International Year of Quantum
History
All light is quantum.
On 07 June 2024, the United Nations proclaimed 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ). This year-long, worldwide initiative will be observed through activities at all levels aimed at increasing public awareness of the importance of quantum science and applications.
EVENTS
Optica Distinguished Lectures on Quantum Science and Technology
Select Optica Events will feature a distinguished lecturer presenting on a relevant quantum topic. Speakers have been confirmed for the Optica Biophotonics Congress, Optica Quantum 2.0 Conference and Exhibition, Optica Sensing Congress and Frontiers in Optics (FiO), Optica's annual meeting.
OPTICA PUBLISHING GROUP
The Quantum Information Science and Technology (QIST) Collection
Optica Publishing Group commemorates 100 years of QIST developments with selected content from its publications. Curated by a committee of editors and volunteers, this collection of articles reflects the progression of quantum science and technology over the Society’s history.
The articles are free to access throughout 2025.
OPTICS & PHOTONICS NEWS
Feature: The International Year of Quantum Science and Technology
OPN's feature article begins in the spring of 1925, when a young Werner Heisenberg worked with Max Born and Jordan Pascual to develop matrix mechanics — the first consistent description of what would become modern quantum mechanics. It concludes in 2025, the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, with real-world applications that are already in use or will be in the near term.
OPTICA PUBLISHING GROUP
Optica Quantum
Michael G. Raymer, Editor-in-Chief
An online-only Gold Open Access journal dedicated to high-impact results in quantum information science and technology (QIST), as enabled by optics and photonics. Its scope encompasses theoretical and experimental research as well as technological advances in and applications of quantum optics.
EVENTS
Optica Quantum 2.0 Conference and Exhibition
01 – 05 June 2025
San Francisco, California, USA
The conference brings together academics, industry and government scientists, national labs and others working to advance quantum science and technology. Quantum opics addressed include computing, communications, sensors, photonic sources and lasers.
INDUSTRY
Optica 2025 Quantum Industry Summit — Fourth Edition
11 – 12 November 2025
Bristol, UK
Continuing the tradition of focusing on cutting-edge developments, the summit will concentrate on the advancement of photonics technologies, quantum computing, system integration, memory storage, cryptography, metrology and information transmission.
OPTICA TECHNICAL GROUPS
Quantum Technical Division
Members of the five technical groups within this division are addressing fundamental questions in physics through experiments and theory as well as advancing the application of quantum science to computation, communication and sensing. The technical groups offer access to innovative events, focused networking opportunities and engaging webinars.
OPTICA FOUNDATION
The Theodor W. Hänsch Prize in Quantum Optics
The prize provides recognition and US$20,000 in funding for early-career professionals engaged in innovative projects that have the potential to make a meaningful and positive impact on the science and applications of optics-enabled quantum technologies. Created in partnership with donors Hamamatsu Photonics, MenloSystems and Thorlabs, Optica is currently accepting applications for the 2025 prize through 21 February 2025.
Raghavendra Srinivas, University of Oxford, UK, is the 2024 recipient of the Hänsch Prize.