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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260807T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260807T180000
DTSTAMP:20261004T215639Z
CREATED:20261004T215639Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261004T215639Z
UID:4771-1786122000-1786125600@photonics.utoronto.ca
SUMMARY:Optical Sensing Technology for Wearable Health and Wellness Devices
DESCRIPTION:Title: Optical Sensing Technology for Wearable Health and Wellness Devices \nSpeaker: Dr. Markus Arzberger (ams OSRAM) \nTime: 5:00 – 6:00 PM\, August 7th. \nLocation: MP137 \nAbstract: Wearable devices have evolved dramatically over the past decade. What began as simple activity trackers that counted daily steps has grown into a new generation of intelligent health-monitoring systems worn on the wrist\, finger\, ear\, and even integrated into clothing. Today’s smart watches\, smart rings\, and other wearable devices continuously collect physiological data that can provide valuable insights into fitness\, wellness\, and overall health. \nAt the heart of this transformation is optical sensing technology. Advances in semiconductor light sources\, photodetectors\, signal processing\, and machine-learning algorithms now enable compact wearable devices to measure vital signs such as heart rate\, blood oxygen saturation (SpO2)\, respiratory rate\, body temperature\, and cardiovascular parameters with unprecedented accuracy. In some applications\, wearable systems are approaching the performance of traditional medical equipment while offering continuous\, non-invasive monitoring in everyday life. \nThis lecture will explore the technologies that make modern wearable sensing possible\, with a particular focus on optical sensors and their integration into consumer and healthcare products. We will discuss the underlying measurement principles\, key engineering challenges\, recent innovations in sensor components\, and emerging applications that could shape the future of personalized and preventive healthcare. Students will gain insight into how photonics\, electronics\, data science\, and biomedical engineering come together to create devices used by millions of people worldwide—and how the next generation of engineers and scientists can contribute to this rapidly growing field. \nBio: Markus Arzberger is heading the Product Line VITA at ams OSRAM as Senior Director and oversees the optical sensor business for the applications vital sign monitoring\, optical force sensing\, time-of-flight and automotive sensing. He holds a Ph.D. in Physics from the Technical University of Munich\, with research focusing on low-dimensional semiconductor physics including laser devices. Markus has extensive experience in bringing advanced optical sensing technologies from research and development into high-volume commercial products. His work has contributed to the adoption of optical sensors in applications ranging from consumer wellness devices to medical and health-monitoring systems. Passionate about innovation and technology education\, he regularly engages with customers\, industry partners\, and academic institutions to discuss emerging trends in photonics\, wearable electronics\, and digital health.
URL:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/event/optical-sensing-technology-for-wearable-health-and-wellness-devices/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260807T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260807T160000
DTSTAMP:20261004T215757Z
CREATED:20261004T215757Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261004T215757Z
UID:4773-1786114800-1786118400@photonics.utoronto.ca
SUMMARY:Career Talk with Dr. Eli Bourassa
DESCRIPTION:Title: Career Talk with Dr. Eli Bourassa \nSpeaker: Dr. Eli Bourassa (Xanadu) \nTime: 3:00 – 4:00 PM\, August 7th. \nLocation: MP137 \nAbstract: In this talk\, Dr. Eli Bourassa will discuss his research career\, from undergraduate studies through graduate school to his current role as a Principal Lead Quantum Architecture Scientist at Xanadu. \nBio: Dr. Eli Bourassa is a Principal Lead Quantum Architecture Scientist at Xanadu\, where he leads a team of researchers and software developers who are designing\, simulating and benchmarking the quantum optical layer of Xanadu’s architecture for a utility-scale quantum computer. Previously\, he completed a BSc and a PhD in Physics at the University of Toronto.
URL:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/event/career-talk-with-dr-eli-bourassa/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260731T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260731T160000
DTSTAMP:20261004T215345Z
CREATED:20261004T215345Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261004T215345Z
UID:4768-1785510000-1785513600@photonics.utoronto.ca
SUMMARY:Nonlinear wave-mixing as a route to transparent AR displays
DESCRIPTION:Title: Nonlinear wave-mixing as a route to transparent AR displays \nSpeaker: Prof. Peter G.R. Smith\, Professor of Electronics and Computer Science\, University of Southampton\, UK \nTime: 3:00 – 4:00 PM\, Friday July 31st\, 2026 \nLocation: GB220 \nAbstract: Nonlinear wave-mixing opens an entirely new pathway for Augmented Reality displays. Unlike conventional approaches\, this method harnesses nonlinear optics to produce displays that remain fully transparent while simultaneously generating daylight-bright images suitable for near-eye viewing. \nWe present recent advances in this technology\, including the creation of a pupil-replicated eye-box and a field of view exceeding 30 degrees. Importantly\, we also demonstrate how a single display can generate red\, green\, and blue virtual images—an essential step toward a fully immersive full-color experience. \nOur approach is fundamentally original: the entire optical wavefront is generated through wave-mixing of beams structured by standard spatial intensity modulators. We detail implementations using both LCOS and DMD platforms\, underscoring the versatility and broad potential of this method. \nBio: Prof Peter GR Smith has worked at the Optoelectronics Research Centre at the University of Southampton. He is Professor of Electronics and Computer Science\, and works on optics\, lasers\, photonics\, quantum technologies and display technology. He is a Fellow of Optica\, the IET\, the IoP and the GFCC. Prof Smith is the founder of three companies\, Stratophase\, Covesion and Smith Optical. \nIn University Leadership he has served in roles including Associate Dean\, CEO of University of Southampton Malaysia\, and as Associate Vice-President and Pro-Vice Chancellor International Projects. He has been a Member of both the University Senate and Council. In his International Role he has led Southampton’s engagement with a number of University Networks\, including World-Wide Universities Network\, RENKEI (where he was UK Co-Chair) and is a fellow of GFCC\, IET\, IOP and Optica. \nPeter is leading a new spin-out company from Southampton\, Smith Displays\, commercialising a radically new approach to augmented reality displays. The new technology solves the challenges with existing AR tech – offering daylight brightness\, total transparency and a solution to the nausea issues that have hampered adoption of AR/XR/VR display technology.
URL:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/event/nonlinear-wave-mixing-as-a-route-to-transparent-ar-displays/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260728T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260728T160000
DTSTAMP:20261004T215418Z
CREATED:20261004T215107Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261004T215418Z
UID:4766-1785250800-1785254400@photonics.utoronto.ca
SUMMARY:Topological Photonics
DESCRIPTION:Talk Title: Topological Photonics \nSpeaker: Prof. Alexander Szameit (Institute of Physics\, University of Rostock\, Germany) \nTime: 3:00 – 4:00 PM\, Tuesday July 28th 2026 \nLocation: GB220 \nAbstract: In the context of photonics\, topology has emerged as an abstract\, yet surprisingly powerful\, new paradigm for controlling the flow of light. As such\, it holds great promise for a wide range of advanced applications\, from scatter-free routing and switching of light along arbitrary three-dimensional trajectories to long-distance transmission of slow-light waves. Whereas topological effects in condensed matter originate typically from the fermionic Kramer’s degeneracy or the quantum Hall effect in the presence of strong magnetic fields\, these mechanisms cannot be readily adapted due to the bosonic nature of photons and the notoriously weak magnetic interactions at optical frequencies. Recently\, a number of approaches for the realization of photonic topological transport have been put forward. Among these\, perhaps the most promising one follows the spirit of Floquet topological insulators\, in which temporal variations of solid-state systems induce topological edge states. In the context of photonics\, temporal modulations serve to break the time-reversal symmetry and thereby give rise to topologically protected one-way edge states. \nIn my talk\, I will present an introduction to topology in photonics\, with a particular focus on our work on the implementation of photonic Floquet topological insulators. The purpose is to review these and other recent developments\, to discuss potential applications and to stimulate new conceptual ideas. \nBio: Alexander Szameit was born in 1979 in Halle (Saale)\, Germany\, and received his Physics Diploma\, PhD\, and his habilitation at the Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena (Germany) in 2004\, 2007\, and 2015\, respectively. He was a visiting intern astronomer at the Institute for Astronomy in Hilo\, HI in 2002 and a visiting fellow at the Nonlinear Physics Centre at the Australian National University in 2007. He spent from 2009-2011 as PostDoc at the Technion in Haifa (Israel) and returned in 2011 as Assistant Professor to Jena. Since 2016\, he is full professor for experimental solid-state optics at the University of Rostock. Alex Szameit’s research includes various aspects of modern optics\, such as linear and nonlinear waves in periodic media\, micro and nano-photonics\, the integration of complex optical circuits and chip-based photonic quantum computing.
