DPG Spring Meeting of the Atomic, Molecular, Quantum Optics and Photonics Section (SAMOP)
2026-03-01 - 2026-03-06 | Mainz, Mainz, Germany
The conference is jointly organised by the following DPG associations:
– Working Group on Equal Opportunities– Working Group “Young DPG”– Atomic, Molecular, Quantum Optics and Photonics Section (SAMOP):

Atomic Physics Division
Mass Spectrometry Division
Molecular Physics Division
Quantum Optics and Photonic Division
Short Time-scale Physics and Applied Laser Physics Division

Abstracts are due by December 1st, 2025 at: https://www.dpg-tagung.de/mz26/submission.html

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3rd Women in Photochemistry Symposium
2026-03-03 | London, London, United Kingdom

DPG Spring Meeting of the Condensed Matter Section (SKM)
2026-03-08 - 2026-03-13 | Dresden, Dresden, Germany
The deadline for submitting contributed talks and poster presentations is Monday, 1 December 2025.
The conference is jointly organised by the following DPG associations:
Condensed Matter Section (SKM)

Biological Physics Division
Chemical and Polymer Physics Division
Dynamics and Statistical Physics Division
Functional Materials Division
Low Temperature Physics Division
Magnetism Division with working group Magnetism
Metal and Material Physics Division with working group Metal and Material Physics
Physics of Socio-economic Systems Division
Semiconductor Physics Division
Surface Science Division
Thin Films Division
Vacuum Science and Technology Division

Environmental Physics Division
Physics Education Division
Quantum Information Division
Working Group on Accelerator Physics
Working Group Climate
Working Group on Equal Opportunities
Working Group on Industry and Business
Working Group on Physics, Modern IT and Artificial Intelligence
Working Group “Young DPG”
Working Group young Leaders in Physics

ELIXIR2026
2026-03-09 - 2026-03-11 | Saint-Aubin, Saint-Aubin, France
The ELIXIR2026 workshop will take place at SOLEIL from March 9 to 11, 2026.
The development of vacuum-compatible liquid sampling sources has enabled the use of ionizing radiation sources (XUV and X-rays) to study a variety of phenomena in solution, such as reaction dynamics, solvation, or interfacial chemistry. This development is constantly evolving with improvements in light sources, such as the relative democratization of laser sources based on high-order harmonic generation, and improvements in liquid targets with for instance the recent development of stable flat liquid jets with sub-micrometer thicknesses.
The spectroscopic tools available are now extremely varied and reflect the diversity of the scientific communities interested in the study of liquid-phase phenomena at the molecular scale. They include time-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (femtosecond and even attosecond), highly nonlinear optics via liquid-phase HHG, probes of chirality (circular X-ray dichroism, PECD), RIXS, coincidence measurements (e-,e-), etc.
This workshop will bring together users of these different tools. It will also provide an opportunity to compare and improve theoretical aspects of molecular dynamics in the liquid phase, thanks to the participation, we hope, of European experts in the field.

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RIANA webinar "Small-Angle Scattering Applied to Bio and Nanomaterials"
2026-03-12 15:00 - 17:00 (Europe/Berlin) | Online
Speaker: Debasish Saha, Juelich centre for Neutron Science (JCNS), Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH, Germany
Small-Angle Scattering (SAS) is a powerful technique that provides information about the structural organization of matter and intra- and or intermolecular interactions in the system at different external conditions. The length scales obtained from the analysis of SAS data are within the limit of a few nanometers to a few hundred nanometers. Among different SAS techniques, Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) provides excellent resolution and shorter measurement time, enable us to study different in situ formation of nanomaterials.
However, such benefits are mostly limited to high atomic number (Z) materials, whereas provides poor contrast for low-Z materials, especially for biological systems. On the other hand, the isotope labelling and solvent-contrast variation in Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) gives an excellent opportunity to extract unique information of individual components in multi-component heterogenous complexes. In addition, the magnetic moment of neutrons allows to study magnetism and magnetic materials at the nanoscale using the magnetic-SANS technique. In this talk, the basics of small-angle scattering and its applications in bio and nanomaterials will be discussed.
Learn more about the RIANA project: https://riana-project.eu/

Focus Session on Interfacial Charge, Spin, and Chemical Dynamics in Energy and Quantum Materials
2026-03-15 - 2026-03-20 | Denver, Denver, CO, United States
Dear colleagues,
Abstract submission for the Focus Session on Interfacial Charge, Spin, and Chemical Dynamics in Energy and Quantum Materials at the APS March Meeting in Denver, CO, USA (March 15-20, 2026) is now open until October 23. We would like to invite you to submit your abstract to this session (number 16.01.09, in DCOMP) to highlight recent progress in theory and simulation methods and their application to modeling dynamics at solid-solid interfaces, including 2D materials, topological materials, and solid-gas phase interfaces of relevance to energy and quantum materials, as well as experimental studies to be interpreted through or integrated with such computational approaches.
We expect this session to bring together contributions from research on method development and its application to the simulations of charge, spin, and chemical dynamics and energy, charge, and spin transport through materials interfaces, including those of organic and hybrid organic/inorganic structures and devices. This session will include theory and method development for electron-phonon coupling, spin-orbit interactions, and excited state dynamics for solid surfaces and interfaces, and for machine-learning models for accelerated prediction of complex interfacial dynamics including non-adiabatic processes and quantum coherent phenomena. It will also include experimental studies that elucidate the dynamics and transport at these interfaces.
We look forward to seeing you in Denver,
Oliver Monti, Johannes Voss, Aiichiro Nakano and Duy Le

