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18-19 September 2024
EPIC Technology Meeting on Photonics for Miniaturized Optics: From Components to Use-cases at Sony DADC
Salzburg, Austria

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Please note, preferably register only one person per company for best possible networking.

Join us for an enlightening exploration into the fascinating topic of Micro and Nano Optics at our upcoming EPIC technology meeting, where we discuss design, mass manufacturing, and its applications. This gathering will serve as a platform for experts, innovators, and developers to discuss the challenges of optical technologies at the micro and nano scales.

Mark your calendar and join us at the forefront of optical innovation, as we uncover the world of micro and nano optics, from design to mass manufacturing and applications. It is an opportunity to gain invaluable insights, foster collaboration, and stay at the forefront of this exciting technological frontier.

All participants biographies, photos and company descriptions are available HERE.

Agenda

Optional agenda

17 September, 2024, Tuesday 

19:00 – 22:00 EPIC Pre-event networking dinner @ Wirtshaus Elefant (address: Sigmund-Haffner-Gasse 4, 5020 Salzburg)

Agenda

18 September, 2024, Wednesday

Optional Agenda:
09:00 Bus departure from Leonardo Hotel City Center (address: Hildmannpl. 5, 5020 Salzburg) for the company visit
09:30 – 11:00 Company visit at Stratec
11:15 Bus transfer from Stratec back to Leonardo Hotel City Center and walk (~10 minutes) to the conference venue, Edmundsburg (address: Mönchsberg 2, 5020, Salzburg)

12:00 – 13:30 Registration and lunch @ Conference venue, Edmundsburg (address: Mönchsberg 2, 5020, Salzburg)
13:30 – 13:40 Welcoming words by EPIC
13:40 – 14:00 Welcoming words by SONY DADCHigh Precision Injection Polymer Molding for Micro Optics – Christian Vogl, Head of Process Engineering (Austria)
14:00 – 14:15 YOLE GroupOptical Metasurfaces: Shaping the Future of Display and Imaging Technologies – Axel Clouet, Senior Technology and Market Analyst (France)

14:15 – 15:30 SESSION 1: APPLICATIONS AND IMPACTS OF MINIATURIZED OPTICS

In this session, we will explore the many practical uses and significant impacts of miniaturized optics. Experts from various industries will shed light on how photonics advancements have changed fields like medical imaging, augmented reality, and telecommunications. From small cameras to compact sensors, we’ll discuss how miniaturized optics are reshaping our world, opening up new possibilities for devices and systems.

  • HELLA ForviaAdvances and Challenges in the Use of Micro-optics in Automotive Lighting Applications – Daniela Karthaus, Optical Engineer & Technology Scout
  • NIL TechnologyMetaoptics, From Lenses to Optical Module Solutions – Niklas Hansson, Head of Application Engineering (Denmark)
  • MikropRecent Developments of Micro-optical systems in Medical Imaging – Chris Jung, Senior Development Manager
  • ZKW GroupCurrent and Future Trends of Miniaturized Optics in Vehicle Lighting – Christian Knobloch, Senior Optical Engineer (Austria)
  • Fraunhofer IOFMiniaturized Multi-aperture multi/hyper-spectral Imaging and Sensor Concepts – Robert Leitel, Group Leader (Germany)

15:30 – 16:15 Networking coffee break

16:15 – 18:30 SESSION 2: MANUFACTURING CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS FOR MINIATURIZED OPTICS

In this session, we’ll dive into the challenges and smart solutions in manufacturing miniaturized optics. From precision machining to advanced coatings, experts will discuss the hurdles faced in making these remarkable devices and the new techniques making scalable production possible. Discover the strategies used by industry leaders to overcome manufacturing challenges and deliver high-performance miniature optical components.

