AeronauticsaeronauticsSecurity & Defensesecurity-defenseSpacespace
6-7 September 2023
EPIC Technology Meeting on Photonics in Defense
Kielce, Poland

In cooperation with


Photonics is revolutionizing the defense industry, providing more accurate and reliable ways to detect and neutralize threats. From sophisticated sensors to powerful lasers, photonic technologies are providing new levels of precision, efficiency and safety. With the ability to detect and classify threats more accurately, to provide long-range target destruction, and to enable secure communications, data analysis and information sharing, these technologies are becoming an essential tool in the fight against global threats. Photonics also offers a great deal of flexibility and scalability, allowing for the development of specialized solutions to fit the needs of any defense organization.

The purpose of this EPIC event on “Photonics in Defense” in Kielce, Poland, organized during the 31st International Defense Industry Exhibition MSPO, is to critically review the main and most promising photonics emerging technologies addressing Defense applications as well as give an overview of the main challenges. EPIC will make highly relevant experts from the industry and R&D meet together to bring the discussion to another level.

Participants biographies, photos and companies descriptions are available HERE.
Read the summary of the meeting HERE.

Agenda

Optional agenda (registration for the optional agenda is closed, participants list available HERE): 

DAY ZERO IN CITY WARSAW 

5 September, Tuesday

15:30 Departure from VIENNA HOUSE MOKOTOW BY WYNDHAM WARSAW hotel (address: Postępu 4, 02-676, Warsaw) by bus transfer from the Vienna hotel to VIGO Photonics

16:00 – 18:00 Visiting VIGO Photonics (address: Poznańska 129/133, 05-850 Ożarów Mazowiecki, Poland)

18:00 Bus transfer from VIGO Photonics to Vienna hotel

18:30 – 21:30 Dinner @ Vienna hotel

6 September, Wednesday

08:30 Departure by bus transfer from Vienna hotel to Lukasiewicz Institute of Microelectronics and Photonics – IMIF

09:00 – 10:30 Visiting Lukasiewicz Institute of Microelectronics and Photonics – IMIF (address: Al. Lotnikow 32/46, 02-668 Warsaw)

10:40 Departure by the bus transfer from Łukasiewicz  to Hotel Europa Starachowice

10:40 – 12:30 Drive by the bus transfer

Official agenda: 

DAY ONE IN CITY STARACHOWICE

12:50 – 13:50 Registration and lunch @ Hotel Europa Starachowice (address: ul. Radomska 76a, 27-200, Starachowice), ground floor, restaurant space next to Reception

13:50 – 14:00 Welcoming words by Jeremy Picot-Clemente, Photonics Technology Manager at EPIC – European Photonics Industry Consortium @ SALA WENECJA

SESSION 1: Emerging Imaging and Sensing technologies for Defense @ SALA WENECJA

14:00 – 14:30 KEYNOTE: Thales – Event Based Image Sensors and Their Potential Applications in Defence and Space – Eric Belhaire, Head of Electro-Optical Technologies (France)
14:30 – 14:45 VIGO PhotonicsIR FPA Development Program in Vigo Photonics – Przemysław Kalinowski, FPA Strategic Program Director (Poland)
14:45 – 15:00 KERDRYConductive Anti-Reflective Coatings for ECM Shielding Management and Heating Windows in Harsh Environments – Jorge Julian Sanchez Martinez, Sales and Business Development Senior (France)
15:00 – 15:15 Diehl DefencePhotonics Technologies for SWaP-driven Airborne Sensors – Hans Tholl, Head of CoC Electrooptical and Electromechanical Systems (Germany)
15:15 – 15:30 LeonardoLeonardo Key & Emerging Sensor Technologies – Kevin Thomas, Chief Engineer (United Kingdom)
15:30 – 15:45 PhotonisState-of-the-art Imaging Solutions for Portable and Vehicle Platforms – Christophe Robinet, Strategic Marketing Manager (France)
15:45 – 16:00 Excelitas Photon Detection – Saving Lives through Precision and Protection – Richard Simons, Product Manager (Canada)

16:00 – 16:45 Networking coffee break @ next to SALA WENECJA

SESSION 2: Laser Technologies for Defense @ SALA WENECJA

16:45 – 17:00 Exail1 um and 2 um, Doped Fibers and LiNbO3 Phase Modulators dedicated to Directed Energy Laser – David Dupuy, Sales Manager (France)
17:00 – 17:15 AktyvusReinventing the Wheel or Technology Disruption which Saves Lives? Laser Target Designation Today – Laurynas Satas, CEO (Lithuania) 
17:15 – 17:30 CycleFiber based Optical Frequency and Timing Solutions – Daniel Petters, CEO (Germany)
17:30 – 17:45 Laser Zentrum HannoverDeflagration of Explosive Ordnances with Laser Technology – Jorg Hermsdorf, Head of Materials & Processes Department (Germany)

