Signal Processing in Photonic Communications (SPPCom)

Signal Processing in Photonic Communications (SPPCom)

24 July 2022 – 28 July 2022

SPPCom covers the state-of-the-art advances in digital and analog (electronic and optical) signal processing techniques for all of these applications, to address the ever-increasing capacity demand, reduce cost per bit, and enable future photonic communication services.

SPPCom brings together researchers and engineers from various areas to share their knowledge, cutting-edge research and visions.

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Topics

Next Generation Transmission Systems

• Advanced modulation schemes, forward error correction, and coding
• Channel characterization and equalization
• Polarization, clock, and carrier recovery
• Performance monitoring and signal characterization
• Flexible and sliceable transceivers
• Real-time demonstration and field trials
• Digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital converters
• Demonstration of high capacity transmission
• Space-division multiplexing (SDM)                                                                                             

Optical Signal Processing

• Passive and active all-optical signal processing subsystems
• Microwave photonic subsystems
• Optical signal processing with photonic integrated circuits
• Optical digital-to-analog and analog-to-digital converters
• Optical buffering, bit-, and label-processing subsystems
• Optical packet and burst switching subsystems
• Performance monitoring and signal characterization based on optical techniques

Machine Learning (ML) in Optical Communication

• Channel estimation and equalization
• Signal characterization and performance monitoring
• Component and device characterization
• Physical layer optimization
• Optical signal processing for neural networks
• Photonic neural networks

Quantum Communications

• QKD (signal processing, channel measurement, calibration, error correction, and privacy amplification)
• Quantum random number generation
• Quantum digital signature
• Quantum repeaters
• Quantum neural networks

Radio-over-fiber and Free Space Optical Communication

• Digital, electronic and optical subsystems
• Optical-wireless integration and multi-technology converged transmission systems
• Visible light communication systems
• Fronthaul systems based on analog radio signals
• Ground-to-satellite/satellite-to-ground and inter-satellite optical communication

Access Networks - Passive Optical Networks (PON)

• Advanced PON architectures (WDM-PON, TWDM-PON, OFDMA-PON, etc.)
• Digital, electronic and optical processing for PON systems
• Signal processing for optical backhaul/fronthaul networks
• Signal processing for long-reach broadband access networks

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Speakers

• Cristian Antonelli, Universita degli Studi dell'Aquila, Italy
  Transmission Effects Modeling in SDM Fibers
• Shohei Beppu, KDDI R&D Laboratories, Japan
  Recent Progresses of Coupled-MCF Transmission Experiments
• Angela Cacciapuoti, Univ degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Italy
  The Quantum Internet: The Quest for a Network-Paradigm Shift
• Di Che, Nokia Bell Labs, United States
  Can Analog Mobile Fronthaul Achieve Higher Spectral Efficiency than its Digital Rival at the Same SNR Target?
• Maja Colautti, CNR-IFN Institute of Photonics and Nanot, Italy
  Organic Molecules for Quantum Communication
• Francesco Da Ros, DTU Fotonik, Denmark
  Reservoir-Computing and Neural-Network-Based Equalization for Short Reach Communication
• Lidia Galdino, University College London, United Kingdom
  Unleashing the Optical Fiber Transmission Bandwidth: From Theory to Experiments
• TAO GUI, Huawei Technologies, China
  Self-Homodyne Coherent Bidirectional Transmission for Next-Generation Data Center Interconnects
• Joseph Kahn, Stanford University, United States
  Capacity Limits of Coupled SDM Systems Under Practical DSP Schemes
• Zhixin Liu, University College London, United Kingdom
  Dual Frequency Channaliser for Photonic analog-to-Digital Conversion
• Ruben Luis, National Inst of Information & Comm Tech, Japan
  High Capacity Transmission in Low-Core Count MCFs
• Vuong Mai, Korea Advanced Inst of Science & Tech, Republic Of Korea
  Non-mechanical Beam Steering and Divergence Control Based on Variable Focus Lenses for Free-Space Optical Communication Systems
• Sergejs Makovejs, Corning Inc, United Kingdom
  Advances in Optical Fibers for SDM Optical Transmission Systems
• Prineha Narang, Harvard University, United States
  Title to be Determined
• Talha Rahman, Huawei Technologies Duesseldorf GmbH, Germany
  Digital Signal Processing for 1.6Tb/s Ethernet
• Roland Ryf, Nokia Bell Labs, United States
  Coupled-Core MCF Transmission
• Oleg Sinkin, SubCom LLC, United States
  SDM for Submarine Systems
• Mariia Sorokina, Aston University, United Kingdom
  Multi-Channel Optical Neuromorphic Processing
• Sjoerd van der Heide, Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands
  Real-Time Optical Transmission with GPU-Based DSP