4th ELIMED Workshop
2026-03-16 - 2026-03-18 | Dolní Břežany, Dolní Břežany, Czech Republic

1st RIANA Users Meeting in nanoscience and nanotechnology
2026-03-16 - 2026-03-18 | Heraklion, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
Registrations for the 1st RIANA Users Meeting and the RIANA Annual Meeting is now open!
The meeting will take place at the premises of the Foundation for Research and Technology–Hellas (FORTH) in Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
1st Users Meeting: 16–18 March 2026RIANA Annual Meeting: 18–20 March 2026
Remote participation will be available for those unable to attend in person.
The 1st RIANA Users Meeting offers a unique opportunity to present your project ideas, showcase results, and connect with fellow researchers and RIANA facility representatives. We anticipate that the Principal Investigator of each Access Project, or a delegate, will participate in person, contributing with an oral presentation, sharing their valuable insights and fostering discussions within the RIANA community. Additional participants are welcome to join remotely.
We look forward to meeting you in Heraklion and making the 1st RIANA Users Meeting a lively and productive event!
Please note: The registration deadline is 31/12/2025.

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Registration

W4Q: Quantum Science Conference
2026-03-23 - 2026-03-25 | Palma de Mallorca, Palma de Mallorca, Spain
The W4Q: Quantum Science Conference (Palma de Mallorca, Spain, March 23-25, 2026) brings together cutting-edge research from all areas of quantum physics: from foundations to quantum technology applications.
In the last 4 years of regular meetings, Women 4 Quantum has been growing as a network of senior scientists. We have published our Manifesto of Values (arxiv and Comm. Phys.), shared our reflections in numerous public events, and announced the W4Q association, hosted by Paris Sorbonne.
This year we are launching this international conference to promote scientific excellence through diversity, connect with early-career researchers, and create new lasting international collaborations in quantum science. We aim to offer a welcoming and friendly environment that encourages scientific exchanges. Open to everyone, regardless of gender, we especially encourage young researchers and early career researchers to join us, to get to know our community, to discuss new ideas and to present their research.
Topics: Quantum Optics, Atomic and Molecular Physics, Many Body Quantum Physics, Quantum Information, Quantum Thermodynamics, Quantum Computation and Simulations, Quantum Sensing, Quantum Communications, Foundations and Technological Applications.
Contributions: The conference will comprise talks, posters, and a round table.

Parity Violation in Molecules Seminar
2026-03-29 - 2026-04-01 | Bad Honnef, Germany

Conference PE125 - Data Science for Photonics and Biophotonics II
2026-04-12 - 2026-04-16 | Strasbourg, France
Thomas Bocklitz, newly appointed chair of the DAIS Expert Group and chair of the “Data Science for Photonics and Biophotonics II”, a sub-conference at Photonics Europe, invites all interested scientists to submit an abstract and contribute to advancing the analysis of optical and photonic data to obtain higher-level, application-oriented information.
Important dates
Abstract submission deadline: 12 November 2025
Author notification: 19 January 2026
Manuscript due: 25 March 2026

Event website

5th Conference on Advances in Ultrafast Condensed Phase Physics
2026-04-12 - 2026-04-16 | Strasbourg, France
Next April, the 5th conference on Advances in Ultrafast Condensed Phase Physics will take place in the framework of
the SPIE Photonics Europe congress (April 12-16 2026) in Strasbourg, France. A major European event for Photonics Research and Applications:
https://spie.org/conferences-and-exhibitions/photonics-europe/attend

The conference covers recent highlights and the state of the art in

novel experimental and theoretical tools for ultrafast condensed-matter physics
strong-field processes in condensed and dilute matter, including high-harmonic generation
ultrafast non-adiabatic dynamics of condensed phase molecular systems and functional materials
ultrafast electron dynamics in nano-structured, strongly correlated or topological solid state materials
ultrafast processes and phase transitions in magnetic, ferro-electric or multi-ferroic materials.

INVITED SPEAKERS

Davide Bossini (U Konstanz, G)
Daniele Brida (U Luxembourg, L)
Lukas Bruder (U Freiburg, G)
Matteo Calandra (U Trento, I)
Laura Cattaneo (MPI Heidelberg, G) to be confirmed
Keshav M. Dani (Okinawa IST, Japan)
Matteo Lucchini (Politechnico Milano, I)
Olga Smirnova (MBI Berlin, G) to be confirmed

We would be delighted to meet you in Strasbourg, please consider submitting your 250-word abstract by December 5, 2025 (Friday in two weeks) at
https://www.spie.org/pe103call.

