Applications of Lasers for Sensing and Free Space Communications (LS&C)

Applications of Lasers for Sensing and Free Space Communications (LS&C)

Optica Laser Congress and Exhibition
19 — 23 October 2025
Prague, Czechia

LS&C presents the latest developments in laser-based sensing and free space laser communication. Sophisticated laser systems are increasingly being used in a wide variety of applications including remote imaging and object characterization, sensing for autonomous vehicles, probing of the atmosphere and high bandwidth free space optical (FSO) communications.

These applications spread across a variety of basing platforms including ground, air, water and space platforms. They also encompass a range of laser system implementations. Direct detection measurements can produce 3D point clouds and can incorporate sophisticated detector technologies such as Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes. Coherent detection systems can make time varying phase measurement and also provide estimates of the wave field that can be used in synthetic aperture imaging. Both types of systems can find application in probing of the earth and atmosphere as well as in free space optical communications. However, system requirements continue to demand increased performance from the system itself as well as the various components used to implement these systems. Advances in beam steering, waveform-agile laser and detector schemes, mitigation of atmospheric effects and development of image and signal processing for information extraction are all significant challenges.

This meeting reports on the multiple applications of lasers in sensing and FSO communications, the sophisticated systems that operate in these applications and the enabling components and processing techniques.  

Technical Program

In the 60 years since the first demonstration of the laser, continuous progress in the development of lasers has led to numerous new applications and capabilities — and this progress is continuing today.

Optica Laser Congress will be held as an in-person event featuring hundreds of live contributed and invited talks with additional on-demand content available for online viewing. The congress provides a comprehensive view of the latest advances in solid state laser development along with recent new applications. Of high interest are the high order nonlinear effects made possible by the development of ultra-high brightness and high power radiation sources. Also covered are other sophisticated applications of numerous highly capable solid state sources, beam steering, materials modification such as laser peening, micro-machining and brittle material processing. An accompanying exhibition features the latest products resulting from these advances.

• Learn about advances in laser beam combining including coherent beam combining and the powers achievable through these processes.
• Hear about record performance in the area of high power fiber lasers and their application to welding, cutting, laser shock peening, other materials modification applications, laser induced damage and directed energy applications.
• Explore advances in remote sensing including vibrometry, atmospheric composition determination, wind sensing and remote high precision mapping.
• Hear about achievements in national facilities of ultra-high intensities and their application to forefront scientific studies of ultra-intense radiation/materials interactions.

Local Organizing Committee

Thank you to our incredible Local Organizing Committee for their dedication and hard work! Their invaluable contributions are integral to the successful planning and execution of the Laser Congress, ensuring a well-organized and welcoming experience for all participants attending in Prague.

• Alexandra Schmidli, ELI ERIC, ELI Beamlines, Czechia
• Daniele Margarone, ELI ERIC, ELI Beamlines, Czechia
• Tyler Green, ELI ERIC, ELI Beamlines, Czechia
• Michael Vich, ELI ERIC, ELI Beamlines, Czechia

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Chairs

Nicolas Riviere
Office Natl d'Etudes Rech Aerospatiales, France,
General Chair

Miranda van Iersel
New Mexico State University, United States,
General Chair

Romain Ceolato
Office Natl d'Etudes Rech Aerospatiales, France,
Program Chair

Kyle Drexler
NIWC Pacific, United States,
Program Chair

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Committee 

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Topic Categories