URL:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/event/topological-photonics/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260616T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260616T170000
DTSTAMP:20260609T170619Z
CREATED:20260506T193952Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260609T170619Z
UID:4580-1781625600-1781629200@photonics.utoronto.ca
SUMMARY:Exploiting Extreme Nonlinear Waves in Femtosecond Fiber Lasers
DESCRIPTION:Title: Exploiting Extreme Nonlinear Waves in Femtosecond Fiber Lasers \nLocation: GB220 \nTime: 4-5 pm\, June 16th\, 2026 \nAbstract: Short-pulse fiber lasers are attractive owing to the practical benefits of a waveguide medium. However\, light pulses experience strong nonlinear effects in optical fiber\, and these destabilize pulses of even modest energies. As a result\, fiber lasers have lagged behind solid-state lasers in performance. Recent work has identified new solutions for pulse propagation in fiber that are stable despite accumulating huge (100π) nonlinear phase shifts\, along with oscillator designs that leverage the highly-nonlinear propagation. These devices have almost nothing in common with conventional short-pulse lasers. Simple fiber oscillators that generate pulses with megawatt peak powers are now possible\, and prospects for future increases in performance will be discussed.\nThe talk will include a tutorial introduction to nonlinear pulse propagation in optical fiber. \nBio: Frank Wise received a BS in Engineering Physics from Princeton University\, an MS in Electrical Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley\, and a PhD in Applied Physics from Cornell University. Before PhD studies\, he worked on advanced integrated circuits at Bell Laboratories. Since receiving the PhD in 1988\, he has been on the faculty in Applied Physics at Cornell. From 2007 to 2011 he served as Director of the School of Applied and Engineering Physics\, and from 2017 to 2024 he served as Director of the Cornell Center for Materials Research.
URL:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/event/exploiting-extreme-nonlinear-waves-in-femtosecond-fiber-lasers/
CATEGORIES:Seminar Series
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Frank-Wise.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260506T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260507T150000
DTSTAMP:20260422T200308Z
CREATED:20260422T200308Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260422T200308Z
UID:4598-1778072400-1778166000@photonics.utoronto.ca
SUMMARY:Noise in Optical Measurements Workshop
DESCRIPTION:Workshop Leader: Prof. Emanuel Istrate\, Victoria College\, University of Toronto \nTime/Location\nWed\, May 6: 1:00-3:00pm\, GB244 (Theory)\nThu\, May 7: \, 1:00-3:00pm\, EM005 (Practical)\nTitle: Noise in Optical Measurements \nAbstract: This workshop will explore the physical processes underlying noise in measurements\, with a focus on optical measurements and the electronic circuits used to collect signals. An example calculation will illustrate how the magnitude of noise can be estimated and will be used to describe ways in which noise can be reduced. Finally\, a brief introduction will be provided to the use of lock-in amplifiers to extract signals from noise. The practical session (on the second day) will give a brief introduction to free-space optical alignment techniques and demonstration of using lock-in amplifiers to collect very weak signals. \nBio: Emanuel Istrate received his Ph.D. in Photonics from the University of Toronto in 2005. As the Academic Program Coordinator of the Institute for Optical Sciences at U of T\, he set up a number of courses and training programs in optics at all levels of the University. His current teaching at Victoria College includes courses on scientific creativity\, science communication\, and other social interactions of scientists. He also teaches a course covering the art and science of holography\, and a course on film photography and analogy image manipulation in the darkroom. He has made contributions to lensless microscopy methods\, entrepreneurship training programs and to collaborative projects with industry. \nRegister here! \nDue to limited spots\, registering does not guarantee attendance. First come\, first served. Early year graduate students will be prioritized. Further information will be provided to those selected to attend. \nRegistration closes 11:59pm EST\, Sunday\, May 3\, 2026.
URL:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/event/noise-in-optical-experiments-workshop-2026/
LOCATION:GB244
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260319T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260319T180000
DTSTAMP:20260318T011656Z
CREATED:20260318T011343Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260318T011656Z
UID:4559-1773939600-1773943200@photonics.utoronto.ca
SUMMARY:The Kochen-Specker Theorem and Quantum Indeterminacy
DESCRIPTION:Title: The Kochen-Specker Theorem and Quantum Indeterminacy \n  \nLocation: MP134 \n  \nTime: 5:00 – 6:00 PM\, March 19\, 2026 \n  \nAbstract: The Kochen-Specker theorem places constraints on the valuation schemes compatible with the empirical predictions of quantum mechanics. On some presentations of the theorem it is ambiguous whether the valuations in question are numerical valuations of quantities or truth valuations of propositions. This is a consequence of the fact that the theorem was originally developed within the framework of quantum logic in which numerical valuations and truth valuations are equivalent. If one treats the semantic content of quantum propositions according to classical logic\, there is no such equivalence and one must carefully attend to the distinction between numerical valuations and truth valuations. We demonstrate how to recast the Kochen-Specker theorem as a constraint on numerical valuations of quantities. This recasting is compatible with classical truth valuations for quantum propositions. \n  \nBio: Michael Miller is an Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Toronto. His interest lie at the intersection of philosophy of physics\, philosophy of science\, and metaphysics. His research focuses on the conceptual foundations of quantum mechanics and quantum field theory\, and the semantics of scientific theories more generally.
URL:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/event/the-kochen-specker-theorem-and-quantum-indeterminacy/
LOCATION:MP134\, 255 Huron St.\, Toronto\, Ontario\, M5S 1A7\, Canada
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260226T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260226T180000
DTSTAMP:20260224T151939Z
CREATED:20260224T151939Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260224T151939Z
UID:4537-1772125200-1772128800@photonics.utoronto.ca
SUMMARY:Scaling Short-Wavelength Silicon Photonics for Neurotech\, Microdisplays and Quantum Systems
DESCRIPTION:Title: Scaling Short-Wavelength Silicon Photonics for Neurotech\, Microdisplays and Quantum Systems \nSpeaker: Dr. Wesley Sacher\, Principal Investigator\, Dept. of Nanophotonics\, Integration\, and Neurotechnology\, Max Planck Institute (MPI). \nDate and time: Thursday\, Feb 26\, 2026\, 5:00 – 6:00 PM \nLocation: GB220 \nAbstract: \nSubmicrometer-wavelength silicon photonics spanning the visible through near-infrared (VIS–NIR) is emerging as a path to miniaturized\, scalable optical microsystems for biophotonics\, sensing\, quantum technologies\, microdisplays\, and potentially new data-communication approaches. Accelerating progress across these domains calls for a versatile\, foundry-fabricated platform spanning this >1-octave range with high-performance components—reducing customization\, supporting innovation that transfers across applications\, and enabling wafer-scale manufacturing. In this talk\, I will present our foundry-fabricated silicon photonics platform operating from 400–980 nm. It provides advanced passive functionality across three silicon nitride waveguide layers and integrates silicon photodetectors\, thermo-optic switches\,hybrid-integrated lasers\, MEMS beam scanners\, in-situ thermal trimming for post-fabrication variation compensation\, and integrated temperature and strain sensors for closed-loop circuit stabilization and control. \nBio: \nWesley Sacher leads the Nanophotonics\, Integration\, and Neural Technology (NINT) Department at the Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics. Dr. Sacher obtained the Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Toronto in 2015\, and from 2015 to 2018\, he was a postdoctoral scholar at the California Institute of Technology. For the past decade\, Dr. Sacher’s research has focused on the development of silicon (Si) integrated photonics for submicrometer wavelengths (beginning with visible light and now extending into the near-infrared). He and his team are developing a fully-active\, foundry-fabricated Si photonics platform for short wavelengths in addition to packaged microsystems leveraging these advances for neurotechnology\, sensing\, microdisplays\, and quantum systems.
