Should you be interested in organizing a Special Session at META 2024, please contact us at contact@metaconferences.org. Sessions of similar topics may be proposed, if needed we will schedule them at different slots over the conference period.

See example of sessions proposed at META 2023 here: META 2023 special sessions

SP1. "Bottom-up approaches, new fabrication routes and ENSEMBLE3"

Organizers: Dorota Pawlak (ITME, Poland) & Virginie Ponsinet (CNRS-Université de Bordeaux, France)

The session will cover all aspects of novel approaches to manufacturing of materials with special electromagnetic properties as metamaterials and plasmonic materials. The stress will be on bottom-up approach however the session aims to bring together also scientists applying novel ideas in top-down manufacturing methods. The session will include manufacturing, theory, characterization and application. The session aims to bring together material scientists, experts in electromagnetic theory and characterization as well as researchers presenting applications of the materials.

Topics:

1. Bottom-up fabrication routes for nanomaterials;
2. New fabrication methods for nanophotonics;
3. Self-assembled metamaterials;
4. Disordered and non-periodic metamaterials and metasurfaces;
5. Colloidal optical nanoresonators.

SP2. "Machine learning for metamaterials and metasurfaces"

Organizer: Willie Padilla (Duke University, USA)

Recent application of machine learning and deep learning has enabled accelerated design of metamaterial and metasurfaces, thus overcoming significant challenges with conventional numerical methods. For many metamaterial and metasurface systems, conventional optimization approaches are limited and not able to efficiently solve for a desired scattering response. The issue of finding the geometry of a metamaterial or metasurface that will give a desired spectral response – the inverse problem – is also is of keen interest and, as of yet, an unsolved problem. Research on machine learning, deep learning for accelerated metamaterial discovery and optimization, inverse neural networks, and interpretable machine learning, will be covered in the present session.

Topics:

1. Machine learning and deep learning for nanoscale structured materials;
2. Forward and inverse machine learning approaches;
3. Supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning;
4. Interpretable machine learning;
5. Metamaterial and metasurface discovery and optimization with machine learning.

Confirmed Invited Speakers:

1. Ali Adibi, Georgia Tech, USA
2. Philippe Del Hougne, CNRS, Univ Rennes, France
3. Li Gao, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, China
4. Koutaro Kajikawa, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan
5. Junichiro Shiomi, The University of Tokyo, Japan
6. Huangliang Zhang, Umass Lowell, USA

SP3. "Parity-Time and quasi-normal modes in Photonics, Plasmonics, Acoustics"

Organizers: Anatole Lupu (C2N/Paris-Saclay University, France) & Henri Benisty (Institut d'Optique Graduate School, France)

The use of new symmetry properties in Photonics, Plasmonics, Acoustics has emerged in the recent years. They exploit unusual categories of modes and states that open yet unexplored avenues. Parity-Time symmetric structures are a key example of such a class of non-Hermitian systems of renewed interest in optics and photonics (gain/loss structures) for diverse flavours of broken symmetries. Quasi-normal modes help building sound pictures of non-hermitian systems. Extra photonic features such as chirality also add a new twist to those topics. This special session will cover theoretical and experimental progress in the exploration and functionalization of systems exhibiting this class of special-symmetry-related features in the areas of photonics, plasmonics and acoustics.

Topics:

1. Non-Hermitian Photonics, Plasmonics, Metamaterials, Acoustics;
2. PT-symmetry related functionalities enabled by gain-loss engineering: theory, devices, applications;
3. Singularities, broken symmetries, topological states in non-Hermitian systems;
4. Studies of quasi normal modes in general Non-hermitian contexts.

SP4. "DNA nanotechnologies for photonics and sensing"

Organizers: Guillermo Acuna (University of Fribourg, Switzerland) & Denis Garoli (Italian Institute of Technology, Itlay)

This special session will focus on research that exploits the versatility and programmability of DNA to organize optically active elements such as nanoparticles, quantum dots and fluorescent molecules. Particular emphasis will be given to light-matter studies for nanophotonics and sensing.

