NASHUA, NH—Laser Focus World’s 2009 Lasers & Photonics Marketplace Seminar (www.marketplaceseminar.com) is excited to have Dr. Thomas Baer, executive director of the Stanford Photonics Research Center (SPRC; Stanford, CA) and a major figure in the photonics community, as its keynote speaker. The Seminar, to be held on Monday, January 26, 2009 in conjunction with SPIE’s Photonics West conference (in San Jose, CA, January 24–29), is the only event anywhere that focuses on the entire laser marketplace, with coverage extending to the rest of the photonics industry.
As the 50th anniversary of the invention of the laser approaches, the field of optoelectronics is in the midst of a second renaissance—new science, technology, and instruments. Baer’s position as head of the SPRC gives him a perspective that few people have: the understanding of every stage in the birth and growth of a new photonic technology. Technical advances frequently originate in university and government labs, and then require industrial development in order to become successful products. The SPRC is involved in everything from basic research (such as quantum science) to leading-edge technology (silicon photonics and nanophotonics are just two examples) to linking university research with industry (the annual SPRC photonics symposium).
Drawing upon this synergy, Baer will discuss several examples of innovative photonics technology and explain the university’s philosophy and procedures for efficient transfer of these inventions to commercial enterprise. This sort of transfer is essential to the practical development of negative-index metamaterials, photonic-crystal fibers, optical combs, in-vivo biophotonic imaging, high-efficiency organic LED and photovoltaic devices, and other new photonic technologies.
Tom Baer
In addition to heading the SPRC, Baer is a member of the Applied Physics Department at Stanford University. His current research is focused on developing imaging and analysis technology for exploring the molecular basis of developmental biology and neuroscience.
Baer has made major contributions in the areas of biotechnology, quantum electronics, and laser applications, and is listed as an inventor on 60 patents and is a co-author on many peer-reviewed publications in a number of different scientific fields. His commercial products have received many industry awards for design innovation. Co-founder of four companies in Silicon Valley, he was named entrepreneur of the year for emerging companies in Silicon Valley in 2000 by the Silicon Valley Business Journal and will serve as president of the Optical Society of America in 2009.
