2024 Special Events | CLEO (2024)

Optica Short Wavelength Sources and Attosecond/High Field Physics Technical Group Networking Event

You are invited to join the Optica Short Wavelength Sources and Attosecond/High Field Physics Technical Group for a networking event. Attend and connect with fellow attendees interested in this field, plus learn more about this technical group.

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Optica Technical Group Panel Discussion on The Paradigm of Metaphotonic Integrated Circuits: Challenges and Prospects

You are invited to join the Optoelectronics Technical Group for a panel discussion focused on the intricate task of integrating metaphotonics into systems, including different elements such as metasurfaces, photonic crystals and plasmonic devices. Our invited panelists will address pressing issues within the field. They will also explore this cutting-edge technology's advantages, limitations and challenges.

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Meet Optica Publishing Group’s Journal Editors

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Tech Talk: Free Space Optical Communications With Broadband Optical Sources

Attochron, LLC has developed a free-space optical communications system using broadband light sources in the 1540 nm wavelength band. The links can transmit >1 GbE signals over >1 mile under a wide range of atmospheric conditions. We discuss the technical achievements and present a model for propagation of low coherence optical sources developed for this application [1]. Furthermore, we discuss scaling to higher data rates and longer distances and give a perspective on use cases and status of commercial development of this technology.

[1] “Atmospheric propagation of femtosecond optical pulses: Gaussian beamlet model of coherence effects,” Wayne H. Knox, Alex LeBon, Taz Colangelo, Brian Gregory, Tom Chaffee, Proceedings Volume 12691, Laser Communication and Propagation through the Atmosphere and Oceans XII; 126910N (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2676888

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Speaker

• WayneKnox, Univ of Rochester

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IPG’s CLPF Series: New Universal Platform for Optical Frequency Comb Generation from the UV to THz

IPG’s CLPF series, based on a proprietary Cr:ZnS ultrafast laser technology, uniquely combine multi-Watt average power, multi-octave instantaneous spectrum and ultra-low noise. We will describe the main features of CLPF series and give an overview of their applications in spectroscopy from the UV to THz regimes, including dual-comb spectroscopy.

Moderators

• MikeMirov, IPG Photonics Corporation, Mid-IR Lasers, USA

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Tech Talk: Democratizing Microscopy: A Novel Quantitative Phase Microscopy Approach for Accessible, Real-Time Biological Imaging

Our study introduces an innovative Quantitative Phase Microscopy (QPM) system, addressing the affordability and technical limitations hindering the widespread adoption of advanced microscopy. Traditional QPM solutions, including costly spatial light modulators and mechanically sensitive dual-beam setups, fall short in biological laboratories' dynamic environments. Our solution, a common-path QPM system utilizing a birefringent liquid crystal material, overcomes these obstacles by offering a stable, cost-effective alternative for non-invasive, real-time imaging.

This approach leverages the optical anisotropy of liquid crystals for simultaneous phase-shifted image acquisition, significantly improving accuracy through a four-step phase-shifting algorithm optimized for the Pancharatnam-Berry geometric phase. Validated against a NIST-traceable phase object, our system proves its precision in real-time observation of dynamic processes, such as volume changes in evaporating droplets.

By mitigating cost and stability issues, this breakthrough paves the way for the global democratization of high-tech microscopy. It promises to revolutionize our understanding of cellular dynamics, making advanced imaging techniques more accessible worldwide and fostering new discoveries across various biological fields.

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Speaker

• RosarioPorras-Aguilar, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

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Tech Talk: RF-Photonics: Time Manipulation for Unprecedented Capability in Signal Processing and Generation

