Medical Device Manufacturing with Lasers
2021-11-10 13:00 - 17:00 (Europe/London) | Online Virtual meeting
This workshop, organised in conjunction with Heriot-Watt University, will allow delegates to catch up with the latest in precision processing to manufacture medical devices.

PLG Winter meeting
2022-01-14 14:00 - 16:00 | Online Virtual meeting
The winter PLG meeting will be held virtually with an agenda covering

On-going impact of Covid-19
Hiring the inexperienced- with many reporting increased competition for experienced staff how are organisations approaching onboarding less experienced staff
UKCA marking- delayed by a year how are different companies approaching
DCMS, BEIS, Innovate and APPG engagement update

Introduction to Iain Mauchline new Photonics lead at Innovate UK and Innovate update
UK Photonics 2035 Vision launch & response

European update
Updates from communities and programs

AILU, Photonics Scotland, Photonics Connected, UK Quantum, UKIVA…
Contributions and photonics directory

Guiding Lights in celebration of the International Day of Light and International Year of Glass
2022-05-16 10:00 - 20:00 | Science Gallery London, Great Maze Pond,, London, SE1 9GU, United Kingdom
Join the London Institute for Advanced Light Technologies to celebrate the International Day of Light and International Year of Glass
Listen to an inspiring keynote from physicist and author Dr Jess Wade, enjoy a tour of new glass artworks created by postgraduate science students and take part in panel debates with leading voices from the worlds of science, art and architecture. And make your own glass guide from molten glass, drawn from the only British-made furnace on wheels! See your piece installed in a giant fibre-optic bundle – and raise a glass to the power of light!

Electronic Warfare Technical Conference 2022
2022-06-14 - 2022-06-16 | Defence Academy Shrivenham, Shrivenham, United Kingdom
The Electronic Warfare Technical Conference 2022 is sub-systems level technology conference for the military, industry, and academic community covering a range of technologies including photonics.

Showcasing a Welsh developed 5G innovation for rural communities
2022-09-05 13:30 - 17:00 | Grant Thornton London, 30 Finsbury Square, London, EC2A 1RR, United Kingdom
July meeting of the UK Fibre Connectivity Forum
The Welsh Government are providing £4.2 million of funding to Bangor University’s Digital Signal Processing (DSP) Centre of Excellence to bring 5G broadband connections through fibre optic cables into harder to reach areas. The University is working with a consortium of companies to increase the capacity and enhance the sensing ability of fibre optic cables used to deliver faster and more reliable mobile broadband, and this will be trailed with more than 400 premises on Ynys Mon that do not have access to superfast broadband. The broadband delivery part of the project will last 18 months and will allow customers to be connected as soon as the first site is live and will continue through 2025. The project is also supported by Isle of Anglesey County Council and the North Wales Economic Ambition Board.
Agenda
1.30pm Registration and coffee
2pm Welcome from the chair of UKFCF
2.10pm Grant Thornton
2.20pm The Anglesey 5G EDC Broadband Project with contributions from

Peter Curnow-Ford, Project Director
Vodafone-Tony Roberts – Head of Vodafone Regional Business Wales
Stephen Pegrum, Sorrento Networks

Q&A
3.20pm break
Q& A
3.45pm networking and refreshments
5pm meeting closes

Future Photonics Hub Industry Day 2022
2022-09-07 | University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
Day 1: Future Photonics Hub Industry Day (7th September 2022: 9am-5pm)
The Future Photonics Hub Industry Day will consist of keynote talks, as well as talks from broader stakeholders providing insightful views about the photonics landscape and emerging technologies. Throughout the day there will be a showcase of research ongoing at the ORC and exhibits from both photonics related researchers and companies, which will be a great opportunity for networking and exploring collaborative working. In addition, there will be a chance to have a tour of the Zepler Institute world leading cleanroom facilities.

Day 2: CORNERSTONE Training Day in partnership with Luceda Photonics (8th September 2022: 9am-5pm)
CORNERSTONE is open source, license free Silicon Photonics rapid prototyping foundry based at the Universities of Southampton and Glasgow. This in person training event aims to showcase CORNERSTONE’s capabilities and platforms and inform delegates how to access CORNERSTONE and what we can do to help you achieve your research goals. There will also be a hands-on training session with Luceda Photonics’ IPKISS software.

