Currently ACCORD research proposals obtained from universities are being reviewed by the ACCORD evaluation panel. The process is planned to be finished by the end of June, and the final results will be published soon.

A solar cell was developed that is suitable for use in an industrial environment. The cell uses both boron and aluminium diffusion for the back-surface field.

Optics.org speaks to the coordinator of a new EU project about the endless applications of photonic skins (via optics.org)

A pan-European OLED program has demonstrated an OLED lighting tile with an efficacy of 50.7 lm/W (via LEDs magazine.com).

Series of miniature thermal sensors are capable of accurate motion detection through infrared imaging. High sensitivity and fast response characterise these innovative sensors.

Europe's top engineers are working together to convert more of the sun's energy into electricity by constructing better solar cells.

In order to exploit the full potential of self-assembled nanostructured materials technology for optical storage applications, advanced knowledge of its underlying scientific principles has been accumulated within the NANOMAT project.

The Fraunhofer IPMS with his Center of Organic Materials and Electronic Devices Dresden (COMEDD) shows large area lighting exhibits at Plastic Electronics Asia 2008 in Seoul/South Korea.

A European research project plans to exploit hybrid integration and passive assembly techniques to deliver terabit capacity on a single photonic integrated circuit.

Laser diodes are electrically pumped semiconductor lasers that are widely used in industrial applications such as laser printers, bar-code readers and scanners. In recent years, improvements have been made to the power performance, compactness and robustness of these lasers which have helped increase the mass production potential of this technology.

Optical sensors are an extremely valuable tool for monitoring, and consequently controlling, a large number of industrial processes. The near infrared laser diode (NIRLD) spectrometer is the prominent candidate for leading the next generation of sensors.

The ZODIAC project is present in the 2008 Photonics European Exhibition, 8-10 April 2008, at Strasburg. This project working on semiconductor self-assembled quantum dot technology is helping create the next generation of semiconductor lasers for telecoms. The ZODIAC project (stand 322) puts forward its more important achievements on directly modulated quantum dot lasers, emitting at 1.3µm (based in GaAs material) and 1.55µm (based in InP material), enabling uncooled and isolator-free operation. Widely tuneable DFB quantum dot lasers for CWDM applications and quantum dot semiconductor optical amplifiers are also highlighted. The ZODIAC project is founded by the European Commission within its 6th Framework Programme.

ACCORD is an experimental program under FP6 that aims to create new opportunities for both photonics companies and photonics students. Come and learn on how to get your hands on pre-competititve phootnic components at the ACCORD workshop

It presents and promotes the latest developments and achievements of our projects, key events and news that will be useful to all those interested in the area of Photonics.

ACCORD Partners are pleased to announce that the Second Call for Components is currently open and will close on 31st March 2008. Highly Successful First Call ACCORD is an experimental program under the Sixth Framework Programme of the European Union (IST-2005-2.5.1, Photonic Components), that aims to create new opportunities for both photonics companies and photonics students. The project aims to: - Purchase at marginal cost pre-competitive photonic devices from innovative European companies and put them in the hands of European researchers and students, at no net cost to the university or to the company that furnished the devices and - Facilitate transfer of device evaluation results to potential end-users, assisting companies to access new markets and new applications. ACCORD Partners are extremely pleased with the results from the first calls. The first call for components launched a year ago in January 2007 resulted in 20 offerings from 17 companies (from UK, Germany, France, and Russia). The first call from research organisations using the components offered resulted in 13 proposals. This by far exceeded the partners expectations but was a very pleasent surprise. An independant panel of experts assessed the research proposals and the following proposals were selected for taking forward into the negotiation phase (in alphabetical order): • University of Latvia: Visionica, Wavefront Sensors • Universita Politecnica de Madrid: FibreLogix, All-fibre stripper • University of St. Andrews: Lovalite, Fibre face components • Tampere University of Technology: EOLITE, IR to UV Laser • Universidad Politecnica de Valencia: CIP, SOA/EA Modulators Second Call for components This year the ACCORD partners are hoping for a similar response from companies offering state of the art Photonics devices. The partners of ACCORD would encourage companies from European Countries so far not involved in the programme to submit components. Please visit www.ist-accord.org for more information and to download the ACCORD proposal form.

The course The Summer School on “Technologies and applications of Microoptics” is a training program of NEMO network offering a unique opportunity to experience 10 intensive days of high-level teaching on topics at the heart of microoptics. This includes both highly specialized lectures and hands-on experience in the clean-room and laboratory.

