Topics

Ultrafast and Nonlinear Nanophotonics:
Optical and electronic properties of materials are strongly modified at reduced dimensions. The scope of this session will be to attract contributions that leverage these new properties to study novel nonlinear and ultrafast effects at the nanoscale.

Integrated Quantum Photonics:
This session seeks original contributions in the area of integrated quantum photonics including, but not limited to: chip-scale quantum photonic integration platforms; nonlinear integrated optics for quantum photonics; on-chip quantum emitter synthesis, integration and characterization; cavity quantum electrodynamics with single emitters; hybrid and heterogeneous integrated quantum photonics; on-chip quantum light sources and detectors; entanglement generation and characterization; quantum cavity optomechanics; integrated photonic quantum simulation, computation, metrology and communications; scalable integrated quantum photonic devices; novel materials for integrated quantum photonics.

Emerging Material Platforms for Plasmonics:
An urgent challenge currently faced by researchers in plasmonics is the ability to identify the next generation of low-loss, tailorable, dynamically switchable, cost-effective, robust and semiconductor-compatible materials for implementation of advanced nanophotonic designs and realization of practical plasmonic devices for applications in on-chip circuitry, imaging, sensing, energy conversion and quantum information technologies.

Active Plasmonics and Nanophotonics:
This session seeks original contributions in the general area of active optical devices and architectures enabled by advanced plasmonic and/or nanophotonic concepts. Examples include, but are not limited to, electron-plasmon interactions, novel ways to generate/detect or amplify light, and to modulate/tune the optical properties of nano-scale photonic devices using an external transduction.

T&E Tools, Challenges, and Opportunities in Photonics:
The National Defense Strategy shares increased emphasis on new technologies to include: advanced computing, “big data “analytics, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, autonomy, robotics, directed energy, hypersonics, and biotechnology. Photonics is a cross-cutting enabler and will drive T&E future needs. New test tools, skills, methods and standards to enable future T&E are needed to keep pace with today’s rapid developments which spans traditional T&E approaches, rapid prototyping and experimentations.

Optical Systems for Characterizing Flow Fields and Combustion in Propulsion Devices:
This session will address efforts to develop and apply new optical systems for multidimensional measurements and imaging of chemical and physical processes in propulsion devices. Such devices include turbine engines, detonation engines, scramjets, and rockets, for example. Measurements of chemical species (e.g., combustion reactants and products), temperature, pressure, velocity, spray characteristics, and other scalar and vector fields are of interest. Active and passive optical approaches exploiting myriad linear and non-linear light–matter interactions (e.g., absorption, luminescence, scattering, incandescence) will be explored.

Displays, Holography and Projection:
Displays, holography and projection: Infrared (IR) optoelectronic emitters hold the potential for a wide array of applications such as infrared scene projection (IRSP) for hardware-in-the-loop testing. The requirements for such emitters include high operational efficiency, emission within designated wavebands, and high power output. Emitter arrays for IRSP systems must be able to emulate real-world phenomena by emitting scenes of high radiometric, spatial, and temporal fidelity. Such systems have fundamental limitations related to response time and maximum simulated apparent temperature, making them unsuitable for emulation of very hot (>700K) and rapidly evolving scenes. Papers that address phenomenology, design, theoretical modeling/simulation, and experimental demonstrations materials, devices and systems for displays, holography and scene projection are invited. Examples include, but is not limited to, new display and projection screen technologies including 3D and holographic displays, alternative material structures and emitters, surface coatings for enhanced extraction efficiencies, as well as device algorithms and driving electronics.

Blast/Shock Wave Imaging and Spectroscopic Techniques:
This topic will cover imaging and spectroscopic techniques relevant to blast/shock waves, explosive events, and/or defense system characterization. Techniques include but are not limited to refractive imaging and laser-based methods. Techniques that are innovative, provide new physical insights, and/or address emerging defense systems are strongly encouraged. Survey and review presentations on the current state of the art are also desired.