Joint Symposium on Quantum Technologies
2022-09-13 - 2022-09-14 | NPL, Hampton Road, Teddington, TW11 0LW, United Kingdom
Building on the success of the series of ITU Joint Symposia on Quantum Technologies held over 2021 and 2022, NPL will host the first in-person Joint Symposium on Quantum Technologies
This two-day symposium will include speakers from across quantum industry and academia to both provide a broad introduction to and present the latest advances across all pillars of quantum technologies including:

Quantum Computation
Quantum Communication
Quantum Integrated Circuits
Quantum Sensing and Imaging
Quantum Metrology and Standardisation

Speakers include: Sir Peter Knight, Mark Thompson (Psi Quantum), Francesco Poletti (Southampton University), Jake Kennard (KETS), Taofiq Paraiso (Toshiba), Andrew Robertson (Bay Photonics), Martin Schell (Fraunhofer HHI), Bernard Lee (Senko), Lloyd McKnight (Fraunhofer CAP), Devin Smith (Quix), Maksym Sich (Aegiq), Robert Hadfield (University of Glasgow), Mike Wale (UCL), Mike Holynski (University of Birmingham), Ryan Hanley (Cold Quanta), George Dunlop (Quantum Dice), Christopher Payne-Dwyer (Quantic), Reza Nejabati (Bristol Uni), Giannis Giannoulis (Technical University of Athens)
Call for papers
You are invited to submit your latest research to this conference. Accepted papers will be published in the conference proceedings by the Institute of Physics.

Optical and Lunar Communications Industry Day
2022-09-14 10:00 - 14:00 | Bristol University Humanities, Bristol University Humanities Building, Arts Complex, Bristol, BS8 1UJ, United Kingdom
The UK Space Agency (UKSA) and European Space Agency (ESA) will be running a joint optical and lunar communications industry day in Bristol on 14th September 2022.
The focus of the day will be the launch of two parallel competitions under European Space Agency ARTES (Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems) Programme . The first competition will be to develop a next generation platform for optical and quantum payloads, OPSAT-2. The second competition will be the UK’s first dedicated commercial lunar communications call.
The day will feature a variety of talks on both topics from UKSA, ESA, industry and academia. Some presentation slots will be available for attendees to apply for. Further details about how to apply will be released shortly, along with the finalised agenda.
The event will be hosted at Bristol University Humanities Department from 10:00am until 2:00pm 14th September 2022.
To confirm your attendance, please register in advance.

UK National Quantum Technologies Showcase 2022
2022-11-11 | Queen Elizabeth II Centre, Broad Sanctuary, London, SW1P 3EE, United Kingdom
The progress made by the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme during 2022 and the growing commercialisation and industrialisation of quantum technologies in the UK will be demonstrated at the event.
The organisers now welcome expressions of interest from those wishing to exhibit. Information on available packages can be found here and expressions of interest can be submitted here.

Photonex 2022
2022-12-06 - 2022-12-08 | NEC, North Ave, Marston Green, Birmingham, B40 1NT, United Kingdom
Make plans to join colleagues in Birmingham to share your latest research, and for networking opportunities and the technical product exhibition
Photonex 2022 call for papers: abstracts are due 13 July

Telecommunications, Optics and Photonics (TOP) Conference
2023-02-13 - 2023-02-14 | Etc.venues, 155 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 3YD, United Kingdom
The latest trends in photonic integration; silicon photonics using InP, GaAs and polymer solutions; packaging solutions; hybrid integration; lasers, modulators and receivers; filters and switches and connectors.
Held in Houndsditch, London, close to Liverpool St station, the conference will provide excellent networking opportunities for optical and photonic component and systems manufacturers and developers, along with fibre infrastructure and data centre providers.

Machine Vision Conference and Exhibition
2023-06-20 - 2023-06-21 | CBS Arena, Judds Ln, Coventry, CV6 6GE, United Kingdom
The UK’s leading machine vision event is joined with new Automation exhibition from BARA in 2023
Featuring over 50 seminars and exhibitors from world leading industrial vision companies this UKIVA meeting is a must for anyone looking to integrate more digital imaging into their production line and manufacturing processes.

