Your Guide To SPIE Optics + Photonics 2024

By John Oncea, Editor

Planning on attending SPIE Optics + Photonics 2024? Here’s a look at what you can expect.

Our friends at SPIE are busy putting the finishing touches on SPIE Optics + Photonics 2024, the leading multidisciplinary optical sciences and technology meeting coming to the San Diego Convention Center.

The SPIE Optics + Photonics Conference, running from August 18 – 22, is your chance to join leading researchers and scientists as they contribute to advancements in optical engineering, nanotechnology, quantum science, and organic photonics. The free, three-day Exhibition, taking place August 20 – 22, affords you the opportunity to meet face-to-face with premier researchers and discuss your product needs with top optics and photonics suppliers. Industry partners will be there to help solve problems, cut costs, and increase capabilities.

Why Attend?

Like all good conferences, SPIE Optics + Photonics offers numerous reasons to attend including research, connections, and world-class speakers. Let’s start by taking a look at your opportunity to gain access to thousands of presentations showcasing the latest breakthroughs from around the world. Technical Tracks include:

• Nanoscience
• Organic Photonics + Electronics
• Remote Sensing and Atmospheric Propagation
• Quantum Sciences and Technology
• Photonic Devices and Applications
• Optical Design
• X-Ray, Gamma-Ray, and Particle Technologies
• Signal, Image, and Data Processing
• Optical Alignment, Testing, and Fabrication
• Special Program

In addition, there are two Application Tracks: AI/ML and Sustainability. Both application tracks cover topical areas with broad-range interests that can be selected during the abstract submission process if relevant to your research. All presentations selected into the application track can be surfaced together using an application track filter in the program on the SPIE website.

Dozens of conferences are on the schedule covering technologies from quantum dots to terahertz radiation to plasmonics and all points in between. Twenty introductory and eight intermediate courses are available, as are three symposia:

• Nanoscience + Engineering Applications: Advances in metamaterials, plasmonics, quantum materials and devices, optical trapping, spintronics, and more.
• Organic Photonics + Electronics: Organic and hybrid materials and devices that advance sustainable energy sources and other applications.
• Optical Engineering + Applications: Optical design, testing, and fabrication, signal and image processing, photonic devices, particle technologies, and applications including remote sensing, and sustainability.

Also on the agenda are numerous plenary events, sessions that feature presentations from a wide range of leaders in the field, focusing on developing research and visions of the future of optical science technologies.

Sunday’s event includes talks from Joseph Berry of NREL and Alexandra Boltasseva of Purdue highlighting technologies focused on sustainability. Monday features two nanophotonics plenary talks, as well as talks by  Bert Müller, who will discuss progress in X-ray tomographic mapping of the human brain, and Steven Boggs, who will discuss the COSI wide-field gamma-ray telescope launching in 2027.

Three plenaries are on Tuesday’s schedule, starting with talks on deep blue phosphorescent OLEDs, ultralong phosphorescence in carbazole, chemical threat identification by fluorescence, and materials for solar energy conversion. The second plenary covers omni imaging technology and its potential for studying brain function and diseases with Zhi-Pei Liang, while the third is composed of three plenary talks on optical engineering technologies and applications.

The plenary talks wrap up on Wednesday with featured presenter Anne L'Huillier, 2023 Nobel Prize winner in Physics. This presentation will highlight some of the key steps of the field of attosecond science.

SPIE Optics + Photonics promises to offer opportunities that you can participate in as the organization works to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion within our community and beyond. These community events include:

• Black in Photonics
• Women in Optics Meetup
• Lunch & Learn: Breaking Barriers in STEM
• LGBTQ+ Meetup

The Exhibition

The Optics + Photonics Exhibition is a free, three-day opportunity for researchers and engineers to connect with leading companies as they showcase the newest products and the latest technologies. A unique marketplace for essential optical components, materials, devices, and more. Registration is free as are those networking events happening on the exhibition floor. Exhibition hours are:

• Tuesday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Thursday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Networking events are offered throughout the week, allowing you to take a break and enjoy refreshments on-site. Join representatives and attendees alike on the exhibition floor for casual, yet informative conversations at these free events:

• SPIE Nomination Station at Booth #735
• Cappuccinos at the SPIE Membership Booth #735
• Afternoon Networking Social with Exhibitors – Wednesday
• Networking Brunch with Exhibitors – Thursday

Finally, the on-site job fair provides a chance to learn about companies, discover new opportunities, practice interviewing skills, or find your dream job. The job fair runs all day Tuesday and Wednesday at the Convention Center Sails Pavillion.