Topic Categories

Topics and Descriptions

Frontiers in Optics Topics

FiO 1: Fabrication, Design and Instrumentation

1.1 Optical Design and Instrumentation

Design and testing of novel optical instruments, illumination design and general optical design. Subtopics include aberration theory, diffractive optics, freeform optics, computational imaging devices, compressive imaging, ptychography, optical systems for lithography, additive manufacturing, rapid prototyping, multispectral and hyperspectral imaging, green photonics, global energy, in-process measurements, traceability to SI units, quality control of aspheres, fringe analysis methods, and opto-mechatronics.

1.2 Optical Fabrication, Microtechnology and Testing

All aspects of optics fabrication and testing, with  emphasis on new ideas in fabrication, testing, aspheric, conformal and freeform optics, quality assessment of imaging processes and displays, micro display, OLED displays, holographic and light-field displays, three-dimensional displays, hyperspectral remote sensing, optics for smartphones, consumer optics, organic solar films, and perception.

1.3 Coherence, Interference and Polarization for Quantum Technology

All topics related to coherence, interferometry, and digital holography for quantum applications. Subtopics include holographic fabrication, microscopy, image processing, beam shaping, structured light, subwavelength optics, optical encryption, physical layer security, entangled photons for quantum imaging and quantum communication, quantum tomography and the characterization and application of unconventional polarization states.

1.4 Optical Metrology and Laser Instrumentation

Optical metrology and spectroscopy broadly defined.  Subtopics include optical clocks, magnetometers, inertial sensors, electromagnetic sensors, digital holography, optical coherence tomography, heterodyne interferometry, phase retrieval, wavefront reconstruction, profilometry, lensless microscopy, nonlinear microscopy, optical coherence tomography, optical diffraction tomography, sensors for harsh environments, LIDAR, monitoring microplastics in marine ecosystems, fiber sensors, laser interferometer gravitational-wave observatory, phased array techniques for breakthrough starshot, laser interferometer space antenna, and Einstein telescope.

1.5 Adaptive Optics and Wavefront Shaping

Broad coverage from theory to hardware and applications. Subtopics include digitally programmable optics, spatial light modulators, adaptive lenses, aberration theory, wavefront sensing, compressive sensing, application of adaptive optical systems, propagation in random media, cloaking, ophthalmology, adaptive optics for ground-based telescopes, digital optical phase conjugation, and unconventional optical imaging.

1.6 Optical Systems for Augmented, Virtual and Mixed Reality

Enabling technologies for augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR). The subtopics include image combiners waveguides for AR/VR as well as design and instrumentation of head-mounted displays, see-through 3D display systems, machine vision, computational optics for display and imaging, switchable, tunable, and digitally reconfigurable optics, and digital imaging for 3D sensing.

1.7 Artificial Intelligence and Deep Neural Networks

Optical systems for artificial intelligence. Subtopics include physics-informed neural networks, convolutional processing systems, photonic integrated circuits, optical memories, optical processors and computers, multiplane light conversion, optical diffractive neural networks, AI-based space division multiplexing, AI-based sensors for Internet of Things (IoT), and quantum machine learning.

1.8 Fabrication and Instrumentation for Nanophotonics

3D control of metallic and/or dielectric structures in the nanoscale. Subjects include but are not limited to photonic crystals, plasmonics, metamaterials, transformation optics, metamaterials, metasurfaces, flat thin optics, nanoimaging, nanosensing superlenses, photonic topological insulators and 3D photonic integrated optics. Techniques of interest include optical nanolithography, maskless lithography, metasurfaces, nanoimprint technology, self-assembly nanopatterning and organic electronic device patterning.

[top]

FiO 2: Optical Interactions

2.1 Laser-Plasma Based Acceleration and Light Sources

Laser-plasma accelerators enable intense, compact, ultrafast sources of charged particles and electromagnetic radiation, opening new possibilities for scientific, medical, industrial, security and other applications. Charged particles are accelerated by wakefields in underdense plasmas, by sheathfields in overdense plasmas and by radiation pressure. The accelerated electrons can produce positrons, neutrons and electromagnetic radiation in various ways. Electromagnetic radiation is also produced directly, via high harmonic generation (subtopic FiO 2.2) and THz production from solids. We seek contributions that explore these laser-based radiation sources and their applications.

