DOPS National Optics Congress 2026

Aarhus University, Aula, Building 1412

It is our great pleasure to welcome you to the National Optics Congress 2026 on April 8th to 9th to be held at Aarhus University.

Practical information

Venue – The conference will take place at the Aula and Stakboladen. The Aula will host the main event while poster session, exhibition and lunch will take place at nearby Stakboladen.

Conference dinner – The conference dinner will take place at Villa Post. Villa Post – Historiske Selskabslokaler i Hjertet af Aarhus . It is convenient to get there using the light rail. Please depart in due time to ensure you arrive at the dinner venue at 18.30.

Hostel information for students – Hostel: Roberta’s Society Aarhus

Bus information for students

The event spans two densely packed days of exciting content and as per usual we are able to offer the entire package to students for free in part thanks to our corporate members who take an active part in supporting the Danish Optics community:

Sign-up

Sign-up is closed

BSc/MSc students : (BSc/MSc student) DOPS National Optics Congress 2026 sign-up – DOPS

PhD student: (PhD student) DOPS National Optics Congress 2026 sign-up – DOPS

Standard: (Standard) DOPS National Optics Congress 2026 sign-up – DOPS

Members get 250DKK discount. Simply sign-in to your membership account and it will be subtracted automatically. Not a member? sign up here: Personal Membership – DOPS

Sign-up closes on March 31st or when we meet the facility limit of so hurry up and reserve your seat!

Just like last year we are happy to announce that DOPS will sponsor both the conference, food transport and accommodation for all BSc and MSc members enrolled at a Danish university. Just sign up using the appropriate link above.

Bus and Accommodation

Students qualify for free transport from Odense or Copenhagen and free accommodation. To take advantage of this offer, simply select the option when signing up. We will provide more details about pick-up and drop-off as we get closer to the event. Visit this page to stay updated with the latest information.

Invited speakers:

Peter Balling

Title: Light in the service of a good cause: New approaches to mapping radiotherapy dose

Peter Balling is Professor of experimental physics at Aarhus University. He studies how materials respond to ultrashort laser pulses, combining time-resolved experiments with modeling to reveal ultrafast electronic and structural dynamics. His work ranges from fundamental light–matter interaction to laser-based material processing and nanostructuring, with applications that include photovoltaic concepts and optical methods for three-dimensional radiation dosimetry in medical physics. Through collaborations across physics, nanoscience, and engineering, he develops laser tools and measurement approaches that connect basic optical science with real-world diagnostics.

Leif Katsuo Oxenløwe

Title: Exabit/s scale Optical Communications with a Single Microcomb Chip for Ultra-Scalable Data Centers

Leif Katsuo Oxenløwe is Professor at DTU Electro and leads the High-Speed Optical Communications group. His research targets the technologies that push optical networks forward, including ultrafast transmission, optical signal processing, and nonlinear fiber and chip-based photonics. He works from component and platform level photonics through to system demonstrations, with a strong focus on scalable, energy-aware communication. In parallel, he contributes to photonics for quantum communication. His group collaborates extensively with academic and industrial partners in Denmark and internationally.

Carsten Lilleholt Thomsen

Title: Fiber lasers and their application in quantum, space defence and industry

Carsten is the Chief Technology Officer at NKT Photonics, where he leads the company’s global technology and innovation strategy in high‑performance fiber lasers and photonic crystal fibers. With deep expertise spanning advanced photonics, R&D leadership, and technology commercialization. Carstens engagement in the Danish photonics community also include mentoring start-ups at DTU Science Park.

Søren Stærke

Title: Star Trackers and the difficulties of optics in space

Søren Stærke is an optical engineer from SDU. He works as the optical specialist in Termas space department where he is part of the team producing star trackers for satellite navigation. His responsibilities include optical quality control, surveying test campaigns and development of new procedures and equipment.
He is also part of several ESA research projects involving star tracker enhancement with AI and optical design tasks for a space based neuromorphic camera following the success of ASIM.

Start-up panel by Optica

As is tradition, Optica will host a panel debate with representatives from the Danish photonic start-up scene to discuss aspects about building a start-up. The event is moderated by Claus Roll from Optica and this years panelists are:

• Ali Nawaz Babar, Lizard Photonics
• Andreas Gejl Madsen, Holotile Photonics
• Emil Zanchetta Ulsig, QVersion
• Kasper Okholm, NanoFoodGuard
• Thomas Winkler, Terma

Exhibitors:

Get advertisement and a booth to present your company. We co-locate the exhibition with the food and coffee to ensure maximum exposure and traffic.

Standard exhibitor package: 7000DKK (Exhibition Booth) National Optics Congress 2026 – DOPS

• One table (180 × 80 cm, height 74 cm)
• Space for one roll-up or poster behind the table
• Access to power
• Placement in Stakladen alongside posters, coffee breaks, and lunch
• Logo exposure on the congress website and in the program
• Note this is only for the exhibition space. No tickets included.
  Attendees must be registered separately: (Standard) DOPS National Optics Congress 2026 sign-up – DOPS

Enhanced visibility option: 10.000DKK (Exhibition Booth) National Optics Congress 2026 – DOPS

Includes the standard booth, plus:

• Priority placement near main circulation and coffee areas
• Enhanced logo visibility on selected on-site signage and/or sponsor slides during break
• Note this is only for the exhibition space. No tickets included.
  Attendees must be registered separately: (Standard) DOPS National Optics Congress 2026 sign-up – DOPS

Additional information for exhibitors

The exhibition is co-located with the refreshment tables and the poster session in Stakboladen.

A limited number of smaller tables (120 × 80 cm) and high café tables (Ø80 cm, height 110 cm) may be available upon request but cannot be guaranteed.
If you plan to bring large or heavy equipment, please contact us in advance.

As part of the program there will be a company pitch session as is tradition. No slides, just you and 60 seconds on the clock on the main stage. As the session approaches please form a line next to the main stage.

Exhibitor list:

Program: