SPIE Photonics West 2019 preview: Laser-sharp presentations and innovative technologies

Over 20,000 attendees are expected at the SPIE Photonics West 2019 conference taking place from February 2 through February 7 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco. Broken down into three constituent conferences covering biomedical optics, laser technologies, and optoelectronics respectively, SPIE Photonics West 2019 will cover the research, devices, and systems that drive advancements in biophotonics, lasers for manufacturing, 3D technology applications, and consumer products among other topics.

This year, SPIE Photonics West will play host to over 5,000 presentations on cutting-edge research, two exhibitions featuring 1,300 companies in total, and the second annual Augmented, Virtual, and Mixed Reality Conference taking place February 3-4.

BiOS and BiOS Expo

This year's SPIE BiOS conference, covering topics including biomedical optics, diagnostics and therapeutics, biophotonics, neurophotonics, optogenetics, and tissue optics will include 2,500 papers and presentations. A Neurophotonics Plenary session will take place on Sunday, Feb. 3 and a Bioanophotonics plenary will be held on Monday, Feb. 4.

The scheduled SPIE BiOS conference program tracks are:

• Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics
• Neurophotonics, Neurosurgery, and Optogenetics
• Clinical Technologies and Systems
• Tissue Optics, Laser-Tissue Interaction, and Tissue Engineering
• Biomedical Spectroscopy, Microscopy, and Imaging
• Nano/Biophotonics

The BiOS Expo held on February 2-3 is the world's largest biomedical focused exposition, with over 220 companies taking part. Technologies featured by the BiOS Expo are:

• Biomedical Optics Components, Products, Instrumentation, and Applications
• Lasers
• Molecular Imaging
• Therapeutic Lasers
• Nano/Biophotonics
• Biosensors
• Spectroscopic/Microscopic Imaging

LASE 2018

The 2019 SPIE LASE conference covers the gamut of laser technologies, including laser manufacturing, laser materials processing, solid state lasers, laser resonators, semiconductor lasers and LEDs, and 3D fabrication technologies. 900 papers and presentations are included at this year's LASE conference. The LASE Plenary session will be held on Monday, Feb. 4.

The scheduled SPIE LASE conference program tracks are:

• Laser sources
• Nonlinear Optics and Beam Guiding
• Micro/Nano Applications
• Macro Applications

OPTO 2018

This year's SPIE OPTO conference, covering topics including silicon photonics, photonic crystals, optoelectronics, semiconductor lasers, quantum dots, and nanophotonics, will include 2,000 papers and presentations.

The scheduled SPIE OPTO conference program tracks are:

• Optoelectronic Materials and Devices
• Photonic Integration
• Nanotechnologies in Photonics
• MOEMS-MEMS in Photonics
• Advanced Quantum and Optoelectronic Applications
• Semiconductor Lasers, LEDs, and Applications
• Displays and Holography
• Optical Communications: Devices to Systems

Photonics West Exhibition

1,300 companies are participating in the 2019 Photonics West Exhibition, presenting components, devices, and systems to meet the research or business needs of conference attendees. Technologies featured by the Photonics West Exhibition are:

• Lasers and Other Light Sources
• Laser Accessories, Laser Systems
• Cameras and CCD Components
• Fiber Optic Components, Equipment, Systems
• Optical Components
• Communication
• Optical Detectors
• High Speed Imaging and Sensing
• Optical Materials and Substrates
• IR Sources and Detectors
• Electronic Imaging Components
• Optical Coatings
• Lenses and Filters
• Positions and Mounts
• Metrology

AR VR MR Conference

The second annual Augmented, Virtual, and Mixed Reality Conference includes speakers, presentations and demos from established consumer electronics companies and up-and-coming companies in the AR, VR, and MR industries. Demos will be held on Sunday, Feb. 3 and Monday, Feb. 4 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The AR VR MR Photonics West Expo will be held Sunday and Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Access to the AR VR MR conference and demos are included with a Photonics West badge. Attendance for only the AR VR MR conference is free but requires preregistration at spie.org/VR or onsite at the Moscone Center North Lobby.

Courses and Workshops

Over 70 courses and workshops will be held at SPIE Photonics West 2019, with the following program tracks available:

• Photonic Therapeutics and Diagnostics
• Neurophotonics, Neurosurgery, and Optogenetics
• Clinical Technologies and Systems
• Tissue Optics, Laser-Tissue Interaction, and Tissue Engineering
• Biomedical Spectroscopy, Microscopy, and Imaging
• Nano/Biophotonics
• Laser Sources
• Nonlinear Optics and Beam Guiding
• Micro/Nano Applications
• Macro Applications
• Optoelectronic Materials and Devices
• Photonic Integration
• MOEMS-MEMS in Photonics
• Advanced Quantum and Optoelectronic Applications
• Semiconductor Lasers, LEDs, and Applications
• Displays and Holography
• Optical Systems & Lens Design
• Optomechanics
• Metrology & Standards
• Imaging
• Laser Safety
• Snapshot Courses: Basic 2-Hour Courses for Sales, Marketing, and Industry
• Professional Development
• Industry Workshops

Information on course registration and scheduling can be found here.

Other events

The "Photonics Industry Update" keynote presentation includes a cluster reception for regional leaders in optics and photonics. RSVP is required to attend this event.

Winners of the Prism Awards, the celebration of the most innovative photonics products on the market, will be presented at a gala event on Wednesday, Feb. 6. Tickets are required.

The Women Executives meet-up requires RSVP for attendance.

To request attendance for any of these three events, see the SPIE Photonics West 2019 website for more details.

The 2019 Optical Design Challenge takes place on Sunday, Feb. 3. Students will demonstrate their research aimed at improving virtual, augmented, and mixed reality technology.

The SPIE Startup Challenge gives competitors five minutes to pitch their light-based technology business plan to a panel of experts. Winners receive cash prizes and attendance at a week-long entrepreneur boot camp to network with experts and further refine their pitches. The Startup Challenge takes place February 4-6.

The SPIE Photonics West Job Fair will be held February 5-6. Over 30 companies will exhibit at the Job Fair.

Download a PDF of the SPIE Photonics West 2019 conference schedule on the event homepage.

Share your vision-related news by contacting Dennis Scimeca,Associate Editor, Vision Systems Design

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