Schedule

Welcoming participants

Opening words Stephane Boudreau, Doyen, Faculté des sciences et de génie, Université Laval

Introduction to the conference program Daniel Côté, Directeur du COPL

Michal Lipson - Columbia University, United States Abstract In the past decade the photonic community witnessed a complete transformation of optics. We are now able to define and control the flow of light using thousands of monolithically integrated optical components - all on a silicon chip. The main drive for silicon photonics is the ability to transmit and manipulate ultra high bandwidth with low power dissipation. Today there are hundreds of products being developed and commercialized towards this goal. The field of silicon photonics is rapidly evolving and is now enabling completely new applications. I will discuss these emerging applications, as well as the challenges of the field.

Break

Prix Hommage 2025 - Tribute Award - Radan Slavik - University of Southampton, United Kingdom Abstract Hollow‑core optical fibres guide light through an empty core, giving them unique properties such as broad wavelength operation, high power handling, low nonlinearity, low dispersion, and strong radiation immunity. Their cores can also be filled to enable functions such as lasing or tuneable nonlinear interactions. Importantly, recent manufacturing advances have reduced their loss to well below that of standard fibres. In this talk, I will highlight key developments I was fortunate to contributed to.

Lunch

Introduction to the afternoon session

François Daoust, Fondateur et CTO,Reveal Life Sciences (Exclaro)- Prix de la relève entrepreneuriale 2025 - Emerging Entrepreneurs Award Résumé Reveal Life Science développe une nouvelle génération de technologies médicales visant à intégrer l’information moléculaire directement au cœur de la prise de décision clinique. En combinant la spectroscopie Raman à l’intelligence artificielle, l’entreprise permet l’analyse rapide, sans réactifs, de tissus biologiques et de biofluides en temps réel. Cette conférence présentera le développement des plateformes technologiques de Reveal, incluant des outils de guidage chirurgical préopératoire ainsi que des systèmes diagnostiques basés sur les biofluides. Ces dispositifs visent à fournir une information exploitable en quelques secondes, sans recourir à des infrastructures de laboratoire complexes. Seront également abordés les fondements technologiques de cette approche, la transition vers l’environnement clinique, ainsi que les défis associés à la validation clinique, à la réglementation et à l’industrialisation des dispositifs médicaux. Enfin, la présentation ouvrira sur une vision où l’analyse spectrale permet d’accéder à une information globale et exploitable sur les maladies, afin de soutenir des décisions cliniques plus rapides et plus éclairées.

Keiichi Nakagawa, Associate Professor, Department of Bioengineering, Department of Precision Engineering,University of Tokyo, Japan Abstract Acoustic waves are one of the key physical energy modalities used in medicine. While low-energy acoustic waves are employed in ultrasound imaging, and high-energy applications include high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and shockwave lithotripsy, mild ultrasound and shockwave stimulation have been shown to promote physiological effects such as angiogenesis and bone growth. However, the underlying interactions between acoustic waves and biological tissues remain incompletely understood. To visualize these interactions, we have developed an ultrafast imaging technique capable of capturing dynamic phenomena on the picosecond to femtosecond timescale. In my talk, I will begin with an overview of acoustic wave-tissue interactions as the foundation of our study. I will then introduce our ultrafast imaging technique, Sequentially Timed All-Optical Mapping Photography (STAMP), along with several application examples. I will also present our recent studies on acoustic wave interactions and their medical applications.

José Manuel Luqué Gonzalez, Principal Investigator, Photonics and RF Research Lab; Assistant Professor at the University of Málaga, Spain Abstract: Silicon photonics has consolidated as a leading platform for integrated optical systems, offering compact, high-performance, and scalable solutions across a wide range of applications, from tele/datacom to sensing, and quantum technologies. Periodic grating structures constitute one of its most versatile building blocks, enabling precise control over light propagation through the engineering of effective refractive index, optical anisotropy, and dispersion, while also providing essential functionalities such as spectral filtering and free-space beam coupling. In this talk, we present our recent advances in grating-assisted devices, designed to achieve reduced footprints, broadband behavior, polarization-insensitive operation, and optimized off-chip radiation.

S. J. Ben Yoo- Distinguished Professor - University of California Abstract We will discuss silicon photonics, heterogeneous integration, and nanoscale 3D-electronic-photonic-integrated-circuits (3D EPICs) for future AI and high-performance computing systems. The talk will be in two parts. (1) We will first review silicon photonics and advanced heterogeneous integration technologies. We will then discuss co-design/co-integration of nanoscale silicon photonics and electronics towards 3D electronic-photonic-integrated-circuits (3D EPICs). (2) We will next discuss future AI and high-performance computing systems enabled by 3D EPICs. We will pursue heterogeneous reconfigurable computing platforms consisting of neuromorphic computing and von Neumann computing systems. Neuromorphic computing systems include attojoule nanoscale optoelectronic neurons in 3D photonic neural networks to pursue brain-derived computing with self-learning capabilities, while von Neumann computing systems consist of 3D EPIC fine-grain accelerators and memory units interconnected by photonic networks. We will summarize the talk by discussing future intelligent cyberinfrastructure enabled by 3D EPICs.

Poster Session and Network Cocktail

Awards Ceremony and Closing Remarks

Networking cocktail

*Invitation to Students - Short course - From Uncertainty to Understanding: Rethinking the PhD Journey by Prof. Caroline Boudoux Professor of Engineering PhysicsPolytechnique Montréal Course Overview: Beginning a PhD can feel opaque to newcomers, even when expectations seem obvious to experienced academics. In this short course, Caroline Boudoux draws on her experience as a supervisor, mentor, and former doctoral student to clarify the realities of doctoral study and equip candidates with practical tools for success. Combining insight and humour, she outlines the full trajectory of a PhD, from admission through research milestones to final defence, while offering concrete strategies for managing time, priorities, and complex projects. The work also addresses essential skills, including scientific writing, proposal development, and responsible research practices, including ethics and intellectual property. Beyond logistics, Boudoux examines the personal dimensions of doctoral life, including stress, impostor syndrome, bias, and shifting expectations. By bridging practical guidance with reflective perspective, this accessible resource helps aspiring researchers navigate uncertainty, build confidence, and approach their doctoral journey with clarity and purpose in today's academic environments.