SPIE Photonics Europe
2026-04-12 - 2026-04-16 | Strasbourg, France
List of the 2026 conference topics

Metamaterials
Nanophotonics
Advances in Ultrafast Condensed Phase Physics
Quantum Technologies
Terahertz Photonics
Functional Materials: Advances and Applications
Spintronics and Nanomagnetism
3D Printed Optics and Additive Photonics Manufacturing
Unconventional Optical Imaging
Optics and Photonics for Advanced Dimensional Metrology
Optics, Photonics and Digital Technologies for Imaging Applications
Optical Sensing and Detection
Real-time Processing of Image, Depth and Video Information
Optical and Photonic Microsystems: Technology and Applications
Specialty Optical Fibres
Semiconductor Lasers and Laser Dynamics
Fiber Lasers and Glass Photonics: Materials through Applications
Nonlinear Optics and its Applications
Lasers and Photonics for Advanced Manufacturing
Biomendical Spectroscopy, Microscopy, and Imaging
Neurophotonics
Biophotonics in Point-of-Care
Clinical Biophotonics
Tissue Optics and Photonics
Data Science for Photonics and Biophotonics
Integrated Photonics Platforms
Organic Electronics + Photonics: Fundamentals and Devices
Photosensitive Materials and their Applications
Liquid Crystals Optics and Photonic Devices
Machine Learning in Photonics
Photonics in Africa

GRC Molecular and Ionic Clusters: Bridging Gas Phase and Condensed Matter Through Cluster Science
2026-04-19 - 2026-04-24 | Lucca, Lucca, Italy
2026 Molecular and Ionic Clusters GRC
April 19-14, 2026, in Tuscany, Italy

Dear Colleagues,

We are delighted to invite you and your research groups to the 2026 Gordon Research Conference on Molecular and Ionic Clusters, taking place April 19-24, 2026 at the Renaissance Il Ciocco Hotel in Tuscany, Italy.

Theme: Bridging Gas Phase and Condensed Matter Through Cluster Science

This premier international conference brings together leading and early career researchers to explore cutting-edge developments spanning the full range of cluster science—from atomically precise clusters to aerosols, and from fundamental quantum phenomena to applications in catalysis, atmospheric chemistry, and biomolecular processes.

Conference Highlights

• Exceptional program featuring world-renowned researchers across nine topical sessions
• Four poster sessions for in-depth scientific exchange
• Ample time for discussion after each talk
• Informal networking during afternoon free time and communal meals
• Stunning venue in the hills of Tuscany, Italy —one of the most beautiful GRC locations
• Preceded by a Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) for early career researchers

Important Dates
• Application Deadline: March 22, 2026
• Conference Dates: April 19-24, 2026

Apply early! Many GRCs become oversubscribed before the deadline.

How to Register

Visit: https://www.grc.org/molecular-and-ionic-clusters-conference/2026/

Early career researchers are strongly encouraged to also apply for the associated Gordon Research Seminar (GRS). Financial assistance may be available through the Carl Storm Opportunity Fellowships program.

Conference Chairs: Stuart R. Mackenzie (University of Oxford, UK) and Laura M. McCaslin (Sandia National Laboratories, USA)
Vice Chairs: Evangelos Miliordos (Auburn University, USA) and Bernd Von Issendorff (Freiburg University, Germany)

We look forward to welcoming you to Tuscany for what promises to be an outstanding scientific meeting at the forefront of cluster science!

Best regards,

Stuart R. Mackenzie and Laura M. McCaslin Conference Co-Chairs
(Milena Barp, Erica Bocanegra, GRS Co-Chairs)

Nanoscale and Microscale Heat Transfer IX - NMHT 2026
2026-04-20 - 2026-04-24 | Berlin, Gustav-Kirchhoff-Straße 4, Berlin, 12489, Germany

School and Workshop on Quantum Science and Technology
2026-04-20 - 2026-04-24 | San Carlos de Bariloche, San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
CUANTOS 8 is a school and workshop dedicated to quantum science and technology, aimed at advanced students, PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and scientists working on the foundations and applications of quantum mechanics.
The eighth edition will take place at the Centro Atómico Bariloche and will combine intensive training activities with scientific exchange, in an environment conducive to discussion and collaboration.
Activities
The CUANTOS 8 program will take place over five days and will include:

Six courses / tutorials delivered by researchers of recognized expertise, with a graduate-level focus.
Short contributed talks by participants, with special emphasis on presentations by PhD students and early-career researchers.
Dedicated spaces for scientific discussion, exchange of ideas, and interaction among participants.

Contributed talks will be presented in oral format and will constitute the main forum for the presentation and discussion of scientific results.
Topics covered
The areas addressed during the school and workshop will include, among others:

Quantum computation and quantum information
Bosonic codes and quantum error correction
Color centers and solid-state quantum platforms
Mechanical systems in the quantum regime
Cavity quantum materials
Quantum thermodynamics and open quantum systems

The program aims to reflect the interdisciplinary nature of the field and to connect theoretical developments with relevant experimental platforms.
More information: https://sites.google.com/view/cuantos8

Optica Biophotonics Congress
2026-04-26 - 2026-04-29 | Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States

Materials Research Society (MRS) 2026 Spring Meeting & Exhibit: Symposium QT07: Interplay of Topology and Correlation in Quantum Materials
2026-04-26 - 2026-05-01 | Honolulu, Honolulu, HI, United States