URL:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/event/scaling-short-wavelength-silicon-photonics-for-neurotech-microdisplays-and-quantum-systems/
LOCATION:GB220\, 35 St. George Street\, Toronto\, ON\, M5S1A4\, Canada
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20260223T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20260223T120000
DTSTAMP:20260224T151331Z
CREATED:20260224T151331Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260224T151331Z
UID:4535-1771844400-1771848000@photonics.utoronto.ca
SUMMARY:Designing the absorption and emission of light in engineered materials: from theory to application
DESCRIPTION:Title: Designing the absorption and emission of light in engineered materials: from theory to application\nSpeaker: Prof. Michelle L. Povinelli\, University of Southern California\nDate and Time: Monday Feb 23\, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM\nLocation: MS3278\, Medical Sciences Building\, 1 King’s College Circle\, Toronto\, Ontario\nWebpage: https://viterbi.usc.edu/directory/faculty/Povinelli/Michelle \nAbstract\nDrawing on the technology used to make computer chips\, we can also pattern materials to change the flow of light. Recent advances in nanophotonics have used techniques like nanoscale lithography and etching to radically change how light interacts with materials\, yielding applications in signal processing and communications. Moreover\, rapid advances in numerical electromagnetic techniques allow highly accurate prediction and optimization of device properties\, creating a closed loop between theory\, fabrication\, and measurement of photonic materials and devices. In my work\, I have explored strategies for engineering the absorptivity and emissivity of nanostructured materials\, radically changing their physical behavior. First\, I describe how we have incorporated the phase-change material vanadium dioxide into multilayered film geometries\, creating “smart skins” that help an object regulate its own temperature\, via automatic adjustment of its thermal emission. This work is finding application in satellite thermal control. Second\, I describe our use of nanoscale patterns called metasurfaces to create customized photodetectors\, ones that record selected wavelengths and angles of incoming light. Our work explores applications in spectroscopic imaging and encrypted information transfer. Third\, I describe our recent work on more exotic light properties: we have proposed a strategy for violating the fundamental physics encoded in Kirchoff’s Law\, which dictates that the absorptivity and emissivity of a material are equal. Using space-time modulation of the material refractive index in nanopatterned materials\, we show that this constraint is lifted\, suggesting new implications for energy transfer processes. \nBio\nMichelle L. Povinelli is Dean’s Professor of Engineering\, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering\, and Professor of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Southern California. She currently serves as Vice Chair of Electrical and Computer Engineering. She is a previous recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers\, the NSF CAREER Award\, and the Army Young Investigator Award. She is a Fellow of Optica and SPIE. She earned a BA from the University of Chicago\, MPhil from the University of Cambridge\, and PhD from MIT\, all in Physics.
URL:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/event/designing-the-absorption-and-emission-of-light-in-engineered-materials-from-theory-to-application/
LOCATION:MS3278
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251119T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251119T120000
DTSTAMP:20251112T191954Z
CREATED:20251107T204707Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251112T191954Z
UID:4482-1763550000-1763553600@photonics.utoronto.ca
SUMMARY:Taste the quantum rainbow: frequency bins for on-chip quantum information processing
DESCRIPTION:Title: Taste the quantum rainbow: frequency bins for on-chip quantum information processing \nSpeaker: Prof. Joseph Lukens\, Associate Professor\, Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering\, Purdue University\,\nOakridge National Laboratory (ORNL). \nDate and time: Wednesday\, Nov 19\, 2025\, 5:00 – 6:00 PM \nLocation: MP137 \nAbstract: \nOf the variety of photonic degrees of freedom for encoding quantum information\, frequency bins offer unique synergies with integrated photonics\, where ubiquitous microring resonators can be enlisted for producing\, multiplexing\, and manipulating “quantum rainbows”—states of light in which entangled photons carry information in superpositions of discrete colors. Yet despite such attractive overlap\, frequency bins continue to trail more traditional on-chip formats like path encoding. In this talk\, I will present a vision to close this gap via the quantum frequency processor (QFP)\, a paradigm leveraging pulse shapers and modulators for universal quantum information processing. After summarizing key tabletop QFP experiments\, I will outline a roadmap for fully on-chip frequency-bin photonics\, highlighting recent experimental results on polarization-frequency hyperentanglement and line-by-line pulse shaping. Throughout\, I hope to show that—far from an illusory pot of gold—the end of the quantum rainbow leads to a future of scalable\, broadband\, and microring-centric on-chip quantum information processing. \nBio: \nJoseph M. Lukens received the BS degree in electrical engineering and physics in 2011 from the University of Alabama\, Tuscaloosa\, and the PhD degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University\, West Lafayette\, Indiana\, in 2015. Employed as a Wigner Fellow and Research Scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) from 2015–2022 and then as Senior Director of Quantum Networking at Arizona State University (2022–2024)\, he joined Purdue University in January 2025 as an associator professor\, where he maintains a joint faculty appointment at ORNL. His research interests encompass a variety of topics in photonic quantum information processing\, optical networking\, and Bayesian inference. \n 
URL:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/event/taste-the-quantum-rainbow-frequency-bins-for-on-chip-quantum-information-processing/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20251007T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20251007T190000
DTSTAMP:20250915T132841Z
CREATED:20250915T132413Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250915T132841Z
UID:4445-1759856400-1759863600@photonics.utoronto.ca
SUMMARY:SPIE&OPTICA Student Chapter AGM
DESCRIPTION:UofT’s SPIE & Optica Student Chapter would like to invite you to its annual general meeting and election! \nSPIE and Optica are the largest international societies for optics and photonics and our student chapter offers exciting opportunities at UofT\, such as social activities\, academic seminars\, professional workshops\, and networking with peers and professionals in the field (https://photonics.utoronto.ca/events/). \nThe meeting will be held in MP 118\, from 5-7 pm on Tuesday\, October 7\, 2025. \nRegister here: https://forms.gle/pRuE6SSsvtkz2VeR9 \nMeeting agenda:  \n\nIntro for new members\, year in review\nDiscuss member benefits: scholarships\, conference travel grants\, etc.\nHow you can get involved!\nElection of executive team for 2025-2026\nFood! ?\n\nIf you are not a member but are involved in optics and photonics-related research\, read SPIE/Optica journals\, or attend conferences\, feel free to attend to learn more about the chapter and for the free snacks! \nBest regards\, \nUofT SPIE & Optica Student Chapter Executive Team \n 
URL:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/event/4445/
LOCATION:MP118\, 60 St George St\, Toronto\, ON\, M5R 2M8
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250808
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250811
DTSTAMP:20250411T200827Z
CREATED:20250409T195649Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250411T200827Z
UID:4256-1754611200-1754870399@photonics.utoronto.ca
SUMMARY:Optics Summer School Program (2025)
DESCRIPTION:Making optics seem like ‘light’ work!\nUofT’s Optica/SPIE Student Chapter proudly presents the Optics Summer School Program (OSSP)\, an opportunity for early undergraduate students to get an insider look into the exciting optics research done at UofT!
