CONFERENCE REVIEW: Optics East goes quietly

Oct. 1, 2007
Optics East was a quiet show, without much fanfare or company activity focused around it.

Optics East was a quiet show, without much fanfare or company activity focused around it. Held at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston, Sept. 9-12, tthe exhibition consisted of about three aisles of booths and one of tabletop exhibits. With 1300 attendees and 93 exhibitors, this year’s show was similar in size to 2006 with its 1600 attendees, but well below its peak of 5800 several years ago.

The technical program was more robust, with the focus of its 800 papers and 22 conference sessions on sensors and communications. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, MA) was a major participant, with professor of chemistry Moungi Bawendi giving a plenary presentation on the science and technology of semiconductor-nanocrystal quantum dots. Bawendi described many devices that arise from the multiexciton physics and carrier multiplication in quantum dots, including light-emitting devices, solar cells, and sensors in biological and biomedical imaging. Other papers in “Quantum Communications Realized” focused on quantum cryptography, quantum entanglement, and quantum-key distribution.

Papers like those in the section “Active and Passive Optical Components for Communications” matched the products and technology exhibited on the floor. Exhibitors EM4 (Bedford, MA), Lumics (Berlin, Germany), MEMS Optical (Huntsville, AL), and Strasbaugh (San Luis Obispo, CA), all serve the telecom industry and have telecom offerings, but few had new products or announcements. AFL Telecommunications (Spartanburg, SC) announced a fiber fusion splicer, while Avantes (Broomfield, CA), exhibiting with Scientific Solutions (N. Chelmsford, MA), introduced a high-sensitivity CCD spectrometer for portable use. RSoft Design Group (Ossining, NY) announced the 8.0 version of its CAD software with 3-D viewing options.

Held in the northeast since 1996, Optics East, previously known as Photonics East, never gained the momentum of Photonics West. “The show was huge before the telecom bust,” said Gary Wadsworth, product manager at Power Technology (Little Rock, AR). “But after that, there were never enough exhibitors or attendees to keep it going.”

Conference organizer SPIE has decided not to continue the event. “Exhibitors and attendees wanted fewer choices, and smaller shows that are very focused by topic ensure they reach their target audience,” said Bonnie Peterson, event manager. For now, SPIE is exploring ways to continue serving the technical and scientific community in the northeast.

About the Author

Valerie Coffey-Rosich | Contributing Editor

Valerie Coffey-Rosich is a freelance science and technology writer and editor and a contributing editor for Laser Focus World; she previously served as an Associate Technical Editor (2000-2003) and a Senior Technical Editor (2007-2008) for Laser Focus World.

Valerie holds a BS in physics from the University of Nevada, Reno, and an MA in astronomy from Boston University. She specializes in editing and writing about optics, photonics, astronomy, and physics in academic, reference, and business-to-business publications. In addition to Laser Focus World, her work has appeared online and in print for clients such as the American Institute of Physics, American Heritage Dictionary, BioPhotonics, Encyclopedia Britannica, EuroPhotonics, the Optical Society of America, Photonics Focus, Photonics Spectra, Sky & Telescope, and many others. She is based in Palm Springs, California. 

Sponsored Recommendations

How Precision Motion Systems are Shaping the Future of Semiconductor Manufacturing

March 28, 2024
This article highlights the pivotal role precision motion systems play in supporting the latest semiconductor manufacturing trends.

Understanding 3D Printing Tolerances: A Guide to Achieving Precision in Additive Manufacturing

March 28, 2024
In the world of additive manufacturing, precision is paramount. One crucial aspect of ensuring precision in 3D printing is understanding tolerances. In this article, we’ll explore...

Automation Technologies to Scale PIC Testing from Lab to Fab

March 28, 2024
This webinar will cover the basics of precision motion systems for PIC testing and discuss the ways motion solutions can be specifically designed to address the production-scale...

Case Study: Medical Tube Laser Processing

March 28, 2024
To enhance their cardiovascular stent’s precision, optimize throughput and elevate part quality, a renowned manufacturer of medical products embarked on a mission to fabricate...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of Laser Focus World, create an account today!