SESSION 3: Secure Optical Communication for Defense @ SALA WENECJA

17:45 – 18:00 SAES Getters  Advanced Getter Solutions for High Reliability Packaging of Optoelectronic Devices – Davide Frigerio, Business Development EMEA (Italy)
18:00 – 18:15 GlenairHigh-Power >20 W Single-Mode Fibre Optic Connector for Directed Energy Weapons Systems – Davinder Basuita, Photonics Business Development Manager (United Kingdom)
18:15 – 18:30 Bright Photonics How to Develop Photonic Integrated Circuits for Robust Optical Communication and Sensing Systems – Katarzyna Lawniczuk, Vice President, Senior Photonics Engineer (The Netherlands)

19:00 – 22:00 Dinner @ Hotel Europa Starachowice, ground floor, restaurant space next to Reception

22:00 Departures to different hotels / networking walk to Senator hotel

 

DAY TWO IN CITY KIELCE

7 September, Thursday 

08:00 Networking walk from Senator hotel to Hotel Europa

08:30 Bus departure from Hotel Europa Starachowice to Kielce, MSPO expo

09:45 – 10:15 Welcoming coffee @ meeting room Kappa at MSPO, Kielce. MAP available HERE. Please enter through doors 1 (Wejście 1). Please have your visitor tickets prepared. Onsite registration possible for those, who did not register online.

SESSION 4: Use-Cases and Challenges of Photonics Technology in Military Platform @ meeting room Lambda at MSPO, Kielce

10:15 – 10:45 KEYNOTE: MBDAAn Overview to Electro-Optics in Missile Systems – Chris Greenway, Department Head (United Kingdom)
10:45 – 11:15 KEYNOTE: PCOOptoelectronics in Service of Land Forces – Lukasz Zaskurski, Head of Products and Services Sales Department (Poland)
11:15- 11:30 OptecBBOpportunities for Photonics and Quantum Technologies in the Ukrainian Defense Industry – Adrian Mahlkow, Director (Germany)
11:30 – 12:00 KEYNOTE: Lukasiewicz – PIAP How Mobile Robotics for Defence Applications can Benefit from Photonics-based Solutions? – Grzegorz Kowalski, Deputy Head of Security and Defence Systems Division (Poland)
12:00 – 12:30 KEYNOTE: Exatel – Michal Szczęsny, Network Architecture and Planning Director and Teodor Buchner, Research and Development Project Expert (Poland)

12:30 – 14:00 Networking lunch @ meeting room Kappa

14:00 End of the conference and visiting exhibition

NOTE. There is no common transfer planned from MSPO to airports. Please fill in THIS DOCUMENT to collaborate with the other participants. 

Companies visits

Please note that in order to visit the companies you need to mark this in the registration form. Number of people is limited for the visits. We will be confirming registrations based on first registered – first accepted rule. We limit the number of people due to the companies capacities. Thank you for your understanding. 

VIGO Photonics is a European manufacturer of semiconducting materials and instruments for photonic and microelectronic, specialized in MWIR and LWIR detectors and modules, produced with the use of internally-developed technology. The mission of VIGO Photonics is to provide fast and convenient, easy to use IR detectors at any wavelength from 2 to 16 µm, reaching fundamental BLIP limits without cryocooling. Modules are available with different spectral response ranges, time response characteristics and gains. VIGO Photonics has a complete front – end and back- end production line for semiconductor high capacity instruments – from epitaxy of II-IV and III-V groups, through detector chips, lasers and their assembly and integration with electronics.
VIGO Photonics non-standard solutions allow you to develop products dedicated to customer’s applications:
– industry – laser power control and calibration;
– environmental protection – gas analysis, real-time water quality control;
– healthcare – non-invasive blood analysis;
– transport – analysis of temperature distribution in fast-moving objects;
– research and development – precise, non-destructive spectroscopy.
– defense and security – smart munitions, early warning systems;
– automotive

Lukasiewicz – Institute of Microelectronics and Photonics (Lukasiewicz – IMiF) is a Poland-leading photonic technology research institute with more than 400 outstanding employees.  Its mission is to develop technologies of the future in response to the challenges of the modern world. We offer entrepreneurs solutions that support improving business and creating innovative technologies. The long-term aim is to stimulate industrial development, create commercial-added value, and improve life quality through technology R&D actions.

