Photonics Industry Focus
Sunday, 12 November 2023
Career Fair
Time: 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
In conjunction with the conference’s Welcome Reception & Student Poster Competition, a Career Fair will take place, where conference attendees can engage face-to-face with international companies, academic institutions, start-ups, research laboratories, and government agencies. Companies will be seeking qualified candidates for full-time roles, co-ops, and internships.
Monday, 13 November 2023
Photonics Products Showcase
Time: 8:30 am-10:00 am
Session Chair: Daniel Renner, Atacama Optics & Electronics, USA
Leading photonics companies will describe their recently introduced products and services. This is an opportunity to hear directly from photonics companies what are the newest products in the market and to interact with them to understand how these new products can best fit in your application.
- 8:30 am-8:45 am – scia Systems / AARD Technology: “Ion Beam Trimming and Etching for Photonic Waveguides”
Robert Biegaj, Technical Sales Engineer - 8:45 am-9:00 am – VPI Photonics: “The Photonic Design Workflow”
Chris Maloney, Director of Business Development - 9:00 am-9:15 am – Santec USA Corporation: “Test solutions for PIC and SiPh development and qualification”
Christopher Heisler, Director of R&D - 9:15 am-9:30 am – Rochester Precision Optics: “Imaging Optics for Commercial Applications”
Kimberly Clifton, Business Development
Photonics Business and Markets
Time: 10:30 am-12:00pm
Session Chair: Matthew Weed, Luminar Technologies, USA
Three photonics industry leaders will present their views on the current state of the photonics business and their perspectives on the development of the photonics markets. The presentations will be followed by an interactive panel discussion.
Speakers:
Adam Piotrowski
VIGO Photonics, Poland
Bio:
CEO of VIGO Photonics, public listed company, involved in state-of-the art customer/application driven development for science, industry, space and defense. I am responsible for applications, sales, HR and technology strategic agenda. Member of Board of EPIC, and Board of Stakeholders of Photonics2, member of Strategic Advisory Board of Quantum Flagship.
Title: Infrared sensing – beyond silicon photonics
Abstract: Today infrared detectors are critical components for high end applications, including science, semiconductor manufacturing systems, railway safety systems or defense applications. Future applications like biosensors, environment sensors and 3d sensing components are in our reach with photonic integrated sensors. Let’s talk how we can address new potential applications with novel technological platforms.
Carlos Lee
EPIC, Belgium
Bio:
Carlos Lee is Director General at EPIC, the European Photonics Industry Consortium, the largest photonics industry association in the world representing more than 800 members across 33 countries. As part of the EPIC mission, Carlos works closely with industrial photonic companies to ensure a vibrant and competitive ecosystem by maintaining a strong international network and acting as a catalyst and facilitator for technological and commercial advancement. He brings with him a strong background in semiconductors which was acquired through several management positions held at the international association SEMI. He has been responsible in Europe for the SEMI International Standards program, managed technical and executive programs, and together with the advisory board advocated for a more competitive semiconductor and photovoltaic manufacturing industry.
Title: Photonics: a World of Opportunities
Charles Middleton
Critical Frequency Design, USA
Bio:
Charles Middleton is the Chief Technology Officer at Critical Frequency Design, a small business based in Melbourne, Florida, that develops photonics-based solutions primarily for defense applications. Charles received the PhD degree in Optics from the University of Central Florida CREOL in 2006 and has 24 patents and over 50 publications.
Tuesday, 14 November 2023
Government Photonic Opportunities
Time: 8:30 am-10:00 am
Session Chair: Charles Middleton, Critical Frequency Design, USA
Three photonics leaders from the US Department of Defense will present their views on opportunities for photonics technology and products. The presentations will be followed by an interactive panel discussion.
Speakers:
Jason Zeibel
US Army C5ISR Center, USA
Bio:
Dr. Jason G. Zeibel is the Army’s Senior Research Scientist (ST) for Electro-Optics. He is currently at the US Army C5ISR Center in Fort Belvoir, VA and has been with the Army for 21 years. He advises Army Senior Leaders on all topics related to Electro-Optics, Infrared, Photonics, Spectral & Polarimetric Imaging, Microelectronics, and Tactical Lasers. Dr. Zeibel holds a BS in mathematics from Duke University and a Ph.D. in Atomic Physics from the University of Virginia.
Title: Not Just “Light” Infantry: The State of Photonics in US Army R&D
Abstract: The US Army fields state-of-the-art optoelectronics equipment into some of the harshest conditions imaginable. At the same time, our requirements for SWAP, reliability, & data security constantly stretch the art of the possible. This talk presents some of the current Army R&D in photonics and electro-optics, as well as discusses needs and gaps where we invite industry & academia to innovate!
