Topic Categories

CLEO: QELS—Fundamental Science
CLEO: Science and Innovations
CLEO: Applications & Technology

CLEO: QELS—Fundamental Science

1. Quantum Optics of Atoms, Molecules and Solids
2. Quantum Science, Engineering and Technology
3. Metamaterials and Complex Media
4. Optical Excitations and Ultrafast Phenomena in Condensed Matter
5. Nonlinear Optics and Novel Phenomena
6. Nano-Optics and Plasmonics
7. High-Field Physics and Attosciences

Topic Descriptions:

FS 1: Quantum Optics of Atoms, Molecules and Solids
Topics include, but are not limited to, laser cooling and trapping; quantum dots; circuit quantum optics; superconducting qubits; NV centers in diamond; degenerate atomic gases; electromagnetically induced transparency and slow light; optical lattices; cold collisions; coherent transients; advanced quantum protocols for future optical frequency standards and precision measurements with cold atoms or ions; cold molecules; trapped ions; atom optics and lithography.

FS 2: Quantum Science, Engineering and Technology
Topics include, but are not limited to, generation, detection, characterization and application of squeezed, entangled, and other non-classical states; quantum measurement and control; quantum feedback; quantum sensors and quantum metrology; single-photon sources and detectors; quantum communication and cryptography; quantum information processing; quantum repeaters; quantum error correction, fault-tolerant architectures, and other approaches to decoherence suppression; fundamental studies of decoherence, quantum measurement theory, and quantum statistical mechanics; novel quantum algorithms and protocols.

FS 3: Metamaterials and Complex Media
Topics include, but are not limited to, fundamentals of metamaterials, photonic crystals, random and aperiodic media; transformation optics; plasmonic nanomaterials, negative and near-zero refractive index materials; chaotic optics; chiral media; multiple scattering and light localization; microlasers and random lasers; nonlinear optics in metamaterials and complex media; slow light in photonic nanostructures, ultrafast optics in metamaterials and complex media, hybrid systems, exciton-plasmon interaction, gain and loss compensation in metamaterials and plasmonics, novel effects in metamaterials and complex media, linear and nonlinear optical properties of nanoantennas and coupled systems.

FS 4: Fundamental Science 4: Optical Excitations and Ultrafast Phenomena in Condensed Matter
Topics include, but are not limited to, fundamental optical processes in semiconductors, metals, insulators, superconductors, magnetic materials, and strongly correlated materials; CW and time-resolved optical spectroscopy of elementary and collective excitations in solids, including low-dimensional systems such as quantum wells, wires, dots, nanocrystals, organics, graphene, and nanotubes; ultrafast dynamics of charges, spins, excitons, phonons, plasmons, polarons, polaritons, and other excitations; low-energy phenomena in the gigahertz, terahertz, and infrared, including electron spin resonance, cyclotron resonance, and intersubband transitions; ultrafast and nonlinear optical phenomena and coherent control in condensed matter; strongly driven systems and non-perturbative light-matter coupling.

FS 5: Nonlinear Optics and Novel Phenomena
Topics include, but are not limited to, nonlinear optics in condensed matter, fluids, gases, and plasmas; new nonlinear optical materials; supercontinuum phenomena; extreme UV and X-ray generation; single-photon nonlinear optics; nonlinear dynamics of light; optics of few cycle light pulses; nonlinear phenomena in the THz region; solitons, vortices, and singularities; nonlinear optics in photonic crystals, waveguide arrays, nanocavities, slow light media, and metamaterials; local field effects; near-field and sub-wavelength linear and nonlinear optics; novel linear and nonlinear surface phenomena, multiphoton spectroscopy and other novel methods for sensing; optical micro-manipulation of particles.

FS 6: Nano-Optics and Plasmonics
Topics include, but are not limited to, optics with sub-wavelength resolution; linear and nonlinear spectroscopy of nanostructures, single atoms, and molecules in solid hosts; near-field optics; nanocavities and nanoapertures; light in confined structures; nanolithography; coupled nanosystems (photonic dots, quantum dots, and quantum dot inside of a photonic dot); nanolasers; plasmon and polariton optics; ultrafast plasmonics and plasmonic sensing.