  • KEYNOTE: TEL Optimizing Semiconductor Equipment to Address Optical Device Manufacturing Challenges – Julie Bannister, Senior Manager (The United States)
  • FEMTOprint Design and Manufacturing of Glass Miniaturized Optical Systems for Compact Fiber-to-chip Connectivity – Rolando Ferrini, Chief Regional Officer & Head of FEMTOprint Neuchâtel (Switzerland)
  • Vanguard Automation Next Generation Miniaturised Freeform Optics from Facet-Attached Micro-Optical Elements to Photonic Wire Bonding (PWB) – Thorsten Mayer, CEO (Germany)
  • EV GroupSynchronization of Process and Material to Achieve Best Results for Micro Optics – Thomas Achleitner, Business Development Manager (Austria)
  • JabilPositioning of Micro Optics in Optoelectromechanical Environments – Sven Sassning, Business Development Manager (Germany)
  • Joanneum ResearchUV-Nanoimprinting of Micro Optics on Foil – Paul Hartmann, Director of Institute MATERIALS (Austria)
  • PROFACTORStep & Repeat in the Nanoimprint Lithography Production Chain – Sonja Kopp, Research Engineer (Austria)

18:30 Departure from venue & guided walking tour through Salzburg to dinner place

19:45 – 22:00 Networking dinner @ Sternbräu (address: Griesgasse 23, 5020 Salzburg)

19 September, 2024, Thursday

08:00 Departure from Leonardo City Center Hotel (address: Hildmannpl. 5, 5020 Salzburg, Österreich) (10 minutes walking) to conference venue

08:15 – 08:45 Welcoming coffee break @ conference venue, Edmundsburg (address: Mönchsberg 2, 5020, Salzburg)

09:00 – 10:45 SESSION 3: DESIGN, SIMULATIONS AND QUALITY CONTROL OF MINIATURIZED OPTICS

The session 3 will be focused on detailed design and careful simulations involved in miniaturized optics. We’ll look at things like micro-lenses and nanostructures, uncovering the innovative design methods and advanced simulation tools driving the development of small optical systems. Companies leading this field will share their expertise, revealing the complexities and solutions in designing optics on a small scale.

  • Atlant3D New Degree of Freedom for Optical Designer with DALP Technology – Gauthier Briere, Senior Application Engineer (Denmark)
  • PrintoptixThe New Freedom in Optical Design – Nils Fahrbach, Managing Director (Germany)
  • Alfamation Wafer-level Micro-optics Functional Testing in Production Scenario – Sébastien Reithinger, Technical Leader – Micro-optics and Optoelectronics Functional Testing (Italy)
  • Photonics Precision Engineering – Enhancing Robustness in Meta Optics Design – Dominik Schulz, Optical Design Engineer (Germany)
  • PlanOpSimMeta-surface Design Methods from the nano- to Macro Level – Lieven Penninck, Founder (Belgium)
  • HOLOEYE PhotonicsWide-Angle Diffractive Optical Elements: From Inverse Design to Quality Control – Andreas Hermerschmidt, Head of Diffractive Optics Group (Germany)

10:45 – 11:30 Networking coffee break

11:30: – 13:15 SESSION 4: RECENT ADVANCES IN OPTICAL TECHNOLOGIES AT MICRO AND NANO SCALES

The final session of the technology meeting will explore the latest breakthroughs in optical technologies on a small scale. From nanophotonics to micro-optical systems, this session showcases cutting-edge optical innovation. Experts from R&D will reveal recent advancements in ultra-compact optical devices.

  • KEYNOTE: TII – Technology Innovation Institute Metasurfaces for Next-Generation Industrial Applications – Ravi K. Saripalli, Senior Researcher (United Arab Emirates)
  • Silicon Austria LabsSub-Wavelength Optics for Miniaturized Sensing and Imaging Applications – Thang Duy Dao, Staff Scientist (Austria)
  • DELOImproving Reliability of Polymer Resins for Permanent Imprint of Micro-optical Elements – Stephan Prinz, Senior Product Manager (Germany)
  • SolnilWafer-scale Fabrication of Fused Silica Nano and Micro-optical Elements – Badre Kerzabi, Co-Founder & CEO (France)
  • NanoscribeTwo-photon Grayscale Lithography (2GL®) – A Novel Advanced Manufacturing Technology for the Optics and Photonics Industries – Michael Thiel, Co-Founder (Germany)