European Conference on Optical Communication (ECOC) 2023
2023-10-01 - 2023-10-05 | Scottish Event Campus, Glasgow, G3 8YW, United Kingdom
The European Conference on Optical Communication (ECOC) is the continent’s largest event in the field and one of the most prestigious and traditional events on optical communications worldwide.
Running for over 25 years, the exhibition and conference attracts over 6,000 decision makers from around the world and returns to SEC in Glasgow in 2023. Strong participation and presence from the UK is assured

Hamamatsu Technology Day 2024 - from photons to innovation
2024-05-24 | Science Gallery London, Great Maze Pond,, London, SE1 9GU, United Kingdom
Drawing inspiration from Hamamatsu Photonics flagship event in Japan, Photon Fair, eight Technology Days are being held across Europe in 2024, wiht the London Event on 24 May 2024. The program and agenda incorporates the latest information on:

Pilot Lines: Discover how photonics-driven concepts materialize into fully industrialized, high-volume products with exclusive insights from leading experts and the European Photon Hub program.
Live Demonstrations: Explore the latest products from Hamamatsu Photonics through dynamic live demonstrations led by technical engineers.
Key Technologies: Gain valuable insights into defining technologies in the industry through engaging presentations and videos.

Register now

Economist Impact 3rd annual Commercialising Quantum Global 2024
2024-06-05 - 2024-06-06
The Economist Impact Commercialising Quantum Global Summit returns to London for the third year, to enable your organisation to understand the benefits and impact benefit from one of the world’s most powerful emerging technologies. Over 120 speakers will take the stage to discuss and explore the promise, peril, applications, limitations, hype and reality of quantum technology; What are the actions organisations should take today to prepare?
New for 2024: Reflect upon the business opportunities enabled by the science of light in a photonics-focused half-day. Critical to enabling implementation of quantum, AI, autonomy, augmented reality or 3d printing, application and innovation in photonics will be vital to bringing these disruptive technologies to market. Hear how photonics is already underpinning a vast range of modern manufacturing and services industries and how further development with grow this $360 billion market to a trillion dollar global industry in the next 10 years.

Photonics 4 Space
2025-02-05 | National Space Centre, Leiceter, Leicester, United Kingdom
Bringing the Space and Photonics sectors together to identify solutions and opportunities for applying optical technologies in the space sector. Hear the needs of the space sector and from those with experience of delivering space solutions.
Following on from Photonics for Space 2024, the workshop will take your input to define specific Photonics for Space missions to propose to UK and EU agencies for support.
Embedded in the UKSA Ignite, the UK’s premiere event bring space sectors users and SME suppliers together at the National Space centre in Leicester. The event is a unique opportunity to meet the latest and most innovative UK suppliers and understand the rapidly growing opportunities in the space sector including:
Photonics for Space Missions aim to accelerate adoption of optical technologies in the space sector by demonstrating application relevant capability to lower barriers to commercialisation and adoption. Missions identify a clear opportunity, one or more gating barriers or limitations of existing technology and potential actions that may overcome these.

Low earth orbit intra-satellite communications
Ground to space communications links
Space Debris tracking
Deep space communication
Rocket engine ignition
Intra-satellite communications
Space docking and proximity detection

Register for free online including your preferred photonics for space mission to be developed in the workshop
Agenda (draft)

12:45
Welcome

12:50
Speed networking: linking photonics and space communities

13:30
Laser for Space, NKT Photonics

13:45
Packing for Space, Alter Technologies

14:00
Workshop session – Defining UK space photonics missions. Facilitated by Anchored Inn

15:10
Space needs from Photonics, TBC

15:25
Space needs from Photonics, TBC

15:40
ESA opportunities

15:50
PhotonHub

16:00
Wrap-up and close

Supported by Phorwards21 and Innovate Connect

Industrial Laser Applications Symposium 2025
2025-03-26 - 2025-03-27 | Chesford Grange Hotel, Chesford Grange, Kenilworth, CV8 2LD
ILAS 2025 is a unique 2-day event that attracts international delegates and speakers to share the latest in laser material processing. You are guaranteed to make new contacts, expand your network, find business or collaboration opportunities, meet potential employers and employees to develop your organisation or career.
The symposium will be packed with presentations and exhibitions. It’s where academia meets industry for all things industrial laser related, so don’t miss out.
Prestigious AILU Awards will be presented at the Symposium Dinner on Wednesday 26nd March – book a dinner ticket when you register.