Topics:

1. Self-assembled optical antennas;
2. Plasmonics and Nanophotonics;
3. Enhanced Spectroscopies (Fluorescence, SERS);
4. Sensing and diagnostics;
5. Plasmonic chirality;
6. High-index dielectric nanoparticles.

SP5. "Bio-Inspired Nanophotonics"

Organizers: Debashis Chanda (College of Optics and Photonics - CREOL, University of Central Florida, USA),  Hyuck Choo (Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology, Korea) & Radwanul Hasan Siddique (Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology America, USA)

The proposed session will focus on emerging biological and bioinspired photonic materials, their interesting biological phenomena and new fundamental properties, complex formation and fabrication processes and emphasize advanced functionalities for versatile photonic applications & structural colors by bringing together leading scientists from diverse backgrounds and technical fields across academia and industry.

Topics:

1. Structural color and their unique properties;
2. Multifunctional biophotonic structures;
3. Dynamic and adaptive biophotonic structures;
4. Sustainable and green photonics and colors ;
5. Scalable fabrication strategies: multiscale, self-assembly, additive;
6. Characterization, imaging and spectroscopy of biological and bioinspired photonic materials;
7. Bioinspired micro- and nanostructures for imaging and sensing applications;
8. Applications of bioinspired materials in vision, mechanics, healthcare and energy.

SP6. "Light-matter interaction on a chip"

Organizer: Alina Karabchevsky (Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel)

Novel guided wave configurations utilizing artificial sub-wavelength structures made of plasmonic or all-dielectric metamaterials can pave the road to new devices with novel functionalities. These devices can be exploited to manipulate light on a chip in a well-controlled manner.

Topics:

1. Theory, simulation, and implementation of metamaterials integrated on a chip;
2. Modeling and fabrication techniques, including multipole decomposition, transformation optics, laser writing, and others to explore the rogue waves phenomenon, photonic jet and hook;
3. Emerging application such as, but not limited to, classical and quantum computing, on-chip nonlinear optics, optomechanical manipulation, spontaneous emission and resonance energy transfer, cloaking and sensing to list a few.

Confirmed Invited Speakers:

1. Antonio Cala Lesina, Leibniz University, Germany
2. Stanislav Derevyanko, Ben-Gurion University, Israel
3. Sven Höfling, University of Wuerzburg, Germany
4. Pavel Levkin, KIT, Germany
5. Edik Rafailov, Aston Univeristy, UK
6. Ronen Rapaport, Hebrew Univeristy of Jerusalem, Israel
7. Kai Sun, University of Southampton, UK

SP7. "Meta-optics for multi-dimensional manipulation of light"

Organizers: Zi-Lan Deng (Jinan University, China) & Kun Huang (University of Science and Technology of China, China)

Molding the multiple degrees of freedom including phase, amplitude, polarization, and resonant properties of light in a desired manner at an ultra-thin meta-optics platform has been long sought, providing advanced imaging, display, encryption and sensing applications with superior efficiency, bandwidth, field-of-viewing angle, quality factor, and robustness. This session will focus on (but not limited to) the following topics:

Topics:

1. Metasurface holography;
2. Metasurface polarization optics;
3. Spatiotemporal metasurfaces;
4. Chiral meta-optics;
5. Topological meta-optics;
6. Resonant and active metasurfaces;
7. Non-Hermitian and Non-local metasurfaces;
8. Metasurface enabled multi-dimensional computational imaging;
9. Metasurface enabled advanced display and encryption;
10. Integrated meta-devices.

SP8. "Strong light-matter interactions in plasmonic/dielectric metasurfaces"

Organizers: Shunsuke Murai (Kyoto University, Japan) & Shaojun Wang (Soochow University, China)

The session will cover strong light-matter interactions in micro/nanophotonic structures, such as periodic hole/nanoparticle arrays, Fabry-Perot cavities, nanowires, fibers, ring and sphere resonators. It will focus on novel phenomena and applications, as well as the theories and modelling.

