Optics & Photonics Days 2023 took place in Joensuu between 30th of May and 1st of June. Over three hundred registered conference participants, of which 25 % came from abroad, attended the diverse academic and industrial program. 

The high-quality academic and industrial program of Optics & Photonics Days 2023, along with the sold-out industrial exhibition and several side events, attracted around four hundred visitors in total. The industrial exhibition also opened its doors to the general public on Thursday and drew around fifty city residents interested in photonics. 

"Joensuu is home to one of the significant photonics clusters at European level. Hosting the event in Joensuu was a significant step in strengthening our international networks. This provides a solid foundation for the growth of photonics in Joensuu", says Juha Purmonen from Photonics Finland.

In addition to comprehensive expert presentations, the event featured a comprehensive side program. The side event held at the Photonics Center showcased the Active Alignment service, which can be utilized, for example, by camera manufacturers in prototype manufacturing. The flagship photonics event of PREIN, funded by the Academy of Finland, discussed the significance of research and industry collaboration.

In a traditionally male-dominated field, the need for female expertise was also emphasized, and the Women in Photonics event featured insights from women in leadership and expert positions at three significant publicly traded companies: Microsoft, Vaisala, and Modulight. Furthermore, on Thursday, a recruitment event was organized alongside the industrial exhibition to facilitate connections between professionals and companies.

Total 317 participants
182 from industry
135 from research organisations
88 abstract submissions
Main participating countries: Finland, Sweden, France, Germany, Lithuania, Japan, Austria, and Switzerland
 

Read the original article on the Photonics Finland website.