Viviane Reding, European commissioner for information society and media, and Thierry Van der Pyl, head of the Commission’s Photonics Unit, were recognized as OSA’s 2008 Advocates of Optics. Reding was selected as this year’s advocate for her extraordinary vision in supporting and establishing a Photonics Unit within the European Commission. Van der Pyl is being recognized for his leadership within the Photonics Unit.

The quest for reliable monitoring systems for verifying the integrity of hazardous high-pressure tanks has yielded innovative sensing equipment. The SMARTape optical fibre sensor has already been used in market applications outside the scope of the current project

The award is being given in honour of his service and dedication to the European photonics community. Rajbenbach has been the EC's project manager in the areas of microelectronic integration, sensors and displays since 1997, and has played an important role in stimulating activity in photonics in Europe. He is highly esteemed for his pioneering contributions

The optical properties of quantum nanostructures are being intensively studied aiming towards achieving novel device applications. Recent experimental results from InAs/InP quantum wire show that lasers with nanostructures as the active material will be soon available (via CORDIS-Technology Offers)

The SOFO reading unit is a computerised system for static and dynamic measurements coming from remote monitoring sensors (via CORDIS-News)

The European ICT research project OLLA* organizes its fourth and last edition of the International Summer School on OLEDs. During this event an international group of top experts will explain and discuss the latest developments and challenges of Organic Light Emitting Diodes, a new and promising lighting technology.

Materials known as photonic crystals could form the building blocks of future optical computers and micro-scale communications devices. Scientists have developed a low-cost and versatile way to make photonic crystals, and combined them in ways that bring optical ‘transistors’ a step closer (via ICT-Results).

GÉANT, Europe's multi-gigabit computer network, is to be connected via high-speed links to regional research network infrastructures all over the world, the European Commission has announced. The aim of this latest expansion is to create a single global research network (via CORDIS-News)

Push-buttons on coffee dispensers and large industrial machines are often hard to see unless they are illuminated. A structured flat thin-film keypad based on organic light-emitting diodes provides users with information via illuminated symbols.

This roadmap can be obtained in electronic format on the MONA website http://www.ist-mona.org at no charge. All interested individuals and organisations are encouraged to read this key document and to distribute it widely.

The use of microring laser technology could yield more compact optical transmitters and multiplexers for optical communications.

The EU-backed project WAPITI has discovered an easier way to make complex three-dimensional integrated circuits involving both optical and electronic elements, by using a new wafer bonding technique.

A European project using plastic fibre and off-the-shelf components could make optical networking so affordable and simple that installation could be a DIY job, making faster internet technology a reality.

The tiny copper wires that connect different areas of an integrated circuit may soon limit microchip-processing speeds. So European researchers have developed technologies to produce and combine semiconductor microlasers with silicon wave guides for novel, power-efficient optical connections.

A novel concept for monolithical integration of a distributed feedback laser with a waveguide optical isolator aims to contribute to the unprecedented expansion of optical telecommunication network currently observed.

The growth of free-standing gallium nitride (GaN) substrates for light-emitting devices can be facilitated with the production line established in the Linkoeping University laboratories

Advances in polymer-based optoelectronics materials offer solutions to today's increasing demand for light-emitting diode (LED) products with greater light output, efficiency and reliability than ever before.

A new set of lanthanide doped polymer waveguide devices capable of emitting the visible and the near-infrared are expected to advance telecom applications.

Within the context of the TECH_TIR project, low-cost, complex-shaped and multifaceted polymer optics were used in thermal infrared devices applications intended for detection and imaging.

A novel concept that allows the monolithic integration of a waveguide optical isolator with the laser source of optical telecommunications links has been explored within the ISOLASER project.

Secure messages hidden in chaotic waveforms, transmitted at up to 10 gigabits per second, is the vision behind a group of dedicated European researchers. Now they are prototyping the equipment that could make the vision a reality.

Having completed their work in summer 2007, the former partners of the EU-funded URANUS (Ultra-fast technology for multicolour compact high-power fibre systems) project want to continue their research. URANUS has been essential to advancing fibre laser technology in Europe.

A recent workshop allowed industry experts to discuss opportunities and challenges facing the LED marketplace writes EPIC's Tom Pearsall (extract from LEDs Magazine November/December 2007)

The chemistry of paint is the unlikely starting point of a EU project to develop new materials for building all-optical integrated circuits for telecommunications processing and routing (via fibersystems.org).