Recent advance in the field of RF-Photonics has showed unprecedent capability in the signal processing and generation. The major advantage in photonics is the ultra-low loss and high Q system that allow the RF-Photonic system to manipulate “time.” For example, conventional way to detect and processing a signal is using a detector to convert the live wave signal and ADC to process the signal in the digital domain. When a signal is only available for a short duration, the maximum signal detection time is limited by the signal’s pulse-width. There is not enough time to process the signal and provide a high-resolution spectral determination. We introduce a new analog-time-domain-auto-correlation processing technique that "follows” the single live electromagnetic wave pulse while perform the correlation. A single short RF pulse signal modulates a laser carrier and generates a pair of input signals by two RF sidebands which are sent into a fiber-optic-recirculation-loop system. The two sidebands travel at slightly different speeds due to the dispersion of the optical fiber. The dispersion time could be one millionth of the signal travel time in the fiber. By making a large number of circulations and tapping a small portion of the signal pulse replica for each round-trip, a photodetector and square-law RF detector can perform an analogue auto-correlation. A fast Fourier-transformation is performed to obtain the frequency spectrum of the original signal. We demonstrated a high-resolution spectrum from a 30ns short high frequency RF pulse. This technique allows us to “stretch” time by million times and avoid needing a high-frequency ADC to obtain a “snapshot” in the frequency domain for ultra-short or transient events. This technology opens the door for many new type of detection/measurement system applications to study ultra-short and/or transient events. Another example is to use high Q loop resonators to generate ultra-short soliton pulse which produce coherent optical-frequency comb. These combs can provide ultra-low-loss RF frequency source. These photonic loop systems revolutionize the future RF electronic systems.

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Speaker

• WeiminZhou, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

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Optica Ambassador Meet & Greet

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CLEO Conference Reception

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DEI: Mentoring Across Differences Meetup

Principles in Mentoring Across Differences aid in nurturing collaborative skills, self-awareness and mindful practices in growing mentor and mentee relationships. Dealing with interpersonal differences is a complex undertaking — and we do it all the time in our day-to-day lives. This meetup will include a panel where mentors in the photonics field share ways to approach and implement cross-difference mentoring relationships, i.e., make differences discussable, set boundaries, support gender and generational understanding, foster multicultural communication and more. Networking with the group will follow the panel discussion.

This program will help guide senior members who serve as mentors or have entered managerial stages in life. Students and participants of the IEEE Mentor Match are also encouraged to attend, as active learning approaches where mentees help guide mentor relationships will be discussed.

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Tech Talk: Electrochemically Active Metasurfaces for Multispectral Radiative Heat Management

Electrochemistry is a powerful tuning knob for inducing drastic optical property changes. By applying an electrical bias while using counterions to maintain charge neutrality, electrochemistry can vary the carrier density or even trigger a phase transformation in an electrically addressable manner, which is particularly desirable in many applications where tunable range, scalability or non-volatility is crucial. Meanwhile, metamaterials provide additional degrees of freedom to boost performance and achieve multifunctional control. However, electrochemically active metasurfaces are still largely underexplored, partly due to the lack of intrinsic property databases for newly developed materials. More co-development is needed among fundamental materials science, metasurface design and electrochemical device engineering. In this talk, I will present two types of electrochemically active materials:

1. Conducting polymers for near-perfect dynamic thermal emitter. We conducted infrared ellipsometry to measure the potential-dependent optical property and designed a tunable metal-dielectric-metal near-perfect absorber for wearable variable emittance (WeaVE) devices for personal thermoregulation.
2. Reversible metal electrodeposition for multispectral solar and mid-infrared control. The potential, electrolyte and interfacial properties dictate the metal morphology, allowing reversible switching between a solar absorber and a radiative cooler for all-year-round renewable thermoregulation for net-zero-energy buildings.

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Speaker

• Po-ChunHsu, UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering

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IPG's ELPN and HLPN Series: MW High Energy Middle-IR Fiber-bulk Hybrid Lasers for Advanced Applications

IPG's high peak power, high energy, nanosecond pulsed lasers based on Ho:YAG and Er:YAG effectively leverage the advantages of fiber lasers and combines them with the best aspects of bulk solid state lasers to achieve exceptional output characteristics. These lasers deliver high pulse energies of up to 120 mJ (2090 nm, Ho:YAG) and 30 mJ (1645 nm Er:YAG) in a small form-factor.

Moderators

• MikeMirov, IPG Photonics Corporation, Mid-IR Lasers, USA

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Tech Talk: Calculating the SATCOM Bit Error Rate Degraded by Atmospheric Turbulence

The scintillation index is often left out of the denominator of the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) equation needed to quantify SATCOM Bit Error Rate (BER). This talk will present the correct SNR equation and compare a set of theoretical uplink and downlink BER predictions with a set of the BERs measurements derived from National Institute of Information and Communications Technology’s Optical Inter-orbit Communications Engineering Test Satellite Phases 3 and 4 and German Aerospace Center experiments. The theoretical estimates and data are in reasonable agreement for elevation angles greater than 20 degrees.