13:15 – 14:15 Networking Lunch
14:15 – 14:30 Walking from conference venue to Leonardo hotel (~10 minutes)
14:30 Bus departure from Leonardo Hotel City Center for company visit at SONY
15:00 – 16:00 Company visit at Sony DADC
16:30 Bus departure from Sony DADC back to Leonardo City Center Hotel & end of the meeting

Accomodation

Recommended hotels:

Leonardo Hotel City-Center Salzburg
€ 169 per single / € 184 per double room incl. breakfast per night
Booking code: EPIC Event
Booking by email to: info.salzburgcitycenter@leonardo-hotels.com

Hotel Neutor
€ 119 excl. breakfast per single room & night
Booking code: EPIC
Booking by email to management@neutor.com

Technology Advisory Committee
Senior Engineering Services Manager at Jabil
Chief Regional Officer at FEMTOprint
Senior Researcher at TII
Optical Engineering & Optical Technologies Scouting at FORVIA HELLA
Head of Optical Solutions at Synopsys
Head of Application Engineering at NIL Technology
Speakers

Christian has a background in electronics & communications engineering. Christian has about 40 years of experience in process engineering for semiconductor, optical discs and micro-optics. In Sony DADC since 1987, as Head of Replication Process Engineering, he and his team are responsible for improving and developing various processes and machineries for prototyping and mass production of full polymer micro-optics and optical discs.

Senior Manager Engineering Optical Disc & Micro Optics at Sony DADC at Sony DADC

Paul studied physics (diploma 1991) and obtained a Ph.D. (1995) at Graz University on Experimental Physics. After several years of experience in management of R&D (AVL List Medical Instruments, Roche Diagnostics, Zumtobel LED – Tridonic Optoelectronics), he joined JOANNEUM RESEARCH Forschungsgesellschaft as Director of the Institute MATERIALS in 2010. He has broad expertise in LED Technology, Optoelectronics, Optical Chemical Sensors and Photoluminescence. He is board member of Photonics Austria, the Austrian platform for photonic technologies, and Professor for Functional Materials at the Technical University of Graz.

Director of Institute MATERIALS at JOANNEUM RESEARCH

Thorsten joined Vanguard in 2020 and served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) for one year. Prior to joining Vanguard Automation, Thorsten has held several regional and global leadership positions at National Instruments (NI) in sales, strategic marketing and operations. Amongst his roles at NI he served as Managing Director for East-Central Europe quadrupling revenues and profits over seven years and led high-impact transformational projects at the global level as Chief of Staff and Global Head of Alliance Sales & Strategic Partnerships. He has lived and worked in four countries. Thus, he offers U.S. Corporate, European and Asian experience and a strong international background to business development and geographical expansion. Thorsten has also been contributing through his voluntary work at SWAN Impact Network, both as investor and advisor, to startups with measurable social or environmental impact.

Stephan is the responsible product manager for high-performance optical polymers at DELO Industrial Adhesives. He obtained his M.Sc. in optics and photonics from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and his Ph.D. in physics from Technical University of Munich. For seven years he developed cutting-edge ultra-short-pulsed laser systems at TRUMPF for scientific applications like attosecond metrology or multiphoton spectroscopy. Stephan joined DELO in 2020 where he is now in charge of the company’s strategic development in the field of micro- and nano-optical applications.

Senior Product Manager at DELO

Ravi is a Senior Researcher and the Lead for the Light Communication Division at the Directed Energy Research Center (DERC) within the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) in the UAE. He drives forward projects in Free Space Optical Communications, quantum information, and the development of a research platform exploring light-matter interaction and nonlinear frequency conversion. Additionally, he plays a crucial role in managing various business partnerships for DERC, contributing to the center's mission of innovation and collaboration. With expertise in light processing, structured light, nonlinear optics, and ultrafast optics, he has authored over 20 impactful scientific papers, garnering attention through news releases and Editor’s picks. Dr. Saripalli has led successful research endeavors supported by prestigious institutions like DARPA, US DOE, and ISRO, while also securing multiple grants and receiving recognition through presentation awards.