2.2 Frequency Combs, High-Harmonic Generation and Attoscience

The precise control of optical pulses opens new frontiers in temporal resolution and spectral coverage. High harmonic generation (HHG) in solids and gases produces intense bursts of UV and XUV light. Attosecond sources including HHG are enabling applications such as molecular dynamics with unprecedented time resolution. Comb technologies include novel fiber systems, high power solid-state devices, comb generation from quantum cascade lasers, direct modulators and micro-combs. These frequency comb devices extend the spectral coverage and offer rapid re-configurability, scalability and compactness. We encourage submissions concerning source development and applications including those in interdisciplinary science (subtopic FiO 2.5).

2.3 Light-Matter Interactions

Advanced light sources, such as ultrafast lasers and complex states of light, are playing revolutionary roles in material processing and are finding applications in advanced optics, photonics and medical device fabrication. For instance, the ultrafast-laser material interaction time is of the same order as the electron-phonon coupling time; therefore it is particularly attractive for investigating light-matter interactions, as well as for cutting, polishing, welding or machining brittle, hard or additively manufactured materials; for photo-polymerization of materials; for processing medical implants and for delicate surgery. We invite submissions covering fundamental and applied aspects of laser-irradiated materials and structural and surface modifications including for biomedical applications.

2.4 Ultrafast Lasers and Applications

Ultrafast lasers are being developed to achieve high-average-power trains of ultrashort pulses or single-shot systems for extremely high intensities approaching 1024 W/cm2. These advances are leading to exciting applications in basic and applied research. In addition to the very active area of laser-particle acceleration, such lasers are used for laser fusion, THz generation and X-ray diagnostics, as well as remote sensing by use of laser filamentation. Lower-energy, high-repetition rate systems continue to be instrumental for chemistry and materials research, as well as laser-materials processing. We encourage submissions on ultrafast laser technologies, system design and applications in science and industry.

2.5 Complex States of Light

Encompasses states of light with features that make them fundamentally unique. Examples include wavefields with orbital angular momentum or possessing propagation invariance, novel solutions of the wave equation, structured light, tailored beams and optical fields with polarization or phase singularities. These structured light sources find uses in fields including quantum information, quantum atom optics, laser micromanipulation, microscopy and material science. Transmission of light into and through turbid or complex media by use of complex wavefront coding is also included in this area. We encourage submissions on both production and applications concerning these states of light.

2.6 Ultrafast Optical Interactions in Nanostructured Materials

The subcategory welcomes submissions in the areas of ultrafast optical interactions in various nanostructured materials (including metal/dielectric structures and heavily doped semiconductors). These nanostructured materials provide opportunities for enhancing ultrafast nonlinear optical interactions due to low group velocity and optical field confinement. Topics include, but not limited to harmonic generation, four-wave mixing, ultrafast light modulation, enhanced ultrafast nonlinear phenomena in nanostructured materials with artificially designed optical dispersion (including epsilon-near-zero materials). This subtopic focuses on both theoretical and experimental work.

2.7 General Optical Interactions

Encompasses a broad range of optical interactions topics that do not fit in the other specific subtopics. We invite submissions of both experimental and theoretical work, ranging from fundamental to applied research in optical interactions.

[top]

FiO 3: Quantum Electronics

3.1 Quantum Information and Integrated Photonics

Subtopics focus on theoretical and experimental quantum information processing with qubits and qudits. This includes but is not limited to:

• Photonic and atomic quantum computing
• Quantum gates using optical, atomic and hybrid systems
• Integrated quantum photonic devices
• Sources and single, correlated and entangled photons
• Single photon and photon-number resolving detection
• Quantum memories
• Quantum state characterization
• Photon-number resolved detection
• Topological quantum states

3.2 Quantum Materials

Subtopics focus on design, fabrication and applications of quantum materials. This includes but is not limited to:

