SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics

Another year has come to an end, but Don't Stop Us Now: #PhotonicsWest is traveling at the speed of light, just weeks away. While we are Under Pressure to bring you the best event yet, we wanted to take time to re-introduce you to the four rockstars who make up the 2025 SPIE presidential chain: President Peter de Groot, President-Elect Julie Bentley, Vice President Cather Simpson, and Immediate Past President Jennifer Barton. 🎸 Be sure to say hello to these Cool Cats if you see them around the Moscone Center in San Francisco! 👋

A new study in #BiophotonicsDiscovery demonstrates the potential of Raman spectroscopy to improve surgical precision for children with drug-resistant epilepsy. This noninvasive technique accurately identifies focal cortical dysplasia type II tissue with 96% accuracy, aiding surgeons in removing only the affected tissue. This advancement could enhance seizure control and surgical success in pediatric epilepsy cases. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gFmufK9h

We are excited to announce that John D. W. Madden, professor of electrical and computer engineering at The University of British Columbia, will take the plenary stage at #SPIEsmart! His presentation will cover soft sensors for non-destructive evaluation, robotics, and interfacing with nerves. "We are developing two simple technologies intended to help machines and medical devices detect their surroundings. The first employs capacitive sensors to detect normal forces, shear, and proximity. With a dielectric made of elastomer pillars, these are highly compliant, sensitive to sub-kilopascal level stresses, and operate into the megapascals." Join us on 18 March in Vancouver! Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gW84RKcU

Stay ahead of the curve! Learn the latest trends in diffractive optics and meta-optics with the course Understanding Diffractive and Meta-Optics, taught by Yakov Soskind, PhD, FOSA, FSPIE of Coherent Photonics at #SPIEDCS. This course covers the fundamental principles of diffraction phenomena. Attendees will also learn the important terminology employed in the field of diffractive optics. 👓 Who should take this course? Engineers, scientists, college students, and #photonics enthusiasts who would like to broaden their knowledge and understanding of diffractive optics. Early bird pricing is valid until 28 March. 🐦 Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gggHu6gf

If you’re tackling challenges in detector and sensor systems, infrared, laser systems, spectral imaging, lidar, or other sensing technologies, be sure to register for #SPIEDCS. Join other researchers and collaborate towards solutions in Orlando, Florida from 13-17 April 2025. Register here: https://lnkd.in/geY9qTjz

Join us for this month's #SPIE Education Webinar on 26 March. We will hear from Italo Toselli of TurbOttica LLC. This is a one-hour preview of Italo Toselli’s in-person course, scheduled at #SPIEDCS. In this presentation, Italo will explain what optical turbulence is, how it is statistically described, and how it affects the propagation of laser beams through the atmosphere.

"When I was a little girl, my parents gave me a mini-microscope, and I started to study the plants in my garden. Growing up, I always had a strong passion for math and science and by the end of high school, I realized that I wanted to explore this passion as a physicist. I am amazed every time I learn how to describe a phenomenon using such an elegant language." This week, we're highlighting Giulia Guarda for #WiOWednesday! Guarda is a PhD student at LENS - European Laboratory for Non-linear Spectroscopy, and DTU Electro. She is also a Quantum Photonics Consultant at QTI SRL. ⚛️ Read her profile in the 2025 #SPIE #WomenInOptics notebook: https://lnkd.in/gPSw2qC7

At #SPIElitho, experts discussed the future of #lithography as chips move from 2D to 3D structures. While Moore’s Law has driven the shrinking of transistors to increase chip density, chip makers are now tackling scaling challenges by incorporating a third dimension. This shift, particularly in backside power delivery, is essential for maximizing performance in new 3D transistor architectures. Mark Phillips of Intel Corporation highlighted how backside power delivery solves the power bottleneck by separating power lines from signal lines, reducing congestion. This requires thinning the wafer through a careful grinding process, which must be precisely controlled to avoid damaging the front circuitry. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gfX-RA2w

Future-proof your career with a course at #SPIEDCS! ⚛️ Take Quantum Technology Essentials for Non-Quantum Professionals, taught by Moamer Hasanovic of Syracuse University. As quantum breakthroughs transition from research labs to industry applications, there is a growing demand for professionals who can understand and support Quantum 2.0 in the commercial environment. Early bird pricing valid until 28 March. 🐦 Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gDN7s6s4

In just over one week, we will welcome Steven Griffin of Boeing to the #SPIEsmart plenary stage in Vancouver! His presentation will focus on active vibration control of large, optical space structures. "The Strategic Defense Initiative was exploring a Space-Based LASER for missile defense, and other large space telescopes were the subject of government and astronomical organizations. Common to all of these applications was the desire for a stiff telescope structure that had significant vibration damping." Join us on 20 March: https://lnkd.in/ggYkhB-D