The Institute focuses on creating advanced solutions in the fields of micro-nanoelectronics, optoelectronics, materials engineering, photonics (including nanophotonics), microwave electronics, power electronics, transparent and flexible electronics to address areas such as: Sustainable Economy and Energy, Digital Transformation, Smart Clean Mobility and Health.

The scope of the Institute’s activities includes in particular: development of construction and technology for the production of micro- and optoelectronic semiconductor devices, including: microwave and photonic discrete devices, detectors and sensors, integrated circuits, micro-systems and electronic components, hybrid microelectronic systems, power instruments, diffraction elements; development of methods for the design of micro- and opto-electronic semiconductor devices and development of new methods for characterization of materials, structures and semiconductor devices; development of technologies for the production of new materials such as silicon carbide, epitaxial and flake graphene, ceramic-metal composites and advanced ceramics and testing their properties in terms of their industrial use; conducting standardization and certification activities and approval. We develop modern fiber optic and micro-optical technologies and various types of sensors enabling data acquisition and reliable transmission, which is of great importance for many branches of industry 4.0.

The research is around four technological lines: a line of optoelectronic components, a line of silicon components, a line of wide-gap semiconductor components and a line dedicated to LTCC technology. These modern technological lines enable the scientific community to participate in research and entrepreneurs to develop new products.

Accomodation

Please book VIENNA HOUSE MOKOTOW BY WYNDHAM WARSAW hotel (address: Postępu 4, 02-676, Warsaw) for 5-6 September, if you are planning to attend the companies visits. You can do this by email kamila.jedras@hrg-hotels.com mentioning the code EPICDefence2023. Price is 480 PLN/101.27 EUR for a standard single room. The code is valid until 1 August, 2023. 
You can also use any other systems for your booking, like booking.com.

Please urgently book your room at Hotel Europa Starachowice (address: ul. Radomska 76a, 27-200 Starachowice, Poland), where the 1st day of the EPIC event will be held on 6 September. You can book it by booking.com, their website or any other system you are using. This hotel only allows you to book it for minimum 3 days, so it is good, if you are staying for the entire MSPO expo in Kielce (5-8 September, 2023). This hotel is located within 50 km from Kielce.

You can also book another hotel close to Hotel Europa for 1 night, 6-7 September, e.g. Hotel Senator Konferencje & SPA. It is located within 20 min./1.5 km walk from Hotel Europa Starachowice.

Update: we are aware that there is a shortage of rooms in Starachowice. This is due to such a big event is happening in a really small town of Kielce, so all the surrounding cities are occupied. Please book something as close as possible to Starachowice for the 1st day of the meeting – 6 September (night 6-7 September). 

Logistics

Included into the ticket price of this event: 

  • Company visits at VIGO and Łukasiewicz.
  • Bus transfers Warsaw hotel- VIGO – Warsaw hotel – Łukasiewicz- Hotel Europa Starachowice – Kielce during 5-7 September.
  • Meals: 5 September dinner in Warsaw, 6 September lunch, coffee break and dinner in Starachowice, 7 September coffee and lunch in Kielce.
  • Ticket to attend MPSO expo on 7 September.

To attend this event, you need to additionally take care of: 

  • Hotel in Warsaw, if planning to attend VIGO company visit/dinner in Warsaw on 5 September including breakfast.
  • Hotel in Starachowice for 6-7 September including breakfast.
  • Accommodation from 7 September, if planning to stay more time at MSPO.

Transportation from Kielce to airport is not provided. You can check this website for personal arrangements.

Photography Policy

During this event our staff will be capturing the excitement, energy, and memorable moments that unfold. These photographs will be used for promotional purposes on our official website and social media channels, showcasing the vibrant atmosphere and experiences shared during the event.

Your Choice:

Your presence at this event is valuable to us, and we respect your privacy. If you have any concerns about being photographed and potentially featured on our promotional materials, please answer this email before or during the event. We will ensure that your preferences are respected.

Revoking Consent:

If you have initially consented to being photographed but later decide that you would like to revoke your consent, you can do so by notifying our staff or answering this email after the event. We will promptly remove any photographs featuring you from our promotional materials.