• Quantum wells, wires and dots
• Optical waveguides design for quantum applications
• Single- or collective quantum emitter systems
• 2D materials 
• Excitonic, phononic, magnonic and polaritonic materials and devices
• Organic optoelectronic materials and devices
• Perovskite optoelectronics

3.3 Quantum Metrology, Sensing and Imaging

Subtopics focus on theoretical and experimental investigation of quantum(-enhanced) sensing and imaging techniques. This includes but is not limited to:

• Quantum sensing
• Quantum metrology
• Quantum imaging using correlated and entangled photons
• Time-correlated single-photon counting for imaging and LIDAR
• Bio-sensing and bio-imaging using quantum detectors
• Quantum-enabled microscopy and spectroscopy
• Quantum machine learning for sensing and/or imaging
• Structured photons for quantum sensing and/or imaging
• Nonlinear single-photon detection

3.4 Quantum Communication and Networking

Subtopics focus on theoretical and experimental investigation of schemes and devices for quantum communication and quantum networks. This includes but is not limited to:

• Quantum repeaters
• Quantum encryption and key distribution
• Quantum optical switches
• Integrated and on-chip quantum circuits
• Quantum random number generator
• Lasers for quantum key distribution with attenuated pulses
• Quantum-grade interconnect components
• Free-space and fibre quantum communication systems

3.5 Lasers, Nonlinear and Quantum Optics

This is a broad subtopic related to laser physics, quantum mechanics and light-matter interactions. Submissions of both experimental and theoretical work are welcome, with an emphasis on research that ranges from fundamental to applied and that does not fit the above-mentioned specific subtopics. Some examples include, but are not limited to:

• Quantum optics
• Nonlinear optics
• Nonlinear interferometry
• Quantum electrodynamics
• Non-classical light

[top]

FiO 4: Fiber Optics and Optical Communications 

4.1 Optical Communications

Broadly encompasses the areas of optical communications and transmission systems, including undersea, long haul, short reach, and data center networking and applications, as well as passive optical networks, RF over fiber, and free space optical communications. The subtopic also covers novel encoding schemes supporting high capacity communications utilizing all of light’s degrees of freedom, such as multiplexing and diversity via wavelength, time, polarization, and space, including OAM, Nyquist pulses, spectrum shaped modulation, super-channel and multi-carrier transmission techniques, short reach modulation schemes and transmission in unconventional bands. Submissions are also welcome in the areas of DSP or machine learning for optical transmission systems and compensation and mitigation of linear and nonlinear impairments.

4.2 Fiber Optics for Communications

Encompasses transport optical fibers (single mode, multicore, multimode) for long haul and data center applications, as well as fiber-based devices such as multiplexers and demultiplexers, fiber-optic amplifiers, switches, resonators, signal processing technologies and novel architectures and components for data center applications. Specialty fibers for communications or sensing applications, such as hollow core, plastic (polymer) or photonic crystal fibers, are also included in this subtopic.

4.3 Devices and Subsystems for Optical Communications

Welcomes submissions in the areas of devices and subsystems for optical communications. These include passive and active devices, components and circuits, as well as modeling and simulation; fabrication processes and techniques and their application in telecommunications; data centers, optical interconnects and free space communications. Active and passive optical devices and subsystems designed, fabricated or integrated in various material systems such as III-V, silicon, polymer, plasmonic and hybrid combinations are subsumed under this subtopic, as well as advanced integration techniques of electronics and optics.

4.4 Modules and Systems for Optical Communications

This subtopic focuses on more complex systems than subtopic 4.3, aiming to reflect recent academic and industrial trends. It welcomes submissions on optical modules for intra-datacenter or inter-datacenter applications, next-generation high capacity transmitters and receivers, optical transponders, open line systems for metro or long-haul applications, demonstration on optical module or system interoperability.

4.5 Optical Communications and Optical Sensing

This subtopic welcomes submissions pertaining to subtopics 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, and 4.5 that have special focus on fiber optics and optical sensing. This includes the implementation of sensing as a device, subsystem, or via the network itself, including transceiver-based phase and SOP sensing, distributed fiber optic sensing via Rayleigh, Brillouin, and Raman scattering of acoustics, strain, and temperature, wireless sensing, and all associated applications, such as the monitoring of telecommunication networks, critical infrastructure, and the natural environment.

