Start the Optica OIC ― Optical Interface Coatings Conference in style at the Welcome Reception by the pool! Enjoy light bites, refreshing drinks, and fantastic networking opportunities with your fellow attendees.

Optica Thin Films Technical Group members are invited to a networking event on Monday. The event will provide an opportunity to connect with your fellow members, learn more about this technical group and offer your ideas for future technical group activities. 

Join an unforgettable nighttime tour at Kitt Peak National Observatory in Tucson, Arizona, where you can explore the wonders of the cosmos under some of the clearest skies in the world while enjoying dinner with fellow attendees. 

Transportation and dinner will be provided for all registrants. 

Agenda:

• 16:30 - 17:00: Gather at the bus pick-up point at the El Conquistador to join fellow participants for the ride to Kitt Peak National Observatory.
• 18:00 - 18:30: Arrive at Kitt Peak National Observatory and meet your tour guide for the evening.
• 18:30 - 22:30: Enjoy an evening exploring Kitt Peak National Observatory with fellow attendees, including a dinner under the stars.
• 22:30 - 23:30: Return to the El Conquistador to conclude the night.

Sign up when registering for the conference.

Please note that Kitt Peak National Observatory is located at a high altitude, which may lead to altitude sickness. Common symptoms of altitude sickness may include, among other things, dizziness, shortness of breath, headache and nausea. More serious symptoms such as pulmonary or cerebral edema are possible. If you have pre-existing medical conditions, please consult your doctor before attending.  For more details on what to know before your visit, please check the "Plan Your Trip" page on the Kitt Peak National Observatory website. 

Join us for the conference reception to reflect on a week of captivating sessions and groundbreaking science while enjoying delicious food and drinks.

Rise and shine!  Start your day with Sunrise Yoga.  Breathe, stretch and energize with us as the desert sun greets the day!

Sign up when registering for the 2025 Optica OIC — Optical Interference Coatings Conference!

The many-decade tradition of awarding best student papers at the OIC Meetings transitioned into the Angus Macleod Best Student Paper Prize in 2022. The Prize recognizes the potential of our next generation of scientists and engineers at Optical Interference Coatings (OIC) meeting.

H. Angus Macleod was a dedicated contributor to the Optical Interface Coatings (OIC) Topical Meeting, having served in many roles since 1991, including member and chair of the Program Committee and as a member of the OIC Advisory Committee.

Macleod, was a renowned researcher, having made significant contributions in the area of thin film optical filters and optical coatings. He was best known for his leading textbook “Thin-Film Optical Filters, an introduction to thin-film optical filters for both manufacturers and users”, now in its fifth edition. However, Macleod was a prolific author and published over 200 papers in the field of optical coatings, all the while becoming a beloved mentor, collaborator and colleague to his many students and members within the scientific community.

The OIC conference chairs organize an evaluation procedure participated by members of both the OIC International Program Committee and the OIC Advisory Committee. The recipients are selected by the Chairs on the basis of the evaluation results.

Winners are selected based on paper content quality, presentation skills in both oral talk and poster discussion, as well as overall value of the contribution to the OIC technical community.

Learn more about the Macleod Student Prizes.