Microwave Optics and RF Photonics:
This session will present the latest research in the emerging areas of: (1) Photonic technology for microwave generation; Optical Frequency Comb based RF-Microwave oscillators, clocks and frequency dividers,  (2) RF/microwave-Photonic transmitting/receiving links, (3) ultrafast optical-microwave and millimeter-wave system topologies, (4) ultra-high bandwidth devices for RF-Photonic systems including linear optical modulators and high-power photodetectors, (5) Integrated photonic and optoelectronic circuits for microwave processing, including filtering, distribution, frequency conversion, mixing, correlating and digitizing, (6) Photonic beamforming/steering circuit for microwave phased-array antenna, and (7) Photonic technology for positioning, navigation, and timing.

UV Optoelectronics:
In this session, we will discuss recent advancements in the development of UV optoelectronic devices (λ < 400 nm). The target is to highlight major recent achievements in the field, foster an exchange of ideas and collaborations, and accelerate future development of such technology. Topics will include recent advancements in the field of epitaxial growth of III-nitrides and oxides for UV emitters, doping and control of defects, device design and novel devices, fabrication and contacts for electrically injected lasers and LEDs, and characterization and properties of state-of-the-art emitters. This also includes improved light extraction in UV LEDs, photonics crystals, UV detectors, and new materials for UV optoelectronic applications. Finally, contributions highlighting developments beyond the device level such as wave guiding, integrated photonic circuits, and UV based optoelectronic systems will be included.

Interferometric Analysis Methods:
Interferometric methods are used routinely in x-ray, optical, mm-wave and microwave applications to recover physical properties under study.  However, the setup of the controlled lab system such as for plasma diagnostics, or a fielded system such as radar-based terrain mapping pose substantially different challenges for subsequent analysis of the interferograms.  Lab-based systems can use precision controlled quarter-wave plates, lenses, ambient background, and environmental controls to ensure well-behaved fringe patterns.  Whereas, the air or spaceborne system are subject to random variation of the intervening atmosphere, non-ideal flight path or orbits, and other effects.  This special session invites papers that address interferometry analysis methods for a wide-range of applications.  Therefore, papers that address topics of experimental setup/design to accommodate the analysis, use of specialized components and devices, application of signal and image processing algorithms, or mathematical modeling are welcome.

Optical Sensing and Computational Imaging Systems:
This session will focus on recent advances in the theoretical, computational and algorithmic methods underpinning the development of optical imaging systems for applications in consumer, industrial, military, medical, scientific, astronomical imaging applications and beyond. To cater for such a broad range of application domains, this session therefore welcomes submissions from equally diverse areas including – but not limited to – astronomical imaging, biomedical imaging, coded-aperture imaging, coded illumination, compressive sensing and imaging, computational microscopy, (hyper)spectral imaging, imaging through scattering media, infrared imaging, lensless imaging, LiDAR, light-field sensing, machine learning for computational imaging and optical systems design, non-line-of-sight imaging, phase imaging, ptychography, remote sensing, SAR, super-resolution and tomography.

Dynamic Control of Self-assembled Plasmonic Nanostructures:
This session seeks submissions focused on the directed self-assembly of one, two, or three dimensional plasmonic nanoparticle assemblies in suspensions or on surfaces. The optical, chemical, or biological responses of these assemblies resulting from controlling the nanoparticle size, shape, order, geometry, material, or charge-transfer as well as the dynamic tunability of both the linear and nonlinear optical processes from ultra-fast to steady-state is also of interest.

Non-Epitaxial Optoelectronic Devices:
Solution-processed optoelectronic materials and devices have continuously garnered significant interest due to their low-cost and process accessibility relative to epitaxy. This session focuses on the modeling, simulation, fabrication, and characterization of optoelectronic materials and devices made from solution-processed inorganic materials and nanostructures. Topics include, but are not limited to, solution-processed colloidal quantum dots for infrared applications, nanophotonic devices, emitters and lasers, phase-change materials, and perovskites.