4th COSY General Meeting (COST Action CA21101)
2026-04-27 - 2026-04-29 | Madrid, Madrid, Spain
“COSY” is the acronym for “Confined Molecular Systems: from the new generation of materials to the stars”, a COST Action (acronym for European Cooperation in Science and Technology). It is basically a platform for cooperation between research groups in Europe that have nationally funded projects in confined molecular systems. The COST Action “COSY” aims to provide computational and experimental building blocks for a fundamental understanding of confined molecular systems in order to be able to control them. The platform already brings together more than 480 members from around 45 member countries of the European Union. It is structured in five strongly correlated working groups whose objectives range from a first-principles description of the interaction between a molecule and its environment, including the interstellar medium, to the synthesis of new materials with theranostics applications, energy conversion, and photocatalysis.
We cordially invite all the members of the COST Action CA21101 (“COSY”), as well as all interested parties, to CSIC Central Campus, Madrid, for the Fourth and Final General Meeting of our COST Action. The COST Action is dedicated to a better understanding and recognition of issues relevant to the experimental and theoretical characterization of confined molecular systems, from those relevant in new materials research, to those playing a key role in astrochemistry. The Fourth General Meeting of the COST Action “COSY” will gather scientific sessions addressing the five Working Groups (WGs). A Management Committee Meeting will be celebrated during the afternoon of the last day (29 April). The General Meeting will provide an opportunity for the members of the Action’s five Working Groups (WGs) to undertake collaborations addressing the goals of the Fourth Grant Period of the COST Action. For this purpose, the meeting will host dedicated sessions covering all WGs. This Meeting will be central to promote the deliverables of the COST Action “COSY”. In this way, the program will include overview lectures (30 minutes long) by the leaders of the five Working Groups:

Working Group 1: Fundational, theoretical, and experimental investigation of the formation of molecules and matter in the interstellar medamental studies of molecular interactions: new methods, benchmarks on confined systems (Working Group 1 Leader: Piotr Zuchowski).
Working Group 2: Molecular motion in porous, biomolecular and environmental-confined systems via advanced simulation methods (Working Group 2 Leader: Sonja Grubisic).
Working Group 3: Advanced theory and experiments on confined metal/oxide clusters for catalytic and nanotechnology applications (Working Group 3 Leader: Alessandro Fortunelli).
Working Group 4: Time-resolved and reactive dynamics, spectroscopy, and simulations of molecules in He nanodroplets (Working Group 4 Leader: Marcel Mudrich).
Working Group 5: Computium and in planetary and solar atmospheres (Working Group 5 Leader: Lauri Halonen).

The program will also include invited lectures (25 minutes long), reporting active joint projects between the Action members, including those related to STSMs, and hot topic presentations (15 minutes long). We encourage the youngest researchers to present hot topic posters preceded by 2-minute flash presentations. Two RSC PCCP Poster prizes will be awarded.

Laserlab-Europe Talk: Materials and post-processes for multi-photon lithography
2026-04-29 16:00 - 17:00 | Online
Title: Materials and post-processes for multi-photon lithographySpeaker: Dimitra Ladika (VULRC)Date: Wednesday, 29 April 2026, 16:00-17:00 Central European Summer Time (CEST)
Multi-photon lithography (MPL) enables the fabrication of true 3D micro- and nanostructures without the need for masks or complex tooling, directly from computer-aided designs. Owing to these unique capabilities, MPL has emerged as a powerful manufacturing technique across a wide range of disciplines. The ongoing growth of MPL is closely linked to advances in material design and post-processing strategies.
In particular, the composition of MPL photoresists, including the presence or absence of photoinitiators, plays a critical role in defining fabrication thresholds, resolution, and the optical properties of the resulting structures. While photoinitiators can enhance polymerization efficiency, they may also introduce fluorescence and coloration, limiting their use in certain applications. In contrast, photoinitiator-free and doped systems offer alternative pathways toward improved optical performance. The interaction of these materials with femtosecond laser irradiation across multiple wavelengths provides additional flexibility for controlling polymerization and tailoring spectral response.
Additionally, post-processing approaches, such as calcination and surface coatings, further extend the capabilities of MPL by enabling the fabrication of fully inorganic and spectrally adaptable architectures. These strategies enhance the functionality and stability of the fabricated 3D structures without fundamentally altering the initial material platform.
Overall, these developments demonstrate the potential of material-driven approaches in MPL for applications in photonics and optoelectronics.

Registration

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LINX 2026 - From UV to X-ray Spectroscopy in Liquids and Soft Matter: Linear and Nonlinear Interactions workshop
2026-05-05 - 2026-05-07 | Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
LINX 2026 – From UV to X-ray Spectroscopy in Liquids and Soft Matter: Linear and Nonlinear Interactions, will take place 5–7 May 2026 at the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics in Heidelberg, Germany.
📣 Call for Abstracts – Deadline: 15 February 2026
Abstracts must be submitted via: https://plan.events.mpg.de/event/592/abstracts/
Please make sure to carefully follow the formatting and file-naming guidelines.
📝 Registration Now Open
Registration for LINX 2026 is now open. Participation in the workshop is free of charge. Please note that all attendees must be registered members of COST Action NEXT (CA22148) in order to complete the conference registration: https://plan.events.mpg.de/event/592/page/76-general-registration-info
During registration, participants may reserve three on-site lunches. As the venue is located outside the city centre and there are no nearby dining options, reserving lunches is strongly recommended.
🎓 Travel Grants for Young Researchers
Travel grants will be offered to young researchers presenting an oral or poster contribution. Please note that the final number of travel grants will depend on the availability of funds. Selection will be based on career stage/age, country of origin (with priority given to ITC countries), and gender balance. A motivation letter will be requested during the registration process.
Detailed submission instructions, registration information, and the abstract template can be found on the workshop webpage:
https://plan.events.mpg.de/e/linx2026