2025-04-14 - 2025-04-17 | Park Plaza London Riverbank, 18 Albert Embankment,, London, SE1 7TJ
The IEEE Silicon Photonics Conference delivers insights on current and future innovations in photonic devices, materials, and applications, as well as novel monolithic and heterogeneous integration and fabrication technologies on silicon platforms.
Formerly known as IEEE Group IV Photonics Conference since 2004, IEEE SiPhotonics inherits a track record of close personal interactions between colleagues from both academia and industry with state-of-the-art oral and poster presentations of contributed and invited papers, as well as plenary sessions with overviews of important topics and advancements in silicon photonics.
Registration is open with discounts before 7 March 20235
Prof Goran Mashanovich, University of Southampton and the PLG’s Chief Executive Dr John Lincoln are the general conference co-chairs.

Economist Impact 4th annual Commercialising Quantum Global 2025
2025-05-13 - 2025-05-14 | Business Design Centre, 52 Upper St, London, N1 0QH, United Kingdom
At Commercialising Quantum Global, the Economist Impact teams case study-led agenda sets the stage for vital discussions on how organisations should prepare for and implement quantum technology. The event will provide an accessible and in-depth debate into the promise, peril, applications, limitations, hype, and reality of this transformative field.

What sets our event apart is our unique emphasis on real-world quantum applications and measurable returns on investment. We offer the most diverse range of fresh end-user case studies, making our sessions invaluable for enterprises at every stage of their quantum journey.
As we look forward to 2025, our fourth year promises to be even more impactful as we gather to celebrate the UN International Year of Quantum with an expanded 2 full-day programme where over 1,000 attendees from 40 countries are expected. Register early for the best rate

Microelectronics UK
2025-09-24 - 2025-09-25 | ExCel Centre London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, London, London, E16 1XL, United Kingdom
The UK’s microelectronics and semiconductor industry is poised for significant growth, driven by increasing demand across key sectors such as automotive, telecommunications, defence and healthcare.
Given this robust outlook, Microelectronics UK has a pivotal role to play in showcasing cutting-edge innovations, fostering collaboration, expediting domestic and international trade, while highlighting the UK’s leadership in niche areas such as compound semiconductors and semiconductor design.
Attendees will gain insights into market trends, establish and explore strategic and commercial partnerships, and leverage emerging opportunities in a rapidly evolving global landscape, with focused content on photonic, semiconductors and embedded systems all in one place.
The full agenda and registration is now open

Photonics Means
2025-10-10 | Technology and Innovation Centre, Glasgow, 99 George Street, Glasgow, United Kingdom
A new one day annual photonics event for the UK at the Technology and Innovation Centre in Glasgow. Featuring a expansive programs of talks and briefings designed to bring the whole photonics community together under the themes

Photonics Means…

Tech
People
Growth
Community
Future

Alongside a comprehensive program of talks will a table top exhibition featuring some of the leading photonics suppliers in the UK

Future Tech Deep Dive - Photonics
2025-10-21 10:00 - 12:00 | Online Virtual meeting
Innovate UK are are including photonics in their next Future Tech Deep Dive series.

The objective of this event series is to look into the future and scan the horizon for long-term innovations of significant potential impact with key technology areas. The series aims to bring together thought-provoking experts from business, science, academia responsible for future strategy to discuss how technologies will develop over the course of the next 20-50 years.
Agenda for Each Online Event

10:00 – Opening Welcome and Introduction – Innovate UK Business Connect
10:05 – Guest Experts Introductions – Jonathan Mitchener, Futurist, Innovate UK
10:10 – Thoughts from Guest Experts
10:55 – Impromptu Summary and Scenarios – Jonathan Mitchener, Futurist, Innovate UK
11:05 – Group Discussions Introduction – Innovate UK Business Connect
11:10 – Group Discussions in Breakout Rooms
11:55 – Closing Remarks – Jonathan Mitchener, Futurist, Innovate UK
12:00 – Event Close

Quantum Showcase 2025
2025-11-07 | Business Design Centre, 52 Upper St, London, N1 0QH, United Kingdom
The UK is home to world-leading research institutions and Quantum Technology Hubs that foster collaboration between academia, industry, and government. This collaborative environment accelerates the development and commercialisation of quantum technologies.
The UK Quantum showcase highlights the latest innovations and industrial development in this key field for the future.