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Committee

• Hany Elgala, State University of New York at Albany, United States, Chair
• David Hillerkuss, Huawei Technologies, Germany, Chair
• Ana Pejkic, ADVA Optical Networking, United States, Chair
• David Elkouss, QuTech, Netherlands, Program Chair
• Darli Mello, UNICAMP, Brazil, Program Chair
• Davide Bacco, DTU Fotonik, Denmark
• Brandon Buscaino, Ciena Corporation, United States
• Stella Civelli, Scuola Superiore Sant Anna di Pisa, Italy
• Uiara de Moura, NKT Photonics Inc, Denmark
• John Downie, Corning Inc, United States
• Filipe Ferreira, University College London, United Kingdom
• Siddarth Koduru Joshi, University of Bristol, United Kingdom
• Hoon Kim, Korea Advanced Inst of Science & Tech, Republic Of Korea
• Mary McCarthy, Lumentum Switzerland AG, United Kingdom
• Julio Cesar Medeiros Diniz, Infinera Corporation, United States
• Stephan Pachnicke, Christian-Albrechts Universität zu Kiel, Germany
• Edson Porto da Silva, Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, Brazil
• Georg Rademacher, National Inst of Information & Comm Tech, Japan
• Ghaya Rekaya-Ben Othman, Télécom Paris
• Simon Rommel, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Netherlands
• Valery Rozental, Toga Networks, Israel
• Sihua Shao, New Mexico Tech, United States
• Vladyslav Usenko, Palacky University, Czech Republic
• Deepa Venkitesh, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, India
• Danshi Wang, Beijing Univ of Posts & Telecom, China
• Metodi Yankov, DTU Fotonik, Technical Univ of Denmark, Denmark

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Plenary Session

Warwick Bowen

University of Queensland

Absolute Quantum Advantage in Bioimaging

The performance of precision microscopes is constrained by photodamage of biological specimens. We overcome this constraint using quantum-correlated light. This allows bioimaging with clarity beyond what would be possible using coherent light.

About the Speaker

Prof Bowen’s research focuses on the implications of quantum science on precision measurement, and applications of quantum measurement in areas ranging from quantum condensed matter physics to the biosciences. He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Physics, Director of the University of Queensland Precision Technologies Translation Hub, and a Theme Leader of the Australian Centre for Engineered Quantum Systems. His lab has significant efforts in using quantum light and quantum-limited technologies to improve biological microscopy. They also have active research efforts on integrated photonics, quantum control of macroscopic mechanical devices, and superfluid helium physics. Prof Bowen’s research is supported by the Australian Research Council, the US Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Lockheed Martin, the US Army Research Office and the Australian Defense Science and Technology Group.

Xi (Vivian) Chen

Nokia Bell Labs

Future Ultra-High Speed Optical Transceivers

Optical transceiver is one of the fundamental building blocks of high-speed optical fiber networks. We review the evolution of optical transceivers in the (short) history of optical fiber communications and share perspectives and view on how future ultra-high speed optical transceivers may look like.

About the Speaker

Xi (Vivian) Chen is the Department Head for Opto-Electronic Subsystems Department at Nokia Bell Labs. She received her Ph.D. degree on optical fiber communication in 2012, from The University of Melbourne in Australia. Her research interests include fiber transmission, modulation format, digital signal processing, ultra-high symbol rate signal generation and detection, etc. She is a senior member if IEEE, and a recipient of Young Investigator Award (2021) from IEEE Photonics Society.