Michael Fanto
US Air Force Research Labs (AFRL), USA
Bio:
Dr. Michael Fanto is a Senior Research Physicist with the Air Force Research Laboratory, Information Directorate. He leads the quantum information processing group where he conducts research on QPICs, heterogeneous quantum networks, and quantum information processing. He completed his Ph.D. from Rochester Institute of Technology and focused on ultrawide-bandgap QPICs.
Title: Quantum Photonics at AFRL
Abstract: Quantum is a rapidly growing and disruptive field of research recognized by the DoD. There have been significant resources placed by the DoD into furthering quantum technologies and quantum photonics. In this talk I will describe those efforts and the opportunities for collaboration.
Keith Williams
US Naval Research Labs (NRL), USA
Bio:
Dr. Keith J. Williams is a Senior Scientific Technical Manager for Microwave Photonics at the Naval Research Laboratory. He has been with NRL since 1987 where his research interests include microwave-optical devices, high current photodiodes, microwave fiber-optic links and systems and new concepts for solving microwave-related problems with fiber-optic solutions.
Title: Photonics for Navy Applications
Abstract: In this talk we will discuss the current emphasis on photonics for Navy applications. We will touch on both analog RF and digital communications applications. We will discuss technical progress and requirements, strategic directions, and the business case for the technology.
Photonic Opportunities – Commercial and Educational
Time: 10:30 am-12:00 pm
Session Chair: Carlos Lee, EPIC, Belgium
Three photonics industry leaders will present their views on the expanding applications for photonics technology and products in the commercial domain. The presentations will be followed by an interactive panel discussion.
Speakers:
Nazanin Shafiee
Avantes, Netherlands
Bio:
As the Director of Strategy and Business Development, Nazanin spearheads innovative partnerships. Her dynamic career spans a range of industries, from semiconductors, healthcare (implants and surgical devices), space, telecom, and automotive to food and agriculture. Leveraging her technical and engineering acumen, she drives pioneering collaborations with industry leaders across different market sectors globally.
Title: Illuminating the Future: Impacting Sectors, Innovations, Research, and Beyond
Abstract: Enhanced spectroscopic tools are catalysing technological advancements across diverse sectors, from semiconductors to healthcare, food and agriculture to environmental monitoring, and across various manufacturing processes. Join us as we explore core technologies, cutting-edge innovations, and their transformative influence on the future, spanning research and engineering efficiency.
Brandon Buscaino
Ciena, USA
Bio:
Dr. Brandon Buscaino is a research scientist at Ciena focusing on novel applications of coherent optical technologies. His past work spans the fields of optical frequency comb generation, data center interconnects, and co-packaged optics. He has co-authored over a dozen journal and conference papers in the field of optical communications.
Title: Innovations for the Next Generation of Optical Communications
Abstract: The ever-increasing demand for data continues to drive innovation in the optical communications industry. Ciena has a decades-long history of developing novel optical and digital technologies to address this demand. We will review several of these innovations and identify upcoming disruptive technologies.
Natalia Chekhovskaya
LASER-TEC, USA
Bio:
Natalia Chekhovskaya serves as a Director and Principal Investigator of the National Science Foundation Center of Laser and Fiber Optics Education. She is also an Executive Director of the Advanced Manufacturing Hub at Indian River State College, FL.
Natalia has a master’s degree in physics and has over a decade of experience in growing a skilled workforce in nuclear, photonics, and fiber optics, and, recently, in manufacturing technologies.
Title: Growing Technical Talent to Facilitate Expansion of New Photonics Applications
Abstract: During this presentation, we will explore the imperative of cultivating a pool of technical talent to propel the growing field of photonics applications into new frontiers of expansion. Photonics has evolved rapidly, giving rise to innovative applications with far-reaching implications across industries. As these applications proliferate, the demand for skilled professionals capable of navigating the complexities of photonics technologies has become paramount.
Standards / Industry Connections Luncheon
Time: 12:00 pm-1:30 pm
Session Chair: John Kulick
A “101 Standards” session led by John Kulick in connection with Photonics Industry Focus track happening. A staff person from the IEEE Standards Association also plans to present on the IEEE’s Standards Industry Connections program. It will lead into a Q&A panel where photonics companies successful in standards development will discuss the need and pitfalls within the field.
Open to all attendees who RSVP during registration.
Wednesday, 15 November
Photonic Products Showcase
Time: 8:30 am-10:00 am
Session Chair: Daniel Renner, Atacama Optics & Electronics, USA
Leading photonics companies will describe their recently introduced products and services. This is an opportunity to hear directly from photonics companies what are the newest products in the market and to interact with them to understand how these new products can best fit in your application.