4.6 Space Communications and Networking

This subtopic is more space communications-focused than subtopics 4.1, 4.3, and 4.4, covering all aspects of optical space communications, at the link, sub-system, system, and network levels for commercial and next generation technologies. This includes high-speed direct and coherent detection-based inter- and intra-satellite laser links for LEO, MEO, and GEO satellites and optical ground stations, utilizing all of light’s degrees of freedom, such as multiplexing and diversity via wavelength, time, polarization and space. This also includes pointing, acquisition, and tracking for beam alignment, and the mitigation of atmospheric turbulence using DSP, adaptive optics, photonic integrated circuits, spatial diversity, etc.

4.7 Quantum-based Optical Communications

This subtopic welcomes submissions pertaining to subtopics 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4., and 4.5–topics that are focused on fiber optics and optical communications–that have special focus on the use of quantum mechanics. This includes, but is not limited to, quantum key distribution, quantum memories, quantum clocks, distributed quantum entanglement, quantum assisted classical communication, classical assisted quantum communication, low loss optical fibers for quantum communications, and the use of telecommunications networks for quantum-based optical communications.

​[top]

FiO 5: Integrated Devices for Computing, Sensing and Other Applications

5.1 Plasmonics and Metamaterials

Waves supported at metal-dielectric interfaces and in devices patterned with nanoscale structures can be used for the manipulation of electromagnetic fields on sub-wavelength length scales as well as for the enhancement of linear and nonlinear effects. This subtopic focuses on plasmonic structures and metamaterials for enhanced optical scattering, modulators, sensors, detectors, creating strong light-matter interactions, flat lenses and other imaging devices and surface wave control.

5.2 Nanoscale Waveguide and Resonator Devices

Devices formed in high index contrast material platforms support strongly confined optical modes with sub-micron transverse dimensions for dense integration and strongly enhanced linear and nonlinear effects. They have applications including information processing, sensing and fundamental studies of light-matter coupling. This subtopic focuses on photonic crystals, nanocavities, nanowires, nanophotonic optomechanical devices, whispering gallery mode resonators, nanotubes, devices for coupling light to 2D materials and nanostructures for integrated photonic devices and circuits.

5.3 Large-Scale Photonic Integration, Circuits and Advanced Packaging

Photonic foundries have enabled the scaling up of integrated photonic devices to the system and subsystem level. This subtopic broadly covers such large-scale photonic integration including monolithic integration of silicon, heterogeneous integration of silicon with other photonic platforms and other photonic platforms based on materials such as compound semiconductors, polymers or lithium niobate.

5.4 Integrated Devices for Computing and Processing 

Broadly covers photonic devices for applications such as computing and sensing. Optical fiber sensors based on specialty fibers, including photonic crystal, polymer and multi-core fibers are considered. It includes the generation and manipulation of light using optical fibers, ranging from fundamental physical processes to design and fabrication of specialty fibers and to evaluation of performance results. Integrated photonics operating in the mid-infrared spectral region have a wide range of applications in spectroscopy, free-space optical communications and chemical/bio-sensing, and are included in this subtopic. Additional applications of photonic devices including computing and security will be considered.

5.5 Sensing Biophotonics and Chemistry Applications

Optical interaction with molecules and biological tissues represent a powerful window to the behaviors of chemical and biological systems. This subtopic covers application of optical techniques to biophotonics and chemistry, including optical microscopy, laser spectroscopy, biophotonic sensing and coherent control of optical systems.

[top]

FiO 6: Optics in Biology, Medicine, Vision and Color

6.1 Probing Neurons and Their Networks with Optics — From Cells to the Human Brain

Optical tools provide unique capacities to probe brain function, from the neuronal level to functional activation. These capabilities have been emphasized and enhanced by the recent US and EU BRAIN initiatives. This subtopic seeks submissions including microscopic and macroscopic measurements of neuronal activity, functional activation and cerebral/neuronal networks. Submissions utilizing both intrinsic and extrinsic contrasts are welcome, as are studies utilizing the unique contrasts of optics in conjunction with other imaging modalities.