Kei May Lau

Hong Kong University of Science & Technology

III-V Lasers and Photodetectors on Buried Oxides by Lateral MOCVD Growth with Patterned SOI Wafers

For efficient light coupling between active and passive components for Si photonics, we developed the lateral aspect ratio trapping (LART) technology and demonstrated lasers and high-speed photodetectors grown on patterned SOI substrates.

About the Speaker

Kei May Lau is a Chair Professor of Electronic and Computer Engineering at the Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (HKUST). She received her degrees from the University of Minnesota and Rice University and served as a faculty member at the University of Massachusetts/Amherst until 2000. Prof. Lau is a Fellow of the IEEE, OSA, and the Hong Kong Academy of Engineering Sciences. She is also a recipient of the IET J J Thomson medal for Electronics, OSA Nick Holonyak Jr. Award, IEEE Photonics Society Aron Kressel Award, US National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Awards for Women (FAW) Scientists and Engineers, and Hong Kong Croucher Senior Research Fellowship. She was an Editor of the IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices (1996-2002) and Electron Device Letters (2016-2019), an Associate Editor for the Journal of Crystal Growth and Applied Physics Letters. Lau’s research work is focused on the development of monolithic integration of semiconductor devices on industry-standard silicon substrates.

Matthias Wuttig

RWTH Aachen University

Novel Optical Materials by Design: The Role of Chemical Bonding

Optical Materials with tunable properties enable a plethora of advanced photonic applications. To fully exploit the potential of this material class, design rules for the corresponding optical properties are desirable. Here, we identify stoichiometry trends in a wide range of chalcogenides and related materials. A quantum-chemical map explains these trends and provides a blueprint to design novel optical materials.

About the Speaker

Developing novel materials is the goal of Matthias Wuttig's work. In doing so, he relies on an unconventional approach, the development of 'treasure maps' to identify promising materials. This has enabled the identification of fundamental relationships between relevant material properties and the underlying chemical bonding mechanism. He is particularly interested in the design of materials for photonic applications, data storage and energy conversion. After his PhD he spent time in Marseille, Tsukuba, Berkeley, Murray Hill (Bell Labs) and the Research center Jülich, before he moved to RWTH Aachen in 1997. There he was speaker of the Strategy Council, Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences and has been the speaker of the Collaborative Research Center Nanoswitches since 2011. He has received various scientific awards and funding for his work, such as an ERC Advanced Grant.

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Special Events, Symposia and Special Programs

Fiber Modeling and Fabrication Technical Group Rapid-Fire Presentations

Monday, 25 July 12:30 – 13:30

Join the Optica Fiber Modeling and Fabrication Technical Group on Monday for this special event highlighting research being done in this topic area by students and early career professionals. The event will be an opportunity to hear rapid-fire presentations of the work they will present during the congress and network with your colleagues.

Welcome Reception

Monday, 25 July 18:30 – 20:00

Enjoy food and drinks with your friends and colleagues during the congress welcome reception.

LGTBQ+ & Allies Meet & Greet

Tuesday, 26 July 07:00 – 08:00

Join us for some coffee and a snack before the day begins for an informal get together to discuss being LGTBQ+ in STEM and how we can work together to create a more inclusive community. Chair of the Optical Devices & Materials for Solar Energy & Solid-state Lighting topical Klaus Jäger, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, will be on hand to share his thoughts and to hear from you. All are welcome, come meet others in the community and share your thoughts and ideas. For example:

1. How can everyone be a good LGTBQ+ ally? 
2. How can Optica can do better to help build a more welcoming and inclusive optics and photonics community?
3. What kinds of programs, trainings or information could Optica explore to help continue to build on existing diversity and inclusion efforts?   

From Corporate to Startup: Careers Outside of Academia (CANCELLED)

Tuesday, 26 July 12:00 – 13:30

Curious about what you can do with a STEM degree outside of university? Unclear about the process and opportunities? Join us for the NOMA lunch hour where you will hear about three personal stories on career trajectories outside of academia.

The interactive panel will be split into two parts: first, the panelists will introduce themselves. Afterwards, there will be plenty of time for all your questions.

*This event has been cancelled*

BGPP Reception

Tuesday, 26 July 19:00 – 22:00

Join BGPP attendees and sponsors for a BGPP-only reception at John Mullins Pub in Maastricht. After a welcome beverage and brief welcome, network and enjoy drinks and hot & cold appetizers in this Irish Pub atmosphere.

