Conference presentations

Join our conference presentations at Photonics West 2026 to explore breakthroughs shaping the future of light-based technology. Our presentations span the spectrum—from mid-infrared and terahertz sensing to high-power lasers and silicon photonics—advancing applications in spectroscopy, life sciences, energy research, and precision measurement.

Discover how our experts are redefining what’s possible in detection, imaging, and optical systems—one photon at a time.

Below is a list of the conferences:

The evolving landscape of mid-infrared components and applications
Optical control of beating behavior in cardiomyocytes using photoactivated adenylyl cyclase
Broadband quantum cascade detectors with the anti-crossed dual-upper-state active region
Validation of a compact 1064 nm time-domain DCS system
Recent progress in the conceptual design of an LD-pumped 1-kJ, 10-Hz laser based on cryogenically cooled Yb:YAG scheme
QCW laser diode bar stacks with improved performance and technology
High-speed, wavelength-swept source based on silicon photonics: device development and application demonstration
Development of a tunable quantum cascade laser for high-sensitivity, real-time mid-infrared spectroscopic analysis
High-repeatability, two-dimensional optical heterodyne interferometer using cycle-to-cycle analysis
Evaluation of mixed plastics by terahertz wave

The evolving landscape of mid-infrared components and applications

Paper 13842-29 | January 18, 2026 @ 2:45 PM - 3:15 PM PST

Abstract

The mid-infrared photonics sector is evolving rapidly, with breakthroughs in detector sensitivity, wavelength coverage, and light source flexibility. This talk explores how new detector designs can be leveraged in applications that were prohibitive in the past. Light source discussion includes the state of quantum cascade lasers, current limitations in integration and scalability, and emerging solutions to these challenges. Beyond traditional gas analysis, we highlight growth areas in process control, life sciences, and pathology. Attendees will leave with an informed perspective on the technology and market forces shaping the next generation of mid-IR systems.

Presenter:

Gary Spingarn

Gary Spingarn is product manager at Hamamatsu, where he is responsible for establishing market strategy for mid-infrared products and for advancing long-term projects. A chemical engineer by training, Gary started off in industrial gas delivery and applications before moving into the photonics space. From large steel furnaces to semi-conductor fabrication to analytical spectroscopy, Gary has spent a decade helping OEMs and researchers unleash the power of the mid-infrared.

Optical control of beating behavior in cardiomyocytes using photoactivated adenylyl cyclase

Paper 13826-14 | January 17, 2026 @ 2:30 PM - 2:45 PM PST

Abstract

We investigated light-induced modulation of beating behaviors in human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes expressing photoactivated adenylyl cyclase (PAC), an optogenetic tool that enables production of intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate. Blue light stimulation increased the frequency of Ca²⁺ transients, which returned to baseline within a few minutes. The effect was reversible and dependent on photon flux density. Excessive illumination temporarily halted beating, which resumed after a short delay. PAC activation also enhanced the amplitude of cell contraction, indicating that both heart rate and contractile force were modulated. These findings suggest that PAC enables precise optical control of cardiomyocyte function and may serve as a valuable tool for drug screening, toxicity testing, and optical pacing.

Presenter:

Hiromu Sato

Hiromu Sato is a researcher at the Central Research Laboratory of Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. He earned his Master’s degree from Hokkaido University in 2023, where he focused on developing neural stimulation techniques using near-infrared light. During his graduate studies, he received the Dean’s Award from Hokkaido University in 2023 and the Outstanding Research Award from the Japanese Neural Network Society in 2024. His research interests include the optical control of biomolecules and biological functions, as well as their potential applications. Currently, he is engaged in developing optical manipulation techniques for iPS cell-derived cardiomyocytes via cyclic adenosine monophosphate signaling, using photoactivated adenylyl cyclase. He is also interested in expanding his research to explore optogenetic applications in drug discovery and the development of novel therapeutic tools.

Broadband quantum cascade detectors with the anti-crossed dual-upper-state active region

Paper 13908-3 | January 18, 2025 @ 9:45 AM - 10:00 AM PST

Abstract

We propose broadband quantum cascade detectors based on the dual-upper-state active region design. This approach, known for enabling broadband gain in quantum cascade lasers, is expected to also provide a wide spectral response in detectors. We developed quantum cascade detectors by implementing anti-crossed dual upper states in the absorbing transition. The devices exhibited a relative spectral width of approximately 21% and responsivity of 7.4 mA/W at 300 K for a peak wavelength of ~5.2 µm, achieving not only twice the spectral width but also an improvement in peak responsivity compared to quantum cascade detectors employing bound-to-bound design.