Topics:

1. Theory, simulation and modelling of light-matter interactions in micro/nanophotonic structures;
2. Coupling-induced phenomenon such as, but not limited to, manipulation of emission (spontaneous/stimulated), thermal radiation, nonlinear effects;
3. Applications such as, but not limited to, light sources, optoelectronic modulators, detectors, solar cells and sensors;
4. Vibronic coupling and related phenomena;
5. Fabrication techniques.

Confirmed Invited Speakers:

1. Matthijs Berghuis, Endhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands
2. Shula Chen, Hunan University, China
3. Zhaogang Dong, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
4. Satoshi Ishii, NIMS, Japan
5. Biqiang Jiang, Northwestern Polytechnical University, China
6. Quynh Le Van, VinUniversity, Vietnam
7. Peng Li, Northwestern Polytechnical University, China
8. Qiang Li, Zhejiang University, China
9. Yang Li, Tsinghua University, China
10. Koichi Okamoto, Osaka Metropolitan University, Japan
11. Tomoya Oshikiri, Tohoku University, Japan
12. Kosuke Sugawa, Nihon University, Japan
13. Keisuke Watanabe, NIMS, Japan
14. Kenzo Yamaguchi, Tokushima University, Japan
15. Cheng Zhang, Soochow University, China

SP9. "Metamaterial Technology and Its Application Prospects"

Organizers: Tatjana Gric (VILNIUS TECH, Lithuania) & Edik Rafailov (Aston university, UK)

Metamaterials are artificial materials that can achieve properties that do not occur naturally from their artificial functional units. The Session proposes to review the development of metamaterial technology from the perspective of engineering application. This Special Session focuses on the design and fabrication of metamaterials and other functional materials. These are complex structures patterned in ways that perform a special function, such as transparently blocking a specific color of light, or invisibly heating a window in a car. These functions more generally include manipulating light, heat, and electromagnetic waves in unusual ways. The Special Session is devoted to discussing recent developments in the fields of artificial materials and their applications ranging from compositions, structures such as orientation, arrangement, geometry, size, shape, and smart properties including manipulation of electromagnetic waves by blocking, absorbing, enhancing, or bending waves. A few major breakthroughs, such as invisible cloak, metamaterial electronic components, and mechanical metamaterials are summarized. Several promising applications that may lead to disruptive technologies, such as superlens, metamaterial all-optical switching, and the merging of metamaterials and conventional materials, are predicted. Strategic suggestions on the development of metamaterial technology are proposed.

Topics:

1. 3D printing;
2. Functional plasmonics;
3. Homogenization of anisotropic media;
4. Metasurfaces;
5. Propagation of surface plasmon polaritons;
6. Applications of metamaterials;
7. Metamaterial based devices.

Confirmed Invited Speakers:

1. Imran Avci, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2. Qiaoqiang Gan, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia
3. Jerome Plain, Université de technologie de Troyes, France
4. Steve Smith, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, USA
5. Kestutis Staliunas, ICREA, Spain
6. Zhipei Sun, Aalto, Finland
7. Gordon Zyla, FORTH, Greece

SP10. "Advanced Computational Electromagnetics for the Analysis and Design of Nanophotonic Devices"

Organizers: Maha Ben Rhouma (Gustave Eiffel University - ESYCOM Lab, France)

The objective of this session is to unite computational electromagnetics experts for an in-depth exploration of recent progress and obstacles in simulating nanophotonics, particularly in the realms of plasmonics and metamaterials. Emphasis will be placed on innovative, targeted, and efficient methodologies that can serve as alternatives to conventional techniques such as FDTD and FEM. Additionally, the session welcomes all modeling approaches in nanophotonics across different spectral ranges. It holds significance for both theoreticians and numerical analysts dedicated to refining distinct methodologies and experimentalists and designers seeking to implement them within the domain of nanophotonics.

