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60 Years:
Advocacy. Community. Empowerment.

This timeline showcases the IEEE Photonics Society’s six decades of innovation, growth, and leadership in the field of Photonics, marking a journey from its origins in quantum electronics to becoming a global leader in photonics technology.

1960s

1960s

Foundations of Quantum Electronics

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1960s

1970s

1970s

Establishing the Quantum Electronics and Applications Society (QEAS)

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1970s

1980s

1980s

Growth and Evolution as LEOS

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1980s

1990s

1990s

Expansion and Globalization

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1990s

2000s

2000s

Strengthening and Rebranding

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2000s

2010s

2010s

Leadership and Innovation

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2010s

2020s

2020s

Adapting and Thriving Amidst Challenges

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2020s
Join Us in Celebrating the IEEE Photonics Society’s 60th Anniversary

We invite our volunteers, Chapters, Student Branches, Council Chapters (Sensors and Nanotechnology), and Affinity Groups to spread the word and organize events that honor our remarkable journey in photonics and our ongoing mission of Advocacy, Community, and Empowerment.

Let’s unite to highlight the critical role of light-based technologies, while also recognizing the scientific leaders who have shaped the field and contributed to the growth of our Society. Events can be held online or in person, globally, throughout 2025.

Make the most of the 60th Anniversary toolkit, which offers ready-to-use materials, i.e., logos, banners, virtual backgrounds and templates, to help promote your celebrations and engage your local community and members.

Chapter Chairs: Don’t forget to register your event through vTools and use the hashtag #IEEEPhotonics60 to amplify our celebration on social media!

60th Anniversary Toolkit

1960s

Foundations of Quantum Electronics

Early 1960s

Early 1960s:

Quantum electronics, primarily the domain of physicists, began gaining interest among electrical engineers and the most relevant papers were published in physics journals. It was a paper on laser theory, “Infrared and Optical Masers”, published in 1958, by Charles Townes, IEEE Life Fellow, and Arthur Schawlow, IEEE Fellow, that spurred the race to build the first working laser.

Early 1960s

1960

1960:

Known as the “Father of Fiber Optic Communications,” Charles Kao, IEEE Life Fellow, revolutionized the field by demonstrating that optical fibers could be used for long-distance communication. Meanwhile, Theodore H. Maiman invented the first functional laser, sparking the laser boom. By 1961, the first commercial laser hit the market.

1960

1961

1961:

Elias (Eli) Snitzer, IEEE Life Fellow, and colleagues constructed and operated the world’s first optical fiber laser, dedicated as an IEEE Milestone later in 2012.

1961

1962

1962:

General Electric’s Schenectady and Syracuse facilities, IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center, and MIT Lincoln Laboratory each independently reported the first demonstrations of the Semiconductor Laser. Later dedicated as an IEEE Milestone in 2024, with a plaque marking the achievement installed at each facility.

1962

1964

1964:

Glen Wade, Editor of IEEE Transactions on Electron Devices, introduced quantum electronics to the journal, with Eugene I. Gordon, IEEE Fellow, as Associate Editor. A Special Issue on Quantum Electronics was planned.

1964

1965

1965:

The Special Issue became the basis for the first issue of the IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics. The Electron Devices and Microwave Theory and Techniques Groups co-sponsored the journal, leading to the creation of the Quantum Electronics Council (QEC).

1965

1967

1967:

The QEC held its first technical meeting in June, which became the forerunner of the present day CLEO. In the same year, Charles Townes received the IEEE Medal of Honor for “significant contributions in the field of quantum electronics which have led to the maser and the laser.”

1967

1969

1969:

Apollo 11 Lunar Laser Ranging Experiment (LURE) was conducted where researchers fired a gigawatt ruby laser at a retro-reflector array placed on the Moon by astronauts, and measured the time delay in detecting the reflected pulse. This was later celebrated as an IEEE Milestone in 2019.

1969

1970s

Establishing the Quantum Electronics and Applications Society (QEAS)

1975

1975:

The establishment of the Optical Fiber Communication (OFC) Conference quickly became the premier global event for optical networking and fiber technology. OFC has since served as a cornerstone for the photonics community, fostering groundbreaking advancements in optical communications and enabling innovations that shape industries worldwide.