Presenter:

Shohei Hayashi is a staff research scientist at the Central Research Laboratory of Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., located in Shizuoka, Japan. He received his Master of Engineering degree from the Nagoya Institute of Technology, Nagoya, Japan, in 2012. In the same year, he joined Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., where he has been engaged in research on plasmonics, metasurfaces, and quantum cascade lasers and detectors. He is a member of the Japan Society of Applied Physics (JSAP).

Validation of a compact 1064 nm time-domain DCS system

Paper 13834-20 | January 18, 2026 @ 2:20 PM - 2:40 PM PST

Abstract

We developed an optical unit for a time-domain diffuse correlation spectroscopy system at 1064 nm with the aim of continuous cerebral perfusion monitoring in clinical settings. This system was designed to be sufficiently small to fit on a standard medical cart for bedside use. We validated the system by conducting phantom and human forearm cuff occlusion tests. In the human cuff occlusion test, the system’s ability to measure human blood flow was demonstrated by measuring it simultaneously with a Time-Domain NIRS system and laser Doppler flowmetry.

Presenter:

Tetsuya Miura

Tetsuya Mimura is a biomedical photonics engineer at Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. (Japan) and is engaged in researching near-infrared photonics for medical applications. One of his current research interests is developing a technique to noninvasively measure blood flow using near-infrared light, aiming to enhance early detection of disease and therapeutic monitoring. He contributes to interdisciplinary efforts combining photonics and diagnosis.

Recent progress in the conceptual design of an LD-pumped 1-kJ, 10-Hz laser based on cryogenically cooled Yb:YAG scheme

Paper 13876-18 | January 19, 2026 @ 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM PST

Abstract

We are conducting research and development on a laser diode (LD)-pumped, 1-kJ, 10-Hz laser technology based on a cryogenic helium gas-cooled Yb:YAG multi-disk amplification scheme, targeting applications in inertial fusion energy. Currently, we are conducting ongoing demonstration experiments with the HALIANS system at 250 J and 10 Hz. These experiments allow for the evaluation of optical component and gain medium durability under conditions of approximately 5 J/cm² beam fluence and 2.5 kW average output power, and these results are very useful for designing 1-kJ, 10-Hz lasers.

Presenter:

Takashi Sekine

Dr. Takashi Sekine, a Senior Project Researcher at the Central Research Laboratory of Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., is a laser scientist specializing in high-energy pulsed solid-state laser development. His expertise centers on diode-pumped high-energy Yb:YAG ceramic lasers, achieving average outputs exceeding 1 kW. Currently, he is engaged in advancing laser technologies for a 250 J, 10 Hz demonstration system and contributing to the conceptual design of a 1-kJ, 10-Hz laser.

QCW laser diode bar stacks with improved performance and technology

Paper 13876-20 | January 19, 2026 @ 9:40 AM - 10:00 AM PST

Abstract

QCW laser diode (LD) bar stacks are crucial components as pumping sources for applications such as inertial fusion energy research, high-energy solid state lasers, and others. Recently, we developed a unique bonding technique for building a high-brightness LD stack structure, which has enabled stacking more than 50 laser diode bars with a narrow stacking pitch and operation with high injection current. We have demonstrated the highest peak output power of 56 kW and the highest power density of 29 kW/cm² from a stack of 56 LD bars with 940 nm emission under the operational conditions of a frequency of 10 Hz, a pulse width of 0.3 ms, and an injection current of 1000 A at a water-cooled temperature of 20 degrees Celsius. A maximum conversion efficiency of 66% has been attained at an operation current of 450 A, and even 59% at an operation current of 1000 A.

Presenter:

Nobuto Kageyama

Nobuto Kageyama is a senior researcher of the Central Research Laboratory at Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., Shizuoka, Japan. He received an M.S. degree in materials engineering from Yamagata University, Yamagata, Japan, in 1999. In April 1999, he joined Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., where he was engaged in the research and development of high-power laser diodes. Since October 2023, he has been serving as the Project Leader of Focused Research Project at the Central Research Laboratory. His research interests include high-power laser diode bars and novel assembly technologies.