Your comfort and satisfaction are of utmost importance to us, and we want to create an inclusive and enjoyable experience for everyone attending this Meeting. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Speakers

Davide Frigerio (EMEA Business Developer) graduated in Materials Science at the University of Milano-Bicocca. He worked for several years in R&D/product development in the field of smart materials and special alloys, taking part in many innovation projects and filing several patents. He joined SAES Group in 2015 as a Product Development Engineer of Nitinol Shape Memory Alloy components. Since 2022, he manages the new business opportunities for Getter components and device packaging in various market segments including Defense, Medical, Electronics and Renewable Energy.

Business Development EMEA at SAES Getters

Jorge Julian Sanchez Martinez (Business Development Manager) received PhD in semiconductors technology for low dimensional photonics applications at ETSIT-UPM (Madrid) in 2000, MsC in Physics (UCM) and Mathematics (UNED). He has more than 20 years in the sector, covering different responsibilities in the whole stakeholder chains. Jorge Julian is EC industrial expert from 2002, and (co)author of more than 30 scientific contributions in the domain. From October 2022, he is Sales and Business & Development Senior at HEF Photonics BU/Kerdry in Lannion, France.

Sales and Business Development Senior at KERDRY

Davinder Basuita (Business Development Manager) is a Business Development Manager at Glenair where is responsible for promoting photonic and fibre optic technologies for harsh environment applications. Prior to this, he was Sales Director, EMEA at Emcore Corporation working with high speed photonics technologies for telecom and CATV. Davinder was a co-founder of K2 Optronics (acquired by Emcore Corporation) and, during his earlier career, has held photonics related positions at Pilkington, GEC Marconi, Tyco Electronics and Kymata.

Business Development Manager at Glenair

David Dupuy (Eastern Europe Sales Manager) joined exail (Formaly iXblue) in 2021 to expand the reach of the Photonic business unit to the German and Eastern European market. Held different operational and business development positions in the field of Opto-Electronics at (Fibercore, Photonis) during the past 25 years. Holds a M.Sc. in Physics from University of Manchester.

Sales Manager at Exail

Przemysław Kalinowski (Strategic Program Manager) earned his master’s degree in Electronics at Warsaw University of Technology. During his professional life, he has been involved in sales as well as in project management and designing of analog electronics.

FPA Strategic Program Director at VIGO Photonics

Chris Greenway (Department Head) graduated with a Master in Physics degree from the University of Bath in 2001. Since then he has spent over 20years working for MBDA, both in the UK and France, primarily in the field of electro-optics. He has experience across a range of MBDA programmes, as well as internal and external R&D activities, with a particular emphasis on passive and active infra-red imaging systems. Chris has been the MBDA UK Electro-Optic Seekers and Sensors Department Head for the last 4 years, and leads a team of 30+ engineers.

Department Head at MBDA
Head of Electro-Optical Technologies at Thales 

Adrian Mahlkow (CEO) graduated in physics (TU Berlin) in 1997 and moved then to OUT e.V., a non-profit research institute specialising in optoelectronics and environmentally compatible technologies. Parallel to his work as a project leader, he completed his doctorate in 2003 and has been working on his habilitation in technical optics since 2005. Since 1999, Adrian has led more than 40 research projects with different focuses on LED technology. He also works as a technology consultant for various companies and was a member of the board of Optec-Berlin-Brandenburg e.V. and the Competence Network for Optical Technologies and Microsystems Engineering from 2015 to 2022. Since 2021, he has been on the presidium of the Zuse Association and a member of the German Physical Society and the European Physical Society. Since 1.1.2023, he has been the new managing director of OpTecBB e.V.

Director at OptecBB

Hans Tholl (Head of the Centre of Competence for Electro-Optical and Electro-Mechanical Systems) works as Department Head in the Engineering Division of Diehl Defence. He also holds the position as Optronics Expert for the Diehl Group. In these functions, he is responsible for managing a department of physicists and engineers, developing subsystems for missile guidance and navigation, performing feasibility studies and technology maturation. Hans received a Diploma in theoretical elementary particle physics in 1985 and a PhD in Optical Physics in 1990, both from the Technical University of Aachen. He is Senior Member of SPIE, a member of OSA, DGaO, EOS, and AAPT.

Hans Tholl
Head of CoC Electrooptical and Electromechanical Systems at Diehl defence

Kevin Thomas (Chief Engineer for Sensors) has worked in the Precision Guidance seeker domain for more than 20 years with experience spanning low TRL research, technology maturation, and production product delivery across multiple EO technologies. His technical leadership of company developments closely allied to research assessment & exploitation has yielded several of the Leonardo technologies at the forefront of our offerings, spanning imaging IR (cooled and uncooled), Semi-Active Laser and advanced multi-mode sensing, including IR/RF technologies.