Farfield Scientific announces Pan-European Collaboration on Hepatitis Diagnostic Test

Up to 10 times faster, a good 70 percent cheaper, yet still of comparable quality: It is worthwhile to manufacture glass lenses by hot embossing rather than precision molding. Researchers have optimized this technology.

10 Gbit/s transmission over 20 km using a directly modulated InGaAs/GaAs QD DFB laser at 1.3 µm with constant operation parameters in the temperature range 25 - 85°C.

Photonics21 achievements in 2007 and the strategic planning for 2008 will be discussed! Be there! For more information, registration and hotel reservation please visit www.photonics21.org.

Prototype showcase and Awards : privileged place where the optics-photonics researchers of universities, research centers and start-up can exhibit their innovating products for free, compete for 5 awards in 5 categories and have a broad exposure and publicity. Applications : until 15th November 2007.

Its aim is to present and promote the latest developments and achievements of our projects, key events and news that will be useful to all those interested in the area of Photonics.

France and the EU get behind a substrate R&D program that will develop new GaN substrates for white LEDs.

Tyndall and Nanocomms have developed polymer-based planar and multimode waveguides doped with organo-lanthanide complexes for emission in the visible and the near-infrared.

Next year, during Photonics Europe (7-11 April 2008, Strasbourg), OPERA2015 will show its results acquired along its life as a project. Moreover, topics such as “Road mapping results in Optics and Photonics Research and Industry” and “Strategic Opportunities for European Industries” among others will be discussed by some of the most outstanding experts in this field. OPERA2015 is playing an important role in making the European Research Area in Optics and Photonics a reality. Let us demonstrate it to you on attending the event. Take the chance! (more info follows later)

A European project known as NATAL is striving to produce high-power optically pumped semiconductor disk lasers emitting in the visible for projection applications

European researchers have demonstrated an integrated device that could form the basis for future on-chip optical interconnects.

The ICT theme of the Cooperation Programme announced its second call for proposals on 12 June 2007 (deadline 09/10/07). This call will support projects in nine research topics, covering five of the seven Challenges which the theme launched with its first call in the Seventh Framework Programme at the beginning of this year. The new call is funded at EUR 477m. The first projects funded from this call will be launched early in 2008

Two awards: Excellence in scientific collaborative research & Excellence in Science communication. The total prize money on offer is EUR 1.7 million.

Registration for the Concertation Meeting - Photonic Integrated Circuits / Integration of Photonic technologies on 25th (evening event) and 26th of September in Brussels organised by OPERA2015

The Australian Academy of Science is inviting applications from Australian professional scientists to visit Europe between 1 July 2008 and 30 June 2009, to collaborate with researchers in European countries.

Planned on June 17, 2007 from 15:00 -19:00, at the International Congress Center Munich (room 21)

Two and a half years after its start, the European research project OLLA presents its second milestone: a prototype white Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) light source, with an efficacy of 25 lumen per watt and a lifetime of over 5.000 hours from an initial brightness of 1.000 cd/m².

After several workshops in Strasbourg, Grenoble and San Jose and discussions with nanophotonics experts, we are now ready to present this work to the entire photonics community and search for their feedback.

Lasers have become a standard feature of surgical interventions, be it to alleviate the breathing difficulties of snorers or to treat prostate problems. A new diode laser is ideally suited for use in soft tissue surgery. It has the advantage of being compact and inexpensive.

A thin film of plastic, which conducts electricity and produces solar power, could be the basis for a revolution in the way we light our homes and design clothes.

The school is aimed primarily at participants from e-PhotonONe+ and COST 291 (co-sponsoring the Summer School) but is also open to industrial and academic researchers from outside these projects.

In this site you will find all the information about us, our strategy, the latest calls, projects, news and useful documents/links in the area of photonics

The EC is looking for qualified experts to evaluate proposals submitted to the "Photonic Components & Systems" Objective of the ICT (Information Communication Technologies) Thematic Program of FP7, or to assess the progress of running projects related to Photonic Components.

The European Commission has published a Call for Proposals exclusively dedicated to Foresight research, funded out of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).

Take a look at the "Extract from Workprogramme 2007-2008" with Challenge 3: Components, systems, engineering

The FP6-ACCORD project launches a call for participation to academic institutes for R&D projects making use of the pre-competitive components as listed on the ACCORD-website

To prepare for FP7 Call 2, an Information Day on Photonics will take place. The photonics topics in the 2007-2008 Workprogramme will be presented, followed by the chance for prospective proposers to present their ideas and meet potential partners.