Modeling and Simulation for Advanced Photonics:
This session seeks submissions related to theoretical and computational research of nascent photonic materials, including low-dimensional, active, nonreciprocal, and topological materials, among others. Classical, semi-classical and quantum electromagnetic methodologies that seek to explain experimental observables and to design advanced concepts are of interest. Topics on development, application and implementation of computational numerical and analytical methods, also coupled to optimization methods, data analysis tools, including machine learning algorithms, or derivation of appropriate materials properties are sought. M&S for advanced applications, include, for example, photonic or electronic devices, quantum phenomena, or metamaterials design.

Infrared Organic Materials & Properties:
Polymers and small molecules with bandgaps and other direct electronic transitions in the infrared spectral regions between 1 um – 14 um (shortwave infrared – longwave infrared) are a newly emerging area of organic materials. This topic will cover the infrared properties of organic polymers and small molecules intended for use into domains traditionally dominated by inorganic materials. It will include fundamental photophysical studies, device work, thin film processing, and organic materials with other interesting infrared, optical, electrical, spin, and magnetic properties.

Two Dimensional and Topological Materials:
This session seeks submissions related to 2D and topological materials and heterostructures for photonics. 2D materials, Topological insulators, Weyl semimetals, Dirac semimetals, and novel materials exhibiting topological behavior are of interest. Topics on the synthesis, characterization and incorporation of these materials into photonic applications are sought. The exploration and development of new 2D and topological materials is also relevant.

Materials and Devices for Biosensing:
This session will focus on the enabling technologies of materials and devices as they pertain to development of biosensing platforms. Particular interest will be given to topics that include new/emerging materials and devices that enable: novel biosensor design and fabrication, new or enhanced signal transduction methods, improved analyte sensitivity/selectivity, and new bioreceptor immobilization schemes.

Biosensing Methods:
This session will focus on the interfacing of biologically-inspired sensing elements and sensor platforms for detection and quantification of different biomarkers beyond the current state-of-the-art. Especial emphasis will be placed on the development of new technologies that allow multi-analyte quantification with high sensitivity in low biofluid volumes for next generation biomarker signature quantification.

Human State Measurement:
This session will focus on emerging Human State Measurement methodologies and models including, but not limited to, wearable/epidermal devices, motion capture, chemical/biochemical biomarker sensing, data analytics and machine learning. The human states of interest to measure include, but not limited to, the cognitive, psychological, physiological, and stress levels of individual or group of humans. In addition, finding means and mechanisms to correlate the measured human states to the various human performance levels, such as fatigue, sleep deprivation, physical/psychological strength, are explored throughout the session.

Methods and Systems for High Speed Imaging and Sensing of Biological Systems:
This session will focus on imaging systems and methods for observing dynamic biological processes at sub-microsecond time resolution. Relevant imaging types include optical (visible and/or infrared), electromagnetic (e.g., RF/microwave, x-ray), acoustic (ultrasound), and other radiation sources (e.g., electron). Two- and three-dimensional feature identification and image reconstruction at relevant biological length scales (e.g., cellular and organelle processes) are anticipated. Additionally, sensing technologies used to rapidly assess physiological parameters of a biological system are of interest. Such technologies could include methods for visualizing temperature or electromagnetic fields within a biological system among others. Experimental, analytic, and/or image-processing methods for enhancing image quality or estimating physical properties are also sought.

Human Machine Symbiosis
This session will focus on the scientific approaches that facilitate a stronger connection between the human and technology and technological systems. Such human machine symbiosis will lead to advancements in training and cognitive performance enhancement. Relevant topics include work involving brain machine interfaces, neuromodulation, modelling and simulation, advanced materials and circuits development, novel algorithm development to interpret human physiological and/or behavioral signals, and adaptive content delivery.

