PRAGUE, Czech Republic -- Significant research in quantum optics, metamaterials and plasmonics, and nanoscale optical manipulation have been recognized with presentation of awards by the International Commission for Optics (ICO). The presentations were made 16 April during the SPIE Optics and Optoelectronics 2013 symposium in Prague. SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, is an International Society Member of the ICO.
Jan Peřina of Palacký University was presented with the 2011 ICO Galileo Galilei Award, for his results on quantum optics and coherence regarding non-classical states. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of optics which are achieved under comparatively unfavorable circumstances.
Presenters of the Galileo Galilei Medal, donated by the Società Italiana di Ottica e Fotonica (SIOF), were Ivo Rendina, SIOF Past President and General Chair of Optics and Optoelectronics, and Francesco Baldini, SIOF Vice-President. Professor Peřina's Galileo Galilei Lecture was on "Quasidistributions in nonlinear quantum optics."
Shuang Zhang of the University of Birmingham was awarded the 2010 IUPAP Young Scientist Prize in Optics, made annually to a scientist who has made noteworthy contributions to applied optics and photonics during a maximum of eight years of research experience after having earned a PhD degree. ICO Secretary Angela Guzmán presented Dr. Zhang with the IUPAP Young Scientist Medal and Diploma.
Zhang's award recognizes his work in metamaterials and plasmonics, particularly for the first demonstration of the double-fishnet structure, and achievements in realization of the first 3D optical negative-index metamaterials. His IUPAP Awardee Lecture was on "Controlling light with bulk and surface metamaterials."
Romain Quidant of ICFO (Institut de Ciències Fotòniques) was presented with the 2012 ICO Prize for his accomplishments in nanoscale optical manipulation, particularly his studies into the optical properties of metallic nanostructures. The concept has utility in technologies such as single-photon sources, sensing, and enhanced spectroscopy, offering the ability to control both light and heat for applications such as point-of-care diagnostics and cancer therapies.
Dr. Quidant, the leader of the research group on plasmon nano-optics at the ICFO, received the Ernst Abbe glass award donated by the Carl Zeiss Foundation from ICO Vice President Frank Höller, and presented the Ernst Abbe Lecture on "Plasmon nano-optics: taming light on the nanometer scale."
The ICO Prize is presented annually to a person who has made a noteworthy contribution to optics before reaching the age of 40. The Ernst Abbe glass award with a 3D laser sculpted rendition of Ernst Abbe's head replaced this time the former Ernst Abbe medal.
The ICO plays an important role in promoting optics in international forums, is a Scientific Affiliate of the International Council for Science (ICSU) and supports the IUPAP mission to assist in the worldwide development of physics, foster cooperation in the field, and aid in its application toward solving problems of concern to humanity. ICO members are organizations representing optics researchers and institutes through 53 Territorial Committees all over the world, and several international societies including SPIE that share the mission of advancing optics and photonics.
SPIE is the international society for optics and photonics, a not-for-profit organization founded in 1955 to advance light-based technologies. The Society serves nearly 225,000 constituents from approximately 150 countries, offering conferences, continuing education, books, journals, and a digital library in support of interdisciplinary information exchange, professional networking, and patent precedent. SPIE provided over $3.2 million in support of education and outreach programs in 2012.
ICO presenters and prize winners and SPIE Optics + Optoelectronics (SPIE OO) organizers included (from left) SPIE OO General Chair and SIOF Past President Ivo Rendina, 2010 IUPAP Young Scientist Prize in Optics winner Shuang Zhang, ICO Past Vice President and SPIE President-Elect Philip Stahl, ICO Secretary Angela Guzmán, SPIE OO Steering Committee Member Pavel Tomanek, SPIE OO Conference Chair Mario Bertolotti, SPIE Vice President Toyohiko Yatagai, 2012 ICO Prize winner Romain Quidant, and ICO Vice President Frank Höller.
From left, professors Bertolotti and Guzmán congratulate 2011 ICO Galileo Galilei Award winner Jan Peřina.
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