FS 7: High-Field Physics and Attoscience
Topics include, but are not limited to, strong field science including interactions with atoms, molecules, clusters and plasmas; production and measurement of attosecond pulses and pulse trains; production of ultrafast extreme UV and X-ray pulses using high harmonic sources and XFELs; application of attosecond pulses to atomic and molecular systems; ultrafast molecular imaging and dynamics in the gas phase using femtosecond lasers, XFELs, x-ray diffraction and electron diffraction; high field rescattering and recollision physics; studies of atomic and molecular systems using XFEL sources; high-energy-density science, and high-intensity laser-matter interactions, including unique states of matter obtainable with these lasers.

CLEO: Science and Innovations

1. Light-matter Interactions and Materials Processing
2. Advanced Science and Technology for Laser Systems and Facilities
3. Semiconductor Lasers
4. Nonlinear Optical Technologies
5. Terahertz Technologies and Applications
6. Optical Materials, Fabrication and Characterization
7. Micro- and Nano-Photonic Devices
8. Ultrafast Optics, Optoelectronics and Applications
9. Components, Integration, Interconnects and Signal Processing
10. Biophotonics and Optofluidics
11. Fiber, Fiber Amplifiers, Lasers and Devices
12. Lightwave Communications and Optical Networks
13. Active Optical Sensing
14. Optical Metrology
15. LEDS, Photovoltaics and Energy-Efficient ("Green") Photonics

Topic Descriptions:

S&I 1: Light-matter Interactions and Materials Processing
Topics include, but are not limited to, the science of laser-materials interactions and materials processing from continuous-wave to ultrafast time scales and from the nanoscale to macroscale; innovations in laser fabrication techniques for materials synthesis; coupled photon-materials interactions such as plasmon polaritons or surface acoustic waves for materials modification; wavelength selective electronic and vibrational excitations in materials; coherent, nonlinear and multiphoton effects; time-, frequency- and space-resolved techniques for controls, diagnostics and process monitoring; and beam shaping, pulse shaping and adaptive optics in materials processing.

S&I 2:  Advanced Science and Technology for Laser Systems and Facilities
Topics include, but are not limited to fundamental laser science, technology development and system-related issues, including: laser science – fundamental issues, including dynamics and spectroscopic investigations of novel laser media; laser technology – unusual pump sources and resonator geometries; modeling of lasers and resonators; laser systems – hybrid laser systems (e.g. – fiber/solid-state/OPCPA); laser beam shaping and combining; temporal pulse shaping (except ultrafast); adaptive optics and wavefront control; laser materials – solid-state, liquid and gas, including: ceramics, Raman, alkali metal vapor, colloidal-suspension and other liquid media, and organic dye-based lasers in solid hosts; high-average-power lasers – laser systems producing over 10 W; thermal and thermo-optical effects in lasers, including cryogenic laser; high-intensity and high-energy lasers and technology – recent progress in terawatt to petawatt lasers, including: front-end systems (joint sessions with S&I-08), diffraction gratings, and optics;  fusion lasers; lasers and laser diagnostics for large research facilities – free-electron lasers, laser-based high harmonic generation, EUV and X-ray sources.

S&I 3: Semiconductor Lasers
Topics include, but are not limited to, visible lasers; near-infrared lasers, mid to-far-infrared lasers; quantum cascade lasers from near-IR to THz; high-power and high-brightness lasers including 1- and 2-D laser arrays; quantum well, wire, and dot lasers; tunable and/or single mode lasers and lasers for WDM; high-speed modulation dynamics; mode-locked lasers; integrated laser structures; vertical cavity lasers; semiconductor disk lasers; photonic crystal lasers; nanolasers; plasmon lasers, hybrid and epitaxial Si-based lasers; novel laser structures and applications; and effects of materials on laser performance.

S&I 4: Nonlinear Optical Technologies
Topics include, but are not limited to, nonlinear wavelength conversion, optical parametric processes, quasi-phase-matching techniques and devices; third-order and higher order processes, wave mixing, stimulated scattering, self- and cross-phase modulation; phenomena and techniques involving propagation instabilities, continuum generation, filamentation and optical solitons; exploitation of nonlinear optics in waveguides, fibers and surface waves; novel nonlinear materials and structures; nonlinearities in gain media, laser cavities, and optical amplifiers; applications of nonlinear optical effects in nanostructures and metamaterials; methods and techniques of nonlinear spectroscopy; novel optical applications of nonlinear phenomena; nonlinear optical effects leading to laser damage; and technologies and methods based on near-field nonlinear optics.