6.2 Advances in Technology and Applications of Label-Free Optical Sensing, Monitoring and Imaging for Biomedicine

Scattering, fluorescence, absorption and many other intrinsic optical contrasts have been used for great effect from basic biology through clinical applications. For example, optical coherence tomography (OCT) has experienced explosive growth over the last 25 years, from academic papers to significant commercialization. OCT, Raman, ultra-high resolution, multi-photon and other technologies continue to be developed, refined and applied. This subtopic seeks submissions that explore new technical developments in and applications of label free optical techniques in the context of pre-clinical and clinical questions.

6.3 Hearing Light: Photoacoustic Imaging

Photoacoustic measurements offer the combination of optical contrasts and acoustic resolution across a range of length scales. The wealth of biologically interesting chromophores and contrast agents, coupled with the high acoustic transmission of many tissues, enable unprecedented imaging of thick tissues. This subtopic includes advances in technologies and applications of photoacoustics, including theranostics, across length scales.

6.4 Optical and Fiber Optic Sensors in Biology and Medicine 

Fiber optics have enabled the transmission of light to and from tissues previously inaccessible to optical techniques. Moreover, fiber optics themselves have been developed as sensing tools. This subtopic broadly includes development and applications of fiber optic sensors and endoscopic tools to clinical and pre-clinical measurements.

6.5 Virtual, Remote and Augmented Realities

Recent technological developments have brought virtual, remote and augmented technologies to a wide variety of consumer and health care applications, e.g., modern technologies allow a remote expert to examine a patient. More broadly, virtual and mixed reality introduce novel challenges for vision science and display engineering. These new technologies have sparked renewed interest for known scientific questions (e.g., perceptuo-motor recalibration, depth distortions, simulator sickness and visual fatigue due to the vergence-accommodation conflict). In addition, they also open new avenues of research to develop novel ways to deliver rich sensory information to active observers (e.g., light fields, holographic displays). This subtopic focuses on optical enhancements of medical observation over distance (e.g., tele-medicine/presence), wavelength (e.g., hyperspectral imaging for bedside diagnosis, contrast enhanced overlays of surgical fields of view) and access (e.g., catheter-based imaging). Additionally, this subtopic encompasses work on the understanding of how human observation can be understood and enhanced through research into human factors and data presentation, understanding of perceptual issues and novel solutions based on engineering, computational imaging and vision science.

6.6 Vision and Color

Basic, applied and clinical vision science are all intimately connected to fundamental understandings and applications of optics and photonics. This subtopic encourages submissions from all areas of vision science. Submissions will be evaluated according to their appeal to the broader optics community, their relevance to the study of human vision and their relevance to related industries.

6.7 Machine and Deep Learning in Biomedical Applications

Together with the development of novel treatment and diagnostic optical techniques, data interpretation has become a crucial issue in many clinical applications. The diagnostic information that comes directly from many sophisticated optical techniques cannot be easily correlated with pathological data. In this context, machine and deep learning approaches can greatly improve the efficiency of those techniques, in terms of clinical relevance. This subtopic looks for complex algorithmic approaches, based for instance on neural networks, applied mainly to unidimensional data, imaging or multidimensional biomedical data, which are able to provide further information of clinical relevance.

6.8 Clinical and Translational Biophotonics and Imaging

This subtopic encourages submissions focused on the clinical translation of biophotonics and optical imaging technologies, spanning the full pathway from fundamental development and system engineering to validation in clinical and real-world healthcare settings. Contributions should emphasize clinical relevance, robustness, and practical impact, including studies that demonstrate feasibility, validation, or early adoption of optical technologies for diagnosis, monitoring, or therapy.

6.9 General Topics in Biomedical Optics

Biomedical optics is a broad field with many interrelated subfields. This subtopic encourages submission from authors whose works do not fall obviously into one of the above subtopics.

