News Releases

IEEE Photonics Society Celebrates LaserFest Throughout 2010

1 February — The IEEE Photonics Society will be participating as a founding partner of the LaserFest initiative which will run throughout 2010. Founding partners, including the American Physical Society (APS), the Optical Society (OSA), SPIE, and now the IEEE Photonics Society, are organizations whose missions include the support of laser science and technologies. Each has made a commitment to invest a minimum of US$100,000 in the celebration.

A science community collaboration marking 50 years of laser technology, LaserFest will recognize and honor the accomplishments of the pioneers who made possible the discovery, development and application of the laser, as well as inform students, educators, legislators, funding agencies and the general public about the impact of the laser and the importance of scientific and technological innovation. Educational outreach will focus on raising awareness of today's laser technologies and tomorrow's possibilities.

Throughout 2010, the IEEE Photonics Society will be celebrating LaserFest at its conferences, through giveaways, posters, promotional items, and informative flyers.  In March, OFC/NFOEC in San Diego, Calif., will be the first of several conferences where the Society will display LaserFest material.

Multiple organizations have already signed up in support of LaserFest including The National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy, which signed on as sponsors earlier this year. In addition to founding partners and sponsors, levels of support include, partners, media partners, participants and patrons.Partners, or those organizations that promote and support LaserFest through self-hosted programs and initiatives, currently number more than 35.  More information about supporting LaserFest can be found on the LaserFest Web site.