URL:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/event/optics-summer-school-program-2025/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=application/pdf:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-ossp_slides.pdf
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250612T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250612T190000
DTSTAMP:20250512T235022Z
CREATED:20250512T172858Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250512T235022Z
UID:4321-1749747600-1749754800@photonics.utoronto.ca
SUMMARY:Sharper Images through Quantum Imaging (Prof. Robert Boyd)
DESCRIPTION:Title: Sharper Images through Quantum Imaging \nSpeaker: Prof. Robert Boyd\, Canada Excellence Research Chair Laureate in Quantum Nonlinear Optics and Professor of Physics\, University of Ottawa \nDate and Time: 5-7 pm\, Thursday\, June 12\, 2025\, 5-7 PM\nLocation: MP137\, 60 St George St\, Toronto\, ON M5S 1A7 \n\n\nAbstract: Quantum imaging is a research area that seeks to produce “better” images using quantum methods. The image can be better in one of several different ways. It might possess better spatial resolution\, it might display a better signal-to-noise ratio\, or it might be able to be formed using a very small number of photons. From an operational standpoint\, we can consider quantum imaging to be an imaging modality that seeks to exploit the quantum properties of the transverse structure of light fields. In this presentation\, we describe several different recent examples of advances in the field of quantum imaging. \n\n\nOne such example is afforded by quantum phase imaging. Many biological materials\, especially cellular materials\, possess very small contrasts in terms of the amplitude of a light field transmitted through the material. However\, the transmitted field does show significant structure in terms of the phase of the transmitted light. Many of these materials are optically quite fragile and cannot withstand a high-intensity light field. High intensities are required for certain applications such as short-exposure imaging to monitor the dynamical changes in the structure of the material. The problem with optical damage is aggravated through the use of short illumination wavelengths\, which are normally required in order to obtain a good spatial resolution of the image. These difficulties can largely be mitigated through the use of quantum imaging methods. For example\, quantum imaging can make optimum use of a small number of photons in an image-bearing field. Also\, the spatial resolution can be limited not by the wavelength of light being used but by some fraction 1/N of this wavelength\, where N is the number of photons in the quantum state that interrogates the object to be imaged. In our work\, we were able to achieve a spatial resolution 1.7 times better than that of a classical imaging system with the same numerical aperture. Moreover\, the measured phase shift of the light transmitted through the sample was 2.0 times larger than that of a classical imaging system. \nOther examples of quantum imaging methods will be described in this talk. Quantum imaging has been shown to be a versatile method for enhancing the performance of optical imaging systems. One can expect additional improvements in imaging performance to be developed in the coming years. \nReference: \n1. Black\, A. N.\, L. D. Nguyen\, B. Braverman\, K. T. Crampton\, J. E. Evans\, and R. W. Boyd\, “Quantum-enhanced phase imaging without coincidence counting\,” Optica Vol.10\, 952-958\, 2023. \nBio: Canada Excellence Research Chair Laureate in Quantum Nonlinear Optics and Professor of Physics\, Robert Boyd was born in Buffalo\, New York. He received his bachelor’s degree in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and holds a PhD in physics from the University of California at Berkeley. His PhD thesis was supervised by Charles Townes and involved the use of nonlinear optical techniques in infrared detection for astronomy. In 1977\, Professor Boyd joined the faculty of the University of Rochester and\, in 2001\, became the M. Parker Givens Professor of Optics and Professor of Physics. \nIn 2010\, he became Canada Excellence Research Chair in Quantum Nonlinear Optics and Professor of Physics at the University of Ottawa. His research interests include studies of “slow” and “fast” light propagation\, quantum imaging techniques\, nonlinear optical interactions\, studies of the nonlinear optical properties of materials\, and the development of photonic devices including photonic biosensors. \nProfessor Boyd has written two books\, co-edited two anthologies\, published over 300 research papers\, and been awarded eight patents. He is the 2009 recipient of the Willis E. Lamb Award for Laser Science and Quantum Optics. He is a fellow of the American Physical Society (APS) and of the Optical Society of America (OSA). He has also served as an APS representative and chair of the Joint Council on Quantum Electronics (joint among APS\, OSA and IEEE/LEOS). Professor Boyd has served as a member of the Board of Editors of Physical Review Letters and is currently a member of the Board of Reviewing Editors of Science Magazine.
URL:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/event/sharper-images-through-quantum-imaging-prof-robert-boyd/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/RBoyd_Talk.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250514
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250516
DTSTAMP:20250508T155459Z
CREATED:20250417T223312Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250508T155459Z
UID:4280-1747180800-1747353599@photonics.utoronto.ca
SUMMARY:Introduction to Lens Design and Optical Engineering
DESCRIPTION:Title: Introduction to Lens Design and Optical Engineering \nTime/Location\nWed\, May 14: 1-3 pm\, GB220 (Theory)\nThu\, May 15: 1-3 pm\,GB220 (Practical)\nDescription (Theory): This workshop will give an introduction to lens design\, with emphasis on the non-idealities of actual lenses\, as well as a discussion of optical system layout and lens fabrication. This includes a discussion of all the primary aberrations of lenses\, both axial and off-axis along with various methods to compensate or minimize the effects of these aberrations. Field lenses and erector lenses will be introduced\, as well as field stops\, aperture stops and baffles. Attendees will also learn how to use commercially available lenses\, and some of the pitfalls one should avoid when using these lenses. \nDescription (Practical): This demonstration shows the use of Ansys Zemax (Student Edition). Some lenses will be analyzed\, to demonstrate the power of raytracing software to understand lens aberrations\, as well as automatic lens optimization to minimize a merit function. The aberrations introduced by focusing through a window\, as well as aberrations due to imperfect placement and alignment will be demonstrated. This includes off-axis beams\, as well as conjugate distances that are different from those that the lens was designed for. Because most users do not have the ability to manufacture custom lenses\, the workshop will also show and example of combining stock lenses instead of one custom-made lens.\n \nBio: Emanuel Istrate received his Ph.D. in Photonics from the University of Toronto in 2005. As the Academic Program Coordinator of the Institute for Optical Sciences at UofT\, he set up a number of courses and training programs in optics at all levels of the University. Part of his current teaching includes a course in the Vic One Arthur Schawlow program in the Physical Sciences\, which looks at communications and social interactions of scientists. He also teaches a course covering both the art and the science of holography\, as well as a course on creativity in the sciences. He has made contributions to lensless microscopy methods\, entrepreneurship training programs and to collaborative projects with industry. \nRegister here! \nDue to limited spots\, registering does not guarantee attendance. First come\, first served. Early year graduate students will be prioritized. Further information will be provided to those selected to attend.
URL:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/event/introduction-to-lens-design-and-optical-engineering/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/emanuel_istrate-e1712703463607.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250429T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250429T140000
DTSTAMP:20250429T003829Z
CREATED:20250409T194938Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250429T003829Z
UID:4254-1745931600-1745935200@photonics.utoronto.ca
SUMMARY:GDSFactory Workshop (Virtual Event)
DESCRIPTION:Join us to learn valuable insights on silicon photonic circuit design\, verification and validation with Joaquin Matres\, the CTO of GDSFactory (gdsfactory.com). Please RSVP for the Zoom link. \nDate and time: Tuesday\, April 29\, 2025\, 1-2 pm \nLocation: https://utoronto.zoom.us/j/85337187947 \nAbstract: GDSFactory is a powerful Python library for designing a wide range of complex systems\, including photonic circuits\, analog devices\, quantum components\, MEMs\, 3D printed objects\, and PCBs. With GDSFactory\, you can create and refine your designs using Python or YAML\, perform rigorous verification through Design Rule Checking (DRC)\, Layout Versus Schematic (LVS) checks\, and simulations. Additionally\, it facilitates automated lab testing to ensure that your fabricated devices meet precise specifications\, streamlining the entire design-to-fabrication workflow. \nBio: Joaquin is a veteran chip designer with +15 years of experience at top companies like Intel\,Hewlett Packard\, PsiQuantum\, and Google X. He founded the successful open-source project GDS Factory in 2019\, driving innovation in Python-based chip design with over 2 million downloads.