TOPFOT 2026
2026-05-13 - 2026-05-15 | Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
The 21st Optics and Photonics Workshop (TOPFOT) and the 16th Optics and Photonics Student Meeting (EEOF) will be held from 13 to 15 May 2026 at the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences of the University of Buenos Aires (FCEyN UBA).
In 2026, EEOF TOPFOT will focus on a strategic axis: the photonics industry, entrepreneurship, and transfer from the scientific-technological sector. A space to connect scientific research with social and productive development.

TOPFOT CreaThe main objective of TOPFOT Crea is to promote the transformation of scientific ideas into concrete products, encouraging the creation of business models based on technologies developed in laboratories in the field of optics and photonics.

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DanScatt XFEL Workshop 2026
2026-05-18 - 2026-05-19 | Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
DanScatt XFEL Workshop 2026 on May 18-19 (noon-to-noon), Copenhagen University (North Campus), Denmark. This workshop is dedicated to the sciences with ultrabright and ultrashort-pulse X-ray free electron lasers (XFEL). The XFEL workshop 2026 is the sixth in a series (Copenhagen 2021 and 2022, Aalborg 2023, Aarhus 2024, Odense 2025).
Please see more info and sign up link here: https://www.conferencemanager.dk/danscattxfelworkshop2026/conference
The XFEL Workshop is a satellite meeting just before the DanScatt annual meeting (May 19-20, 2026, also on the Copenhagen University (North Campus)). You are also welcome to sign up the DanScatt meeting: https://www.conferencemanager.dk/danscattannualmeeting2026
We have a fantastic list of speakers (see the preliminary program attached and more details will be updated later). It would be great if you can encourage your group members to sign up. All participants are welcome to bring a poster (no abstract submission is required) for discussion.
Signing up is free of charge. Deadline for signing up is May 4, 2026!