S&I 5: Terahertz Technologies and Applications
Topics include, but are not limited to, sources and systems that provide access to the far- infrared region of the spectrum, in the approximate range from 200 GHz to 30 THz, including ultrafast time-domain systems, high-intensity terahertz sources, direct generation using terahertz lasers, and cw generation based on nonlinear optical mixing; applications using terahertz radiation for static or time-resolved, linear and nonlinear spectroscopy, sensing, and imaging in physics, chemistry, biophotonics as well as technical sciences; advances in terahertz communications concepts and systems; new terahertz measurement techniques and instrumentation, including advances in imaging configurations, detector technologies, and terahertz optical components and waveguides; and terahertz optical measurements using surface plasmons, near-field effects, photonic crystals and metamaterials, and nonlinear optics.

S&I 6: Optical Materials, Fabrication and Characterization
Topics include, but are not limited to, concepts, design, fabrication and characterization of novel, conventional, structured, or engineered optical materials, components and devices for photonic applications; micro- and nanofabrication techniques; low-dimensional structures – quantum wires and wells; nanotubes/nanoneedles; liquid-based adaptive optics; organic emitters and absorbers; non-linear optical materials; optical materials for high power/intensity applications and systems; and characterization of transient material modifications and processes leading to material failure at operational conditions.

S&I 7: Micro- and Nano-Photonic Devices
Topics include, but are not limited to, microfabricated devices with sub-wavelength dimensions of optical confinement and intended for on-chip applications. Device design may be based on high index contrast micro photonic structures, photonic crystals, resonators, or surface plasmons. Devices may be fabricated in group IV or group III-V semiconductors, or in other materials compatible with on-chip integration, including polymers. Devices may be passive, active or a combination thereof. Nonlinear effects including optomechanics in micro and nano devices, as well as linear and nonlinear effects enhanced by high index contrast waveguides, resonators or photonic crystals, are of interest.

S&I 8: Ultrafast Optics, Optoelectronics and Applications
Topics include, but are not limited to, ultrafast solid-state, semiconductor, and fiber (<500fs) lasers; ultrafast optoelectronic and electro-optic materials, devices, and systems; ultrafast measurement techniques and pulse shaping; new ultrafast laser materials; high average power ultrafast amplification (>1kHz); and ultrafast optical parametric oscillators and amplifiers.

S&I 9: Components, Integration, Interconnects and Signal Processing
Topics include, but are not limited to, discrete components and their integrated systems, photonic integrated circuits, microsystem integration, short-distance optical interconnections, and signal processing subsystems. Discrete components may be either free-space optical devices or waveguide devices with wavelength-scale or greater dimensions of optical confinement. Types of components include optical modulators, switches and amplifiers, optical detectors and focal-plane arrays, passive optical components (filters, isolators, splitters), and optical micro-electrical-mechanical devices. Integration approaches may be either monolithic or hybrid, may involve micro- and nano-photonic fabrication techniques, may involve integration with electronics, and may range in scale from a few devices to high densities. Interconnect and signal processing topics include novel transmitters and receivers, free-space and waveguide optical processing, microwave photonic analog links and signal processing for non-telecommunications applications, and photonic analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters.

S&I 10: Biophotonics and Optofluidics
Topics include but are not limited to biomedical optics, laser medical diagnostics and therapeutics; optical biopsy; optofluidics for bioanalytics and other photonic applications, biosensing and other related applications, including spectroscopic optical diagnostics; diffuse optical imaging, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence techniques; bio-photonic fluorescence materials and techniques; optical coherence tomography; advanced biological endoscopy and microscopy; molecular imaging, photochemistry and photobiology; multi- and hyperspectral imaging; laser tissue interactions; laser surgery; photodynamic therapy; minimally invasive optical diagnostics; photoacoustic techniques; optics in biotechnology; image reconstruction and processing; optical-system engineering for medicine; optical and photonic biosensors; pathogen detection; optical tweezing and manipulation in biological or medical applications; optogenetics; lab-on-chip devices; on-chip imaging techniques; single molecule spectroscopy; microfluidically tunable or reconfigurable optical and photonic systems; photonic crystals; optofluidic assembly and lithographic techniques; on-chip light and laser sources. Primarily for studies that have not progressed beyond pilot studies.