Lieven is an expert on optical modelling methods focusing on meta-surfaces and nano-photonics. In 2019 he founded PlanOpSim to develop and offer numerical simulation software for the design of metasurfaces, metalenses, and planar optics. Aside from software development, PlanOpSim also provides optical design services to the photonics and optics industry. He holds a PhD in Photonics Engineering from Ghent University on development of simulation methods for OLED and liquid crystal devices. Outside of academia he worked on LCD display R&D and simulation and measurement of OLEDs and solar cells in various roles.

Dominik previously worked as a Research Assistant at Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg pursuing his PhD in physics. His research focused on investigating and deriving simulation methodology for electromagnetic phenomena in non-trivial media and structures, as well as setting up high-end numerical infrastructure for solving the resulting numerical challenges. The physical topics included, e.g., scattering behavior in magnonic, optical, and quantum mechanical systems, modification of vortex fields, and THz applications in metamaterials. Following his studies, he joined PPE as an Optical Design Engineer specializing in wave optical applications such as DOEs, HOEs, and metasurfaces, where he solves tasks ranging from investigation, design, to tolerancing.

Daniela works in the innovation department of FORVIA HELLA. She studied Media Technology at the University of Ilmenau and received her PhD for her research on holography with LED illumination. She joined HELLA in 2014, has several years of experience in micro-optics and evaluates new technologies for automotive lighting applications.

Optical Engineer & Technology Scout at HELLA forvia

Chris holds both Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Biomedical Engineering, specializing in optical technologies. His career in micro-optical systems began as a research assistant at the University of Stuttgart, where he conducted research on actuated 3D-printed optics using two-photon lithography. This early experience laid the foundation for his expertise in developing advanced optical systems. Chris has extensive experience as a Development Engineer in micro-optical systems, particularly for medical technology. During his time at MIKROP AG, where he started in 2019, he advanced to the role of Team Leader in Research and Development by 2021. In this capacity, he leads a dynamic R&D team focused on using cutting-edge technologies to develop and manufacture innovative micro-optical systems. His work spans from optical design to the full integration of opto-mechanical systems, ensuring the delivery of high-precision products from concept to series production.

Senior Development Manager at Mikrop

Julie is leading advancements in optical disc and micro optics at TEL. With over 26 years of experience in the semiconductor industry, she specializes in plasma etch technologies for both memory and logic devices. Julie drives strategic marketing, road mapping, and industry intelligence at TEL US, focusing on leveraging differentiated technology to support key customers in the more-than-Moore market. Recognized as a technical expert, she frequently speaks at major industry conferences and is passionate about mentoring students and women in STEM. Julie holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin.

Senior Manager at TEL

Sonja is a research engineer at PROFACTOR GmbH in the group of Functional Surfaces and Nanostructures specialized in nanoimprint lithography (NIL) with many years of experience. She is leading industry project management and acquisition. Her current R&D activities are focused on process development for semi-automated nanoimprint lithography (NIL) technologies such as Step&Repeat NIL and Roll-to-Plate NIL. As a member of the business development team with a strong understanding of market needs, she has significant influence on PROFACTOR´s solution portfolio.

Sonja Kopp
Research Engineer at PROFACTOR

Thomas is a Business Development Manager at EV Group, concentrating on Micro and Nanoimprinting for diverse applications, such as nanophotonic elements and wafer level optics. Thomas holds a degree in Innovation and Product Management from University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria. He has accrued six years of experience as a Senior Process Engineer in Nano Imprinting Lithography, specifically focusing on diffractive optical elements for Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality devices.

