Conference Agenda

Abstract: \nMultimode photonics is an emerging research field devoted to the generation and control of complex light states for applications in information processing, photonic computing, sensing, and imaging. In this tutorial, I will review progress toward reconfigurable light emission in laser cavities. This control relies on the concept of dissipative solitons: individually addressable localized structures that appear as intensity peaks in the laser spatial profile or as mode-locked pulses in the temporal output, and that can be used as fundamental building blocks to arbitrarily structure laser light. While past efforts addressed spatial and temporal degrees of freedom separately, I will present recent advances toward unified spatio-temporal control within a single laser system.

Abstract: \nThe ability to tailor the frequency of light lies at the very core of modern photonics, empowering technologies from harmonic generators to tunable coherent sources. This lecture delves into the physics of frequency conversion in crystals, revealing how spontaneous second-order interactions generate new spectral components of light. We will discuss the roles of crystal symmetry, susceptibility tensors, and matter polarization in governing conversion efficiency, with a focus on second-harmonic generation, sum-frequency generation and spontaneous down-conversion, and optical parametric oscillation. Beyond the theoretical framework, practical aspects such as nonlinear crystals, phase-matching engineering, and characterization techniques will be explored. The lecture will conclude with an overview of state-of-the-art commercial devices and their relevance to photonic applications.

Abstract: \nThis tutorial introduces laser‑based glass micro‑bonding for the hermetic packaging of small, active medical implants. The focus is on applications where reliability and long‑term stability matter.The talk explains wafer‑level glass bonding without added materials. The process enables room‑temperature sealing and compact designs. It is compatible with sensitive electronics, micro‑optics, and biosensors.The presentation uses industrial case examples, ranging from ESA optical sensors to neurostimulators. These examples show how glass micro‑bonding supports scalable manufacturing, RF‑transparent packages, and biocompatible solutions.

Abstract:\nSpectroscopy is a workhorse of photonics, but selecting an appropriate spectrometer is not always straightforward, as different applications may have competing requirements.  From advanced material characterization to signal monitoring and optical network optimization, balancing resolution, speed, sensitivity, and cost is essential.\nIn this tutorial, we dive into Fourier Transform Optical Spectrum Analyzers (FT‑OSAs). We introduce their fundamental operating principles and contrast them with conventional techniques such as grating-based spectrometers. We then explore their strengths, limitations, and typical use cases, positioning them within a broader landscape of spectroscopic instruments. The main objective of the tutorial is to provide participants with a clear framework for selecting the most suitable spectroscopic instrument for their specific application.\n 

Abstract:\nSilicon core fibres are attracting increased interest as a means to exploit the excellent optical and optoelectronic functionality of the semiconductor material directly within the fibre geometry. Compared to their planar counterparts, this new class of waveguide retains many advantageous properties of the fibre platforms such as flexibility, cylindrical symmetry, and long waveguide lengths. Furthermore, owing to the robust glass cladding it is also possible to employ standard fibre post-processing procedures to tailor the waveguide dimensions and reduce the optical losses over a broad wavelength range. In this tutorial, I review efforts regarding the design, fabrication and optimization of the silicon fibres and outline their potential for applications in areas such as solar harvesting, wearable sensors, and nonlinear signal processing.

Abstract: \nLayered materials are solids consisting of crystalline sheets with strong in-plane covalent bonds and weak van der Waals out-of-plane interactions. These materials can be easily exfoliated to a single layer, obtaining two-dimensional (2D) materials with radically novel physico-chemical characteristics compared to their bulk counterparts. The field of 2D materials began with graphene and quickly expanded to include semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). 2D semiconductors exhibit very strong light-matter interaction and exceptionally intense and ultrafast nonlinear optical response, enabling a variety of novel applications in optoelectronics and photonics. Furthermore, stacking 2D materials into heterostructures (HS) offers unlimited possibilities to design new materials tailored for applications. In such HS the electronic structure of the individual layers is well retained because of the weak interlayer van der Waals coupling. Nevertheless, new physical properties and functionalities arise beyond those of their constituent blocks, depending on the type, the stacking sequence and the twist angle of the layers.\nThis Tutorial will review the key electronic and photonic properties of TMDs and their heterostructures, including strongly bound intralayer excitons, spin-valley locking and valley selectivity. It will also discuss their non-equilibrium properties, such as intralayer exciton formation, their dissociation in HS to form long-lived interlayer excitons, and intervalley scattering processes. It will also discuss the nonlinear optical response of TMDs and approaches to phase match the nonlinear interactions and achieve high conversion efficiencies over unprecedentedly small thicknesses.

Abstract:\nIf an image is worth a thousand words, how many is an animation worth? When is the effort needed to create an animation to visualize your science worth it? In this tutorial we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of animations, and how someone without any artistic skills (like me) can produce effective ones for both outreach or as a teaching aid.