URL:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/event/gdsfactory-workshop-virtual-event/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=application/pdf:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/GDSFactory_Poster-D2-1.pdf
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20250421T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20250421T150000
DTSTAMP:20250421T180543Z
CREATED:20250417T134035Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250421T180543Z
UID:4270-1745240400-1745247600@photonics.utoronto.ca
SUMMARY:Optics Around the World
DESCRIPTION:The University of Toronto Optica&SPIE student chapter is thrilled to be joining Optics Around The World\, hosted by Optics for All (OFA). \nThis networking event with student optics chapters from around the world. OFA started this initiative in 2024 as part of our outreach efforts to connect with students and to learn about the research and club organization in other countries. \nMore information can be found at: https://wp.optics.arizona.edu/opticsforall/optics-around-the-world/ \nDate and time: April 21-23\, 2-3 pm \nLocation (Zoom): https://arizona.zoom.us/s/89023009370 \n    \n 
URL:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/event/optics-around-the-world/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/OAWorld_Daily-06-e1744897418319.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20241003T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20241003T190000
DTSTAMP:20240925T185522Z
CREATED:20240925T185147Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240925T185522Z
UID:4129-1727978400-1727982000@photonics.utoronto.ca
SUMMARY:SPIE & Optica Student Chapter Annual General Meeting and Election 2024
DESCRIPTION:UofT’s SPIE & Optica Student Chapter would like to invite you to its annual general meeting and election! \nSPIE and Optica are the largest international societies for optics and photonics and our student chapter offers exciting opportunities at UofT\, such as social activities\, academic seminars\, professional workshops\, and networking with peers and professionals in the field (https://photonics.utoronto.ca/events/). \nThe meeting will be held in Sandford Fleming Building SF B560\, from 6-7pm on Thursday\, October 3\, 2024. \nRegister here: https://forms.gle/5dLWTnqDTJFX8nhK7 \nMeeting agenda:  \n\nIntro for new members\, year in review\nDiscuss member benefits: scholarships\, conference travel grants\, etc.\nHow you can get involved!\nElection of executive team for 2024-2025\nFood! ?\n\nIf you are not a member but are involved in optics and photonics-related research\, read SPIE/Optica journals\, or attend conferences\, feel free to attend to learn more about the chapter and for the free snacks! \nBest regards\, \nUofT SPIE & Optica Student Chapter Executive Team
URL:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/event/spie-optica-student-chapter-annual-general-meeting-and-election-2024/
LOCATION:SFB560
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SPIEOptica-Student-Chapter-Annual-General-Meeting-1-e1727290179790.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240825T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240825T140000
DTSTAMP:20240823T165338Z
CREATED:20240823T165338Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240823T165338Z
UID:4103-1724590800-1724594400@photonics.utoronto.ca
SUMMARY:Advancing Laser Manufacturing with Optical Process Monitoring
DESCRIPTION:If you would like to join remotely\, please RSVP to receive a Zoom meeting link. \nPlease RSVP for the talk here: https://forms.gle/F6b8nrebFeZh4mUP9 \nTitle: Advancing Laser Manufacturing with Optical Process Monitoring \nSpeaker: Dr. Tristan Fleming\, IPG Photonics Canada \nDate and time: Sunday\, August 25\, 2024\, 1-2pm \nLocation: MP102\, McLennan Physical Laboratories\, 255 Huron St\, Toronto\, ON M5S 1A7 \nAbstract: The laser has become a tool of choice for advanced manufacturing\, highlighted by its critical role in the electric vehicle (EV) market. However\, the sophistication of laser welding processes has introduced new challenges for manufacturers. Mistakes in manufacturing can be costly\, dangerous\, and reduce emission savings through increased scrap. IPG’s LDD product offers a solution. \nAt the heart of the IPG’s LDD product is inline coherent imaging\, an interferometric technique similar to optical coherence tomography (OCT). Using this technique\, LDD provides real-time\, in situ measurements of laser weld depth at micron-resolution and high-speed (>200 kHz)\, as well as 3D images of parts before\, during and after the welding process. These measurements provide actionable quality assurance data for manufacturers\, allowing them to detect and correct process defects and improve production yield. \nWith a proven impact on high-volume production\, LDD is a growing part of IPG’s business\, as evidenced by the construction of a new facility in Kingston. We are excited to speak with prospective students about opportunities within IPG. \nBio: Tristan Fleming completed his doctorate at Queen’s University at Kingston\, Canada in 2022\, including two years at University College London. During his degree\, he applied the weld depth measurement technology underpinning the IPG’s LDD product to laser additive manufacturing. A world-first\, he also exploited high-speed synchrotron X-ray imaging to validate and further develop the LDD product. After graduation\, he joined IPG Photonics Canada as an Applications and Research Specialist.
URL:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/event/advancing-laser-manufacturing-with-optical-process-monitoring/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/tristan-1-e1724431592122.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240823T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240823T190000
DTSTAMP:20240823T163834Z
CREATED:20240814T225431Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240823T163834Z
UID:4084-1724436000-1724439600@photonics.utoronto.ca
SUMMARY:Accelerating AI through Photonics
DESCRIPTION:If you would like to join remotely\, please RSVP to receive a Zoom meeting link. \nPlease RSVP for the talk here: forms.gle/jERJVTiiwiuLmtKs7 \nTitle: Accelerating AI through Photonics \nSpeaker: Dr. Jared Mikkelsen\, Lightmatter \nDate and time: Friday\, August 23\, 2024\, 6-7pm \nLocation: MP102\, McLennan Physical Laboratories\, 255 Huron St\, Toronto\, ON M5S 1A7 \nAbstract: Lightmatter is combining electronics\, photonics\, and new algorithms to create a next generation compute platform. At the core of Lightmatter’s technology is the use of silicon photonic devices. In this talk\, I will introduce Lightmatter’s product\, Passage. Passage is a wafer-scale programmable photonic interconnect that uses silicon waveguides to enable heterogeneous chips to communicate with unprecedented bandwidth and energy efficiency. Lightmatter representatives and I will also present the company’s expansion plans and our activities in Toronto. We welcome senior undergraduates\, graduate students\, and professionals to attend this talk and learn about opportunities to work with us. \nBio:Dr. Jared Mikkelsen is a Senior Photonics Design Engineer at Lightmatter. With over a decade of experience in Integrated Optics\, he has worked at Finisar (now Coherent)\, Huawei Canada\, and Alphawave Semi. He earned his Ph. D in Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Toronto in 2019\, where his research on Photonic Very Large-Scale Integration (VLSI) included designing photonic switches representing some of the largest PICs ever attempted at the time. He has authored over 30 journal papers and holds inventorship in multiple patents spanning diverse disciplines within photonics\, including data communications\, 3D sensing\, and display technologies.