1975

1977

1977:

The Quantum Electronics Council evolved into the Quantum Electronics and Applications Society (QEAS). Henry Kressel, IEEE Life Fellow, became the first President.

1977

1980s

Growth and Evolution as LEOS

1983

1983:

The Journal of Lightwave Technology was established, reflecting the growing importance of optical communications.

1983

1985 – 1986

1985 – 1986:

QEAS became the IEEE Lasers and Electro-Optics Society (LEOS) with significant membership growth. Major conferences, such as CLEO/IQEC and OFC gained prominence and the John Tyndall Award was created to honor contributions to optical-fiber technology.

1985 – 1986

1987 – 1988

1987 – 1988:

LEOS expanded its services, holding its first Annual Meeting in 1988 (now the IEEE Photonics Conference) and launching new publications, such as IEEE Photonics Technology Letters.

1987 – 1988

1989

1989:

Nick Holonyak Jr., LED pioneer, was awarded the IEEE Edison Medal for his “outstanding career in electrical engineering and contributions to major advances in semiconductor materials and devices,” followed by the IEEE Medal of Honor in 2003. In 2023, the IEEE Nick Holonyak Jr. Medal for Semiconductor Optoelectronic Technologies was established in his honor.

1989

1990s

Expansion and Globalization

1990 – 1991

1990 – 1991:

New awards were introduced and the LEOS Board of Governors was established. The Society also organized the first successful Summer Topicals Meeting Series.

1990 – 1991

1993

1993:

Suzanne R. Nagel became the first woman to serve as president of LEOS, representing a significant milestone for diversity and inclusive leadership within the organization.

1993

1994 – 1998

1994 – 1998:

LEOS hosted its first international conferences, including CLEO/Europe and CLEO/Pacific Rim, and introduced the IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Quantum Electronics. In turn, the Society expanded globally with new chapters and members in Europe and Asia, and it began offering journals on CD-ROM.

1994 – 1998

2000s

Strengthening and Rebranding

2000 – 2003

2000 – 2003:

LEOS became the fastest-growing Society within the IEEE, adopting a new mission statement and continued expansion in services for its membership. It also introduced the IEEE Photonics Award.

2000 – 2003

2008 – 2009

2008 – 2009:

LEOS was rebranded as the IEEE Photonics Society, adopting a new name and logo to expand its focus and better reflect growing technical interests in the field. Additionally, the Photonics Journal, IEEE’s first rapid online-only publication, was launched.

2008 – 2009

2010s

Leadership and Innovation

2010 – 2011

2010 – 2011:

The Society began streaming conferences online and shifted its focus to open access and rapid publication to enhance accessibility and accelerate the dissemination of technical knowledge.

2010 – 2011

2012 – 2014

2012 – 2014:

The IEEE Photonics Journal became IEEE’s first open-access publication, with Carmen Menoni, IEEE Fellow, as its inaugural Editor-in-Chief. The Society also launched the IEEE Women in Photonics initiative to support the advancement of women in the field.

2012 – 2014

2015

2015:

JQE celebrated its 50th anniversary, and the Society served as a founding partner of the UNESCO International Year of Light (IYL), coordinating global celebrations of light’s significance in science. IYL is now celebrated annually as the UNESCO International Day of Light (IDL) on May 16th.

2015

2020s

Adapting and Thriving Amidst Challenges

2020 – 2021

2020 – 2021:

The Society navigated the challenges of the pandemic by converting conferences to virtual events, increasing membership, and launching new programs focused on professional and technical development.

2020 – 2021

2022

2022:

The Society’s print newsletter, in circulation since 1987, transitioned to an online format and was rebranded as the IEEE Photonics Newsroom.

2022

2023

2023:

The IEEE Group IV Photonics Conference was rebranded as the IEEE Silicon Photonics Conference to emphasize the growing impact of silicon photonics on communications, data centers, health technology and more.

2023

2025

2025:

The United Nations declared 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ) to mark the 100th anniversary of the development of quantum mechanics, with IEEE and Society serving as a Distinguished Partner.

2025

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