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February 2026

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Optica Member News February 2026
Quantum Connectivity for Scale
KrulUA / Getty Images
KrulUA / Getty Images
Quantum technologies have the promise to transform our lives, from enabling ultra-secure communications and supersensitive sensors to powering computers capable of tackling problems beyond the reach of classical machines. But today’s quantum devices remain limited in size and capability, so scaling up these systems is a central challenge of quantum information technology. A feature article in the February issue of Optica’s magazine Optics & Photonics News (OPN) looks at optical quantum networking, powered by entanglement as a fundamental resource, as a path forward for the “second quantum revolution.”
Read the Story
Engineer Week 2026 Webinar Series
Optica. Dates 23 27 February Webinar Series. Engineer Week 2026: Engineers Behind the Breakthrough.
Engineers Behind the Breakthroughs is a special Engineer Week webinar series highlighting the engineers shaping the future of optics and photonics.

Across three live webinars, Optica Members and experts will go beyond the headlines to share the real challenges, insights, and problem-solving behind today’s most impactful technologies.
  1. 23 February – Deconstructing Human Vision to Advance Near-Eye Display Systems: Explore how vision science is driving better performance, comfort, and safety in AR, VR, and mixed reality systems.
Register Here
  1. 25 February – FUTUR-IC: A 3-Dimensional Path Toward a Resource-Efficient Microchip Industry: Discover innovative approaches to building a more sustainable and resilient semiconductor ecosystem.
Register Here
  1. 26 February – Phortify: Educating the Next Generation of Photonics Engineers in an International Interdisciplinary Environment: Learn how global, interdisciplinary training programs are preparing the future photonics workforce.
Register Here
Advance Your Research: Apply for Early Career Prizes
courtesy Carolyn Levine
Applications are being accepted for the Theodor W. Hänsch Prize in Quantum Optics and the Bernard J. Couillaud Prize in Ultrafast Lasers.

Apply today for your chance to secure USD 20,000 to fund your quantum optics or ultrafast lasers research.
Learn More
The Deadline for submissions is 20 March 2026.
Advocate of Optics Nominations
Advocate of Optics
 

The selection process for the 2026 Advocate of Optics recognition will begin soon. Any Optica members interested in nominating a candidate for consideration are encouraged to do so.

The Advocate of Optics recognition recognizes an outstanding public official, from any country, who demonstrates leadership and efforts in support of the advancement of the science of light. A public official is an elected official, appointed official, or an employee of a government holding a high-ranking position.

More details about the recognition and a list of prior winners can be found here.

Please send your nominations and any questions to the Optica Public Affairs team and include the nominee’s name, title, affiliation, country, a biosketch, and a brief reason for your nomination.
Submit Nominations
The Deadline for submissions is 26 February 2026.
Fellow Insight-Outreach
Caesar Saloma
Photo courtesy of Caesar Saloma
Caesar Saloma dedicated his career to establishing and growing a research ecosystem in the Philippines. An essential part of scientific research is science communication, but Filipino researchers were not accustomed to publishing and presenting at conferences in the same way that researchers from other countries were in the early 1990s. As the first member of Optica (then the Optical Society) from the Philippines, Caesar could see the benefits of maintaining an international focus and publishing. He shares that it was rare to see Filipino scientists even submitting papers to journals: “It was news if we heard that a professor submitted a manuscript that almost got accepted…we wanted to kneel before him for having the courage to have his work be peer-reviewed.” Thanks to Caesar's efforts, things have changed, and NIP researchers now routinely submit and publish papers in peer-reviewed journals.
Read The Story
OFC Career Zone 2026
OFC Career Zone 2026
 
Attending OFC this year and looking for your next role or new hire?

Connect with top talent and leading companies in optical networking and communications at the OFC Career Zone. Job seekers can network with employers, attend live panels and coaching sessions, and share their resumes with hiring companies. Employers can post their jobs on our virtual board, meet qualified candidates, host recruitment tables, conduct interviews, and showcase their brand.
Post a Job
Register as Job Seeker
Questions? Reach out to the Career Zone Team at careerzone@ofcconference.org.
Community Matters
OFC_member
OFC 2026 Is Approaching — Register Now
Registration is open for OFC 2026, taking place 15 – 19 March 2026 in Los Angeles, California. Register now to access the full conference experience, including technical sessions, industry summits, and the global OFC exhibition. Secure your participation in the conversations and technologies connecting the world.
Register Now
 
Optica
Submissions Are Now Open
Abstract and summary submissions are open for the Optica Advanced Photonics Congress, taking place 26 – 30 July 2026 in Long Beach, California. Submit by 24 March 2026 to present reviewed research, connect with leaders, and extend the visibility of your work.
Prepare Your Research
 
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