Business Development Manager at EV Group

Sven has been part of the optics team at Jabil in Jena since February 2024. Before joining Jabil, he gained valuable experience at Trioptics and in the pharmaceutical industry. He holds an engineering degree in physics. With over 15 years of experience in optical test and measurement, optics and optomechanical assembly, Sven is ideally suited to successfully guide customer projects from ideation to mass production and remains the ideal point of contact at all stages. In his leisure time, Sven enjoys spending time with his family and travelling the world.

Business Development Manager at Jabil

Nils studied Engineering Cybernetics at the University of Stuttgart until graduating in 2019. In his award-winning master's thesis, he developed a novel 3D-printed micro camera. After serving in the military for one and a half years, he and Dr. Simon Thiele founded the company Printoptix GmbH in 2021 based on their previous research at the University. Printoptix now commercially offers a design and 3D printing service for micro-optics and works on novel micro-optical solutions.

Managing Director at Printoptix

Sébastien is passionate about optical and vision applications for more than 15 years. Starting with an Engineering Degree in Lasers, Optics, Lighting and Photonics from Polytech'Orleans, and followed with various professional experiences on diverse applications, such as: interferometric telescope; time-resolved spectroscopy; Cinema and TV lens testing; helicopter lighting systems; HighRes Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) systems for electronics component; automated testing for display, optoelectronic devices and micro-optics. Nowadays, at Alfamation, Sebastien leads the technical implementation and development of automated test solutions for Micro-optics, optoelectronic devices and displays. These solutions aim to provide reliable test results with optimized test time and costs, compatible with production scenario requirements.

Technical Leader – Micro-optics and Optoelectronics Functional Testing at Alfamation

Robert graduated from University of Jena in physics on inhomogenous dielectric thin-film coatings and received his PhD degree in 2008 on the formation and characterization of stochastic subwavelength structures on polymer surfaces for antireflection purposes. Since 2009, he is with the microtechnology group of the micro-optical systems department and is familiar with the entire process chain based on photolithographic mastering, replication by UV-molding, RIE etching, and stacking for the generation of wafer-level optics. He is heading the group “Advanced Micro-Optical Components”.

Group Leader at Fraunhofer IOF

Badre obtained a degree in optical engineering from the Institut d'Optique Graduate School (Palaiseau) in 2006 and a Master's degree in photonics from Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) in 2007. He started his career in optical design for applications in medical imaging, semiconductors and displays. He then specialized in nano-fabrication technologies, joining the start-up Sunpartner in 2012 to lead the work on optical engineering and related micro and nano-fabrication processes for the development of semi-transparent solar cells. He will later take up the position of innovation program manager. After the acquisition by Garmin in April 2019, he will continue to hold the latter position until his departure in June 2020 to create and lead SOLNIL.

Co-Founder & CEO at Solnil

Thang studied materials science at NARA and NIMS in Japan. His research interests include nanoplasmonics, metaoptics, integrated photonics, and photonic MEMS. After completing his JSPS postdoctoral fellowship at NIMS, he joined SAL in 2019. Currently, he is a staff scientist in the Microsystems Research Division, focusing on project management, funding acquisition, and the development of metaoptics and photonic MEMS for miniaturized sensing and imaging applications.

Rolando joined FEMTOprint in 2022 as Chief Regional Officer and Head of FEMTOprint Neuchâtel, the subsidiary devoted to photonic-related microdevices in glass. In 1999, he obtained his PhD degree in Physics at the Università degli Studi di Pavia, Italy, with a thesis on the optical properties of III-V semiconductor materials for electronics and optoelectronics. From 2000 to 2004, he worked as Research Associate at EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland, where he studied the optical properties of semiconductor-based photonic crystal devices. From 2004 to 2011, as Senior Research Associate at EPFL, he was in charge of the activities on organic devices for optics, photonics and lighting. From 2011 to 2022, he worked at CSEM as Group Leader MicroNano Optics and in 2021 as Head of the Focus Area Photonics. From 2020 to 2021, he founded the PHABULOuS pilot line for the manufacturing of freeform micro-optical components, acting both as project coordinator of the related H2020 project and as Managing Director.

