2025-03-18, 12-13
Location: KTH, Stockholm
Sponsors: Coherent
Date: March 18, 2025
Time: 12:00 – 13:00
Location: V1 Lecture Hall, KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Participants: 93
Introduction
As part of the 360CARLA initiative to raise awareness and stimulate engagement in photonics among students and professionals, a well-attended lunch seminar was held on March 18, 2025, at KTH Royal Institute of Technology. The event was jointly organized by PhotonicSweden, Coherent AB, and the Physics Student Corps at KTH, bringing together nearly one hundred participants from academia, industry, and the student community.
Program Summary
The seminar featured two engaging talks that provided both academic and industrial perspectives on the transformative power of photonics:
“Advancing AI, Cloud Services, and Communication Networks with Photonics Semiconductor Technology”
Speaker: Peter Szabo, Senior Director Product Development, II-VI Incorporated, Coherent AB
Peter Szabo presented the industrial landscape, focusing on how photonics semiconductors are integral to advancing data-intensive technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure, and high-speed communication networks. His insights highlighted the growing demand for energy-efficient and scalable photonics solutions.
“Photonics – Science and Technology for the 21st Century”
Speaker: Prof. Fredrik Laurell, Laser Physics Group, KTH
Professor Laurell offered an inspiring overview of the fundamental science behind photonics and its broad relevance to modern society. His talk underscored photonics as a key enabling technology across disciplines—from healthcare and advanced manufacturing to quantum computing and sustainability.
Outcomes and Reflections
The seminar attracted 93 participants, signaling strong interest in photonics and its future role in technology and innovation. Attendees appreciated the balanced format, which offered both scientific depth and real-world application. Following the presentations, a Q&A session and informal networking allowed for deeper dialogue and knowledge exchange, in line with the 360CARLA mission to connect the academic and industrial photonics communities.
Conclusion
The March 18 seminar exemplified the strength of collaboration between academia and industry and reaffirmed the importance of engaging the next generation of photonics professionals. Events like these continue to build momentum for the photonics ecosystem in Sweden and contribute meaningfully to the objectives of the 360CARLA initiative.