Novel Materials for Photonics:
This session seeks submissions broadly related to emergent optical materials for photonic applications. Of great interest are novel materials and structures that enable new functions or optical control relevant to DoD applications. Potential material examples include (but are not limited to) amorphous or disordered materials, 2D and layered materials, complex oxides, optoelectronic materials, optical metasurfaces, etc. Also sought are insights surrounding structure-property-processing relationships due to the synthesis, growth, or fabrication of representative materials and the expected impact on pending optical device or coating integration.

Semiconductor Materials and Quantum Nanoscience:
This session seeks submissions on potential devices in emerging quantum materials and related modeling, fabrication, and characterization. Particular emphasis should be on the processing and material characteristics that limit or extend their use for their intended application. Examples are nanoscale quantum optics and optomechanics devices, novel single photon detector materials, novel plasmonic structures, etc.

Recent Advances, Discoveries and Future Opportunities in Photonic Nano-Materials:
This Session on photonic nano-materials will focus on the latest advances, insights and discoveries in the fundamental and applied aspects of light-matter interactions, at the nanoscale. The Session will focus on growing trends and future opportunities, especially those presenting high-risk and high-gain aspects. It will cover novel theoretical advances, phenomena, emergent technological applications, new fabrication techniques and innovative characterization methods. Photonic nano-materials are of interest to an interdisciplinary scientific community, including material and optical scientists, chemists, physicists and engineers who seek to understanding and manipulate materials and their interactions with light at the nanoscale.

Scalable Manufacturing and Rapid Prototyping for Photonics:
Fundamental process innovations are needed to enable a range of next generation photonic technologies. This session will focus on challenges in the area of photonic materials and device fabrication, especially for large-area applications. This session will emphasize manufacturing methods including or related to 3-D printing, bottom-up synthesis of hierarchical nanoscale materials and devices, self-assembly, separation/purification processes, and high-throughput characterization.

High Peak and Average Power Laser Technology Solid State:
Submissions are sought on next generation technology for developing higher peak and average power lasers, from petawatt (10^15 W) and exawatt (10^18 W) class lasers to high average power lasers with > kW output at various wavelengths. (CW to pulsed at ns to fs pulse durations). Interest is in new laser gain media, novel amplifier, stretcher-compressor and optics design with optimization of parameters like group velocity dispersion and heat-load management. Advances in high peak power and high average power pulsed lasers with wavelengths greater than 1.5 microns are of particular interest.

Terahertz Photonics:
This session seeks submissions related to broad applications of THz photonics. Generally defined in the frequency range of 0.3–10THz, THz photonics has attracted tremendous interest owing to potential applications in imaging, sensing, broadband communications, security, defense, and non-destructive testing. Theoretical, numerical, and experimental papers are sought that cover topics included; advances in THz sources and detectors, devices, QCLs, other components and imaging systems; antennas and sensors; novel materials, such as ferroelectrics, superconductors, nanostructures, and low- and two-dimensional materials; new phenomena in THz metamaterials, metasurfaces, plasmonics, waveguides, photonic crystals, phonons, and nonlinearities; new quantum phenomena; and applications of spectroscopic techniques and other THz radiation in physical and life sciences and industry.

Lasers/Emitters:
This session will showcase original work on emitters operating across the electromagnetic spectrum (UV to THz). Topics include lasers operating from THz to UV, dynamics and noise in semiconductor lasers and systems, nano- or subwavelength- scale lasers and emitters, emitters based on low-dimensional materials (quantum wires, dots and layered materials), vertical cavity emitters, fiber lasers, high power and high brightness sources and source arrays, ultrafast lasers, and emitters for integrated photonic applications. In addition, we seek results demonstrating novel materials systems for light emitters and approaches for leveraging enhanced light-matter interaction for new forms of light emitters, including emitters to generate non-classical light. Finally, submissions demonstrating applications of emitters and sources for security, defense, and sensing applications, as well as the development of optical systems based on new types of light sources, are encouraged.