URL:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/event/accelerating-ai-through-photonics/
LOCATION:MP102
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/jared_1000x1000-e1723559581183.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240711T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240711T160000
DTSTAMP:20240702T155305Z
CREATED:20240701T211931Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240702T155305Z
UID:3896-1720710000-1720713600@photonics.utoronto.ca
SUMMARY:Programmable Photonic Circuits for RF and Optical Signal Processing
DESCRIPTION:Title: Programmable Photonic Circuits for RF and Optical Signal Processing \nSpeaker: Prof. Wim Bogaerts\, Ghent University – IMEC\, Photonics Research Group \nDate and time: Thursday\, July 11\, 2024\, 3-4pm \nLocation: GB244\, Galbraith Building\, 35 St George St\, Toronto\, ON M5S 1A4 \nAbstract: In the past decades\, photonic integrated circuits have become entrenched as a key enabling technology for fibre-optic communication. They make it possible to integrate a combination of optical and electrical functions on the surface of a chip\, which can be fabricated with the same technologies used for microelectronics. The extremely large bandwidth of optical signals\, and the availability of high-speed electro-optic building blocks (modulators\, detectors) makes photonics a very suitable platform for the analog processing of optical and microwave signals. This is useful for communication\, sensing\, analog computing and many other applications. Just like electronic chips have found use in many more domains than basic computing\, we expect photonic chips to find their way into these diverse application fields. \nOne aspect in which photonic chip technology is less advanced than its electronics counterpart is programmability: photonic chips today are fabricated for a single purpose\, and each new iteration or experiment needs a new chip design. By making photonic chips programmable\, like we know from field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA) in digital electronics\, we can accelerate the development and innovation cycles with analog signal processing\, opening up the capabilities of photonic chips to a much broader engineering community. \nWe will discuss the state of programmable photonics today\, the results of recent experiments at Ghent University – IMEC\, and where the key challenges are to realize the technology platforms that can truly enable multi-purpose photonic processors. \nBio: Wim Bogaerts is a professor in the Photonics Research Group at Ghent University and the IMEC nanotechnology research center in Belgium. He completed his PhD in 2004\, pioneering the use of industrial CMOS fabrication tools to build photonic circuits. Between 2000 and 2010\, he was the driver behind the buildup of IMEC’s silicon photonics technology. In parallel\, he started developing design automation tools to implement complex silicon photonic circuits. In 2014\, he co-founded Luceda Photonics\, bringing the design tool IPKISS to the market. In 2016 he won a research grant from the European Research Council\, and since then he is again full-time at Ghent University – IMEC\, focusing on the challenges for large-scale photonic circuits and the new field of programmable photonics. He is an IEEE and OPTICA Fellow\, and senior member of SPIE.
URL:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/event/programmable-photonic-circuits-for-rf-and-optical-signal-processing/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/wim_bogaerts-e1719868579880.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240514T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240514T150000
DTSTAMP:20240503T193026Z
CREATED:20240422T191746Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240503T193026Z
UID:3771-1715695200-1715698800@photonics.utoronto.ca
SUMMARY:Synchronization Dynamics of Nonlinear Photonic Oscillators
DESCRIPTION:Title: Synchronization Dynamics of Nonlinear Photonic Oscillators \nSpeaker: Prof. Alexander Gaeta\, David M. Rickey Professor of Applied Physics\, Columbia University \nDate and time: Tuesday\, May 14\, 2024\, 2-3 PM \nLocation: MP 134\, McLennan Physical Laboratories\, 255 Huron Street\, Toronto\, ON M5S 1A7 \nAbstract: \nSynchronization is a widespread phenomenon in the natural sciences\, shedding light on the behavior of coupled nonlinear dynamical systems. It also offers a powerful approach to robust frequency or temporal locking in diverse applications\, including communications\, superconductors\, and photonics. I will describe our work on the synchronization of soliton and non-solitonic photonic frequency combs in the fundamental\, harmonic\, and sub-harmonic regimes. I will also describe all-optical frequency division and the generation of ultralow-noise microwaves by synchronizing two distinct dynamical states of nonlinear photonic microresonators.  \nBio: \nGaeta received his doctorate in Optics from the University of Rochester. Gaeta joined Columbia University as the David M. Rickey Professor of Applied Physics and Materials Science in 2015. Prior to that\, Gaeta was the Samuel B. Eckert Professor of Engineering at Cornell University and was Chair of the School of Applied and Engineering Physics from 2011 – 2014. He has published more than 300 journal articles in quantum and nonlinear photonics. He served as the founding Editor-in-Chief of the journal Optica from 2014-2020. He co-founded Xscape Photonics\, Inc. and served as the CEO from 2021-2023.  He is a Fellow of the Optica\, APS\, and IEEE\, and a Thomson Reuters Highly Cited Researcher\, and received the 2019 Charles H. Townes Prize and the 2023 Stephen D. Fantone Distinguished Service Award.
URL:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/event/synchronization-dynamics-of-nonlinear-photonic-oscillators/
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240501
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240503
DTSTAMP:20240501T135945Z
CREATED:20240409T225704Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240501T135945Z
UID:3753-1714521600-1714694399@photonics.utoronto.ca
SUMMARY:Noise in Optical Measurements Workshop
DESCRIPTION:Workshop Leader: Prof. Emanuel Istrate\, Victoria College\, University of Toronto \n(Updated 2024/04/25)\nTime/Location\nWed\, May 1: 1:00-3:00pm\, GB244 (Theory)\nThu\, May 2: \, 1:30-3:00pm OR 3:30-5:00pm\, MP335 (Practical)\nTitle: Noise in Optical Measurements \n(Updated 2024/04/15)\nAbstract: This workshop will explore the physical processes underlying noise in measurements\, with a focus on optical measurements and the electronic circuits used to collect signals. An example calculation will illustrate how the magnitude of noise can be estimated and will be used to describe ways in which noise can be reduced. Finally\, a brief introduction will be provided to the use of lock-in amplifiers to extract signals from noise. The practical session (on the second day) will give a brief introduction to free-space optical alignment techniques and demonstration of using lock-in amplifiers to collect very weak signals. \nBio: Emanuel Istrate received his Ph.D. in Photonics from the University of Toronto in 2005. As the Academic Program Coordinator of the Institute for Optical Sciences at UofT\, he set up a number of courses and training programs in optics at all levels of the University. Part of his current teaching includes a course in the Vic One Arthur Schawlow program in the Physical Sciences\, which looks at communications and social interactions of scientists. He also teaches a course covering both the art and the science of holography\, as well as a course on creativity in the sciences. He has made contributions to lensless microscopy methods\, entrepreneurship training programs and to collaborative projects with industry. \nRegister here! \nDue to limited spots\, registering does not guarantee attendance. First come\, first served. Early year graduate students will be prioritized. Further information will be provided to those selected to attend. \nRegistration closes 11:59pm EST\, Thursday\, April 18\, 2024.