BGPP-registered attendees only; RSVP required

Sponsored by: CEA, FiSens, TeraXion, Thorlabs, Photonova, FBGs and OFS Fitel

Early-Careers Networking Happy Hour With OPTICA Ambassadors

Tuesday, 26 July 19:00 – 20:00

Optica Ambassadors Tatev Chalyan and Aura Higuera Rodriguez invite Early Career Researchers (ECR), aka postdocs and PhD students, to network and talk about the opportunities and benefits OPTICA provides to ECRs, new programs for younger researchers and the path as Ambassadors in society. Light food and beverages will be served.

Congress Banquet

Wednesday, 27 July 19:00 – 21:00

Join your colleagues for a special evening at the only terraced castle in the Netherlands, Château Neercanne. The banquet requires a separate registraiton. Tickets are available for EUR 100.

International Year of Glass Special Session

In celebration of the 2022 International Year of Glass, please join BGPP, NOMA and NP in this special session dedicated to glass for photonics.

Speakers

• Rebecca Dylla-Spears, Lawrence Livermore National Labs, USA
  Additive Manufacturing of Multi-Composition Glass Optics
• Heike Heike Ebendorff-Heidepriem, University of Adelaide, Australia
  Novel glass development for Speciality Optical Fibres
• Bastian Rapp, Freiburg University, Germany
  “Glassomer,” a Novel Glass Manufacturing Process of Silica with Polymers
• Eric Van Stryland, CREOL, USA
  Determination of Nuclear and Bound-Electronic Contributions to N-2: Historical Overview

Quantum Communications and Computing Systems

This Joint Symposium is the result of the cooperation between the Networks, SPPCom, and NP topical meetings.

Secure quantum networks and quantum computers are among the hottest R&D topics in the information processing and communications field. Emerging quantum technologies such as the advent of 127-qubit processors, progress in quantum cryptography and quantum key distribution, as well as network connectivity between quantum computers and sensors over quantum networks, have opened up novel application areas. Error correction and fault tolerance, however, still remain very challenging, and do not yet come close to the capabilities of classical systems.

While quantum technology will not eliminate the conventional way of computing and information processing/communication, some problems and applications ask for the specific advantages offered uniquely by quantum technology: The handling of problems beyond-classical computational complexity and speed, as well as quantum security. It is also in this context that optical technologies, and in particular integrated photonics, will play a significant role.

This symposium aims at reporting and discussing trends in practical applications of photonic quantum technologies and fosters the interaction of classical and quantum photonic researchers.

Speakers

• Angela Sara Cacciapuoti, University of Naples Federico II, Italy
  The Quantum Internet: The Quest for a Network-Paradigm Shift
• Marko Loncar, Harvard University, USA
  Integrated Quantum Nano Photonics with Lithium Niobate
• William Munro, NTT Basic Research Labs, Japan
  Photonic Quantum Computing and Tomorrow's Quantum Internet
• Prineha Narang, Harvard University, USA
• Stefano Pirandola, University of York, UnitedKingdom
  Building Quantum-Safe Networks
• Sergey Polyakov, NIST, USA
  Quantum-Enhanced Data Links
• Srinivasan Kartik, NIST, USA
  Microresonator Optical parametric Oscillators as a Flexible On-Chip Coherent Light Source
• Jelena Vučković, Stanford Univ., USA
  Scalable Semiconductor Quantum Systems

Quantum Materials and Fabrication Technologies

This Joint Symposium is the result of the cooperation between the IPR and NOMA topical meetings.