S&I 11: Fiber, Fiber Amplifiers, Lasers and Devices
Topics include, but are not limited to, fiber lasers, CW and pulsed, mode-locked fiber oscillators, high-power fiber lasers, coherent and non-coherent combination of fiber lasers, etc.; fiber amplifiers such as doped fiber amplification, ultra-wideband fiber amplifiers, Raman amplification, discrete & distributed amplifiers, coherent and non-coherent combination of fiber amplifiers, etc.; optical fiber such as silica and non-silica fibers, photonic crystal fibers, microstructured fiber, multi-core fiber, highly nonlinear fibers, fiber design, materials, fabrication and characterization, fiber properties like chromatic dispersion and polarization-mode dispersion, fiber-based measurements, and fiber based nonlinear effects like nonlinear amplification, pulse interactions, ultrafast phenomena, supercontiuum generation; and fiber devices such as fiber gratings, microstructured fiber devices, polarization-mode- and chromatic-dispersion compensators, fiber beam combiners, fibers for sensing, etc.

S&I 12: Lightwave Communications and Optical Networks
Topics include, but are not limited to, long-haul and short-haul fiber-optic communication systems and networks; optical access networks; effects of fiber nonlinearities and other transmission impairments on system performance; system applications of optical amplifiers; advanced optical modulation formats; digital signal processing techniques; coding including forward error correction for optical systems; coherent detection and advanced receiver structures; free-space optical communication links; atmospheric effects and their mitigation; wavelength and time-division multiplexed systems; optical subcarrier-multiplexed technologies; telecommunications applications of microwave photonics; optical routing and switching in networks; all-optical processing in devices and networks; optics-based network elements for routing and switching; and novel optical network elements.

S&I 13: Active Optical Sensing
Topics include, but are not limited to the science and development of active optical sensing strategies, including remote sensing and point sensing; fiber sensors; chemical and biological agent detection and identification; detection of surface-bound contamination; active optical detection of ionizing radiation; indoor and outdoor environmental monitoring; industrial/thermal process monitoring; combustion and emissions monitoring; measurement of air, water, and soil quality; atmospheric studies; spacecraft and aircraft safety; and mapping and imaging. Techniques of interest include differential absorption lidar, fluorescence spectroscopy, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, photoacoustic spectroscopy, ring-down spectroscopy, active multispectral and hyperspectral imaging from the UV to the IR, tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy, Doppler imaging, heterodyne and homodyne detection, time-of-flight ranging, and Pockels effect detection.

S&I 14: Optical Metrology
Topics include, but are not limited to, optical devices, instruments, and technologies for precision measurements; time and frequency metrology; optical frequency standards; length, distance, and dimensional metrology; lasers, supercontinua, and broadband sources for optical metrology; frequency-comb generation, control, and applications; carrier-envelope phase control; conversion between optical and microwave frequencies; optical transmission and dissemination of time and frequency; light-matter interaction for metrology; pulse shaping and arbitrary waveform generation; instrumentation and devices for optical metrology; precision interferometry and other novel measurement methods, including correlation, modulation, imaging microscopy, and nano-probing.
 

S&I 15: LEDS, Photovoltaics and Energy-Efficient ("Green") Photonics
Topics include, but are not limited to, photonic devices and systems designed to have reduced energy consumption; application of photonic technology to improve energy efficiency; photonic techniques for energy generation and transmission; inorganic light-emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), and hybrid light-emitting diodes based on group III-V, II-VI, and IV semiconductors, polymers, and organic molecules; superluminescent diodes (SLDs), LEDs, and OLEDs based on rare-earth-doped materials, nanocrystals, and photonic crystals; ultraviolet LEDs for water/air/surface purification and biodetection/monitoring; novel approaches to high-power and high-brightness LEDs including approaches for improved photon extraction; wavelength converter materials, such as phosphors, dyes, and quantum dots; novel materials, physics, and devices; LED backlighting systems for displays; flat-panel, projection, and micro-displays using liquid crystals, organic and polymeric devices, and plasma electro-luminescence; flexible displays and plastic substrates; inorganic, organic, and hybrid photovoltaics operating at visible and IR wavelengths; and surface modification techniques which improve photon absorption (for photovoltaics) or photon extraction (for LEDs).

