Plenary Event
LASE Plenary and Hot Topics
27 January 2025 • 3:45 PM - 5:40 PM PST | Moscone North/South, Moscone Center, 207/215 (Level 2 South)
3:45 PM - 3:50 PM: Welcome and Opening Remarks
LASE Symposium Chairs Vassilia Zorba, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (United States) and Kaoru Minoshima, Univ. of Electro-Communications (Japan)
3:50 PM - 4:00 PM: Announcement of the 3D Printing Best Paper Awards
Henry Helvajian, The Aerospace Corp. (United States)
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM:
Plenary: Global advancements in laser fusion energy and their implications for the photonics market
Since the groundbreaking achievement of ignition and self-sustaining fuel burn at the U.S. National Ignition Facility (NIF), the field of fusion, specifically laser inertial fusion energy (IFE), has rapidly accelerated and transformed. Numerous countries are investing more heavily or initiating new fusion programs, with significant collaborative efforts from international research institutions and the private sector accelerating the path to practical fusion energy. The implications for the photonics market include an increased demand for lasers, optics, optical materials, diagnostics, and other key technologies, creating new opportunities for photonics companies and shifting market dynamics. Future challenges and strategies for achieving higher energy yields and commercial viability are outlined, emphasizing the critical role of photonics in enabling the next generation of fusion energy solutions.
Prof. Dr. Constantin Häfner, Executive VP for Research and Transfer at Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, chaired Germany’s BMBF Expert Commission on Inertial Fusion Energy. He formerly directed Fraunhofer ILT until 2024, and the Advanced Photon Technologies Program at Lawrence Livermore National Lab’s NIF Photon Science directorate from 2006-2019. He is a leading expert in high-energy laser science and Fusion Energy.
4:30 PM - 4:45 PM:
Hot Topic: Data-driven laser processing: What does the fusion of laser processing and data science bring?
The interaction of light and matter can create bonding structural and morphological changes in nano/micro-scale from the surfaces of diverse materials, sometimes even deep within them. This feature has been utilized in laser processing to produce new value for both science and industry. Recent advances in high-power, ultrashort pulsed laser and fast beam delivery technologies are rapidly expanding the possibilities of laser processing. At the same time, the number of parameters to be controlled has become enormous, which is why we have introduced Data Science. In this talk, we will discuss new data-driven laser processing utilizing high-speed data acquisition and AI data optimization for higher throughput and quality. We also aim for this technology to contribute to sustainable manufacturing and society in the future.
Dr. Aiko Narazaki received her Ph. D in Material Chemistry at Kyoto University in Japan. She is currently Principal Research Manager and Leader of Innovative Laser Processing Group at National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and Guest Professors at Utsunomiya University and Ritsumeikan University, focusing on advanced laser processing of diverse materials and the next-generation devices based on data science.
4:45 PM - 5:15 PM:
Plenary: Optical frequency combs for interferometry from the mid-infrared to the ultraviolet range
Optical frequency combs have revolutionized time and frequency metrology by providing rulers in frequency space that measure large optical frequency differences and/or straightforwardly link microwave and optical frequencies. One of the most successful uses of frequency combs beyond their original purpose has been dual-comb interferometry. An interferometer can be formed using two frequency combs of slightly different line spacing. Dual-comb interferometers without moving parts have no geometric limitations to resolution, therefore miniaturized devices using integrated optics can be envisioned. Dual-comb interferometers outperform state-of-the-art devices in an increasing number of fields including spectroscopy and holography, offering unique features such as direct frequency measurements, accuracy, precision, and speed.
Nathalie Picqué is Director at the Max Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy and Professor of Physics at the Humboldt University in Berlin, Germany. She and her team explore new insights in molecular and optical fundamental physics with advancing tools of laser science. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the 2024 William F. Meggers Award of Optica.
5:15 PM - 5:30 PM:
Hot Topic: The changing landscape of outer space
Today, approximately 12,000 satellites orbit Earth. By 2030, estimates show numbers above 60,000. Today, we service spacecraft when absolutely necessary. By 2030’s, in-space services will be routine; refueling, repair, relocation, assembly, and manufacturing. Advances are underway to realizing this future, enabling a sustainable version will require photonics technologies.
Dr. Henry Helvajian is a Technical Fellow/Principal Scientist with The Aerospace Corporation. He is recognized for miniaturizing space systems and in laser material interaction processes. His investigations produced the world’s first <1 kg mass satellite, now called CubeSat or Nanosatellite vehicles. His exploration of laser 3D patterning in glass-ceramics for glass-MEMS is used in bio-instruments. He has investigated laser fabrication, manufacturing of nanosatellites, space architectures (HIVE), molecular mobility by surface acoustic waves, and process diagnostics for additive manufacturing. He has mentored post-doctoral, graduate, and undergraduate students and has edited five books on microengineering space systems, the last an SPIE publication. He is involved in a US national effort to bring In Space Assembly and Manufacturing technologies to fruition. Dr. Helvajian was co-founder of LAMOM and current Co-Chair of Laser 3D Manufacturing. He is a Fellow of the SPIE.
5:30 PM - 5:40 PM: Q&A for all speakers
MENU: Coffee, decaf, and tea will be available outside the presentation room.
SETUP: Theater style seating.
