SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics

Expand your expertise at #SPIEastro 2026 with in-person courses designed for scientists, engineers, and technical professionals working across astronomical instrumentation and observatory systems. 🔭 Interested in systems engineering? From instrument and observatory design to probability analysis, #SPIEastro offers courses that show how systems engineering methodologies can be applied to various problems and projects. Explore all courses and register here. Early bird pricing is available through 19 June: https://lnkd.in/gqW6zvTm

"The VEET provides accurate quantification of real-time distances across different target types and sizes and is capable of effectively distinguishing indoor and outdoor illumination levels... They say it will be valuable in studies evaluating risk factors for myopia to gain a better understanding of the role of near work and light exposure." As the time children spend outdoors declines, new optical wearables and treatments are helping eye health practitioners keep a grasp on the rapidly growing childhood myopia crisis. Learn more in the May/June issue of #PhotonicsFocus: https://lnkd.in/gimnn3zx

How can we get clearer brain images using light? 🧠💡 Researchers from Boston University, Technische Universität Berlin, and BIFOLD - Berlin Institute for the Foundations of Learning and Data present a new approach to improve image reconstruction for high‑density functional near‑infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) by using surface‑based optimization methods. Their approach helps make better use of dense optical measurements to more accurately map brain activity. Read the full #Neurophotonics article on the #SPIE Digital Library: https://lnkd.in/g2AnZ9pi

Calling all photographers: the 2026 #SPIE IDL Photo Contest is officially open! 📸 This contest is held annually to raise awareness of the International Day of Light and to demonstrate the impact that light has on cultural, economic, and societal aspects of our world. Submit your original work for a chance to win cash prizes. Details found on our website. Good luck, photographers! 🍀☀️ https://lnkd.in/gzPXfPSn

💡 Happy International Day of Light! 💡 IDL aims to raise global awareness of the critical role that light-based technologies play in our lives, elevating science, technology, art, and culture to help achieve UNESCO's goals: education, equality, and peace. We hope everyone can take a moment to appreciate the beauty and power of light today. For some inspiration, take a look at a few favorites from the 2025 SPIE IDL photo contest! 📸 ✨ International Day of Light

How do you watch the brain in action without slowing it down? 🧠 A collaborative team of scientists from Rice University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of California, UCLA, Baylor College of Medicine, and GLAVA Medical Center introduce MiniFAST, a sensitive and fast miniaturized microscope designed for in‑vivo neural imaging. 📸 This system captures brain activity at very high speeds and in low-light conditions, enabling the recording of signals that were previously hard to detect. Interested in learning more? Click the link and read the open-access article in #Neurophotonics. https://lnkd.in/gP2x7ETi

The countdown to #PhotonicsWest 2027 has officially begun!⏰ The call for papers is now open, with abstract submissions due 22 July. 📝 From next-generation imaging systems and quantum-enabled technologies to industrial lasers, biomedical optics, photonic chips, and immersive display systems, the conference program reflects the full breadth of modern photonics research. We’re excited to see the ideas, discoveries, and collaborations that will shape the 2027 program in San Francisco. Submit your abstract here: https://lnkd.in/gFmPmu2d

What can light tell us about the makeup of human milk? 🍼🔬 Researchers from the University of Twente study how sample‑specific properties, like fat concentration and particle size, affect how light scatters in human milk. By comparing experimental measurements with optical models, they identify which factors most accurately describe light scattering. This work matters because improved optical models support noninvasive methods for studying milk composition and could advance research on human lactation and infant nutrition. Read the study in #BiophotonicsDiscovery - https://lnkd.in/g3Rqezpq

SPIE is pleased to welcome the Embedded Vision Summit to #PhotonicsWest! We are excited to work with the Edge AI and Vision Alliance team to continue growing this impactful technical event. The 2027 Embedded Vision Summit will take place 2-4 February 2027 in San Francisco as part of Photonics West, which runs 30 January-4 February 2027.

Join us for the May edition of the #SPIE Poincaré Webinar Series featuring Etienne Brasselet of the Université de Bordeaux! This webinar will explore how self-organized liquid crystal structures can shape and control the topology of light in deterministic and reconfigurable ways. See you on 26 May 2026! Learn more and register here: https://lnkd.in/gCbWdSvE