- 8:30 am-8:45 am – Flex Compute: “Breaking Time Barriers: Millimeter-scale Photonic Simulations in Minutes”
Tom (Xinzhong) Chen, Senior Photonic Engineer - 8:45 am-9:00 am – G&H: “G&H StingRay’s FireAnt SWIR Zoom and the Advantages of Shortwave for Daytime Range Detection”
JJ Conboy, Product Manager – Optical Systems - 9:00 am-9:15 am – EXFO: “Overcoming Testing Challenges in Photonic Integrated Circuits”
Aldo Gutierrez - 9:15 am-9:30 am – Liquid Instruments: “Streamlining test with modern, FPGA-based solutions”
Hank Long, Applications Engineer - 9:30am-9:45am – Finetech: “Finetech Sub-Micron Die Bonding Solutions”
Sam Mccauley
Entrepreneurship – Best Practices
Time: 10:30 am-12:00 pm
Session Chair: Dalma Novak, Octane Wireless, USA
This session will include a presentation by the recipient of the inaugural IEEE Photonics Society Industry Achievement Award, Simon Poole. Simon will be joined by Newton Frateschi and TBD, who will talk about additional photonics entrepreneurial topics. The presentations will be followed by an interactive panel discussion.
Speakers:
Simon Poole
The Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF), Recipient of the Industry Achievement Award, Australia
Bio:
Dr Simon Poole AO FIEEE, is a scientist/engineer/entrepreneur with over 40 years’ experience in photonics and startups in research, academia and industry. He is renowned both for his contribution to the technology of photonics as well as the successful companies he has founded. He was awarded the inaugural IEEE Photonics Society Industry Achievement Award in 2023.
Title: What they don’t teach you in start-up school: Mistakes, misunderstandings and the scramble for survival
Abstract: Every successful company is likely to face multiple crises as it grows and it is how the company responds to these events that determines its’ success. Based on the author’s real-world experiences, this talk will present examples of such turning points and what the companies had to do to survive and grow.
Newton Frateschi
University of Campinas, Brazil
Bio:
Newton C. Frateschi: Full Professor at the University of Campinas (UNICAMP). Previous director of the Innovation Agency and Physics Institute – UNICAMP. PhD in EE from the University of Southern California and BS and MSc in Physics from UNICAMP. He is the author of several scientific papers and patents on photonics.
Title: The Photonics industry in Brazil and promoting entrepreneurship in Photonics within academia
Abstract: We present the status of the Photonics Industry in Brazil. Some highlights, particularly in telecom and life sciences will be emphasized. Also, we will present cases of promoting entrepreneurship in general and in Photonics within a strong academic environment.
Adam Piotrowski
VIGO Photonics, Poland
Bio:
CEO of VIGO Photonics, public listed company, involved in state-of-the art customer/application driven development for science, industry, space and defense. I am responsible for applications, sales, HR and technology strategic agenda. Member of Board of EPIC, and Board of Stakeholders of Photonics2, member of Strategic Advisory Board of Quantum Flagship.
Title: VIGO Photonics – Dream of a man of science that come true to support society with multiple innovations.
Abstract: VIGO was incorporated by a group of scientists in 1987, now a public company. It’s a story of failures and successes. I am a part of it as a son of the founder, later engineer, manager and finally CEO of the company.
Young Professional Luncheon
Time: 12:00 pm-1:30 pm
Topic: “Mental Health Literacy & Navigating Impostor Syndrome”
Sponsored by:
IEEE Young Professionals, this luncheon will address mental health literacy, stress identifiers, and how to put mechanisms in place to avoid eventual crisis or burnout.
Another condition common for Young Professionals is Imposter Syndrome. Drawing on our personal experiences of doubting one’s abilities, sabotaging self-success, or feeling like an imposter, this program will equip you with skills and techniques to reinforce the fact that you do belong and are fit to accomplish your professional and personal goals.
This luncheon will be led by the Society’s AVP of Young Professionals, Akhil Kallepalli, Ph.D. (University of Glasgow), and Aces Consulting Limited, an organization that tackles mental challenges that inhibit individual and team productivity.
Open to all attendees who RSVP during registration. Attendees up to 15 years post their first degree and participants of the Mentor Match program are strongly encouraged to participate.
CREOL Lab Tours
Time: 5:30 pm
Location: CREOL, The College of Optics and Photonics at UCF
Join us on a tour of CREOL, The College of Optics and Photonics at UCF. Several lab spaces will be open, as well as special presentations from Luminar, CREOL’s Knight Vision Lab, and fiConTEC Lab.