LASE Symposium Chairs Vassilia Zorba, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (United States) and Kaoru Minoshima, Univ. of Electro-Communications (Japan)
3:50 PM - 4:00 PM: Announcement of the 3D Printing Best Paper Awards
Henry Helvajian, The Aerospace Corp. (United States)
4:00 PM - 4:30 PM:
Plenary: Global advancements in laser fusion energy and their implications for the photonics market
 |
Constantin Häfner, Fraunhofer-Institut für Lasertechnik ILT (Germany) |
Since the groundbreaking achievement of ignition and self-sustaining fuel burn at the U.S. National Ignition Facility (NIF), the field of fusion, specifically laser inertial fusion energy (IFE), has rapidly accelerated and transformed. Numerous countries are investing more heavily or initiating new fusion programs, with significant collaborative efforts from international research institutions and the private sector accelerating the path to practical fusion energy. The implications for the photonics market include an increased demand for lasers, optics, optical materials, diagnostics, and other key technologies, creating new opportunities for photonics companies and shifting market dynamics. Future challenges and strategies for achieving higher energy yields and commercial viability are outlined, emphasizing the critical role of photonics in enabling the next generation of fusion energy solutions.
Prof. Dr. Constantin Häfner, Executive VP for Research and Transfer at Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, chaired Germany’s BMBF Expert Commission on Inertial Fusion Energy. He formerly directed Fraunhofer ILT until 2024, and the Advanced Photon Technologies Program at Lawrence Livermore National Lab’s NIF Photon Science directorate from 2006-2019. He is a leading expert in high-energy laser science and Fusion Energy.
4:30 PM - 4:45 PM:
Hot Topic: Data-driven laser processing: What does the fusion of laser processing and data science bring?
 |
Aiko Narazaki, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (Japan) |
The interaction of light and matter can create bonding structural and morphological changes in nano/micro-scale from the surfaces of diverse materials, sometimes even deep within them. This feature has been utilized in laser processing to produce new value for both science and industry. Recent advances in high-power, ultrashort pulsed laser and fast beam delivery technologies are rapidly expanding the possibilities of laser processing. At the same time, the number of parameters to be controlled has become enormous, which is why we have introduced Data Science. In this talk, we will discuss new data-driven laser processing utilizing high-speed data acquisition and AI data optimization for higher throughput and quality. We also aim for this technology to contribute to sustainable manufacturing and society in the future.
Dr. Aiko Narazaki received her Ph. D in Material Chemistry at Kyoto University in Japan. She is currently Principal Research Manager and Leader of Innovative Laser Processing Group at National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and Guest Professors at Utsunomiya University and Ritsumeikan University, focusing on advanced laser processing of diverse materials and the next-generation devices based on data science.
4:45 PM - 5:15 PM:
Plenary: Optical frequency combs for interferometry from the mid-infrared to the ultraviolet range
 |
Nathalie Picqué, Max-Born Institute (Germany) |
Optical frequency combs have revolutionized time and frequency metrology by providing rulers in frequency space that measure large optical frequency differences and/or straightforwardly link microwave and optical frequencies. One of the most successful uses of frequency combs beyond their original purpose has been dual-comb interferometry. An interferometer can be formed using two frequency combs of slightly different line spacing. Dual-comb interferometers without moving parts have no geometric limitations to resolution, therefore miniaturized devices using integrated optics can be envisioned. Dual-comb interferometers outperform state-of-the-art devices in an increasing number of fields including spectroscopy and holography, offering unique features such as direct frequency measurements, accuracy, precision, and speed.
Nathalie Picqué is Director at the Max Born Institute for Nonlinear Optics and Short Pulse Spectroscopy and Professor of Physics at the Humboldt University in Berlin, Germany. She and her team explore new insights in molecular and optical fundamental physics with advancing tools of laser science. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the 2024 William F. Meggers Award of Optica.
5:15 PM - 5:30 PM:
Hot Topic: The changing landscape of outer space
 |
Henry Helvajian, The Aerospace Corp. (United States) |
Today, approximately 12,000 satellites orbit Earth. By 2030, estimates show numbers above 60,000. Today, we service spacecraft when absolutely necessary. By 2030’s, in-space services will be routine; refueling, repair, relocation, assembly, and manufacturing. Advances are underway to realizing this future, enabling a sustainable version will require photonics technologies.
Dr. Henry Helvajian is a Technical Fellow/Principal Scientist with The Aerospace Corporation. He is recognized for miniaturizing space systems and in laser material interaction processes. His investigations produced the world’s first <1 kg mass satellite, now called CubeSat or Nanosatellite vehicles. His exploration of laser 3D patterning in glass-ceramics for glass-MEMS is used in bio-instruments. He has investigated laser fabrication, manufacturing of nanosatellites, space architectures (HIVE), molecular mobility by surface acoustic waves, and process diagnostics for additive manufacturing. He has mentored post-doctoral, graduate, and undergraduate students and has edited five books on microengineering space systems, the last an SPIE publication. He is involved in a US national effort to bring In Space Assembly and Manufacturing technologies to fruition. Dr. Helvajian was co-founder of LAMOM and current Co-Chair of Laser 3D Manufacturing. He is a Fellow of the SPIE.
5:30 PM - 5:40 PM: Q&A for all speakers
Event Details
FORMAT: General session with live audience Q&A to follow at end of session.MENU: Coffee, decaf, and tea will be available outside the presentation room.
SETUP: Theater style seating.