URL:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/event/noise-in-optical-measurements-workshop/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/emanuel_istrate-e1712703463607.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240404T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240404T170000
DTSTAMP:20240402T175412Z
CREATED:20240402T175412Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240402T175412Z
UID:3729-1712246400-1712250000@photonics.utoronto.ca
SUMMARY:Spectrally\, Spatially\, and Temporally Controlled Laser Processing and Characterization
DESCRIPTION:Speaker: Prof. Yongfeng Lu\, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) \nTime/Location: Thursday\, Apr. 4\, 4-5pm\, SF1105 \nTitle: Spectrally\, Spatially\, and Temporally Controlled Laser Processing and Characterization \nAbstract: Lasers can be used to deliver energy with extremely wide spectral\, spatial\, and temporal ranges. Laser-matter interactions can be spatially\, spectrally\, and temporally controlled and optimized to produce and characterize materials with desired efficiency and accuracy. These laser properties have provided many opportunities for material science and engineering which unique applications in manufacturing\, energy\, and biomedicine. In this presentation\, the speaker will introduce his lab’s research activities in processing and characterizing materials in various forms\, including metals\, polymers\, diamond\, carbon nanotubes\, carbon nanoonions\, graphene\, gallium nitride\, and biomedical materials\, with focus on applications in energy and biomedicine. The talk will cover the following research areas: \n\nEnergy coupling using resonant vibrational excitation of molecules (e.g.\, formation of diamond structures and boron/nitrogen doped diamonds);\nLaser-assisted micro/nanofabrication and additive manufacturing (e.g.\, target fabrication for laser fusion);\nLaser-assisted optical spectroscopy\, imaging\, spectrometry\, artificial intelligence in spectroscopic imaging (cancer diagnostics\, nuclear forensics\, and corrosion detection);\nEnergy devices and applications (supercapacitors\, bolometers\, nuclear fusion and fission\, algae-based bioenergy);\nBiomedical applications (fat-liver disease\, peripheral arterial disease\, breast cancers\, traumatic brain injury\, pancreatic cancers\, and cardiac artery disease); and\nExamples of commercialized laser processing technologies.\n\nBio: Dr. Yongfeng Lu is currently the Lott Distinguished Professor of Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). He received his bachelor’s degree from Tsinghua University (China) in 1984 and M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees from Osaka University (Japan) in 1988 and 1991\, all in electrical engineering. From 1991 to 2002\, he was a faculty in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at National University of Singapore. He joined the Department of Electrical Engineering at UNL in 2002. He has more than 30 years of experience in processing and characterization of micro/nanostructured materials. His group has research projects funded by NSF\, AFOSR\, ONR\, DTRA\, DOE\, DOT\, NCESR\, NRI\, private companies\, and foundations\, with research expenditures over $38 million in recent years. His research has led to a number of commercialization and product developments. Dr. Lu has authored or co-authored 604 journal papers and 524 conference papers (H-index: 75). He served as the President of the Laser Institute of America (LIA) and the President of International Academy of Photonics and Laser Engineering (IAPLE\, UK). He has been elected to SPIE fellow\, LIA fellow\, OSA fellow\, and IAPLE fellow. He has also served as chair and general chair for major international conferences in the field including the general congress chair for the International Congress of Applications of Lasers and Electro-Optics in 2007 and 2008\, and general co-chair for LASE in Photonics West 2014-2017. He is also the recipient of the prestigious Schawlow Award of LIA in 2016.
URL:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/event/spectrally-spatially-and-temporally-controlled-laser-processing-and-characterization/
LOCATION:SF1105
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/yongfeng_lu.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240326T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240326T203000
DTSTAMP:20240320T155837Z
CREATED:20240320T155837Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240320T155837Z
UID:3700-1711477800-1711485000@photonics.utoronto.ca
SUMMARY:Optics & Photonics Alumni Event 2024
DESCRIPTION:Are you curious about the career options available to graduates in optics and photonics? \n\nDo you want to learn how to translate your graduate degree into a career in your desired field? \nThe SPIE & Optica U of T chapters invite you to attend our Optics & Photonics Alumni Event 2024\, featuring graduates from optics and photonics-related programs currently working in industry and academia. The evening will feature a panel discussion followed by a networking session with the alumni. Snacks and refreshments will be served. \nDate: Tuesday\, March 26\, 6:30-8:30 pm\nLocation: McLennan Physical Laboratories\, 255 Huron St.\nRoom: MP110 \nRegister Here! \nBiographies\nDaniel Giovannini\nDr. Daniel Giovannini is the Associate Director of MScAC Partnerships at the University of Toronto\, where he builds academic-industry research collaborations to drive innovation. He obtained his BSc and MSc in Physics from Sapienza Università di Roma\, followed by a PhD in Physics at the University of Glasgow in 2014 where he studied orbital angular momentum entanglement in higher dimensions. During 2016-2018\, he was a postdoctoral researcher with the Helmy Group at the University of Toronto. Dr. Giovannini’s career spans numerous leadership roles in R&D\, including Research Program Director for Quantum Technologies at the University of Toronto in 2016\, Research Manager at SPIN Unit in 2018\, Director of Business Development at Mitacs in 2020\, and his current role as Associate Director of MScAC Partnerships at the University of Toronto. Throughout his career\, he has pushed research towards real-world impact through building academic-industry connections as an accomplished researcher\, research manager\, and partnership specialist. \nRyan Field\nAt StarFish Medical\, Dr. Ryan Field works with multiple client companies on a wide variety of medical optical products including surgical lasers\, diagnostic assays\, and medical imaging devices. ​​Dr. Field completed a PhD in physics at the University of Toronto in 2016. His doctoral research was focused on ultrafast spectroscopy and time-resolved electron diffraction of solid-state spin-crossover complexes. Dr. Field began working in the medical device industry as part of a Mitacs Elevate post-doctoral fellowship\, working first at Synaptive Medical where he prototyped optical modules for one of the company’s flagship neurosurgical products. The fellowship was later picked up by StarFish Medical\, where Dr. Field was subsequently hired and now works full-time as a Senior Optical Systems Engineer. \nDarren Kraemer\nDr. Darren Kraemer is the founder and CEO of Light Matter Interaction Inc.\, developing next-generation mid-infrared lasers for minimally-invasive laser surgery. He completed his Bachelor of Applied Science in Engineering Science at the University of Toronto in 2000. He then went on to receive his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Toronto\, where he developed molecular spectroscopy techniques using mid-IR femtosecond lasers. Concurrently\, he co-founded Attodyne Inc.\, spearheading the development of ultra-compact picosecond lasers for industrial applications\, serving as CTO and president until its acquisition. Subsequently\, as CEO of Light Matter Interaction Inc.\, Dr. Kraemer focused on integrating cutting-edge infrared laser technology into surgical procedures. In late 2020\, he co-founded Point Surgical Inc. in collaboration with University Health Network (UHN)\, Unity Health\, and Light Matter Interaction Inc (LMI)\, with a vision to revolutionize surgical pathology.
URL:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/event/optics-photonics-alumni-event-2024/
LOCATION:MP110
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240209T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240209T210000
DTSTAMP:20240201T184246Z
CREATED:20240201T184246Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240201T184246Z
UID:3278-1707501600-1707512400@photonics.utoronto.ca
SUMMARY:Trivia Night!
DESCRIPTION:UofT’s SPIE/Optica Student Chapter and Physics Graduate Student Association (PGSA) present Trivia Night! \nCome put your heads together with your fellow optics graduate students to tackle fun\, obscure problems that don’t require a 200+ page answer — no knowledge of pop culture\, encyclopedias\, or Maxwell’s equations required. Enter for a chance to win new friends you meet along the way! \nGraduate students from all departments welcome! \nFood provided! ? \nRegister Now!\nMP110 Physics Graduate Lounge\nFriday\, Feb 9\, 2024 @ 6-9pm
URL:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/event/trivia-night/
LOCATION:MP110
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20231016T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20231016T160000
DTSTAMP:20240226T222137Z
CREATED:20240114T222747Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240226T222137Z
UID:3196-1697468400-1697472000@photonics.utoronto.ca
SUMMARY:Quantum kittens\, cats\, combs and compasses: superposing coherent states for sensing\, communication\, computing and pleasure - Prof. Barry Sanders (University of Calgary)
DESCRIPTION:Speaker: Prof. Barry Sanders\, University of Calgary \nTime/Location: Monday\, Oct. 16\, 3-4 pm\, MP606 \nTitle: Quantum kittens\, cats\, combs and compasses: superposing coherent states for sensing\, communication\, computing and pleasure \nAbstract: Superpositions of coherent states\, which have minimum uncertainty and follow\, at least transiently\, classical motion\, constitute codes for quantum computing\, enhance quantum communication and are advantageous for quantum sensing and metrology. I present a potted history of this field followed by our proposal for making a nuclear cat state reported in arXiv:2304.13813 \nBio: Barry Sanders is the Scientific Director of Calgary’s “Quantum City”\, which is within the University of Calgary and tasked with building a strong quantum ecosystem in Alberta. Dr Sanders’s 1988 Doctor of Philosophy and 2018 Doctor of Science are awarded by Imperial College London\, and his theoretical research comprises quantum sensing\, quantum and quantum-resilient communication\, quantum computing and quantum optics. He held numerous distinguished international visiting professorships and affiliations and is a Scientist with the Creative Destruction Lab at the Universities of Toronto and Calgary. Sanders serves as an Expert with the Canadian Council of Academies and on expert panels in Canada\, USA and Europe. Dr Sanders is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada\, of the United Kingdom Institute of Physics\, of the American Physical Society\, and of Optica\, and he received the City of Calgary International Achievement Award in 2022.