School on "Ultrafast phenomena in Chemistry: Laser-matter interactions at the femto- and atto-second time scales"
2026-05-18 - 2026-05-22 | Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
Registration deadline: April 17, 2026
Femtosecond and attosecond laser technologies have been impressively developed in the last decades. The Nobel Prize in Physics in 2023, awarded to the “experimental methods that generate attosecond pulses of light for the study of electron dynamics in matter”, using high-order harmonic generation (HHG) techniques, have further pushed the scientific interest on the applications of this laser technology to manipulate matter. Attochemistry, understood as the possibility of manipulating chemical reactions by acting at the electron dynamics at its natural timescale, is currently under test and require of accurate theoretical methods to interpret and guide novel experiments in this field. The description of light-matter interactions is thus a requirement to understand a variety of phenomena of interest in Chemistry, Biology, Engineering and Physics [1,2]. Charge transfer processes, redox reactivity, photosynthesis, protein folding, and electron transport efficiency in photovoltaic materials are just a few examples of fundamental processes initiated by light [3,4]. Femto- and attosecond laser technologies now enable the acquisition of time-resolved images of nuclear dynamics and rearrangements in chemical reactions [5], occurring on the scale of tens of femtoseconds (1 fs = 10-15 seconds) to picoseconds (1 ps = 10-12 seconds), and the observation of electron dynamics proceeding in the attosecond range (1 as = 10-18) [6]. Coherent laser sources capable of extracting information with high spatial (atomic) and temporal (down to attoseconds) resolution are available in many laboratories worldwide, include table-top setups using the above mentioned HHG technology, but also large free-electron laser facilities [4,7], where sub-femtosecond pulses are also achievable nowadays. These sources produce laser pulses across a wide range of frequencies, and an increasing number of experiments and applications are being developed to drive excitation and ionization processes in molecules [1,2,7-9]. In traditional photochemistry studies, excitation typically targets a specific electronic state. However, the use of ultrashort pulses (a few femtoseconds or even attoseconds) [6] can initiate an electronic response characterized not by a stationary state but by a molecular wave packet involving multiple electronic states. Consequently, stationary-state models based on lowest-order perturbation theory are often inapplicable, necessitating the solution of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation. The first step is thus to accurately describe these light-induced electronic dynamics, which requires a proper characterization of both light and matter. Few methodologies implemented in standardized software packages accurately describe the initial wave packet created by interaction with ultrashort pulses during excitation and/or ionization. Moreover, laser parameters such as frequency, pulse duration, and intensity are critically important to the observed dynamics.
This course aims to provide a comprehensive foundation in the theoretical principles underlying the interaction of coherent light pulses with molecules. Through a series of in-depth tutorials, students will explore ultrafast electron and nuclear dynamics in various scenarios, ranging from traditional weak-field approaches to strong-field light-induced phenomena. The Key components of the course include (both via tutorials and practical sessions): i) Pulse Characterization Techniques [10] and Signal Analysis: Introduction to methods employed in High-Order Harmonic Generation (HHG) [11] laboratories and Free Electron Laser (FEL) facilities. ii) Theoretical Background and detailed exploration of weak-field and strong-field light-induced phenomena. iii) Discussion on applications and hands-on experience with open-source codes for describing light in time and frequency domains, and its interaction with molecules using various laser parameters. iv) DFT and TDDFT Approaches: Extensive tutorials and practical sessions on using OCTOPUS software [12,13] to describe light-induced phenomena in large molecules and biomolecules. The course is organized into blocks of tutorials and practical sessions, enabling students to engage with the latest applications of ultrashort laser pulses in Chemistry.
This course is designed for Master’s level students and early-stage PhD students in Chemistry and Physics. It is particularly suited for theoretical quantum chemists, and both experimental and theoretical physicists working with light sources or in related fields of atomic and molecular physics and chemistry, and optics. The skills and knowledge gained from this course will provide a solid foundation for research and professional practice in these areas. This course is an important component of the Erasmus Mundus Master in Theoretical Chemistry and Computational Modeling. It includes hands-on tutorials conducted in the computer lab, where students will take their first steps in exploring photo-induced ultrafast phenomena. By the end of the course, students will be well-versed in both the theoretical and practical aspects of light-matter interaction, equipped with the tools and knowledge to advance their research and professional careers in this cutting-edge field.
References
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[2] A. Palacios, F. Martín, WIREs. Comput. Mol. Sci., 10, (2019)
[3] S. Faraji, D. Zhong, A. Dreuw, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 55, 5175-5178 (2016)
[4] F. Agostini, B. Curchod, WIREs. Comput. Mol. Sci., 9, (2019)
[5] A. Zewail, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 39, 2586-2631 (2000)
[6] S. Leone, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 121, (2024)
[7] E. Allaria, R. Appio, L. Badano, W. Barletta, S. Bassanese, S. Biedron, A. Borga, E. Busetto, D. Castronovo, P. Cinquegrana, S. Cleva, D. Cocco, M. Cornacchia, P. Craievich, I. Cudin, G. D’Auria, M. Dal Forno, M. Danailov, R. De Monte, G. De Ninno, P. Delgiusto, A. Demidovich, S. Di Mitri, B. Diviacco, A. Fabris, R. Fabris, W. Fawley, M. Ferianis, E. Ferrari, S. Ferry, L. Froehlich, P. Furlan, G. Gaio, F. Gelmetti, L. Giannessi, M. Giannini, R. Gobessi, R. Ivanov, E. Karantzoulis, M. Lonza, A. Lutman, B. Mahieu, M. Milloch, S. Milton, M. Musardo, I. Nikolov, S. Noe, F. Parmigiani, G. Penco, M. Petronio, L. Pivetta, M. Predonzani, F. Rossi, L. Rumiz, A. Salom, C. Scafuri, C. Serpico, P. Sigalotti, S. Spampinati, C. Spezzani, M. Svandrlik, C. Svetina, S. Tazzari, M. Trovo, R. Umer, A. Vascotto, M. Veronese, R. Visintini, M. Zaccaria, D. Zangrando, M. Zangrando, Nature. Photon., 6, 699-704 (2012)
[8] M. Hassan, T. Luu, A. Moulet, O. Raskazovskaya, P. Zhokhov, M. Garg, N. Karpowicz, A. Zheltikov, V. Pervak, F. Krausz, E. Goulielmakis, Nature, 530, 66-70 (2016)
[9] Z. Huang, Y. Chen, F. Yu, D. Wu, D. Wang, R. Zhao, Y. Zhao, S. Gao, Y. Wang, P. Wang, Y. Leng, Opt. Express, 27, 30798 (2019)
[10] B. Wolter, M. Pullen, M. Baudisch, M. Sclafani, M. Hemmer, A. Senftleben, C. Schröter, J. Ullrich, R. Moshammer, J. Biegert, Phys. Rev. X, 5, 021034 (2015)
[11] C. Hernández-García, Nature. Phys., 13, 327-329 (2017)
[12] N. Tancogne-Dejean, M. Oliveira, X. Andrade, H. Appel, C. Borca, G. Le Breton, F. Buchholz, A. Castro, S. Corni, A. Correa, U. De Giovannini, A. Delgado, F. Eich, J. Flick, G. Gil, A. Gomez, N. Helbig, H. Hübener, R. Jestädt, J. Jornet-Somoza, A. Larsen, I. Lebedeva, M. Lüders, M. Marques, S. Ohlmann, S. Pipolo, M. Rampp, C. Rozzi, D. Strubbe, S. Sato, C. Schäfer, I. Theophilou, A. Welden, A. Rubio, The Journal of Chemical Physics, 152, (2020)
[13] A. Castro, ChemPhysChem, 14, 1488-1495 (2013)

CECAM/COST COSY Working Group 2 (WG2) Workshop on “Molecular Dynamics in Confined Environments: Advances in Simulations, Methods, and Models”
2026-05-19 00:00 - 2026-05-20 00:00 | Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
We are pleased to announce the CECAM/COST COSY Working Group 2 (WG2) Workshop on “Molecular Dynamics in Confined Environments: Advances in Simulations, Methods, and Models”, which will take place in Lausanne, Switzerland, from May 19 to May 20, 2026.
This workshop aims to bring together researchers in theoretical and computational physical chemistry to exchange ideas and insights essential for understanding dynamical phenomena in complex systems.
These include systems involving molecular cages, surfaces and interfaces, as well as molecules confined by electromagnetic fields.
The scientific program will cover classical, quantum, and mixed quantum–classical dynamics, along with multiscale simulation approaches needed to describe such systems.
The workshop seeks to foster active scientific exchange, stimulate interdisciplinary discussions, and strengthen collaboration within the
community.
We especially encourage applications from young researchers, including PhD students and postdoctoral fellows.
Participants interested in presenting a contributed talk or poster are invited to submit a title, a short abstract, and their preferred presentation format (talk or poster) during registration.
Registration is free of charge.

