Winter College on Optics: Trends in Laser Development and Multidisciplinary Applications to Science and Industry

The Winter College consists of two parts. The first one presents trends in the development of laser sources, including both new laser media and laser regimes. Lectures will focus on solid state, fiber, semiconductor, and quantum cascade lasers, with an emphasis on the latest developments and emerging schemes and materials. Both state-of-the-art laser sources with extreme parameters (in terms of temporal and spectral characteristics, and power) as well as compact low cost systems will be considered. 

The second part of the course will be dedicated to multidisciplinary applications of lasers in science, technology and industry. The potential of the laser as a tool for high precision measurements and to investigate material properties and radiation-matter interaction will be presented. Advanced micromachining with femtosecond laser pulses for the realization of photonic and micro-optofluidic devices with unprecedented flexibility and intrinsic 3D capabilities will be explored. Finally, the impact of lasers and related technologies in different fields (ICT, life science, domotics, environment, energy saving and energy production, security and safety) will be presented with particular attention to technology transfer issues and industrial applications. Hands-on laboratory sessions will be included in the program. 

MAIN TOPICS 
--------------------- 

* Trends in the development of laser sources 
* Laser media and regimes 
* Nonlinear optics 
* Applications to life science, TLC, sensing, spectroscopy, material science, metrology, and fabrication 
* Technology transfer 
* Laser safety 

An ICTP PREPARATORY SCHOOL will be organized the week before the College (from 28 January to 1 February 2013) for a limited number of selected participants. The Preparatory School will provide background tutorials and exercises in areas of electromagnetism and fundamentals of physical and laser optics. 

=============================== 

DEADLINE for applications with financial support and requiring visa: 14 October 2012 

DEADLINE for applications NOT requiring financial support, nor visa: 13 January 2013 

===============================