Topics:

1. Emerging Simulation Techniques;
2. Metamaterials and Plasmonics Modeling;
3. Quantum and Topological Nanophotonics;
4. Nonlinear Optical Effects;
5. Multiphysics Simulations;
6. Design Optimization.

Confirmed Invited Speakers:

1. Akira Satou, Tohoku University, Japan
2. Karim Achouri, EPFL, Switzerland
3. Mauro Antezza, University of Montpellier, France
4. Alexandra Boltasseva, Purdue University, USA
5. Thomas Christensen, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
6. Cristian Ciracì, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Italy
7. Javier García de Abajo (Keynote Speaker), ICFO-Institut de Ciencies Fotonique, Spain
8. Costantino De Angelis (Keynote Speaker), University of Brescia, Italy
9. Andrea Fratalocchi, KAUST University, Saudi Arabia
10. Reuven Gordon, University of Victoria, Canada
11. Tian Gu, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA
12. Brahim Guizal, University of Montpellier, France
13. Chia Wei Hsu, University of Southern California, USA
14. Ebrahim Karimi, University of Ottawa, Canada
15. Zin Lin, Virginia Tech, USA
16. Cuicui Lu, Beijing Institute of Technology, China
17. Ya Yan Lu, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
18. Alejandro Manjavacas, Instituto de Óptica - CSIC, Spain
19. Riccardo Messina, Laboratoire Charles Fabry - Institut d’Optique, France
20. Owen Miller, Yale University, USA
21. Andrey Miroshnichenko, University of New South Wales Canberra, Australia
22. Sean Molesky, Polytechnique Montréal, Canada
23. Prineha Narang, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), USA
24. Dragomir Neshev, The Australian National University, Australia
25. Jens Niegemann, Ansys, canada
26. Marco Ornigotti, Tampere University, Finland
27. Marco Rahm, University of Kaiserslautern, Germany
28. Lora Ramunno, University of Ottawa, Canada</li
29. Alejandro Rodriguez, Princeton University, USA
30. Grazia Salerna, Aalto University, Finland
31. Akira Satou, Tohoku University, Japan
32. Nahid Talebi, Christian Albrechts University in Kiel, Germany
33. Din-pin Tsai, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
34. Sebastian Volz, LIMMS- University of Tokyo, Japan
35. Shubo Wang, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
36. Yi Yang, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
37. Zongfu Yu, University of Wisconsin - Madison, USA

SP11. "Chiro-optical and chiral-acoustic phenomena"

Organizers: Alessandro Belardini (Sapienza University di Roma, Italy) & Oliver Wright (Osaka University, Japan)

Chiral wave phenomena, arising from interactions with structures that break mirror symmetry, form a broad research domain that spans physics, engineering, chemistry, biochemistry, and the life sciences. This multidisciplinary field encompasses diverse applications, including the generation of light and sound, sensing of chiral molecules, manipulation of proteins, and torque generation. Chiral metasurfaces offer control and enhancement of transmission, and the angular momentum of photons and phonons can be tailored to produce orbital or spin-related, as well as topological, effects. Enlarged nonlinear optical or acoustic chirality can be achieved in confined volumes, down to the micro- and nanoscales. This session welcomes contributions on all aspects of chiral optical and acoustic phenomena, regardless of the length scale.

Topics:

1. Chiral metamaterials and metasurfaces;
2. Materials for chiroptical and chiral-acoustic/ultrasonic sensing, including on-chip devices;
3. Novel theoretical concepts in chiroptics, chiral acoustics, and chiral mechanical metamaterials for wave manipulation;
4. Chiral light and sound states, encompassing photon/phonon angular momentum, spin, circular polarization, and topological phenomena;
5. Nanophotonics and nanophononics chiral platforms;
6. Chiral light and sound sources and meta-sources, including the production of vortex beams and skyrmions;
7. Chiral metamaterials for photochemistry, photocatalysis, sonochemistry, and sonoanalysis;
8. Plasmonic and surface-acoustic-wave related enhancements of chirality;
9. Nonlinear chiroptical and chiral-acoustic phenomena;
10. Optical and acoustic spin-induced torque;

SP12. "Quantum Metasurfaces"

Organizers: Diego Dalvit (Los Alamos National Laboratory, USA), Maria Chekhova (Max Planck Institute, Germany) & Igal Brener (Sandia National Laboratories, USA)

Metasurfaces are crossing the classical-quantum divide and impacting various quantum photonics applications in the generation, manipulation, and detection of quantum light. This session will cover the most recent advances in the field with invited and contributed talks covering the whole spectrum of theory and experiment in quantum metasurfaces.