Organizers

• Shamsul Arafin, ECE, Ohio State Univ., USA
• Matteo Clerici, University of Glasgow, UnitedKingdom
• Mikhail Kats, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
• Masahiro Nada, NTT Device Technology Labs, Japan
• Judith Su, Univ. of Arizona, USA
• Noelia Vico Trivino, IBM Research-Zurich, Switzerland

Speakers

• Igor Aharonich, University of Technology Sydney, Australia
  Hexagonal Boron Nitride – Emerging Platform for Quantum Photonics
• Andrew Forbes, University of Witwatersrand, SouthAfrica
  High-Dimensional Quantum State Engineering with Structured Photons
• Gregor Koblmüller, Technische Universität Munchen, Germany
  Quantum Nanowire Integrated Photonic Circuits
• Karan Mehta, Cornell University, USA
  Integrated Photonic Control of Trapped-ion Quantum Systems

SDM Challenges and Perspectives

The sustained traffic growth in the different optical networks segments makes activating additional spatial dimensions essential. Space-division multiplexing (SDM) solutions include multicore fibers, multimode fibers, or cables with a high number of single-mode fibers. SDM transmission can be carried out without channel coupling (e.g., over single-mode fiber bundles or uncoupled multicore fibers) or with channel coupling (e.g., over few-mode fibers or coupled multicore fibers).  While uncoupled SDM enables easier integration with the existing transmission, amplification, and detection technologies, coupled transmission can offer component integration gains and cost savings. Uncoupled transmission seems to gain momentum in specific network segments, such as submarine space. On the other hand, the transmission of coupled signals remains a research topic raising interest from new players. This special session will discuss the challenges and perspectives of introducing SDM in optical systems and networks, bringing together experts from industry and academia working in the field.

Organizers

• Darli A. A. Mello, Unicamp, Brazil
• Filipe M. Ferreira, University College London, UnitedKingdom
• Georg Rademacher, NICT, Japan

SDM and Multi-Band Networks: Competing or Complementary Approaches?

In recent years, both new optical fiber transmission windows (O/E/S-band) and new optical fibers carrying orthogonal data channels have been widely explored as technologies to meet the ever-increasing demand for new data services. Broadly termed as "multi-band" or "space-division multiplexing (SDM)" these approaches both cover a range of technologies targeted in a variety of network contexts. In some areas multi-band and SDM technologies may complement each other or exist as part of the same network evolution strategy, whereas in many areas operators may face a direct choice between competing technologies.

In this workshop, we explore the intersection between multi-band and SDM technologies. With a range of expert speakers from industry and academia we aim to identify in which network contexts these approaches lead to competing technologies, if either has clear advantages, and where synergies between them may lie. In addition to exploring the latest research results and trends of these technologies, the workshop also invites operators to give their view on their commercial potential.

Organizers

• Ben Puttnam, NICT, Japan
• Lidia Galdino, Univ. College of London, UnitedKingdom
• Antonio Napoli, Infinera, Germany
• Haoshuo Chen, Nokia Bell Labs, USA

Part 1: Components

• Jose Enrique Antonio-Lopez, University of Central Florida, USA
• Robert Emmerich, Fraunhofer Heinrich-Hertz Inst., Germany
• Takeshi Hoshida, Fujitsu Ltd., Japan
• Georg Rademacher, NICT, Japan
• Lutz Rapp, ADVA SE, Germany
• Eric Sillekens, University College London, UnitedKingdom

Part 2: Networks

• Lara Garret, TE SubCom, USA
• Julia Larikova, Infinera, USA
• Sergejs Makovejs, Corning, UnitedKingdom
• Yutaka Miyamoto, NTT Corporation, Japan
• Ioannis Tomkos, University of Patras, Greece

Symposium in Honor of Nicolaas Bloembergen

Nicolaas Bloembergen was a pioneer and founder of the field of Nonlinear Optics, for which he received the 1981 Nobel Prize in Physics. Among his other remarkable achievements are the proposing and demonstrating of a three-level pumping scheme to achieve population inversion in laser systems, and his research contributions on ultrafast laser interactions with matter. Nonlinear optics became a revolutionary field of optics that has applications in medicine, spectroscopy, information and communication systems, optical metrology, chemical, and biological sensing, and quantum photonics, to name a few. Please join us in celebrating the life and achievements of the Dutch-born physicist and Nobel Laureate, who received his Nobel Prize 40 years ago. We will hear from people who remember working with Nicolaas.