NICE 2026 – Nonlinear Imaging and Coherent Effects
2026-05-20 - 2026-05-21 | Latisana, Latisana, Italy
NICE 2026 – Nonlinear Imaging and Coherent Effects will take place on 20–21 May 2026 at the ex-Stazione Ippica in Latisana (Ud), Italy.
NICE 2026 brings together the linear and non-linear spectroscopy communities with the emerging field of coherent imaging, with a focus on extending non-linear techniques into the sub-100 nm regime. By leveraging advanced light sources such as free-electron lasers and next-generation synchrotrons, the workshop will explore new opportunities in intensity-dependent light–matter interactions and stimulate the development of innovative instrumentation. The meeting also aims to foster collaboration between experimental and theoretical approaches, with particular emphasis on the active involvement of early-career researchers and their interaction with leading experts.
Call for Abstracts – Updated Deadlines

Oral contributions: 21 April 2026 (notification by 1 May 2026), (EXTENDED)
Poster contributions: 1 May 2026 (notification by 15 May 2026)

Abstracts can be submitted during registration: https://indico.elettra.eu/event/57/registrations/40/
Registration deadline: 1 May 2026
Participation in NICE 2026 is free of charge. All participants must be registered members of COST Action NEXT (CA22148). Registration is straightforward and can be completed during the conference registration process: https://indico.elettra.eu/event/57/page/164-important-registration-procedure
Travel Grants for Young Researchers (NEWS!!!)
Early-career researchers presenting an oral or poster contribution may apply for travel and accommodation support, subject to funding availability. Support will be provided as reimbursement of eligible travel expenses after the workshop. Allocation results will be communicated approximately one week after the application deadline. Selection will consider career stage/age, country of origin (with priority to ITC countries), and gender balance. A CV and motivation letter will be required during the application process.
Further information: https://indico.elettra.eu/event/57/page/173-travel-grants-for-early-career-researchers
Accommodation
Accommodation in Latisana is limited; early booking is strongly recommended. A list of possible options is available here: https://indico.elettra.eu/event/57/page/152-accommodation

Innovative Concepts for Inertial Fusion Energy (IC-IFE)
2026-05-20 - 2026-05-22 | Livermore, Livermore, CA, United States
About
The workshop will take place in person at UC Livermore Collaboration Center (UCLCC) Livermore, California, and will address the following topics:

Ion stopping power & transport
Hydrodynamic Implosions
Ion acceleration
Ion fast ignition
Heavy ion fusion
Shock ignition
Magnetized laser inertial confinement fusion
Electron fast ignition

Scientific Committee
Drew Higginson (Co-Chair), LLNLFarhat Beg (Co-Chair), UC San DiegoFélicie Albert, LLNLJohan Frenje, MITTom Hodge, AWENatsumi Iwata, U OsakaSophia Malko, PPPLSasi Palaniyappan, LANLJoão Santos, Univ. of BordeauxHiroshi Sawada, UN RenoScott Wilks, LLNL

Event website

Laserlab-Europe Talk: Elucidating the Photon Migration Effects in Incubated Chicken Eggs using Time-Domain Diffuse Optics
2026-05-20 16:00 - 17:00 | Online
Title: Elucidating the Photon Migration Effects in Incubated Chicken Eggs using Time-Domain Diffuse Optics Speaker: Lennard van den Tweel (Wageningen University and Research) Date: Wednesday, 20 May 2026, 16:00 Central European Summer Time (CEST)
The early and non-invasive assessment of chicken embryonic sex and viability is of great interest. This interest is driven by the ethical dilemma surrounding the culling of non-productive day-old male chicks in layer-hen production and by the need to improve hatchery efficiency. Optical techniques are widely investigated for these applications, but are challenged by the complex optical properties and heterogeneous structure of avian eggs. Here, we show that chicken eggs display unusual photon trapping behavior due to the eggshell behaving like an integrating sphere, considerably extending photon time-of-flight. Time-domain diffuse optical spectroscopy (TD-DOS) on egg phantoms, supported by Monte Carlo simulations and post-dispersive filtering experiments, rule out fluorescence as the source for the long photon time-of-flight. These results point to diffuse reflections at the inner surface of the eggshell as the source of the long photon time-of-flight. Despite these boundary effects, the retrieval of internal bulk optical properties remains feasible via inversion of the diffusion approximation after selection of appropriate boundary conditions, as was demonstrated in incubated eggs. Finally, phantom experiments illustrate how the integrating sphere affects the temporal response of time-resolved Raman and fluorescence measurements, highlighting critical challenges in non-invasive optical characterization of avian embryos.

