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18 September 2020
All-Virtual FiO + LS Conference Explored Innovations in Quantum Science and AR/VR Technologies
Leading experts in the field demonstrated advances in overcoming complex challenges
WASHINGTON – The all-virtual 2020 OSA Frontiers in Optics and Laser Science APS/DLS (FiO + LS) Conference, held 14 – 17 September, featured engaging technical presentations that drew over 6,000 registrants from 90 countries. The conference was presented concurrently with the inaugural OSA Quantum 2.0 Conference.
For the first time, FiO + LS offered live and pre-recorded presentations on a digital platform at no cost to registrants to ensure the technical content and virtual exhibit would be accessible to the global optics and photonics community.
The two conference themes focused on quantum technologies and Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality (AR/VR). Nearly 850 technical presentations on topics ranging from quantum networks with ions and integrated silicon nanophotonics to holographic stereoscopic approaches for near eye display unveiled experiments pushing the boundaries of discovery and application.
“This year’s all-virtual FiO + LS conference proved to be a success on many levels in bringing latest innovations in quantum technologies and augmented reality and virtual reality (AR/VR) to a global audience,” said 2020 FiO + LS Co-chair Claudio Mazzali. “The technical sessions and virtual exhibit provided opportunities for attendees to delve into the many advanced tools and devices transforming the field of optics and photonics.”
Plenary Speakers
FiO + LS plenary speaker Nergis Mavalvala, professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USA, described advances in “Squeezed Light in Gravitational Wave Detection” using optical squeezed states. She also outlined the impact of this work over the next few decades with new to be built gravity sensors based on optical measurement techniques.
In the second plenary talk titled “Structuring Light with Flat Optics,” Federico Capasso, Robert Wallace Professor of Applied Physics, Harvard University, USA, discussed his work manipulating optical angular beam states using his newly invented J-plates. A leader in the field of metasurfaces, he noted they could overcome limitations of conventional optics.
“With programming showcasing innovators in the field, the FiO + LS conference provided attendees an opportunity to engage with their peers on critical research and emerging technologies,” said 2020 Laser Science Co-chair Kristan Corwin. “The extraordinary technical presentations brought together speakers from industry, academia and government to share and exchange information that will lead to stronger collaboration.”
Visionary Speakers
Breakthroughs in AR/VR in the automobile industry and with flat optics, programmable quantum systems, and ultrafast and frequency comb spectroscopy highlighted Visionary Talks from speakers representing industry and research.
- Elizabeth Baron, Enterprise Solutions Executive, Unity Technologies, USA
- Michael Escuti, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder, ImagineOptix, USA
- Mikhail Lukin, George Vasmer Leverett Professor of Physics, Harvard University, USA
- Shaul Mukamel, Distinguished Professor, University of California, Irvine, USA
- Nathalie Picqué, Research Scientist, Max-Planck Institute of Quantum Optics, Germany
Virtual Exhibit
Conference-wide sponsors for the combined FiO + LS and OSA Quantum 2.0 Conference included Facebook Reality Labs, Toptica Photonics and Oz Optics. Registrants interacted with more than three dozen companies in the virtual exhibit to learn about their latest technologies from infrared lasers to AR glasses and VR headsets.
Registrants can continue to benefit from conference resources for 60 days. Recordings of the technical sessions, the e-Posters Gallery and the Virtual Exhibit will be available on-demand on the FiO + LS website.
Social Media Engagement
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Frontiers in Optics
Frontiers in Optics is The Optical Society’s (OSA) Annual Meeting and held together with Laser Science, a meeting sponsored by the American Physical Society’s Division of Laser Science (DLS). The two meetings unite the OSA and APS communities for four days of quality, cutting-edge presentations, in-demand invited speakers and a variety of special events spanning a broad range of topics in optics and photonics—the science of light—across the disciplines of physics, biology and chemistry.
About The Optical Society
The Optical Society (OSA) is dedicated to promoting the generation, application, archiving, and dissemination of knowledge in optics and photonics worldwide. Founded in 1916, it is the leading organization for scientists, engineers, business professionals, students, and others interested in the science of light. OSA’s renowned publications, meetings, online resources, and in-person activities fuel discoveries, shape real-life applications and accelerate scientific, technical, and educational achievement.
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