Chief Regional Officer & Head of FEMTOprint Neuchâtel at FEMTOprint

Niklas holds a degree in Physics from Chalmers University of Technology and has been an integral part of NIL Technology since 2012. In the early stages of his career, he concentrated on development of manufacturing processes for diffractive optics for XR applications. His contributions include the development of pivotal manufacturing processes in this domain. Over the past decade, his focus has transitioned to Meta Optics, driven by an ambition to discern key applications and spearhead the commercialization of the next generation of miniature projectors and cameras based on Meta Optics.

Head of Application Engineering at NIL Technology

Christian grew up and went to school in Lower Austria. He studied Physics at the University of Vienna and finished his doctoral study in the field of molecular quantum optics, investigating the wave nature of different molecules. Since 2018, he has worked for ZKW in optical module development, where he became responsible for the serial development of a high-resolution DLP module. In his position as a Senior Optical Engineer, he currently develops high and low-resolution module solutions for automotive headlamps. Recently, he studied how to bridge the gap between high-resolution modules and current state-of-the-art pixel solutions. In his spare time, he explores caves in different Austrian karst regions. This is where his fascination for light and illumination started, and where he also followed the development of light all the way from acetylene lamps to high-power LEDs.

Christian Knobloch
Senior Optical Engineer at ZKW Group

Andreas studied physics and did his PhD in the field of laser physics, photorefractive materials and grating diffraction at Technical University, Berlin. He joined HOLOEYE in 2004 and has since then been responsible for the development activities related to diffractive optics and micro-optics in general, overseeing the progress of its scientific and technical competencies as well as the development of both off-the-shelf products and custom products tailored to specific customer requirements.

Head of Diffractive Optics Group at HOLOEYE Photonics

Gauthier obtained his Master Degree on Physics of Lasers and Light Matter Interaction at the Universite of Bourgogne. He then pursues by doing a PhD in nanophotonics in 2019 at the Universite of Cote d’Azur under the supervision of Patrice Genevet at the Laboratory CRHEA, on the topic of Metasurfaces made of Gallium Nitride with application in the visible range. In 2020, he joined Dispelix, a successful Finnish start up, developing waveguide combiner for augmented reality application. In 2022, he was hired by Applied Materials, to develop the manufacturing portfolio offering for photonics components i.e. meta-optics. He recently joined Atlant3D to develop the applications portfolio in photonics using DALP technology.

Senior Application Engineer at Atlant3D

Axel is a member of the Imaging and Display team, which is part of Yole’s “More than Moore” focus. He contributes to technology and market analysis on various imaging technologies and participates in the production of Yole Group’s products. Previously, Axel obtained an MSc from the Grenoble Institute of Technology and a PhD from the University of Grenoble Alpes in collaboration with CEA-Leti, where he worked on color and noise aspects in CMOS image sensors. He is the author of a variety of scientific papers and conference presentations.

Senior Technology and Market Analyst at YOLE Group

Michael is Co-founder, authorized officer and Chief Science Officer (CSO) of Nanoscribe. His focus lies on driving technical innovations in research and development. As a graduate physicist, he earned his PhD at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) in 3D laser lithography and received the KIT PhD Award in 2011 for his work. Michael Thiel is INSEAD alumnus since 2015. In 2016, he was chosen to be one of Germany’s best innovators under 35. In the same year, he received the European CTO of the year 2016 award.

Co-Founder at Nanoscribe
Attendees
Supported By
Technology Manager
Technology scope and agenda
Jeremy Picot-Clemente, PhD
Jeremy Picot-Clemente, PhD
Technology Expert for Optics and Optical Systems
Programme Manager
Coordination
Lídia Briquets
Lídia Briquets
Programme Manager
Event Manager
Logistics, venue, accommodation, and transportation
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