Topics:

1. Generation of quantum light (single and entangled photon pairs) from metasurfaces;
2. Quantum emitters embedded in metasurfaces;
3. Manipulation of quantum light with metasurfaces;
4. Nonlinear (dielectric, plasmonic) metasurfaces;
5. Atomic quantum metasurfaces;
6. Tunable quantum metasurfaces;
7. Quantum technologies with metasurfaces (sensing, imaging,metrology, communications).

SP13. "Integrated metasurfaces/metamaterials on photonic platform"

Organizers: Songyan Hou (Xidian University, China) & Hao Hu (Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, China)

Metasurfaces/metamaterials have been rapidly advancing our command over the many degrees of freedom of light. Their integration on photonic systems have been explored to control with the manipulation of amplitude, phase, or polarization. This session aims at communicating the progresses of the research on the integrated metasurfaces/metamaterials，which provide new platforms for broad applications in on-chip integrated photonic, biomedical, and microfluidic devices.

Topics:

1. Integrated nanophotonic waveguides;
2. Metasurfaces/metamaterials in silicon nanophotonics and other new photonic platforms;
3. Optical meta-waveguides;
4. Meta-lens and plasmonics;
5. Nanophotonic manipulation with metasurfaces/metamaterials.

SP14. "Meta-optics for imaging, microscopy and information processing"

Organizers: Benfeng Bai (Tsinghua University, China), Guixin Li (Southern University of Science and Technology, China) & Baohua Jia (RMIT University, Australia)

Metasurfaces and metadevices are artifically engineered micro- and nanostructures that can manipulate light-matter interaction at nanoscale with advanced properties and functionalities that are unable to be achieved with conventional optical and optoelectronic devices. This special session focuses on the most recent advances of fundamental studies and functional applications of metasurfaces and metadevices for imaging, microscopy and information processing.

Topics:

1. New principles of meta-optics for imaging and microscopy;
2. Computational imaging techniques with metasurfaces and metadevices;
3. Meta-optics for holography and optical encryption;
4. Functional metadevices and their applications in information processing;
5. Other related topics.

Confirmed Invited Speakers:

1. Liangcai Cao, Tsinghua University, China
2. Tun Cao, Dalian University of Technology, China
3. Mu Ku Chen, City University of Hong Kong, China
4. Xuewen Chen, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China
5. Inki Kim, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Korea
6. Peining Li, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China
7. Xiangping Li, Jinan University, China
8. Ting Xu, Nanjing University, China
9. Shuming Wang, Nanjing University, China

SP15. "Quantum metamaterials for artificial intelligence"

Organizers: Alexandre Zagoskin &  Sergey Saveliev (Loughborough University, UK)

Quantum metamaterials theory provides a unified approach towards a variety of macroscopic quantum coherent structures. Here we will concentrate on quantum neural networks and their integration with quantum-metamaterial based sensors.

Topics:

1. Quantum neural networks;
2. Quantum analogues to classical circuit elements;
3. Quantum reservoir computing;
4. Quantum metamaterial-based sensors.

SP16. "Recent Advances in Metamaterials and their Applications"

Organizers: Weiren Zhu (Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China), Zhenfei Li (Northwestern Polytechnical University, China) & Fajun Xiao (Northwestern Polytechnical University, China)

Metamaterials provide a unique pathway to generate, guide, modulate and detect electromagnetic waves by having structural features that are significantly smaller than the operation wavelength. The development of metamaterials enables intriguing applications ranged from wavefront manipulation, imaging with sub-wavelength resolution, invisibility cloaks, new concept antennas, data processing, and highly flexible sensing and modulation. In this special session, we invite researchers to contribute presentations that will stimulate the continuing efforts on the understanding of metamaterials and exploring their applications.

