Biophotonics and sensors
Session Chair: Virginijus Barzda, University of Toronto, Canada

Biophotonics and sensors encompass a range of rapidly advancing technologies. Superresolution and deep tissue nonlinear optical microscopy, fiber-optic and optical waveguide techniques, novel in-vivo optical methods, as well as surface plasmon resonances, micromechanical oscillators, microcavity resonators, nanoparticles and fluorescent markers are being widely investigated for novel imaging and sensing applications. Theory, simulation, and experiment are combining to produce new capabilities and applications, for example in optofluidics, advanced microscopy and brain imaging. The ultimate detection limit of some of these new devices can approach the single molecule level, with specificity ensured via chemical functionalization. Photonic sensors can feature multiplexed analysis and are compatible with microfluidics or “lab-on-a-chip” geometries that are enabling the development of small footprint devices. Many new techniques and novel prototypes have been developed in recent years. This session encourages the submission of abstracts relating to all types of optical imaging and sensing technologies.

Green photonics, energy, and related technologies
Session Chair: Karin Hinzer, University of Ottawa, Canada
Co-Chairs: Simon Fafard, Université de Sherbrooke, Canada
Rao Tatavarti, MicroLink Devices, Chicago, USA

Efficient utilization of light, both natural and artificial, is an essential goal of photonics technology. This session investigates photovoltaics and photonics applications in energy efficiency and manufacturing.

Paper with novel results in the following topics will be considered:

• Materials
• Characterization techniques
• Numerical modeling
• Advanced light management and spectral shaping
• Devices including photovoltaics, LEDs, power converters, low power sensors, fuels generation
• System architectures
• Solar resource and economics models
• Converged bidirectional power and data
• Agricultural adaptations

High Power Laser Technology, Ultrafast Optics and Applications
Session Chair: Arkady Major, University of Manitoba, Canada
Co-Chairs: Jeffrey Moses, Cornell University, USA
Bernd Witzel, Laval University, Canada

This session will provide a forum to present and explore recent developments in the areas of high power laser technology, ultrafast optics and applications. Topics include, but are not limited to, the following areas: advances in laser sources; ultrafast solid-state, fiber, waveguide and semiconductor laser sources; nonlinear frequency conversion; high peak power lasers and amplification technologies; high intensity laser-matter interactions; laser-based XUV and X-ray sources; applications of novel short wavelength sources; laser-based particle acceleration; attosecond science; high harmonic generation; relativistic nonlinear phenomena; intense pulse propagation; sources of THz radiation; THz spectroscopy, sensing, and imaging; new THz measurement techniques; THz nonlinear optics; ultrafast devices, systems and measurement techniques; applications of ultrafast technology.

Nonlinear Optics, Nanophotonics and Plasmonics
Session Chair: Luca Razzari, INRS University, Canada
Co-Chairs: Ebrahim Karimi, University of Ottawa, Canada
Alexander Kildishev, Purdue University, USA
Vinod Menon, City College of New York, USA

This session aims at giving an overview on recent trends and achievements in nonlinear optics, nanophotonics and plasmonics, with a particular emphasis on fundamental nonlinear radiation-matter interactions, practical applications of nonlinear spectroscopy, integrated nonlinear optical devices, deep-subwavelength investigations, nanostructures and nanomaterials for photonics, nanoplasmonic systems, metasurfaces and metamaterials. We encourage the submission of abstracts that are related to one or more of the above topics.