Chief Engineer at Leonardo

Laurynas Šatas (CEO) has strong technical expertise and an academic background in optics, optical coatings, lasers and laser applications. Laurynas holds a BSc in Physics and Management of Modern Technologies and an MSc in Laser Technologies from Vilnius University. Since 2014, Laurynas has focused on supporting key industrial customers. His strong track record in multiple product development projects has proved his technical expertise and leadership. He is highly motivated to turn things that seem “impossible” into a new product line.

Christophe Robinet (Strategic Marketing Manager) graduated from UTC Universite de Technologie de Compiegne and IAE-Aix Graduate School of Management (MBA). He has 25-year experience in marketing, business development and strategy advisory positions. Most of his track record in professional imaging markets: machine vision, medical imaging, defense with Atmel, E2V-Teledyne and Photonis. His actual missions focus on market intelligence and strategic marketing for Photonis Advanced Imaging Business Unit.

Strategic Marketing Manager at Photonis

Daniel Petters (CEO) is a physicist and joined Cycle in 2021. After studying theoretical particle physics, he began his career in 2000 as a management consultant in the telecommunications and internet industry. In various positions he focused on finance and business development. Since 2013, he has been involved as managing director in young start-up companies. Daniel holds a PhD in natural sciences from FU Berlin, Germany. For more than a year he has been supporting Cycle's excellent team of scientists and engineers in supplying timing systems to major research institutions around the world.

Jörg Hermsdorf (Head of Material and Processes Department) worked in the building industry as a project and welding engineer, after receiving his degree in mechanical engineering in 1996. In 2001, he started working as a scientific employee at the Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V. (LZH), where he became head of the Machines and Controls group in 2009. He received his PhD (Dr.-Ing.) in mechanical engineering at the Leibniz University Hannover in 2012. In 2018 finally, he was promoted to Head of the Materials and Processes department at the LZH. From various national and international R&D projects, Jörg is experienced in laser material processing and project coordination.

Head of Materials & Processes Department at Laser Zentrum Hannover

Richard Simons (Product Manager, Defense Sensors and Low-Light-Level Detection) has been with Excelitas for 12 years, originally in the UK and for 10 years at their wafer fab site in Montreal, Canada. He has over 30 years of technical, sales and product management experience in high power lasers, laser optics, fibre optics and detectors, and their use in applications varying from laser-ignited fusion, through lidar and telecoms, to single-molecule fluorescence.

Product Manager at Excelitas

Katarzyna Ławniczuk (Vice President and Senior Photonics Engineer) was awarded a joint Ph.D. degree from TU/e, the Netherlands, and Warsaw University of Technology, Poland, in 2014. Her research focused on Indium Phosphide-based multiwavelength lasers and photonic integrated transmitters. Katarzyna was the coordinator of JePPIX at Eindhoven TU/e from 2013 to 2016.

Vice President, Senior Photonics Engineer at Bright Photonics

Grzegorz Kowalski (Business Development Manager) joined PIAP in 2006 after graduation from Warsaw University of Technology as M.Sc.Eng. in automation and robotics. Since then, he has been involved in development and management of security and defense related national and international research projects as well as commercial deliveries to Polish end-users. His main interests include counter-CBRN accessories and cyberphysical systems. Grzegorz is an Expert on mobile robotics in NATO and EC working groups and the author of over 20 papers and patents on robotic accessories for security and defense. Currently he holds the position of Deputy Head of Security and Defense Systems Division.

Deputy Head of Security and Defence Systems Division at Lukasiewicz - PIAP

Łukasz Zaskurski (Head of Products and Services Sales Department) joined the company in 2015 as an International Sales Manager. Łukasz graduated from Leon Kozminski Academy in Warsaw and University of Bradford with a master’s degree in international business and management. He is a certified project manager and business development professional with over 15-years’ experience in defense sector.

Head of Products and Services Sales Department at PCO
Research and Development Project Expert at Exatel
Network Architecture and Planning Director at Exatel
Attendees
Sponsor
Supported By
Programme Manager
Coordination
Jeremy Picot-Clemente, PhD
Jeremy Picot-Clemente, PhD
Technology Expert for Optics and Optical Systems
Event Manager
Logistics, venue, accommodation, and transportation
Neringa Noreikiene
Neringa Noreikiene
Events Manager
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