Topics:

1. Novel designs for metamaterials/metasurfaces;
2. Topological electromagnetic structure;
3. Metamaterials/metasurfaces for imaging and hologram;
4. Graphene metamaterials and devices;
5. Metamaterials/metasurfaces for antennas and RF devices;
6. Surface plasmon polariton and photonic crystals;
7. Metamaterials/metasurfaces for surface-enhanced spectroscopy and sensing.

SP17. "Perovskite Photovoltaics: Light-Matter Interaction"

Organizers: Hui-Seon Kim (Inha University, Korea) & Kazuteru Nonomura (The University of Tokyo, Japan)

The session will cover a variety approaches of halide perovskite materials ranging from novel optoelectronic properties to various applications. The session will include characterization, theory, and electronic devices including photovoltaics. The session aims to share cutting-edge results from all aspects of halide perovskite materials and its applications, and thus resolve the raised issue as well as find a new break-through.

Confirmed Invited Speakers:

1. Hyun Suk Jung, Sungkyunkwan University, South Korea
2. Donghoe Kim, Korea University, South Korea
3. Yeng Ming Lam, NTU, Singapore
4. Jin-Wook Lee, Sungkyunkwan University, South Korea
5. Jun Hong Noh, Korea University, South Korea
6. Nam-Gyu Park, Sungkyunkwan University, South Korea
7. Hyunjung Shin, Sungkyunkwan University, South Korea
8. Wolfgang Tress, ZHAW, Switzerland

SP18. "Plasmonics: Fundamentals and Applications"

Organizer: Hong Wei (Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China)

The excitation of surface plasmons in metal nanostructures enables manipulating light beyond the diffraction limit, which can be utilized for enhancing and tailoring light-matter interactions and developing ultra-compact high-performance nanophotonic devices for various applications. This session will cover recent advances in both the fundamentals and the applications of plasmonics.

Topics:

1. Plasmon-assisted processes: energy transfer, photon entanglement, hot carriers, nonlinear effects, optical forces, and spectroscopy (Raman, fluorescence, absorption, etc);
2. Plasmon-exciton coupling, plasmon-mediated radiation of nanoemitters;
3. Plasmonic nanogaps, plasmon coupling in composite nanostructures;
4. Plasmonic nanocircuits, active and passive plasmonic components: waveguide, nanolaser, single-photon source, router, splitter, switch, modulator, amplifier, logic gates, coupler, detector, etc;
5. Fundamentals for manipulating light at nanometer scale, quantum plasmonics, plasmonic spin-orbit interactions;
6. Plasmonic nanoantennas, sensing, and imaging;
7. Plasmochemistry;
8. Plasmonic metamaterials and metasurfaces;
9. Advanced nanofabrication and characterization techniques;
10. New materials for plasmonics and nanophotonics.

SP19. "Recent Developments in Optical Nanoantennas for Enhanced Light Matter Interaction"

Organizer: Hiroshi Sugimoto (Kobe University, Japan)

Optical nanoantennas based on plasmonic and high refractive index dielectric nanostructures offer unique opportunities regarding key applications utilizing enhanced light-matter interactions. The session will focus on the developments emerging optical nanoantennas and optical phenomena as well as characterization and modelling methods that are potentially important for manipulating and enhancing the light matter interactions at the nanoscale.

Topics:

1. Novel nanomaterials and nanostructures for optical antennas;
2. Surface Enhanced Fluorescence and Raman by plasmon and Mie resonances;
3. Nanoparticle assembly for metamaterials and metasurfaces;
4. Biosensing and imaging applications;
5. Photothermal and light harvesting technologies;
6. Novel spectroscopic techniques and theory for novel optical phenomena in nanoantennas.