Quantum Industry Summit - Fourth Edition
2025-11-11 - 2025-11-12 | University of Bristol, M Shed Princes Wharf, Wapping Road, Bristol, BS1 4RN, United Kingdom
The Optica Quantum Industry Summit is back, this time for its fourth installment! This year’s edition elevates the event to new heights by taking place in Bristol, hosted by the University of Bristol, recognized as one of the global capitals of quantum technologies.
Continuing the tradition of focusing on cutting-edge developments, this year’s quantum summit will concentrate on the advancement of photonics technologies (including lasers, optics, PICs, detectors, and equipment), quantum computing, system integration, memory storage, cryptography, metrology, and information transmission.
This distinguished Summit serves as a confluence for quantum companies and their prospective supply chain partners, designed explicitly to address the industry’s demands and the substantial challenges on the horizon. Emphasizing collaboration and innovation, we aim to foster connections that spur progress and navigate the complex landscape of quantum technologies.
By situating the event at the University of Bristol, we’re at the heart of quantum innovation, offering participants an enriching experience in a city renowned for its significant contributions to the field. This setting is not just a backdrop but an active participant, embodying the spirit of discovery and advancement that defines the quantum realm.
Join us in Bristol for the fourth edition of the Optica Quantum Industry Summit, where the quantum journey continues, and the collective potential is limitless. We look forward to connecting, collaborating, and pioneering the future of quantum technologies together!

Optical Communications Roadmap Launch
2025-11-24 13:00 - 17:00 | Techuk, 10 St Bride St,, London, EC4A 4AD, United Kingdom
Launch event for the Optical Communications Roadmap, including inter satellite communications, ground to space and space to ground communications links as well as teh continuing growth of terrestrial optical communications for all ground based applications.
Featuring a panel discussion on Photonics for Space and Beyond

Tech UK Photonics Sprint - Defence workshop
2025-11-26 10:00 - 13:00 | Techuk, 10 St Bride St,, London, EC4A 4AD, United Kingdom
The first of a three-part event series run in collaboration with Plexal, Dell and Intel that showcases UK- based Deep Tech SMEs to Defence primes.
Future events will focus on Semiconductors & Quantum technologies

Telecommunication Optics and Photonics (TOP) Conference 2026
2026-02-24 - 2026-02-25 | Kia Oval, London, United Kingdom
TOP Conference 2026 brings together experts in photonics, optical networking, quantum communications, and data-centre innovation. Held on 24–25 February 2026 in London, the event features presentations, poster sessions, and an exhibition showcasing cutting-edge technologies, fostering collaboration between industry, academia, and research to shape the future of optical technology.

SPIE Sensors + Imaging
2026-09-14 - 2026-09-17 | Edinburgh International Conference Centre, The Exchange, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH3 8EE, United Kingdom
The premier yearly European combining two of Europe’s best photonics conferences – Environmental Remote sensing and Security + Defeence. An event that showcases the latest sensor and photonic technologies for imaging and monitoring the Earth’s atmosphere and environment, as well as sensor technologies that address homeland security, defence, and counterterrorism.
Meet face-to-face with top companies at the free 2-day exhibition. Discuss your sensing and imaging needs with suppliers who will be there to help solve problems, cut costs, and increase capabilities.

Microelectronics UK featuring Photonics UK
2026-09-29 - 2026-09-30 | ExCel Centre London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, London, London, E16 1XL, United Kingdom
The UK’s microelectronics and semiconductor industry is poised for significant growth, driven by increasing demand across key sectors such as automotive, telecommunications, defence and healthcare.
Given this robust outlook, Microelectronics UK incorporating Photonics UK, Semiconductors UK and and Embedded Systems UK and has a pivotal role to play in showcasing cutting-edge innovations, fostering collaboration, expediting domestic and international trade, while highlighting the UK’s leadership in photonics, compound semiconductors and semiconductor design.
Attendees will gain insights into market trends, establish and explore strategic and commercial partnerships, and leverage emerging opportunities in a rapidly evolving global landscape, with focused content on photonic, semiconductors and embedded systems all in one place.

Photonics Means 2026
2026-10-01 | Technology and Innovation Centre, Glasgow, 99 George Street, Glasgow, United Kingdom
The second, Photonics Means, meeting in Glasgow will bring together the UK photonics community building on the successful 20025 edition at the technology and Innovation Centre in Glasgow.
Meeting demand for an annual gathering of the UK photonics community bringing together the next generation of photonics innovators, spotlights on key regional strengths around the UK and inspiration from the thought leaders in the field. Photonics Means will feature a table top exhibition and a range of talks across three themes of technology, growth and people. Maximising network and interaction across industry and academia and between all career stages Photonics Means is an ideal opportunity to gain insights into what photonics will mean for your future products, profits, career and research.
Thursday 1 October 2025, 8am to 6pm, Technology and Innovation Centre, 99 George Street, Glasgow G1 1RD