Organizers

• Ksenia Dolgaleva, Universtiy of Ottawa, Canada
• Sergey Polyakov, NIST, USA

Speakers

• Jia-Ming Liu, Univ. of California, Los Angeles, USA
• Eric Mazur, MIT, USA
• Lewis Rothberg, University of Rochester, USA
• Eric Van Stryland, CREOL, USA
• Eli Yablonovitch, Univ. of California, Berkeley, USA

Symposium on Machine Learning and Autonomous Design for Photonic Devices

Integrated photonic devices provide a versatile platform for different applications, such as telecommunications, quantum information processing, and biosensing. The design of photonic components promises to improve the efficiency of photonic devices. However, designing integrated photonic components and circuits remains a major challenge due to their complex structures with large combinations of features. Machine learning techniques are capable of modeling and optimizing the response of photonic components much faster than the traditional design methodologies. The novel machine learning design frameworks for photonic devices, such as, artificial neural networks, deep neural networks, and deep generative networks, have generated promising results in designing and modeling integrated photonic devices in recent years.

This symposium will introduce machine learning and autonomous design for photonic devices. It will provide a broad range of insights, including but not limited to artificial neural networks, deep neural networks, deep generative networks, and autonomous design.

Organizers

• Jonathan Fan, Stanford Univ., USA
• Jonathan Hu, Baylor University, USA

Speakers

• Wenshan Cai, Georgia Inst. of Technology, USA
  Inversely Designed Meta-System: Beyond the Linear Optical Regime
• Rasmus Christiansen, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
  Inverse Design of Photonic Devices Exploiting Extreme Dielectric Confinement of Light
• Alexander Kildishev, Purdue University, USA
  Inverse-Designed On-Chip Integration of Solid-State Quantum Emitters
• Giulia Marcucci, Apoha Ltd, UnitedKingdom
  Hydro-Photonic-Advantaged Computing Machine by Artificial Neural Networks
• Owen Miller, Yale University, USA
  Photonic Design Problems as QCQPs
• Otto Muskens, University of Southampton, UnitedKingdom
  Deep Learning Enabled Strategies for Modelling of Complex Nanostructures
• Willie Padilla, Duke University, USA
  Deep Inverse Learning for Photonic Metamaterials
• Aaswath Raman, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
  Integrating Adjoint Optimization with Deep Learning Approaches for Photonic Inverse Design and Physics Discovery
• Ergun Simsek, University of Maryland-Baltimore County, USA
  Designing Photodetectors with Machine Learning
• Zongfu Yu, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
  Design Large-area Photonic Devices with Machine Learning and Accelerated Computing
• Darko Zibar, Danmarks Tekniske Universitet, Denmark
  Machine Learning Techniques for Optical Frequency Comb Optimization

Symposium on Optical Fiber and Grating Based Biomedical Sensors

This Symposium will bring together photonic device designers, physicists and (bio)chemists to review the most advanced optical fiber devices (optical fibers, fiber gratings and other waveguide technologies) able to detect (bio)chemical analytes and/or perform biomedical applications with high sensitivity, selectivity, and robustness, while lowering the limit of detection to levels required in practical applications. 

Invited and Contributed talks will focus on tailoring light coupling mechanisms between engineered optical waveguides and their functional surface (if any) in response to external perturbations or surrounding medium changes. Specifically, the aim will be to understand how to optimize the transducing mechanisms to (1) encode the presence of a given analyte in a measurable change in the optical device properties or (2) achieve a specific functionality including tweezing or micro-surgery among others, ensuring in all cases reliability, reproducibility and robustness for in vitro or even in situ applications. 

Of particular importance are issues regarding the refractive index modulation, optical properties of the devices, scattering, porosity and thickness of the functional layers and how these parameters can be optimized to enhance the overall performances. Functionalization strategies for bare, metal-coated, oxide-coated or graphene-coated glass and polymer surfaces for Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) based sensors or nanoparticle-assisted devices will also be reviewed and discussed.

