Quantum communications technologies offer opportunities for unparalleled secure communications in both military and civilian settings. However, significant technological challenges exist at long distances due to signal loss, decoherence, and the lack of existing quantum repeaters to mitigate these effects. Quantum Encryption in Phase Space (QEPS) overcomes these challenges by uniquely leveraging quantum principles in a way that can be implemented on existing optical hardware and networks to establish quantum encrypted communications channels on commercially available infrastructure. This can be readily deployed for securing communications in the fields such as defense, telecom, government, financial services, etc to protect national security, critical infrastructure, and economic systems.

Silicon photonics is now a mainstream platform for high-volume applications far from its launchpad of data-center connectivity. New applications from LIDAR to biosensors to quantum computing to consumer optical cables mean the industry is confronted with a three-order-of-magnitude leap in device demand by mid-decade.  In this presentation we review lessons from the semiconductor’s similar escalation nearly forty years ago; from this emerges three critical tools that successful players must embrace and leverage if the industry is to succeed in this dramatic upshift: Innovation, Cooperation, Automation.  Illustrative examples of each will be discussed, including broadening options for addressing the number-one cost driver of photonic test and assembly: active alignment, with subsystems capable of simultaneous, multi-degree-of-freedom alignment across multiple I/Os now implemented in fast, large-format configurations capable of processing circuit boards, trays, carriers and other bulky substrates.

Join Mojtaba Falahati, Senior Application Engineer, as he explores the optical-optomechanical design cycle for lens-grating-lens spectrometers using commercially available optical elements and describes how Zemax tools enable a joint workflow to turn optical designs into reality. Optical spectrometers are instruments to measure the intensity of light as a function of wavelength. OpticStudio simulates the spectrometer setup, improves, and optimizes the optical design, and converts the optimized model to a CAD friendly format.

Then, mechanical packaging using off-the-shelf components can be efficiently implemented in OpticsBuilder while accessing the live optics. Interoperability between OpticStudio and OpticsBuilder streamlines the design process by:

Effective communication between optical and mechanical designers as they navigate the design changes.

Real-time visualization of impact on optical performance while designing optomechanics.

Detecting costly errors early in the design process.

Hassle-free export to OpticStudio for advanced analysis.

Constraints in traditional manufacturing techniques have historically been a primary factor in the limited integration of precision aspheric and freeform mirrors in next-generation optical systems.

As deterministic optical fabrication methodologies continue to evolve, the corresponding freedom engineers have for designing and building next-generation systems increases as well. Typically costs, optical precision, and production capacity are huge factors in determining the optimal manufacturing solution.

Optical replication manufacturing methods are successfully meeting the demands for volume, high fidelity optical requirements while remaining cost effective for large scale applications. This presentation will explore the capabilities and advantages replication technologies offer for the production of precision aspheric and freeform mirrors for OEM applications

In VR headsets and AR smart glasses, visual quality is determined by how the user experiences the integrated display within the unique viewing parameters of the device. Visual inspection equipment must emulate the near-eye viewing position within AR/VR headsets in order to ensure accurate evaluation of display quality as experienced by the user. Beyond this, the landscape of display technologies, angular fields of view (FOV), resolutions, focus ranges, and hardware form factors continue to diversify. Innovative test equipment and approaches are needed to continue to capture meaningful details as seen from the user’s perspective. Join a Quick Chat with Eric Eisenberg, Optics Development Manager at Radiant Vision Systems, as he discusses challenges in AR/VR visual inspection, recent test methods, and novel optical solutions that apply scientific imaging and lens components to emulate human vision in a broader range of headsets and measurement scenarios.

In this keynote, John Suh will provide a visionary look at autonomy. Drawing from his experience leading the development of Hyundai's TIGER UMV, he will discuss where autonomous technology stands today, and how it needs to evolve to meet the current goals. He will hit on the various ways photonics technologies can be part of the solution. 

In this keynote, Anna will talk about the role of photonics technologies in advancing the biomedical and life science space. She will specifically draw from experiences in multiphoton imaging through transparent neurorecording devices for multimodal investigation of brain activity.

J. Grace*, S. Edlou, J. Foss, C. Hodgson, J-P Rheault, and K Sieber, IDEX Health and Science, LLC. 1180 John St., West Henrietta, NY 14586 (*presenting author)

In fluorescence microscopy and related applications, fluorescence from optical elements in the system can be a limiting factor in achieving low background levels. Evaluating low-level “autofluorescence” from optical elements requires a high-sensitivity measurement method. We present a straightforward approach to making sensitive fluorescence measurements using a chopped laser and phase-lock detection scheme. Using high-quality optical filters in the excitation and detection paths, the trade-off between spectral information and ultimate sensitivity is controlled by the choice of filter edge locations and bandwidths. We discuss details of the measurement technique and present results demonstrating sensitivity to ~ 1 pW optical power.

Compact, flat metalenses are emerging as viable alternatives to traditional bulky refractive lenses for use in industrial and scientific applications, such as cell phone cameras, CMOS imaging sensors, spectrometers, and augmented reality systems. Designing metalens systems, however, typically requires deep physics knowledge and significant design experience. A fully automated technology recently developed by Synopsys has dramatically simplified metalens design complexity. With minimum inputs required, designers at all levels of expertise can create novel metalens designs quickly and easily. Join this session to learn more about Synopsys’ groundbreaking metalens design tool. 

An overview of Infrared Interferometer methods and applications. Applications include testing transmitted wavefront of IR optics and optical systems in focal and afocal arrangements as well as measurement of rough ground optical surfaces.  Considerations such as source wavelength, interferometer configuration, alignment,  and vibration isolation are discussed. 

Numerical simulation has been a major factor in the rapid advance of optics and photonics. But with this progress comes greater demand for simulation software platforms to keep up the pace. In this session, we will present an overview of current challenges in simulating optics and photonics and how COMSOL Multiphysics® is meeting them. This overview includes the critical issue of scale, ranging from subwavelength to optically large, as well as the need for multiscale modeling. We will also discuss how the COMSOL® software accounts for optical nonlinearities and material discontinuities — as well as multiphysics effects like structural-thermal-optical performance (STOP), laser heating and cooling, and electro- and magneto-optics — enabling you to create simulations that match the real world. We will also introduce the Uncertainty Quantification Module, an add-on to COMSOL Multiphysics® that expands simulation inputs and outputs to include ranges, thus accounting for variations in operating conditions. Finally, we will cover how COMSOL Multiphysics® supports advanced technologies like plasmonics and metamaterials as well as integrated optics and silicon photonics. This is an exciting moment in optics and photonics simulation; we hope you can join us to learn more!

In this keynote, Chris will discuss the various autonomous technologies Monarch is using in developing the world's first all-electric, autonomous optional tractor. He will dive into the various existing autonomy challenges and walk through the many opportunities for photonics in serving as a solution. Chris will also discuss the role AI plays in advancing today's technologies into the next realm.