[top]

FiO 7: Information Acquisition, Processing and Display

7.1 Computational/Transformation Optics and Optics in Computing

Represents a broad spectrum of research area that welcomes all scientific and technical papers on the subtopics concerning computational or transformation optics as well as optics in computing. Submissions are encouraged in the development and application of high-accuracy numerical methods for computational optics, transformation optics for imaging, optical analogue computing, neural networks, quantum information processing, quantum mechanics in memory and computing and optical design for computational imaging instruments.

7.2 General Information Acquisition and Optical Processing

Encompasses a broad range of subjects from general optical information acquisition, image sensing and processing. Contributions are sought in but not limited to the areas of applied spectroscopy, optics and processing in camera technology, passive and active acquisition systems, compressive optical sensing, digital holography, pattern recognition and imaging, artificial intelligence, 2D/3D data conversion, efficient encoding and decoding method, computer-generated holography (CGH), transformation/computational optics, optical computing, polarization optics and applications in information acquisition and processing.

7.3 Contemporary Display Technology

Covers all aspects of optics, optoelectronics and processing applied to information display technology. These scopes are sought in but not limited to the areas of head-up display, head-mounted display, see-through display, high-definition display, optical materials/films and devices for information display, polarization optics, backlight system, touch sensor, sensors on display, human-machine interface, evaluation methodology of display and application systems in information display.

7.4 3D and Light-field Optics in Information Acquisition and Display Applications

Specifies the technologies related to 3D and light-field in information acquisition, processing and display. The subtopics to be covered include but are not limited to light-field camera, digital holography, multi-camera system, LiDAR, 3D reconstruction of scene, 3D object recognition, model-based and image-based view synthesis, passive and active systems, light-field display, holographic display, autostereoscopic display, volume display, optical devices for 3D display, liquid crystal lenses and applications in information display.

7.5 Space-based Imaging and Processing

Covers aspects of optical/IR/hyperspectral imaging of the Earth and other celestial bodies. Includes pre- and post-processing of signal/image data on earth or in space for observation, reconnaissance, surveillance, and monitoring of weather, land and environment, as well as imaging and analysis of celestial bodies and astronomical phenomena.

[top]

Laser Science Categories

LS 1: Nanophotonics, Plasmonics and Metamaterials

Studies of subwavelength electromagnetic phenomena in metals, dielectrics, and two-dimensional materials, spanning THz through visible wavelengths. Examples in this theme include light confinement, Purcell effect, strong coupling, enhanced detection, polariton propagation, meta-surfaces, meta-devices, holography, novel imaging, and integration with quantum materials.

[top]

LS 2: Optical Platforms for Quantum Information Science

Investigations of quantum phenomena involving optics and photonics, as well as applications in areas related to quantum information science and other quantum technologies. Topical examples include quantum interactions of light with matter; characterization and physics of single quantum emitters; generation, detection, and characterization of quantum states of light; quantum opto-mechanics; novel quantum precision measurements; quantum sensors; quantum memories and repeaters; quantum networks and interconnects; hybrid quantum systems.

[top]

LS 3: Ultrafast Dynamics in Complex Systems

Studies of dynamics in complex systems spanning molecular systems to nanoscale and quantum materials. Ultrafast optical and THz laser techniques enable investigations of microscopic degrees of freedom, their dynamics, and their cooperativity or competition. Examples include light-driven phases and competing orders in quantum materials; spectroscopy of correlated materials; spin dynamics and optical control of magnetism; exciton physics in semiconductors, van der Waals coupled layers, and perovskites; optical coupling in light-harvesting complexes and photovoltaics; electronic and vibrational dynamics in complex molecules.

[top]

LS 4: Attosecond, Extreme-Light and XFEL Science

Experimental and theoretical investigations harnessing the behavior of matter in extreme light fields, as well as the perspectives enabled by attosecond and short wavelength light sources, including high-harmonics, X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs), and wakefield accelerators. Topical examples include coherent imaging and ptychography; structural studies and diffuse scattering; nonlinear X-ray experiments; dynamical studies and strong-field phenomena ranging from attosecond to picosecond regimes in atoms, molecules, and solids; as well as generation and application of structured light and novel source developments.

[top]