on NIR and SWIR imaging applications, remote sensing, and advanced design of experiment methods for optics and photonics.

Courses on 3D photonic integrated circuits provide practical introductions to this emerging technology, targeting engineers and system architects working in semiconductor packaging, optical interconnects, or quantum technologies. Sessions on ocular imaging techniques explore optical principles and clinical applications for anterior segment imaging, addressing engineers developing imaging protocols for ophthalmology.

The courses run throughout the week, with most instructors bringing years of practical experience to their teaching. For organizations looking to strengthen team capabilities or individuals seeking to expand their skillsets, the courses offer concentrated knowledge transfer that can be immediately applied to ongoing projects.

Career Hub Debuts With Comprehensive Professional Support

A major addition for 2026 is the SPIE Career Hub, located on Level 2 of the Moscone West building and open from 10 AM to 5 PM, January 18-21. This dedicated space consolidates professional development resources under one roof, offering services and programs designed to empower photonics professionals at every career stage.

The Career Hub features thematic networking sessions, professional headshots, a job fair and job board, career speed mentoring, mock interviews, and résumé reviews. For early-career professionals, the hub provides structured guidance on navigating the industry and making strategic career decisions. Mid-career attendees can explore new opportunities and strengthen their professional networks, while senior scientists can engage in mentoring and knowledge sharing.

The job fair component brings employers and candidates together in a focused environment, creating recruitment opportunities that benefit both parties. For organizations seeking talent, the Career Hub represents access to a highly specialized pool of candidates with photonics expertise. For job seekers, it offers direct connections with companies actively hiring in the field.

Global Business Forum Examines Industry Trends

On January 19, SPIE hosts its third Global Business Forum, running alongside the main conference. This one-day program examines current and emerging trends across international optics and photonics markets, providing actionable intelligence for business leaders, investors, and strategic decision makers.

The forum features the release of SPIE’s annual report on the state of the optics and photonics industry, offering data-driven analysis of the global photonics economy. Sessions examine market dynamics, investment patterns, and technology adoption across sectors from healthcare to telecommunications to manufacturing. Registration for the Global Business Forum is separate from the main Photonics West registration.

Industry Events Celebrate Innovation And Entrepreneurship

The SPIE Prism Awards celebration on January 21 honors the most innovative photonics products brought to market in the past year. In its 18th year, the awards recognize commercialized innovation across eight categories, including biophotonic instruments, cameras and imaging systems, lasers, optical materials and components, quantum technologies, sensors, test and measurement, and XR technology. The event also includes the SPIE Catalyst Award, recognizing companies with programs that expand workplace access, strengthen community engagement, and drive environmental progress.

The SPIE Startup Challenge finals take place on January 20, bringing seven early-stage companies to the stage to pitch their innovations to venture capitalists and industry experts. The 16th annual entrepreneurial competition offers cash prizes of $10,000, $5,000, and $2,500, provided by founding partner Jenoptik. The 2026 event introduces the inaugural SPIE Jay Kumler Innovation Award, honoring the former Jenoptik North America President and SPIE Fellow who was a driving force behind the Startup Challenge.

Exhibition Complements Technical Program

While conferences and courses form the educational core of Photonics West, five exhibitions running throughout the week provide hands-on access to the latest commercial technologies. The BiOS Expo (January 17-18), AR/VR/MR Exhibition (January 20-22), Quantum West Expo (January 20-22), Vision Tech Expo (January 20-22), and main Photonics West Exhibition (January 20-22) feature more than 1,200 companies showcasing lasers, detectors, imaging systems, optical materials, and integrated solutions.

Planning Your Week In San Francisco

With simultaneous sessions across multiple venues and numerous evening events, planning helps maximize the Photonics West experience. The SPIE Conference app allows attendees to build personalized schedules, receive session reminders, and discover content aligned with their interests. The “My Schedule” feature syncs across devices, ensuring your itinerary remains accessible throughout the week.

Registration for the main conference provides access to all technical programs, industry sessions, and all five exhibitions. Course attendance requires separate registration, with members receiving discounts on both conference and course fees. Early registration saves money, with rates increasing after January 7, 2026.

San Francisco in January offers mild weather and excellent accessibility, with the Moscone Center situated in the heart of the city’s downtown district. With more than 20,000 participants expected, early hotel booking is essential. The convergence of so many photonics professionals in one city creates networking opportunities that extend well beyond Moscone’s walls, with informal meetups and discussions continuing throughout San Francisco’s restaurants and gathering spaces.

Photonics West 2026 represents the industry’s most significant annual gathering, combining cutting-edge research presentations, professional education, career development resources, and industry recognition programs in a single intensive week. Whether your focus is advancing your technical knowledge through courses, presenting your latest research, exploring career opportunities, or connecting with colleagues from around the world, the program offers pathways for engagement across every dimension of the photonics profession.