Organizers

• Christophe Caucheteur, Mons University, Belgium
• Matthieu Lancry, ICMMO, University Paris Saclay, France

Speakers

• Francesco Chiavaioli, National Research Council / IFAC, Italy
  Biosensing Using Optical Fibers: Perspectives and Challenges
• Andrea Cusano, CeRICT s.c.r.l., Italy
  Lab on Fiber Technology: Current Roadmap and Future Trends
• Tianliang Li, National University of Singapore, Singapore
  Fiber Bragg Grating-Based Surgical Device

Symposium on Recent Advances in Ultrafast Laser Waveguide Writing in Transparent Materials

Organized by BGPP: Roberto Osellame, CNR - Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies, Italy; Réal Vallée, COPL, Laval University, Canada

Since the 1996 seminal paper [1], the field of ultrafast laser waveguide writing in transparent materials has grown significantly. Once a lab peculiarity, the method is now used by many start-up companies for real-world applications and has, in many cases, proven competitive to existing and well-entrenched photolithographic approaches. Nevertheless, ultrafast laser waveguide writing remains an intriguing topic for research. On the one hand, it is often the only technique that can produce optical waveguides in many important materials opening up device miniaturisation across different fields. On the other hand, improving our fundamental understanding of the modification mechanism involved with irradiating materials can still provide new and significant improvements to waveguide properties.

This special symposium forms part of the 2022 BGPP Topical Meeting. Submissions reporting on novel results across applications utilizing waveguide writing, from optical communications to quantum optics and astrophotonics, are welcomed. In addition, papers are being solicited to present new insights on the refractive index modification mechanisms and in the demonstration of laser waveguide writing within new materials that have the potential to open additional new applications.

The topics of solicited submissions include but are not limited to waveguide writing for:

• Optical communication devices
• Quantum photonic applications
• Astrophotonic devices
• Integrated sensing applications
• Fundamental understanding of the refractive index modification
• Novel 3D integrated photonic devices
• Lab-on-a-chip/Lab-in-a-fiber devices
• Fabrication of waveguidesand components in new materials

Organizers

• Roberto Osellame, CNR - Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies, Italy
• Réal Vallée, COPL, Laval University, Canada

Speakers

• Xianmin Jin, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China
  3D Photonic Quantum Chip and Large-scale Quantum Information Processing
• Stefan Nolte, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena, Germany
  Inscription of Silicon Waveguides Using Ultrashort Laser Pulses
• Nicholas Psaila, Optoscribe, UnitedKingdom
  From Optoscribe Technology to Industrial Perspectives on Femtosecond Laser Direct Writing

Panel Discussion: Energy Crisis and Climate Catastrophe – The Role of Solar Energy

Tuesday, 26 July 18:45 – 19:30

In addition to the growing climate crisis, the past few months have made it painfully clear that European energy independence also has important strategic implications for the future. Numerous studies have shown that photovoltaic technology can supply a significant fraction of the carbon-free electricity that will be needed in the future based on a solar resource that is freely available to most of the Continent. In this panel discussion, we bring together representatives from politics, academia, and industry to discuss the potential of PV to help decarbonize Europe’s energy system and what near-term actions must be taken to realize this goal.

Organizer

• Klaus Jaeger, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, Germany

Speakers

• Arthur Daemers, Solar Power Europe, Belgium
• Ivan Gordon, IMEC, Belgium
• Jimmy Melskens, HyET Solar BV, Netherlands

BGPP Industry Session

Wednesday, 27 July 14:30 – 16:00

BGPP 2022 continues the long-standing tradition of addressing fundamental and technical issues of immediate and long-term application of fiber Bragg gratings and other devices fabricated by laser-matter-interaction. While fundamental aspects are covered by invited and contributed proceeding papers, the technical aspect is addressed in the Industry Session.

Speakers from FiSens, Photonova, Inc. and FBGS have been invited to make a 10 min presentation to showcase their advanced products, to explain the underlying technology and working principle. Company professionals that are also presenting scientific work during the conference have been favored. Therefore, the scientists in the auditorium working in closely related areas may get easily into contact with the company professionals for various reasons. Scientist may see how applied research translates into new products and applications. Junior scientists may be stimulated to create tomorrow a start-up in the field or join a company. In this way BGPP encourages greater interaction between the industry professionals and scientist.

Speakers include:
Tristan Kremp, OFS Fitel LLC, USA
Guillaume Laffont, CEA Saclay, France
Sébastien Loranger, PhotoNova, Inc., Canada
Bram Van Hoe, FBGS, Belgium
Christian Waltermann, FiSens GmbH, Germany

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