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.

The Optica Student Chapter, IIT Ropar, is pleased to host a webinar titled “When Light Breaks Symmetry: Exceptional Effects in Kerr Resonators” on 04 May 2026.

The talk will be delivered by Lewis Hill, Senior Scientist at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light. The session will explore key concepts in nonlinear photonics, including spontaneous symmetry breaking in optical systems and the dynamics of Kerr resonators.

The webinar will also cover topics such as temporal cavity solitons, optical frequency combs, and emerging phenomena in interacting nonlinear optical systems.

Date: 04 May 2026
Time: 06:30 – 07:30 PM IST
Mode: Online
Join Link: https://lnkd.in/gGJmmvDg 

This session is open to students, faculty, and researchers interested in photonics, nonlinear optics, and laser science.

The Optica Student Chapter, IIT Ropar, successfully organized a talk titled “Coupled Lasers: From Fundamentals to Applications” on 24 March 2026 at IIT Ropar.

We were honored to host Prof. Fabien Bretenaker (LuMIn, CNRS / Université Paris-Saclay, France), who delivered an insightful lecture on recent developments in laser physics. The talk covered key topics including dual-frequency lasers for microwave photonics and time metrology, the dynamics of coupled lasers in degenerate cavities, and mode-locked nanolasers.

Drawing on over four decades of experience, Prof. Bretenaker provided valuable perspectives on both fundamental concepts and emerging applications in photonics. The session was well attended by students, faculty, and researchers, followed by engaging discussions.

We sincerely thank Prof. Bretenaker for an inspiring and informative talk, and all participants for contributing to the success of the event.

The OPTICA Student Chapter, IIT Ropar, successfully organized its inaugural talk on 12 March 2025 at IIT Ropar.

We were honored to host Prof. Anurag Sharma (Optics and Photonics Centre, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi) for an insightful talk titled “Photonics Revolution”. The talk explored the evolution of optics and photonics—from early discoveries enabled by telescopes and microscopes to the transformative impact of lasers and modern photonic technologies. Prof. Sharma also highlighted the critical role of optical fibers in communication and the growing influence of photonics in areas such as energy, sensing, and lighting.

We were also delighted to welcome Prof. Enakshi Sharma from University of Delhi, whose presence enriched the occasion.

The session witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, faculty, and researchers, followed by engaging discussions that made the event highly interactive and enriching.

We sincerely thank Prof. Anurag Sharma for delivering an inspiring talk and for interacting with our community. We also extend our gratitude to all participants for contributing to the success of this event.

The Optica Student Chapter, IIT Ropar, participated in an outreach event organized by the Women’s Forum, IIT Ropar, on the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. During the event, the team engaged with school students from nearby regions through an interactive session on the fundamentals of optics, complemented by live demonstrations of key phenomena such as reflection, refraction, total internal reflection, and diffraction.

These hands-on activities provided students with an opportunity to experience optical concepts in real time, fostering curiosity and interest in science. The session was highly engaging and well received by the participants.

The chapter expresses its sincere gratitude to the organizers, faculty members, and student volunteers whose support and coordination made this outreach initiative impactful and successful.

The Optica Student Chapter, IIT Ropar successfully conducted its Orientation Program 🎓, aimed at introducing new students to the chapter’s vision and activities. The session encouraged students to join the chapter by highlighting the importance of optics and photonics 🔬💡, along with the academic, research, and professional benefits of being part of Optica.

During the program, the team discussed the upcoming events and initiatives 📅🚀 planned by the student chapter, as well as career-building opportunities 🎯 in optics and photonics, including research pathways, industry prospects, and skill development activities. The orientation also provided an interactive platform 🤝 for students to engage, ask questions, and learn more about the chapter’s role in fostering scientific growth and collaboration 🌱.