To mark the 75th (+1) birthday of Professor Gerd Leuchs, founding director of the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light and Head of the Leuchs Emeritus Group, a scientific symposium will be held from June 25 to 26, 2026.
Over the course of two days, leading international scientists and colleagues of Gerd Leuchs will offer insights into current developments in the fields of quantum sciences and technologies as well as modern optics, under the theme “Light, Lasers & Quanta”.
In addition to scientific talks and panel discussions, the symposium will place a special focus on scientific and personal exchange between participants and speakers.
The event celebrates the remarkable scientific career and lasting legacy of the Institute’s emeritus founding director. With his groundbreaking contributions and influential personality, Gerd Leuchs has significantly shaped the field of light science. Bringing together researchers from around the world, the symposium will highlight current developments in the context of his work and honor his lasting influence on the scientific community.
Space is limited, so please register sooner than later!
Registration will be possible until June 10.
Preliminary list of confirmed Invited Speakers
Ulrik L. Andersen (Technical University of Denmark)
Peter Banzer (University of Graz)
János A. Bergou (Hunter College, CUNY)
Gunnar Björk (KTH Royal Institute of Technology)
Maria V. Chekhova (Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light)
Silke H. Christiansen (Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS)
Peter D. Drummond (Swinburne University of Technology)
Berthold-Georg Englert (Beijing Institute of Technology)
Radim Filip (Palacký University)
Ebrahim Karimi (Chapman University)
Friedrich König (University of St Andrews)
Natalia V. Korolkova (University of St Andrews)
Peter L. Knight (Imperial College London)
Peter Lambropoulos (University of Crete)
Peter van Loock (Johannes-Gutenberg University of Mainz)
Norbert Lütkenhaus (University of Waterloo)
Christoph Marquardt (Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light)
Klaus W. Rith (Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg)
Philip St.J. Russell (Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light)
Luis L. Sánchez-Soto (Universidad Complutense de Madrid)
Wolfgang P. Schleich (Universität Ulm)
Bernhard Schmauß (Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg)
Harald G. L. Schwefel (University of Otago)
Christine Silberhorn (Paderborn University)
Andreas Tünnermann (Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF)
Albrecht Winnacker (Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg)
Format
The in-person symposium will start on June 25, at 8:50 am and end on June 26 at approximately 6:00 pm. There will be invited talks and panel discussions. On Thursday, we will organise a conference dinner at MPL which is included in the registration fee. Lunch will also be provided during the event.