Optical and Quantum communications
Session Chair: Jose Azana, INRS-ÉMT, Canada
Co-Chairs: Li Qian, University of Toronto, Canada
Colin McKinstrie, Huawei Technologies, Bridgewater, USA

The goal of this session is to provide an overview of recent achievements and trends on optical and quantum communications, involving theoretical and experimental advances from the component and device level to the system application level. Both short and long-haul communication platforms will be considered. The central interest of the session is on envisioned technologies and strategies aimed at increasing the performance capabilities of available broadband communication platforms. Topics of interest in optical communications include innovative optical multiplexing strategies, such as space-domain multiplexing combined with time-domain or/and frequency-domain multiplexing techniques, advanced optical modulation formats, coherent communication strategies, digital-signal processing methods for pre- and post-compensation of linear and nonlinear impairments,  and linear and nonlinear photonic technologies for communication applications, such as integrated-waveguide (e.g., silicon photonic) technologies. Concerning quantum communications, though the emphasis is on quantum key distribution, we welcome a diverse range of topics: from components (sources, detectors, memories, repeaters, integrated devices) to systems (fiber-based and free-space), from novel protocols to quantum hacking schemes to quantum measurements.

Optoelectronics and integrated optics
Session Chair: Sylvain Coutier, ÉTS, Canada

In this session, we will cover new results and recent trends in the burgeoning field of optoelectronics and integrated optics. Starting from recent advances in the most established technologies (integrated waveguides, lasers, integrated periodic structures etc.) we will also put the emphasis on recent developments (nanolasers, resonant cavities, novel devices for quantum optics, etc.). We encourage the submission of abstracts that are broadly related to the topics mentioned above, and beyond.

Photonics Commercialization
Session Chair: Robert Corriveau, Photons Canada, Canada
Panel: Peter Ficocelli, BDC, Canada
Stephen G. Anderson, SPIE, USA
Tom Hausken, The Optical Society of America, USA

Photonics technologies provides excellent tools for manufacturing optical components and equipments as well as equipments in all application fields. This session therefore includes photonic solutions for manufacturing and measurement processes which are very important to improve industrial productivity. As new photonic manufacturing institute in USA, AIM Photonics will be presented as a potential partner for Canadian organizations.

Photonic materials
Session Chair: Tigran Galstian, COPL, Canada
Co-Chairs: Mark Andrews, McGill University, Canada
Iam-Choon Khoo, The Pennsylvania State University, USA

Innovative photonic solutions often heavily rely on material properties of components used. The traditional approach was to choose those materials at relatively late stages of the design. However, many solutions may benefit from the “smart” design of optical materials keeping in mind their specific use. Multi-functional optical materials are the focus of our attention in this symposium. We would like invite contributions describing innovative photonic devices with particularly emphasized role of photonic materials used as well as innovative multifunctional photonic materials that may enable new photonic devices. The symposium is also open for contributions describing natural photonic materials and structures (since we have so much to learn from the nature) as well as materials with potential use in biophotonics and biomedicine.

Photonic theory design and simulations
Session Chair: Pavel Cheben, National Research Council, Canada
Co-Chairs: Andrew Knights, McMaster University, Canada
Jung Yui (Ray) Chen, University of Baltimore, USA

This session focuses on the physics, design and simulations of optical and photonic structures, devices and systems. It is intended to provide a forum for the interchange of ideas on optics, photonics and optoelectronics theory, design, simulation and verification techniques at different levels, including material properties, components, devices, systems, fabrication, and applications. The session covers a wide range of topics in photonic theory, simulation and design, including: waveguide photonic bandgap engineering, microcavities, passive and active photonic devices, sensors, diffractive and subwavelength structures, integrated optical circuits for datacom, WDM and coherent communication systems, light sources, photodetectors, modulators, amplifiers, wavelength converters, switches, couplers, resonators, filters, free-space optics, optical interconnects, optics for aerospace and defense, photonic design automation, manufacturing and verification tools, and novel algorithms and photonic CAD software for photonics and integration with electronics.

Light-matter Interactions at the quantum limit: atoms, molecules and photons
Session Chair: Benjamin Sussman, National Research Council, Canada
Co-Chairs: Duncan England, National Research Council, Canada
Aephraim Steinberg, University of Toronto, Canada

Considerable efforts are underway globally to employ fundamental aspects of quantum physics to develop quantum technologies. This session will bring together leading theoretical and experimental physicists to discuss the latest developments in various implementations of quantum applications using atoms, molecules, and photons.