High-speed, wavelength-swept source based on silicon photonics: device development and application demonstration

Paper 13907-3 | January 19, 2026 @ 2:35 PM - 2:55 PM PST

Abstract

Wavelength-swept light sources are widely used in optical sensing. Their miniaturization and cost reduction could unlock new applications and broaden market adoption. We developed a compact source using a silicon photonic (SiPh) external cavity design. A reflective semiconductor optical amplifier is butt-coupled to a SiPh chip integrating three Mach-Zehnder filters with different spectral intervals, each equipped with carrier plasma phase shifters. Electrical control enables nanosecond-scale wavelength tuning, far faster than conventional thermo-optic methods. The prototype demonstrated sweeping across 1495–1545 nm. We report on the laser’s characteristics and its performance in distance and other application-specific measurements.

Presenter:

Kazuaki Maekita

Kazuaki Maekita received his M.S. in Engineering from Kanazawa University (Japan) in 2014. Since joining Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. in 2014, he has been involved in developing photonic integrated circuits.

Development of a tunable quantum cascade laser for high-sensitivity, real-time mid-infrared spectroscopic analysis

Paper 13904-17 | January 20, 2026 @ 11:20 AM - 11:40 AM PST

Abstract

This presentation introduces a wavelength-tunable EC-QCL module designed for high-sensitivity, real-time mid-infrared spectroscopy. By using a DAU(Anti-crossed Dual-Upper-state)-QCL chip, it enables broadband, high-power spectral analysis. A Ge waveguide-based external cavity structure supports integration into photonic integrated circuits (PICs), enhancing compactness and cost efficiency. The module shows promising propagation loss and tunability, outperforming MEMS-based designs in scalability and manufacturability. Real-time liquid-phase spectroscopic analysis demonstrates its rapid, accurate detection capabilities. Future prospects include scalable production and compact deployment. This work advances mid-infrared laser technology by establishing a versatile, high-performance platform for spectroscopic applications.

Presenter:

Daiki Suzuki

Daiki Suzuki received his M.S. in Engineering from Shizuoka University (Japan) in 2013. Since joining Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. in 2013, he has been engaged in the application development of external cavity quantum cascade lasers (EC-QCLs), with a focus on enhancing their performance and broadening their analytical applications.

High-repeatability, two-dimensional optical heterodyne interferometer using cycle-to-cycle analysis

Paper 13904-26 | January 20, 2025 @ 4:20 PM - 4:40PM PST

Abstract

We extend our developed high-repeatability optical heterodyne interferometer to two-dimensional (2D) measurement using partial scan of a camera. The analysis method is the cycle-to-cycle analysis that can improve repeatability of optical heterodyne interferometry, where the reference and sample heterodyne signals are cut at the reference-signal local minima to suppress the effects of the intensity variation synchronized with the heterodyne signal. Using the cycle-to-cycle analysis, the single-shot 3σ repeatability of the 2D retardation measurement is improved from λ/350 to λ/2900 at the camera’s center pixel. Our high-repeatability, 2D optical heterodyne interferometry is applicable to evaluating liquid-crystal devices and electro-optic modulators as well as determining the uniaxial-crystal c-axis angle distribution.

Presenter:

Naoaki Kato

Naoaki Kato is a researcher at the Central Research Laboratory of Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. in Japan. He earned a B.Sc. degree (physics) from The University of Tokyo in 2018. His current research is about liquid crystal on silicon-spatial light modulators (LCOS-SLMs). He published a paper in Optics Express on precise retardation (birefringence) measurement for evaluation of LCOS-SLMs and anisotropic optical crystals, and he filed five related patent applications (one has been granted). In addition, he is also interested in a spectral-broadness-tunable Littman/Metcalf external cavity diode laser, whose tunability is enabled by an SLM. He published its simulation study in Optics Express and filed three pertinent patent applications. He also published one paper as the first author and two papers as a coauthor, and he holds two patents as a co-inventor.

Evaluation of mixed plastics by terahertz wave

Paper 13895-33 | January 21, 2026 @ 12:00 PM - 12:20 PM PST

Abstract

For recycling, identification of different plastic materials based on optical techniques is effective. However, in the case of black plastic materials, identification by visible light or near-infrared waves is difficult because of the materials’ high absorption in those wavelength regions. On the other hand, terahertz waves have high transparency for plastics, allowing the internal information of materials, even black plastics, to be obtained with terahertz waves. In this study, we evaluate samples mixed with different plastics using the terahertz absorption coefficient.

Presenter:

Atsushi Nakanishi

Atsushi Nakanishi received a Master of Engineering degree from Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan, in 2006 and a Doctoral degree in Engineering from the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan, in 2024. He joined Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan, in 2006. He is a Senior Researcher at the Central Research Laboratory of Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., and his research interests include technology that contributes to resource recycling using terahertz waves. He is a member of Optica.

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