High Power Laser Matter Interaction:
This session will seek submissions on new fundamental basic research, innovative technologies solve critical security and defense challenges on high power laser matter interaction. As example, the topics of interest will include but are not limited to: laser induced non-linear and thermal interaction with matter, laser-plasma interaction, secondary source generation, high average power effects, modeling and computational techniques.

Ultrashort Pulsed Laser Technology and Applications:
This session will focus on recent research efforts in the area of ultrashort pulsed laser (USPL) systems and potential applications for these systems. This session welcomes submissions from a broad area including experimental generation of the supercontinuum (SC) effect in air and/or bulk optical materials, modeling of the SC effect in air and/or bulk optical materials, damage to materials from USPLs, and others. Submissions describing work with potential defense and security applications are encouraged.

Spectral, Polarimetric, and Multimodal Imaging:
This session will explore emerging developments in sensor concepts and designs, system analysis, target and background phenomenology, and signal and image processing methods relating to hyperspectral, multispectral, hypertemporal, and polarimetric imaging systems. Defense applications ranging from close-proximity non-destructive evaluation to remote sensing for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting will be considered. Additionally, sensors and systems that enable multi-modal measurements across space, spectrum, time, angle, polarization, and distance, and their associated tradespaces, will be discussed.

Optical Detectors and Focal Plane Arrays:
Topics include photoconductive and photovoltaic devices from UV to THz; novel detector materials; quantum confined detectors; thermal and photon detectors; high speed detectors; novel detection mechanisms including plasmonic and metamaterials; polarization sensors; multispectral and hyperspectral sensors; and phase-change materials for photodetection; MEMS-based components; focal plane arrays, novel hybridization and heterogeneous integration techniques; multicolor and tunable focal plane arrays.

RF and Optical Target Imaging, Identification, and Pattern Recognition:
We seek papers on new techniques for extracting target information from RF or optical sensor data. Extracted target information may include location, velocity, constituent electrical properties, shape, class, or any other distinguishing characteristic. Papers focusing on advancements in algorithms, signal processing techniques, or hardware strategies are welcome. Techniques of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Image formation and image processing
• Compressive sensing
• Machine learning, artificial intelligence, and
automatic target recognition
• Inverse scattering and inverse problems
• Computational electromagnetics
• Synthetic aperture radar
• Array signal processing
• Micro-Doppler analysis
• Sensor fusion
• Polarimetric and interferometric processing

Optical Detectors/Sensors:
This session will showcase original work in optical detector materials, detector architectures, and sensing modalities across the electromagnetic spectrum (from UV to IR to THz). The goal is to highlight recent advances in detector technology and to bring together materials, optics, and electronics expertise with designers of optical/photonic systems. Topics will include: epitaxial growth of detector materials, novel growth techniques for optical materials, infrared (SWIR, MWIR, LWIR, FIR) detectors and focal plane arrays, THz detection, high speed detectors, single photon detectors and/or optical detector for quantum information processing applications, UV-visible single-element and focal plane array detectors, integration of optical detectors with CMOS technology, and bolometric materials and detection schemes. Finally, contributions exploring new mechanisms for optical detection, new detector architectures, and novel optical materials, as well as presentations focused on new optical/photonic systems enabled by advances in detector technology will be included.

Resonant Photonic Lattices:
Principles and applications, Session Chairs: I. Avrutsky; Description: Subwavelength scale optical devices with 1D or 2D pattering constitute generalized optical lattices facilitating complex transformations of electromagnetic fields in spectral and spatial domains. In modern parlance, this device class contains metamaterials, metagratings, and photonic crystals. This session addresses linear and nonlinear resonant optical interactions enabled by lightwave confinement and/or scattering in such structures. Topics of submission include guided-mode resonance physics and effects, novel subwavelength resonator concepts, nonreciprocity in photonic lattices, effects of highly confined optical modes, nonlinear phenomena in periodic waveguides, metamaterial reflector physics, resonant optical sensor concepts and related topics.