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Speaker

• LarryStotts, Texas A&M Engineering

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Optica Technical Group Networking Mixer

Join us for an opportunity to network with the leaders of Optica’s Technical Groups. We are hosting an exciting networking mixer to give you a chance to chat with leaders from our Color Technical Group, Nanophotonics Technical Group, Ultrafast Optical Phenomena Technical Group and many others.

Our leaders are excited to share more about the topics they cover and the activities they organize for their members. You’ll also have the chance to learn how you can get involved and become a part of our community.

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Laser Fusion - What's Next?

Nuclear fusion promises an abundant, inexhaustible source of clean energy without the greenhouse gas emissions of fossil fuels or the radioactive waste of nuclear fission. The last few years have seen enormous progress towards functional fusion using lasers for inertial confinement. Scientists at the National Ignition Facility at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California (LLNL) managed to produce, for the first time in December 2022, a nuclear fusion reaction that released more energy than it used. This critical milestone paves the way for the future of clean energy generation. This panel discussion aims to provide a short overview of activities toward laser inertial confinement fusion and reality checks on global expectations. The speakers come from academia, large governmental organizations and fusion startups from around the world to provide a diverse perspective.

Moderator

• GabrielleThomas, Group Leader Marketing, Menlo Systems GmbH, Germany

Panelists

• JCBtaiche, CEO and Founder, Fuse, USA
• MikeCampbell, Principal, MCM Consultants, USA
• DustinFroula, Distinguished Scientist, Plasma & Ultrafast Laser Science & Engineering Division Director, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, USA
• EdwardMoses, CEO, Longview Fusion Energy Systems, USA
• SusanaReyes, VP for Chamber and Plant Design, Xcimer Energy Corporation, USA

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Charlotte Center for Optoelectronics and Optical Communications Lab Tour and Reception

Join us for an exclusive reception at the UNC Charlotte Center for Optoelectronics and Optical Communications!

Experience cutting-edge research firsthand with guided tours of our state-of-the-art clean room and research labs. Get a glimpse into the innovative work being done by our esteemed faculty and students.

As a convenience, light rail passes will be provided for transportation to and from the convention center to the PORTAL building. Approximately a 25 minute ride.

Indulge in delicious hors d'oeuvres and drinks provided throughout the evening.

Don't miss this opportunity to explore the forefront of optoelectronics and optical communications!

Space is limited, sign up here to reserve your spot.

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Optica Technical Group Panel Discussion on What's Next in Integrated Photonics – Hot Topics at the 2024 CLEO Conference

Join the Optica Integrated Photonics Technical Group and Nanophotonics Technical Group for a panel discussion on the exciting and hot topics in integrated photonics at CLEO. Short presentations from our panelists highlighting important themes from the conference will be followed by a moderated question-and-answer session. After the panel discussion, members are invited to join the technical groups for an informal networking session.

Panelists:

Keren Bergman, Columbia University, USA
Blair Morrison, Xanadu, Canada
Amir Safavi-Naeini, Stanford University, USA

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Tech Talk: Optoelectronic oscillators in the single photon regime: dead time effects and polarization alignment with entangled photons

Optoelectronic oscillators with time-delayed feedback are of interest for generating precise frequencies, waveforms with chaotic dynamics and for exploring the dynamics of networks of coupled nonlinear oscillators. We will describe experiments with an optoelectronic oscillator where single photons are detected and one can watch the progression from shot noise to the birth of a chaotic attractor. Detecting single photons in the mid-infrared wavelength range for fiber optic communications with avalanche photodiodes is of interest for many applications, and we explore how such photon counting experiments can be affected by after-pulsing and dead time effects. Synchronization of remotely located oscillators with entangled photons is a challenging problem with weak light sources. We examine the question of non-local polarization alignment and control in fiber from correlated measurements of entangled photons.

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Speaker

• RajarshiRoy, University of Maryland

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Optica Technical Group Panel Discussion on Quantum Sensing & Metrology: Competing Frontiers

Join Optica’s Optical Metrology Technical Group for a panel discussion showcasing recent research on competing technologies used in quantum metrology. Short presentations from our panelists will be followed by a moderated question-and-answer session. After the panel discussion, members are invited to join the technical groups for an informal networking session.

Panelists Include:

Avik Dutt, University of Maryland at College Park, USA
Urbasi Sinha, Raman Research Institute, India
Richard Zeltner, Menlo Systems, Germany

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