Optica Student Chapter

Indian Institute of Technology Ropar

OPTICA

OPTICA is a professional association of individuals and companies with an interest in optics, photonics, and related areas. It publishes journals, organizes conferences and exhibitions, and provides opportunities to interact with pioneers.

Student Chapter IIT Ropar

OPTICA Student Chapter IIT Ropar was inaugurated on 6 March 2020. More than 350 student chapters worldwide. On the occasion of inauguration, an invited public lecture on “Optics and mechanics: a symbiotic relationship” was delivered by Prof. K. Thyagarajan, a well-known pioneer in the field of Optics & Photonics.

Education Outreach and Activities

Exploring the science of light for kids of every age in a fun and activity based way.

Demonstration optics based classroom activities to enhance learning optics at an early age with Optics suitcase provided by OPTICA.

To induce scientific temper at school level and making aware of optics in practical life.

Recent Activity

Seminar by Dr. Dominik Walter Vogt on Near-Field Imaging of High-Q Terahertz Resonators

Advances in terahertz (THz) photonics are driving innovations in next-generation wireless communications, high-resolution imaging, spectroscopy, and sensing. As these technologies continue to evolve, the development of non-invasive techniques for probing electromagnetic fields in complex photonic structures has become increasingly important.

We warmly invite you to the seminar by Dr. Dominik Walter Vogt titled as:

Seeing the Invisible: Near-Field Imaging of High-Q Terahertz Resonators

The seminar will explore recent advances in near-field imaging techniques that enable direct visualisation of electromagnetic fields in high-Q terahertz resonators, offering new opportunities for the design and characterisation of next-generation terahertz devices.

Invited Talk on using Optics in Transforming the Future of Eye Care

How are advances in optics transforming the future of eye care?

Modern optical technologies are revolutionising how we understand, diagnose, and treat the human visual system. In this lecture, Prof. Marcos will explore how techniques originally developed for fields such as astronomy, including adaptive optics and high-resolution imaging, have become indispensable tools in vision science and clinical ophthalmology.

The talk will highlight recent advances in:

🔹 Wavefront sensing

🔹 Visual simulators

🔹 Quantitative Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

🔹 Elastography

🔹 Emerging optical correction strategies

Prof. Marcos will also discuss how these innovations are being translated from fundamental research to clinical practice, paving the way for personalised eye care.

Lecture Series on Silicon Photonics

Lecture 1

Creating a second-order nonlinearity by breaking symmetry: The hunt for χ² in silicon photonics

This lecture will explore how symmetry breaking can enable effective second-order nonlinear optical processes in silicon-based photonic platforms, opening new possibilities for frequency conversion, quantum photonics, and integrated nonlinear optics.

Lecture 2

The talk will focus on the enhancement of light emission through the Purcell effect in dielectric Mie-resonators, highlighting recent advances in silicon-compatible nanophotonic systems and resonant light-matter interactions.

Prof. Schilling's pioneering contributions span silicon photonics, nonlinear optics, nanophotonics, and CMOS-compatible light sources, making this a unique opportunity for students, researchers, and faculty members interested in modern photonics research.

We warmly invite everyone to join us for these insightful sessions and engage with frontier research in integrated photonics.

Invited Talk on Quantum Sensing and Atomic Magnetometry

Quantum sensing is revolutionizing precision measurement technologies, with optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) emerging as powerful tools for detecting extremely weak magnetic fields. These sensors are enabling advances in biomedical imaging, geophysical exploration, navigation, defense technologies, and fundamental physics.

In this talk, Dr. Grewal will discuss a novel experimental approach to achieving dead-zone-free operation in atomic magnetometers using free-induction-decay (FID) of atomic spins. The method enables sensitive magnetic-field measurements across all orientations, paving the way for compact and practical quantum sensors.

Dr. Grewal's research spans nonlinear magneto-optical effects, quantum sensing, atomic physics, and the development of innovative magnetometry techniques using warm alkali atoms.

We warmly invite students, researchers, and faculty members interested in quantum technologies, optics, photonics, and atomic physics to join us for this exciting session.

International Light Day Celebration

Light for a sustainable future

The Optica Student Chapter, IIT Ropar, is organizing Illuminance 2026 on 16 May 2026 to celebrate the International Day of Light, a global initiative proclaimed by UNESCO to highlight the importance of light and light-based technologies in science, education, and sustainable development.

The event will bring together researchers, faculty, college students, and school students through a series of invited talks and interactive outreach activities in optics and photonics. In addition to academic sessions by experts in the field, the program will include live optics demonstrations designed to engage school students and promote curiosity-driven learning.

Aligned with this year’s theme, “Light for a Sustainable Development,” the event aims to emphasize the role of photonics in addressing global challenges and inspiring the next generation toward STEM education and research.

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