Registration

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Optics and Photonics Days 2026
2026-05-26 - 2026-05-28 | Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
Optics and Photonics Days (OPD) is an annual central event in Optics and Photonics in Finland and the largest yearly Photonics event in the Nordics.
OPD2026 will be held 26. – 28. May 2026 in Jyväskylä, Finland.
OPD offers an unique opportunity to learn from interesting presentations from Academy and Industry program running in parallel, network with companies, students and researchers in the field of photonics and optics, but also to explore products and services at OPD Exhibition that is held during the conference.
Academic program themes:

Sensing and imaging
Novel photonic devices
Materials and processing
Fundamental photonics (classical and quantum)

Industry topics:

Photonics in Augmented Reality
PICs & Quantum Photonics
Photonics for Dual-Use Applications
Optical Measurements & AI for Industry

Also there is a lot of additional activities such as Networking Dinner, Job Fair, Student meeting, PREIN Annual Event, Photonics Finland annual meeting, Panel discussions, Media event and also Poster- and Pitch sessions.

Laserlab-Europe and Lasers4EU Annual and Users Meeting 2026
2026-05-26 - 2026-05-29 | Dolní Břežany, Dolní Břežany, Czech Republic
The joint annual meeting of the Laserlab-Europe AISBL and the Horizon Europe project Lasers4EU offers a central forum for networking and collaboration, bringing together representatives of leading research institutes, industry representatives and early-stage researchers to discuss the latest developments in laser-based technologies and their scientific and industrial applications. The Annual Meeting, held in a hybrid format, will take place from 26 to 29 May 2026 at HiLASE Centre and ELI Beamlines in Dolní Břežany, Czechia.
We look forward to welcoming you to an engaging and insightful event!

Register to the Annual Meeting 2026

Apply for the Poster Session

Programme

Sessions and supplementary programme (open to all)

The following thematic sessions and supplementary events are open to participants from outside Laserlab-Europe and Lasers4EU.
A dedicated poster area will showcase the research results of early-stage researchers.
An exhibition area will be available for interested companies.
All participants and company representatives are invited to contribute to the discussions at the end of each session.

Thematic sessions:

Lasers in the Future Development of Space

Unlocking Stories from the Past: Laser-based Technology for Cultural Heritage
In this session we will explore how cutting-edge laser and spectroscopy techniques are transforming the study, preservation and understanding of cultural heritage. From non-invasive imaging and advanced material characterization to conservation and diagnostics of historical artefacts: presentations will highlight scientific breakthroughs from fundamental research to applications that bridge academia and industry demonstrating how laser-based methods reveal hidden histories and support sustainable preservation of our shared cultural treasures.

AI for Laser-based Systems
AI and data science are crucial to link advanced photonic research to application scenarios like in clinics or environmental monitoring. This session focuses on the methodologies allowing the use of AI in small samples size scenarios, which typically arise in photonics-oriented research. Examples would be physical inspired augmentation strategies, transfer learning, physics informed neural networks, but also includes AI based optimization of measurements, components and setups.

New high-intensity Laser Applications in Health
This session focuses on emerging biomedical applications of high-intensity laser technologies, with emphasis on laser-driven particle sources and laser-based approaches to radionuclide production. Laser-accelerated electrons, protons, and heavier ions will be discussed, highlighting their characteristic beam parameters and their potential role as complementary tools to conventional accelerator facilities. The session will cover the current state of the field as well as future prospects, including the timelines for a potential clinical translation.

Supplementary programme:

Lab Tours at HiLASE Centre and ELI Beamlines
Exhibition area
Poster area & poster session

Lasers4EU activities (internal events)

Workshop on Standardised Performance Assessment
High-end laser facilities within the Lasers4EU consortium serve a broad user community, from fundamental attosecond science to medical and industrial applications. Ensuring that these facilities provide reliable, reproducible and comparable results increasingly depends on robust, transparent and, where possible, standardised performance assessment. During the workshop, the subgroups developing protocols for standardised performance assessment adaptable to specific communities will present their work and results.

Lasers4EU General Assembly Meeting
The Lasers4EU General Assembly will bring together project partners to review the achievements of the consortium collaboration and to plan the next steps for the project.

Meeting of the Industrial Advisory Committee (IAC)
The Lasers4EU IAC meeting will bring together industry and project partners to shape the strategic direction of the project. Members will provide input on innovation needs, exploitation opportunities, and the integration of industry perspectives into project activities. Their expertise will help ensure Lasers4EU stays closely aligned with market demands.

Industry-Focused Roundtable: Needs, Trends and Consortium Response
This session, held as part of the first Lasers4EU User Meeting, is dedicated to strengthening collaboration with industrial partners. Following an introduction to the dedicated industry access route, participants will be invited to discuss priority areas, technical challenges, and emerging trends within their respective sectors. The roundtable offers a direct platform for the Consortium to demonstrate how its specialised facilities and expertise can address real-world industrial challenges.

Laserlab-Europe AISBL activities (internal events)

Laserlab-Europe AISBL General Assembly Meeting: The Laserlab-Europe AISBL General Assembly will bring together the association members to discuss strategies and coordinate upcoming collaborative initiatives.

This website will be updated regularly. Further information will follow.

Register to the Annual Meeting 2026

Apply for the Poster Session