Optical Metamaterials Based Devices and Applications:
Optical Metamaterials have opened the door to unprecedented control of the electromagnetic material properties and created a remarkable platform for manipulating and enhancing light-matter interactions by design. In addition, they enabled the realization of many material properties that cannot be found in natural materials. This ability has led to novel and counter-intuitive concepts, devices, and creative solutions to long-standing technological challenges. This session seeks submissions that cover a broad range of metamaterials-related topics, including but not limited to: novel device concepts; nonlinear, tunable, and reconfigurable metamaterials; chiral and bianisotropic metamaterials; nonreciprocal and topological metamaterials; quantum metamaterials; homogenization and effective medium models; transformation electromagnetics; metamaterials for chemical and biological sensing; experimental techniques and characterization of metamaterials, and system-level devices integration that is enabled/enhanced by metamaterials.

Dynamic Control of Self-assembled Plasmonic Nanostructures:
This session seeks submissions focused on the directed self-assembly of one, two, or three dimensional plasmonic nanoparticle assemblies in suspensions or on surfaces. The optical, chemical, or biological responses of these assemblies resulting from controlling the nanoparticle size, shape, order, geometry, material, or charge-transfer as well as the dynamic tunability of both the linear and nonlinear optical processes from ultra-fast to steady-state is also of interest.

Optical Metasurfaces and Applications:
Optical metasurfaces are ultra-thin optical devices that have enabled unprecedented control over the phase, amplitude, or polarization of light. This session will cover optical frequency (infrared, visible, and ultraviolet) metasurface designs and applications.  The emphasis will be on active devices and approaches that enable dynamic tunability, gain, or nonlinear response of the metasurface elements or device. Presentations connecting applications to the design flexibility of metasurfaces to offer thin and flat optics, functional optical coatings, and reconfigurable optical systems will be encouraged.

EO/IR/LADAR:
This session focuses on the use of state-of-the-art EO/IR passive imaging and LADAR sensor systems for defense applications such as surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting. EO/IR passive and active imaging systems are required to accomplish these goals for moving and stationary targets in a diverse range of settings including desert, forest, and urban environments. Sensors need to be able to robustly differentiate between background objects and targets of interest. Modeling and/or experimental investigation of the performance of these systems for detecting, tracking, recognizing, and identifying targets is of interest. Operational spectral bands may include visible to the long wave IR. LADAR systems considered for this section may include multispectral, polarimetric, as well as other sensing modalities.

Devices and Systems for Sensors:
This track will focus on multidisciplinary research that investigates optical systems in order to understand and apply the principles that enable such high performing systems. Topics covered will include optical technologies/architectures, sensors, signal and information processing. Areas of interest include GRIN and free-form optics, novel transducers, integrated sensing and processing, natural polarization and spectral signatures, materials and structures, multi-aperture architectures, size weight and power (SWAP) issues, performance metrics / figures of merit for unconventional approaches, etc.

Instrumentation for Test and Evaluation of Nonlinear Plasma Effects In Space Physics Applications:
Recent lower cost space flight opportunities may enable better correlation of ground experiments and flight tests. Study of nonlinear plasma effects associated with space physics is an area of high importance dependent on instrumentation and experimentation. The session speakers will overview ground based test, scientific opportunities and the role of flight experiments to maximize ground based instrumentation to improve our knowledge of nonlinear plasma effects.

Photonics and Future Warfighter Operational Concepts:
Photonics are a key enabling technology for new capabilities that build the foundation for a future Joint Force that conducts complex, multi-domain operations, even under the most difficult scenarios. It is important to leverage advanced technologies to expand a diverse warfighting portfolio and drive enterprise-wide solutions to develop new ways of operating as a joint force. Leveragering photonics to accelerate transformational science and technology (S&T) for our warfighters now and in the future is at the forefront. This session overviews strategic drivers shaping the defense S&T portfolio and how photonics play a key role to solve these challenges.