URL:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/event/quantum-kittens-cats-combs-and-compasses-superposing-coherent-states-for-sensing-communication-computing-and-pleasure/
LOCATION:MP606
CATEGORIES:Seminar Series
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20230919T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20230919T180000
DTSTAMP:20240226T222843Z
CREATED:20240226T222820Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240226T222843Z
UID:3440-1695142800-1695146400@photonics.utoronto.ca
SUMMARY:Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing with Photonics - Dr. Eli Bourassa (Xanadu)
DESCRIPTION:Title: Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing with Photonics\n\nSpeaker: Dr. Eli Bourassa\, Xanadu\n\nDate and time: Sept. 19\, 2023\, 5-6 pm\n\nLocation: Medical Sciences Building\, Room MS 3278\, 1 King’s College Cir\, Toronto\, ON M5S 1A8\n\nAbstract: This talk will present an overview of Xanadu’s proposal for a scalable and fault-tolerant photonic quantum computer. Central to the architecture are Gottesman-Kitaev-Preskill bosonic qubits\, entangled together in space and time to form a qubit cluster state that is a resource for fault-tolerant\, measurement-based quantum computation.\n\n\n\n\nShort Bio:\nEli Bourassa is a Lead Quantum Architecture Scientist at Xanadu\, where he designs fault-tolerant photonic quantum computers based on bosonic qubits. Previously\, Eli completed a PhD in Physics at the University of Toronto (U of T)\, with a focus on photonic quantum computing and quantum key distribution.
URL:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/event/fault-tolerant-quantum-computing-with-photonics-dr-eli-bourassa-xanadu/
LOCATION:MS3278
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20230724T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20230724T150000
DTSTAMP:20240226T221716Z
CREATED:20240226T221043Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240226T221716Z
UID:3425-1690207200-1690210800@photonics.utoronto.ca
SUMMARY:Coherent backscattering of entangled photon pairs - Prof. Yaron Bromberg (The Hebrew University of Jerusalem)
DESCRIPTION:Title: Coherent backscattering of entangled photon pairs\n\nSpeaker: Yaron Bromberg\, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem\n\nDate and time: July 24\, 2023\, 2 pm\n\nLocation: GB119\nAbstract: When a coherent laser beam illuminates a scattering sample\, the backscattered intensity shows a pronounced peak\, a phenomenon known as coherent backscattering\, or weak localization of light. The observation of coherent backscattering marked a milestone in studying light in random media\, as it was the first observation of a robust interference effect that survives disorder averaging. Intending to identify quantum features of light that are robust to disorder averaging\, we are studying coherent backscattering of entangled photons. In the talk\, I will give a brief introduction to coherent backscattering and present our recent experimental observation of coherent backscattering of spatially entangled photons [1]. I will show that backscattered photon pairs exhibit enhanced spatial correlations that can increase the sensitivity of measurements of the sample’s transport mean free path\, compared to measurements using classical light.\n[1] Safadi\, M.\, et al. Coherent Backscattering of Entangled Photon Pairs. Nat. Phys. 19\, 562-568 (2023)\n\n  \n\n\nShort Bio: Yaron Bromberg is an associate professor at the Racah Institute of Physics at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He joined the Hebrew University in 2015 after completing a postdoctoral fellowship at the lab of Prof. Hui Cao at Yale University and obtaining his Ph.D. in Physics at the lab of Prof. Yaron Silberberg at the Weizmann Institute. His research focuses on the physics and applications of quantum and classical light in complex media.
URL:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/event/coherent-backscattering-of-entangled-photon-pairs/
LOCATION:GB119
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20230323T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20230323T180000
DTSTAMP:20240226T222432Z
CREATED:20240226T222432Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240226T222432Z
UID:3437-1679590800-1679594400@photonics.utoronto.ca
SUMMARY:The Role of Co-Packaged Optics in our Connected Future - Prof. Anthony Chan Carusone (University of Toronto\, Alphawave Semi)
DESCRIPTION:Talk Title: The Role of Co-Packaged Optics in our Connected Future \nSpeaker: Prof. Anthony Chan Carusone \nTime: March 23\, from 5:00 – 6:00 PM \nLocation: GB119 \nAbstract: Progress in computation and communication is increasingly bottlenecked by integrated circuit I/O. CMOS technology scaling has enabled the integration of hundreds of complete modems operating over 100Gbps on a single chip. Whereas optical links were previously reserved for communication over 100’s of kilometres\, they are now the primary solution for chip-to-chip links above 100 Gbps over any distance beyond a few metres. Co-packaged optics (CPO) bring optics right to the perimeter of our electronic integrated circuits\, and may therefore appear to be a natural continuation of this trend. Indeed\, CPO holds the promise of simultaneously lowering system power consumption\, decreasing I/O latency\, and increasing the total bandwidth of chip I/O.  And yet\, at the same time\, it has the potential to increase the power density\, increase the cost\, and limit the bandwidth density of our chip I/O. This talk will clarify these seeming contradictions\, and paint a realistic picture of CPO’s role in future connectivity. \nBio: Dr. Tony Chan Carusone has taught and researched integrated circuits and systems in academia and industry for over 20 years. He has been a faculty member at the University of Toronto since completing his Ph.D. there in 2002. He and his graduate students have received eight best-paper awards at leading conferences for their work on chip-to-chip and optical communication circuits\, analog-to-digital conversion\, and precise clock generation. He has also been a consultant to industry since 1997\, and in 2022 became the Chief Technology Officer of Alphawave Semi in Toronto\, Canada. Dr. Chan Carusone was a Distinguished Lecturer for the IEEE Solid-State Circuits Society 2015-2017 and served on the Technical Program Committee of the International Solid-State Circuits Conference from 2015-2021. He has co-authored the latest editions of the classic textbooks “Analog Integrated Circuit Design” along with D. Johns and K. Martin\, and “Microelectronic Circuits” along with A. Sedra and K.C. Smith. He was Editor-in-Chief of the IEEE Transactions on Circuits and Systems II: Express Briefs in 2009\, an Associate Editor for the IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits 2010-2017 and is now Editor-in-Chief of the IEEE Solid-State Circuits Letters.  He is a Fellow of the IEEE.
URL:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/event/the-role-of-co-packaged-optics-in-our-connected-future-prof-anthony-chan-carusone-university-of-toronto-alphawave-semi/
LOCATION:GB119
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20230201T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20230201T210000
DTSTAMP:20240226T223602Z
CREATED:20240226T223351Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240226T223602Z
UID:3445-1675274400-1675285200@photonics.utoronto.ca
SUMMARY:Game Night!
DESCRIPTION:Hi everyone! \nThe UofT SPIE & Optica Student Chapter is having another game night get-together on Wednesday\, February 1st\, 2023\, at 6 pm\, taking place in the ECE Grad Lounge BA 5157. \nBoard games\, food\, and drinks will be provided\, but feel free to bring your own!  \nPlease register with the following form\, so enough food can be ordered for everyone. \nRegister: https://forms.gle/tqEX4U1LCyj2NkTw7  \nThank you\, \nYour UofT SPIE/Optica Student Chapter
URL:https://photonics.utoronto.ca/event/3445/
LOCATION:BA5157
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END:VCALENDAR