CLEO: Applications & Technology

1. Biomedical
2. Environment/Energy
3. Government & National Science, Security & Standards Applications
4. Industrial

Topic Descriptions:

A&T 1: Biomedical
This track focuses on the translation of new applications from the bench-top to the bedside and on advanced engineering and applied studies. Topics may include clinical studies that demonstrate accuracy of a diagnostic or therapeutic modality, clinical demonstration and validation of bio-photonic devices, and large-scale trials of biosensors.

Topics include, but are not limited to:

• clinical diagnostic and therapeutic applications; optical biopsy using optical spectroscopy and imaging
• optics and laser instruments in clinical translation
• endoscopic applications of optical systems
• pre-clinical and clinical applications of in vivo molecular imaging, photo-acoustic imaging and tomography, multi- and hyper-spectral imaging, pathogen detection and photodynamic therapy (PDT)
• optical techniques in surgical applications
• in vivo microscopy in biomedical sciences & clinical medicine
• disease applications for diffuse optical imaging, diffuse optical tomography (DOT), and optical coherence tomography (OCT)
• point-of-care optical sensor systems
• medical imaging systems and clinical applications using optical technologies and algorithms, visualization technologies and image reconstruction and processing. Primarily for advanced engineering and applied studies, such as clinical studies that show accuracy of a diagnostic or therapeutic modality, clinical demonstration and validation of bio-photonic devices, and large-scale trials of biosensors.
• Nonlinear microscopy and endomicroscopy: pre-clinical and clinical applications;
• In vivo molecular imaging, photo-acoustic imaging and tomography, multi- and hyper-spectral imaging, pathogen detection and photodynamic therapy (PDT);
• Optical coherence tomography: clinical diagnostic and therapeutic guidance applications including ophthalmic, optical biopsy guidance  and therapy monitoring;
• Multimodal optical imaging and spectroscopy:   optics and laser instruments in clinical translation;  endoscopic applications of optical systems;   optical techniques in surgical applications
• Image-guided surgery and point of care optical sensors, systems, algorithms, visualization technologies and image reconstruction and processing

A&T 2: Environment/Energy
Photonic-based electrical power generation and energy efficient photonics will play a key role in the reduction of the collective energy footprint that is fast becoming an important global priority. Photonics will also find important applications in environmental monitoring and purification. This conference will focus on photonic technologies and their applications addressing energy efficiency and the environment.

Topics include, but are not limited to:

• devices and systems for environmental remote sensing (air/water/soil quality monitoring)
• devices and systems for food and water safety monitoring and control
• devices and systems for solar energy harvesting and storage
• materials, devices, and systems of solid state lighting including LEDs, OLEDs, sensors, controls and human impact
• photon-based efficiency monitoring in bulk commodity processing
   

A&T 3: Government & National Science, Security & Standards Applications
Wide-spread applications in government and national science, security and standards, from miniature optical devices to large facility class laser systems including advances in performance and in size, weight, and power will be covered.

Topics include, but are not limited to:

• status of current national/ international programs and new initiatives related to applications of lasers and electro-optics (EO)
• laser radar systems; atmospheric sensing, gas detection and characterization
  directed energy and laser defense systems
• highly stable lasers for laser radar and navigation (INS/GPS); optical telescopes; laser guidestars and EO systems for astronomy
• space technology and missions using EO
• security sensors; optical communications and;
• national standards programs in optical metrology.

A&T 4: Industrial
This conference focuses on emerging industrial applications of lasers and photonics. Topics include fundamental scientific work that opens a path to new fields of activity, application development and feasibility demonstration, as well as pre-industrial prototyping. Advanced industrial applications demonstrating novel uses of laser and photonics technologies are actively encouraged.

Topics include, but are not limited to:

• current and emerging industrial applications of lasers including laser material processing , laser micro-and nano-machining, rapid prototyping, surface functionalization, metrology and process control using advanced optical systems, etc.
• advanced applications of ultrafast lasers including micro-and nano-machining, polymerization, 3D nanofabrication, micro-fluidics, nano-texturing, etc.
• laser applications in semi-conductors, photovoltaics, energy storage, green photonics, display, telecom, etc.