SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics

After nine years as CEO of SPIE and a decades-long career in optics, Kent Rochford announced that he will retire on 13 February 2027. “The privilege to work with amazing SPIE staff and volunteers, and to carry out the role entrusted to me by the SPIE Board of Directors and Membership, has been the highlight of my career. SPIE excels at connecting and engaging people, and reconnecting with old coworkers and classmates and befriending so many new colleagues through our events and activities has been a wonderful gift. SPIE is a terrific organization, and I’m excited for its next phase of growth and success.” Thank you for your leadership and lasting impact on SPIE, Kent. https://lnkd.in/g9aG2y7i

Explore how photonics can help address global sustainability challenges at the #SPIEOpticsPhotonics Sustainability Plenary. 🌎 We're excited to welcome plenary speakers Pramod Reddy (University of Michigan) and Qiaoqiang Gan KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) as they discuss emerging photonic approaches for energy conversion, cooling, and water sustainability. ♻️💧 Reddy will explore advances in radiative heat transfer and how engineered thermal radiation could enable new energy conversion technologies. Gan will highlight thermal photonics strategies for sustainable water treatment, atmospheric water harvesting, and passive cooling in extreme climates. Join us on 23 August in San Diego! Add this session to your conference schedule here: https://lnkd.in/e29dw_cr

Want to expand your knowledge of CMOS image sensors and camera system design? 🤔 Join Richard Crisp for his course "CMOS Image Sensors: Technology, Applications and Camera Design Methodology" on 25 August at #SPIEOpticsPhotonics! This introductory-to-intermediate course covers CMOS image sensor operation, noise sources, system design considerations, performance characterization, and the tradeoffs involved in designing imaging systems. Register by 7 August to take advantage of early bird pricing: https://lnkd.in/eaPedFAE

Caregiving responsibilities shouldn't stand in the way of attending conferences and sharing research. Family Care Grants help #SPIEMembers offset dependent care expenses while attending SPIE conferences, making it easier to present research, collaborate with peers, and engage with the global #optics and #photonics community. Grants of up to $500 are available for eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to funding availability. 🔔 There is still time to apply for a Family Care Grant for #SPIEOpticsPhotonics in San Diego! 🔔 Apply before your conference deadline: https://lnkd.in/e9z2hkax

The #SPIE Society Awards Banquet is back for #SPIEOpticsPhotonics 2026! 🏆 We look forward to recognizing the transformative advancements in diffractive optics, photonics, biomedical optics, optical design, laser science, and more. This time, we invite you to join us at EVE, a brand-new venue with 270-degree views of San Diego Bay. Shuttles will be provided from the convention center. 🎟️ Purchase your banquet ticket while registering for SPIE Optics + Photonics: https://lnkd.in/eX6573EA

We're excited to see you all in Monterey, California, for #SPIEPhotomaskEUV! 🐟☀️ You are invited to join us from 8-11 September for the premier technical meeting for mask makers, EUVL, and emerging technologies. Hear the latest insights, walk the two-day exhibition, and take a course! Register before prices increase on Friday, 21 August: https://lnkd.in/gmUMtamG

A flash of radio waves lasting just a few milliseconds can outshine an entire galaxy. 📡 Known as fast radio bursts (FRBs), these mysterious signals are helping astronomers map ordinary matter, probe the universe's expansion, and investigate some of astronomy's biggest unanswered questions, all while researchers continue searching for their source. 🌌 Discover how radio astronomy is turning these cosmic flashes into powerful scientific tools in the July/August issue of #PhotonicsFocus: https://lnkd.in/eHpj2gVf

We have a new course offering at #SPIEOpticsPhotonics this year! 🚨 Gain a deeper understanding of how air and water affect the performance of optical systems with SC1384: Environmental Optical Effects. 🍃🌊 In this introductory course, taught by Joseph Shaw, participants will learn how environmental optical effects influence remote sensing, free-space optical communications, machine vision, thermal imaging, and lidar system performance. Early bird pricing available through 7 August. 🐦 Explore the course and register: https://lnkd.in/eT7sAXeJ

Sae Woo Nam's pioneering work in superconducting single-photon detectors helped lay the foundation for modern quantum optics and enabled landmark experiments in quantum entanglement. Beyond his groundbreaking research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), colleagues remember Nam as a collaborative leader, dedicated mentor, and scientist who believed every breakthrough was a team effort. Read more about his legacy in #PhotonicsFocus: https://lnkd.in/emGgV3xn

Today is the last #WiOWednesday of the 2026 SPIE #WomenInOptics Notebook! 📒⚛️ On this final Wednesday, we're featuring Nassima Zeggaoui, PhD, MBA, a Technical Manager of Advanced Technologies at Siemens Digital Industries Software. In her role, Zeggaoui leads the development of software solutions for cutting-edge technologies, acting as a connector across engineering, marketing, and sales. "To girls and women considering a career in #STEM: go for it. This field offers endless opportunities to make a real impact, solve important problems, and be part of building the future." Read her profile in the 2026 Women in Optics Notebook: https://lnkd.in/eXksV96Q